A reader puts a question to LA Times fitness answer man Jay Blahnik: If she adds hand weights or ankle weights to her cardio workout, will she burn more calories? The answer, says the answer man, is "yes, but not enough." Blahnik explains that extra weight on the arms places additional stress on shoulder
joints, and extra weight on the ankles increases impact forces on the hips,
knees and ankles. Over time, increased stress on these joints can lead
to an increase in impact injuries. For the relatively few additional calories burned, he says, the risk is greater than the reward. Read more in the LA Times.
Health, fitness and lifestyle tips for people over 50 who still like to play hard
Sunday, June 1, 2025
Thanks Geezer,
I have been carrying hand weights while walking (6 mph) for a long time. Ignorance is bliss, I guess. However, I won’t be carrying them while I walk in the future. The extra strain isn’t worth it. What good is it to be physically fit but have arthritis or something like that. Thanks Again, Mike
So explain why my physician tells me to do resistance training to prevent osteoporosis if using even small weights is bad for me?!?