Would it be beneficial to run with weights around your ankles? Over the winter I trained for an adventure race with a 20lbs pack and after the race when I trained without the pack it was a breeze. I wonder if the same could be said for running with one of those 2lb weights around your ankles. Does anyone have any experience with this?
Just use heavy running shoes. This would be a better and safer start.
Dev
This will 100% cause massive knee issues. Do NOT do it.
Another vote for don’t do it, I’ve seen the impact force graphs of runners with ankle weights and they are not pretty. You’ve already done the best alternative, running with a pack or weight vest. You get the same benefit without exposing your legs to big unnatural forces which will cause injury.
I didn’t really think of what it would do to the knees. That makes sense that pack running would be the best. It also worked mountain biking. I think riding with a pack would also work on the road and will help anti-aero everything out as well as add weight.
The thought of it gives me shivers. Don’t to it!
Running with ankle weights is pretty old school. I used to do it years ago when I was boxing. My coach would have us run 5 miles with ankle weights, then spar. When you take the weights off, you feel like you are walking on air. It’s a pretty cool sensation. There was always a lot more lateral movement during sparing after we ran with ankle weights than with normal sparing. I haven’t done it since then and haven’t heard of anyone doing it since my boxing days. Just for the record, I’ve never had any knee problems.
Theres always someone who goes against the grain. Just kidding. Thats what I was thinking of; the old school Jane Fonda weights with the velcro strap to hold them on. I think at this point I’m just going to stick with pack training once or twice each week. I was hoping hte weights would be okay during the heat of the summer when wearing a shirt much less a pack is a nuisance.