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Honored Contributor
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Registered: ‎05-18-2017

@JeanLouiseFinch  -   Have you thought about wearing the weights around your wrists or ankles?  As others have stated, the vest could be hot during the spring/summer months?

Honored Contributor
Posts: 27,863
Registered: ‎10-03-2011

@San Antonio Gal wrote:

@JeanLouiseFinch  -   Have you thought about wearing the weights around your wrists or ankles?  As others have stated, the vest could be hot during the spring/summer months?


That's a good option for summer.  It gets super hot and humid here.  I used to have ankle weights when I was in high school.  

Respected Contributor
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Registered: ‎01-04-2015

I have been using it for a while now, and I love it!  Mine has the adjustable weights.  It was money well spent for certain!!    

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Ankle weights while walking can put stress on the knees. The weight pulls on the knee joint as you lift your feet while walking. It's not a good thing. Ankle weights are better for stationary type of exercises such as in a sitting or standing position.

 

I use a weighted belt while walking on my treadmill. Keeps the center of gravity central and that won't cause top-heavy balance stress on muscles that you don't want to overwork just to keep balanced.

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@SilleeMee wrote:

Ankle weights while walking can put stress on the knees. The weight pulls on the knee joint as you lift your feet while walking. It's not a good thing. Ankle weights are better for stationary type of exercises such as in a sitting or standing position.

 

I use a weighted belt while walking on my treadmill. Keeps the center of gravity central and that won't cause top-heavy balance stress on muscles that you don't want to overwork just to keep balanced.


Thanks, @SilleeMee.  I've been investigating belts too.  I haven't settled on anything yet. I get occasional knee pain so I should probably scrap the ankle weights idea.  

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One reason I was determined to lose weight years ago was to have less stress on my knee replacements and to protect my hips so a weighted vest seems counterproductive.

Honored Contributor
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My PT told me that walking keeps your muscles working but it takes....

 

Exercise in "patterns and sets" to strengthen muscles.  Sit-stand, step up - step down on different sides, leg raises, etc.  

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Registered: ‎09-09-2018

Think it would depend on duration of walking, speed, etc.,  especially to start with.  Don't think wearing a vest would do much for muscle tone, rather would increase your heart rate while moving.  So would be more fat burning.  Again, depends on level of exertion.  It's all good.  Worst case scenario, you start small, ie shorter duration, slower walks..and build up the time, pace, etc.  Think it's a very positive addition to what you are already doing.