You should not wear wrist weights all day or while performing an aerobic exercise such as walking or running. Wearing wrist weights for an extended period of time puts stress on tendons and joints in the upper body, which can lead to injury. If you wear wrist weights while running and walking, this can also lead to muscle imbalances, as certain muscles are worked much harder than others. Use wrist weights only when performing upper body exercise movements that you would otherwise perform with dumbbells. Examples of good wrist weight exercises include curls, rows, and lateral raises.
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Is it Bad to Wear Wrist Weights All Day?
If you wear wrist weights all day, you put yourself at high risk of injury. Most notably, wearing wrist weights for extended periods places negative stress on the tendons of your wrists, elbows, shoulders, and neck. Rather than achieve a workout, you’re much more likely to injure yourself by wearing wrist weights through daily activity.
- Wearing wrist weights all day greatly increases the risk of injuring tendons and joints in your upper body.
- Wearing wrist weights will work muscles unevenly, increasing injury risk.
Although it may seem like adding weight to your wrists will work your muscles evenly, the opposite is true. Concentrating extra weight on your extremities increases leverage on your shoulder and elbow joints. Your body will attempt to compensate by using muscles in the front of your shoulders and arms. This works muscles unevenly, resulting in fatigue, asymmetrical muscle development, and injury.
Should You Wear Wrist Weights While Walking?
Do not wear wrist weights while walking or performing any other cardio workout. The natural swing of your arms during a walking gait becomes hazardous when you are wearing wrist weights. The additional weight will increase strain on joints and tendons.
- It is not advisable to use any type of wearable wrist weight while walking.
- Wrist weights will put stress on your joints and tendons during a natural walking gait.
- For better results, increase the fitness benefits of your walk by choosing uphill paths or increasing your pace.
Instead of adding wrist weights to your walks, up the difficulty of your walks. Choose paths that climb hills to increase muscle activation and build cardiovascular endurance. Alternatively, increase your walking speed for a more challenging workout.
Is Running With Wrist Weights Good?
Running while wearing wrist weights will do more harm to your body than good. The unnatural weight at the end of your arm will inhibit natural running form, which requires active arms. Adding wrist weights to the equation will strain your joints and tendons, leading to overuse injury.
- Wearing wrist weights does not increase the benefits of running.
- Running with wrist weights increases injury risk to your arms, shoulders, and neck.
- Perform upper body workouts separate from running.
Running is an incredible workout and weight loss tool on its own. There’s no need to add weights. Instead, follow a workout program that includes running and upper body strength training as separate activities.
Is Wearing Wrist Weights Bad?
Wrist weights are not in themselves bad. They are an extremely useful tool for specialized workouts and physical therapy. However, wrist weights are not designed to be worn while performing everyday activities or cardiovascular exercise.
- Wrist weights are useful exercise tools, especially in the field of physical therapy.
- Wearing wrist weights during everyday life or cardio training is an incorrect application of a useful piece of equipment.
- Consult a personal trainer, doctor, or physical therapist to build a workout routine that safely incorporates wrist weights.
Before implementing wrist weights into a workout, consult a licensed physical therapist, personal trainer, or other health professional. Improper use of wrist weights can lead to injury.
When is it Good to Wear Wrist Weights?
Wrist weights are best worn when performing exercises that would otherwise require dumbbells. If arthritis, injury, or other factors prevent you from gripping dumbbells during biceps curls, rows, front raises, or other exercises, you can replace the dumbbells with wrist weights. However, you should still perform exercises with wrist weights in sets and reps designed to build strength safely.
- Replace dumbbells with wrist weights if gripping dumbbells is painful or not possible due to other health factors.
- When wearing wrist weights, perform weight training exercises with proper form, according to a workout routine.
- Wrist weights are an excellent rehabilitation and physical therapy tool as an alternative to free weights.
Wrist weights can be used as part of rehabilitation before lifting with dumbbells, or you can use them instead of dumbbells. When used correctly, they are extremely valuable and effective for driving muscle growth and building muscle mass.
How Much Weight Should You Use for Wrist Weights?
When training with wrist weights, it’s essential to choose a weight that provides a physical challenge but still allows you to perform the selected exercise with proper form. A physical therapist or trainer can help determine what weight is best for you.
- Choose a wrist weight that provides a physical challenge but does not inhibit proper form during exercises.
- Worth with a physical therapist or personal trainer to determine the best weight for you.
- Start with lower weights, then gradually increase weight as you become more fit.
Avoid using wrist weights that are too heavy. If you cannot perform exercises with proper form while wearing them, the weight is too heavy. As with any weight training program, it’s best to progress gradually, increasing the weight as you grow stronger.
What Happens if You Wear Wrist Weights All Day?
Wearing wrist weights all day can cause injury to the joints and tendons of your upper body. Wrist weights add weight close to the end of your arm, which puts additional stress on your joints. This causes muscles to work unevenly. You’re likely to experience pain after wearing wrist weights for an extended period. Avoid walking or running while wearing wrist weights, as the weights can throw off your natural biomechanics and cause injury. Instead, wear wrist weights when performing upper body exercises that you would usually perform with dumbbells.
