Walking is finally getting the respect it deserves.
Yes, walking. It’s a low-cost and accessible form of exercise. But more importantly, it helps you live longer, promotes mental health, and makes for a healthier heart.
If you’re an avid walker and ready to take it up a notch, there’s a simple way to unlock even more health benefits: walking with weights.
Let’s take a look at the benefits of weighted walking and a few tips for getting in a productive walking workout.
Does Walking With Weights Burn More Calories?
So, does carrying weights while walking really burn more calories than regular walking? The simple answer is yes.
Let’s break it down:
- Calories are a measure of energy.
- Energy expenditure, or caloric expenditure, is the energy your body uses to maintain essential body functions.
- Your total energy expenditure is determined by your body weight and composition — or resting energy expenditure — and physical activity.
And adding extra weight while walking means your body is working harder and using more energy — giving you a good calorie burn.
Sounds pretty easy, right? Is it safe, too? Let’s take a look.
Key Considerations When Walking With Weights
To do it safely, it’s not as simple as slipping on hand or ankle weights and hitting the pavement.
Completing a walking with weights workout can be risky. We’re talking potential injuries, back pain, or even a rise in blood pressure.
Of course, we recommend consulting your doctor before adding weights to walking, especially if you have a pre-existing health condition.
But if you have the green light and you’re ready to take your walking game to the next level, here are a few precautions you should take.
Use the right type and amount of weight
Before we get into the nitty gritty of each type of weight, let’s talk about how much weight you should carry while walking. Whether you’re using hand weights or ankle weights, don’t add more than 1% or 2% of your body weight.
If you’re a newbie, start with one-pound weights. If you’re a more advanced walker and ready for heavier weights, go big and grab the three-pounders.
So, what’s the best type of weight to carry during walking?
Using hand or ankle weights is your best bet. But it’s not without its risks.
Walking with dumbbells or hand weights can create a muscle imbalance and cause injuries in your wrists, elbows, shoulders, and neck.
Walking with ankle weights poses a similar challenge, and it all comes down to muscle activation. In this case, weighted walking activates your quads more than your hamstrings, taking a toll on your knees, hips, and back over time.
For both methods, the trick is to keep the weight light and maintain controlled and steady movements.
Limit your workout time
Don’t be fooled: Walking with weights is a heart-pumping cardio workout. And it should be treated as such.
That means starting small. If you’re just starting out, don’t wear your ankle weights for an extended period. Start with 10 to 15 minutes each day and gradually increase your time. As with any exercise program, doing too much too soon can lead to sore muscles and overuse injuries.
Keep your form in check
It all starts with the right posture. Bad posture while carrying additional weight can make you tire more quickly and even lead to common walking injuries.
Before you take your first step, make sure you’re standing tall, relaxing your shoulders, and focusing your gaze on the horizon.
Once you’re on the move, make sure you have proper form by:
- Swinging from your shoulders
- Keeping your head and neck aligned
- Tightening your abs
- Striking heel-first
And like other forms of cardiovascular exercise, your nutrition plays a major role in how your body responds to a walking-with-weights workout.
Top 4 Nutrition Tips To Support Walking With Weight Routines
1. Make sure you have the appropriate pre-workout meal
You can’t walk 60+ minutes with your stomach on E, especially when you’re carrying extra weight. But carb-loading isn’t the answer, either.
The best meals to eat before longer cardio workouts, like a longer weighted walk, include a good balance of macronutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. These meals should be eaten at least two to three hours before exercising.
But if you need an energy boost before your workout, find a snack with more simple carbohydrates (carbs that are easier to digest) than proteins or fats — and eat it about 30 to 60 minutes before your walk.
Try these nutrient-packed snack ideas to fuel your weighted walk:
- Bagel with peanut butter
- Banana or apple
- Granola bar
- Dried fruit
If your walk is less than an hour, stick to your normal eating patterns: it’s up to you whether you walk in a fed or fasted state.
2. Stay hydrated during your walking routine
If your weighted walk lasts less than an hour, carrying a water bottle is your best option. But water might not cut it for your more intense workouts, like a walk that lasts longer than an hour. Sports drinks are great for a walking workout in a hot or humid environment, as they help replenish what you lose during those workouts — like water, energy (glucose), sodium, and potassium — and even help you stay at it longer.
This is how often — and how much — you should hydrate for more intense and longer duration exercises, per The American Council on
Exercise:
- 17 to 20 ounces two hours before exercising
- 7 to 10 ounces every 10 to 20 minutes while exercising
- 8 ounces no more than 30 minutes after exercising
For a shorter, low-intensity walk, normal hydration patterns are best. For women, the amount of total water is about 11.5 cups per day, and for men, about 15.5 cups.
3. Enjoy a recovery meal at the appropriate time
The work doesn’t stop once the walk is over. Now it’s time to refuel your body with healthy carbs and proteins to replenish your energy (glucose) and repair your muscle tissue.
Here are some post-workout snack and meal ideas for a low-impact exercise like weighted walking:
- Avocado toast with smoked salmon
- Bowl of high-fiber, low-sugar cereal
- Oatmeal with yogurt and berries
- Scrambled eggs with spinach
Just be sure to refuel within two hours of your workout to reap the full benefits.
4. Consider including a smoothie for a post–walking workout meal
Maybe a short, low-intensity walking workout isn’t cutting it. If you opt for a longer weighted walk, drinking a smoothie with protein for an alternative post–workout meal is an easy way to speed up recovery and repair tired muscles.
Just be sure to drink the smoothie right after your workout to quickly replenish your energy and refuel those tired muscles.
Gain Extra Benefits From Your Exercise Routines With MyFitnessPal
If you’re ready to elevate your walking routine, add weights!
And if you’re really serious about reaching your health goals — whether it’s losing weight or getting stronger — track your steps with MyFitnessPal. If you wear a wearable watch or activity monitor during your workout, calories burned will be automatically added to your daily food logging diary. Learn more about tracking exercise and calories burned.
