Has anyone here tried a weighted belt to increase the effectiveness of walking?

[CrispyQ]

I have a lovely hill that I walk up & down & up & down. I started in September of last year & have taken 25 pounds off. When I first started, it took me three and a half minutes to walk up the hill. I've gotten that down to two and a half minutes. I would like to make the hill more difficult, but running is too hard on my knees & I don't have time to add any additional hills to my walk.

A friend told me about a weighted vest & when I Googled it, I also found some weighted belts, which I think I would like better than a vest. Just wondering if anyone had tried them & what you're opinion of them is.

Thanks!

[MemphisTiger]

1. Sounds good, I've never tried one but I would think a vest

is better because it is supported by your shoulders as well as you waist. Just my 2 cents. Go for it and tell us how you like it.

[CrispyQ]

2. Follow up

I purchased this belt -- the 20 pound one. Shipping was $12.

http://www.power-systems.com/nav/closeup.aspx?c=5&g=2188&Weighted/Belts


I LOVE IT!!! I LOVE IT!! The belt is comfortable to wear -- it doesn't bind or pinch. There is a long velcro strap so it really cinches in place. The outside of the belt has 10 pouches that hold 2 pound sand packs. This week I started out with only 6 pounds & let me tell you, I could feel the difference! I was actually a little surprised at how much I felt it while walking a flat area. You know how your fitness shoes grab at the ground if you don't lift your feet? Well, I discovered that I shuffle my feet alot. I also seemed to naturally want to stand taller & hold my gut in while wearing this belt -- something that I have to really concentrate on otherwise.

As for hills, this is just what I needed! It really adds punch to those up-hills! Huff, puff, huff, puff! I suspect it will be another two weeks before I go up to 8 pounds & honestly, I'm not sure I'll ever use all 20#, but for the $10 difference in price the 20 pounder is the way to go.

Excellent fitness purchase!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Longhorn]

3. Maybe that's what I need to do.

I have plenty of weight of my own to cart around but when I walk with my co-workers, I can't walk as briskly as I would like because one of them is older and can't go as quickly, especially since he had heart surgery a year ago. Perhaps the added weight would increase the intensity.

Thanks for the update!