DU Physicists: If someone wears ankle and wrist weights while on a rowing machine...

[Mike 03]

Does this actually do anything to increase strength?

At first thought, I did think it would increase strength by placing more stress on the bones, but in practice, ankle weights seem to anchor my feet on the rowing machine, which might actually make rowing easier, not harder.

I do think wrist weights probably do build strength when it comes to using a rowing machine, but I am not certain, and am open to opposing opinions.

More generally, do ankle and wrist weights build strength and/or bone mass when worn during exercise like rowing, walking, hiking, or is this another exercise scam?

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

EDIT: Corrected spelling of "Machine."

[Xithras]

1. Wrists yes. Ankles no.

Adding mass to any moving body part increases its inertia, and therefore the amount of energy you must expend to get that body part to change direction. More energy expenditure means more burned calories and increased muscle tone.

On a rowing machine, however, your feet aren't really moving. Without movement, the weight does nothing.

[Mike 03]

2. Yes, this makes great sense. The ankles are all ready strapped into the pedals.

No wonder my arms and pecs are hurting.

Thanks.

[Orrex]

4. What if they wear the ankle weights on their wrists?

[kayakjohnny]

3. As I've understood and also experienced, care should be used when applying weights

to the outter ends of any extremity. Supposedly, it's kind of rough on the connective tissue, like ligaments and tendons.

Which makes a bit of sense, considering that those areas were only designed to handle a certain load to begin with.

Just be careful, I'd say, and proceed slowly and gradually.

Cheers.

[petronius]

5. That's my guess - I'd think it would be safer to just up the resistance on the machine,

and alternate with other exercises to work other muscles or body parts. I could be wrong, but I always assume that workout machines and weight routines are designed by people who know more than I do, and randomly tweaking the form probably won't do me any favors...