The strategy of walking with weights has been around for ages. It’s not uncommon to see someone walking on the treadmill while holding onto dumbells, wearing ankle weights attached to their legs, or wearing a weighted vest. You may have even seen people walking around your neighborhood doing the same thing.
As a physiotherapist, I’m often asked if people are really onto something by adding this extra weight. Is there really any additional benefit to strapping more weight to your body when walking? If there are benefits, are there any risks? In this article, I will break down both the benefits and the risks of walking with weights so you can decide if it’s worth giving it a try.
The Benefits of Walking With Weights
Walking with weights does have its benefits. In short, it may help you build muscle and burn more calories. It may even decrease your workout time. Let’s dive deeper and explore these benefits.