Hello, I wondered whether anyone uses or has used, ankle weights and/or wrist weights and/or a weighted vest? I have been considering getting some for when I go on my daily walks but don’t know which or how heavy, or whether they are worth their salt.
I have ankle and wrist weights and dumbbells, which I use for exercising at home. It isn’t recommended to go for a walk with ankle weights strapped on, because you risk tripping and falling more heavily than without them. I also have a weighted vest, which I personally think is better than a weighted backpack, because it distributes the weight more evenly, avoiding pulling on the shoulders. I paid quite a lot for mine, to ensure that it has a lot of very tiny weights which can be built up very slowly. Mine is a Hyperwear Hypervest Pro. The main disadvantage I find is that in the summer it can be too hot to wear an additional layer, and in winter it’s a real faff taking layers off so it can go underneath other clothing - it’s a good fit, meaning it doesn’t stretch over thick jumpers etc! I think the jury is out on whether weighted vests or backpacks actually help improve bone density.
That’s interesting since I was told not to use weighted vests or backpacks as (at least for people who have compression fractures) they can further compress the spine and cause additional fragility fractures.
That’s a good point and shows the importance of taking medical advice before starting any new type of exercise. I haven’t had any spinal compression fractures and was responding to the general question about ankle weights/wrists weights and weighted vests.
I have a Hypervest Pro and and it is indeed snug. I don’t use it that often. I was told by a physio not to walk with ankle weights because of the trip risk - to stick to using them for floor exercises. I suppose that would apply to wrist weights too. In Pilates we use weighted balls or hand weights and their weight depends on how our bodies feel and what is comfortable for us on the day.