Now that the great weather is here, I see many people out walking for exercise. Walking is a great form of activity that gets you outside exploring your community and enjoying nature.
However, it never fails, but I inevitably see "exercise walkers" who are out speeding along swinging hand weights or dumbbells as they are walking. I know they think if they carry weights while they walk, they will add resistance to what they are doing and therefore burn more calories and tone their arms.
However, what they do not realize is that they are dramatically increasing the chances of injuring the delicate muscles in their shoulder joints.
When we walk, we naturally swing our arms - we create a natural pendulum action. However, when we add weight to the end of the pendulum (in our hands or on our wrists ), the natural swing of the pendulum is increased. Because walking is a repetitive activity, the arm swing is also repetitive and the increase in additional weight to the pendulum action puts increased stress on the shoulder joints.
Next thing you know, the shoulder starts to ache but most people do not connect that the ache is a result of the weights in their hands while they walk so they continue with the activity. Soon a real shoulder injury has developed that only time can heal. Sometimes it takes more than time - additional treatment like physiotherapy and accupuncture, etc. are needed to aid in the recovery process.
Recommendation - if you want to add resistance to your walk, wear a weighted vest or invest in some Urban Poles. The vest will add resistance and make the walk harder on your heart and legs. The Urban Poles will tone and shape your arms, work your core, improve your posture and burn more fat and calories. Ditch the hand/ankle weights!
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