I started exercising in about the third week of joining JC. I'm using an exercycle at home every day, and following the weight training program from "Strong Women Stay Slim" by Miriam Nelson three days a week. (I'm up to about 90 minutes on the 'cycle and 7-pound weights, without feeling exhausted afterward.)
By reading some of the other topics here, I now know to cut back one day a week on the 'cycle, to allow for a full day of rest -- thanks for the tip!
My question is about ankle weights. I picked up a set to try at home, and on the spur of the moment this morning I threw them on under my wide-legged blue jeans to wear at work. Nine hours later, and I'm feeling OK, although I think I need thicker socks to prevent chafing, and I feel a bit like Lurch from the "Addams Family" as I stomp around.
Do some of you more experienced fitness types know if I could do harm to myself by wearing these weights for extended periods of time? I'm hoping they'll just help peel off a few extra calories per day, and provide an easy way to tone my leg muscles without learning another workout routine. I'd stop if I felt any leg or back pain, but one day's use has me wanting to try it again on the weekend.
What do you think?
(P.S.: For anyone using the JC/Tamita pedometers, roller coasters make it freak out. I learned this after Space Mountain at Disney.)

I don't think i would wear the ankle weights all day. Think of where the weights are, they are at the end of the long lever of your legs. That puts a lot of strain on the other end... your hips and lower back. I don't think the gain you will get from wearing the weights all the time outweighs the potential for injury. You will most likely overwork your hip flexer muscles (that muscle at the top of the front thigh that lifts the leg) and not much else.
Instead I would use the weights for specific exercises. One great exercise for the hamstrings is to stand tall, and keeping the knees in line (not letting one come way forward) and slowly lift the heel up toward your butt, then slowly lower it. Hamstring curls in other words. There are lots beneficial exercises to do with ankle weights but wearing them all day isn't one.

No no no no for heaven's sake NO don't wear ankle weights to walk around. This is VERY dangerous to your joints, and can cause all kinds of stress injuries. In fact, I have a Susan Powter tape where they use ankle weights, and she makes a very deliberate point about taking them off right after an exercise is over and NOT even doing the little bit of walking around during the workout with them on.

As the others have already mentioned, anything I've read about ankle weights has been negative for using them for walking, running or just wearing them around during the day. They will put undo stress on your joints, in particular you knees. I'm already dealing with problems from an earlier knee injury & trust me, you don't want to go there.
The ankle weights were developed specifically for legs exercises to add more resistance ie when doing leg lifts from standing or lying on your side positions.
I'd hate to see you injure or cause undo stress to yourself.

Right, thanks. I'll not do it again. I appreciate the prompt replies!

They are great for leg lifts though...i.e. where you lie on your side and work on the outer thighs. For walking or running, they are not a good idea for all the above ideas plus the fact that they can throw your balance off.

I don't know if this is such a good idea but one of the guys I work with swares by it...use a large exersize ball as a chair while on the computer, apparently great for your posture and quads.....

Yup, that is a perfectly legit "exercise." It works a LOT more than just posture and quads, and it's great for working on your balance. From what I've read, it's recommended that you do it only a few hours per day to start, and then increase the amount of time gradually.

Could someone tell me the true benefits of using these balls? Someone told me they are good to do crunches on??? All I can picture is the ball slipping out from under me and cracking my head on the floor.
Should you be of a certain fitness level to use them?
I always used those ab machines for crunches..the type where you rest your head on a little pillow and use a bar to hold on to. I tend to have upper back problems if I do crunches wrong. I need a new one and was considerng buying the ball instead.
Thanks!

The balls are awesome to do crunches on. They are about the best ab exercise you will come across. If you've never done them you will be sore in your midsection the next day. Start by just sitting on the ball. Get comfortable just sitting there and balancing. You should get the right size of ball - NOT too big, so that when you are sitting on it your feet are flat on the floor and your knees are at a 90 degree angle.
Once you feel you have your balance just sitting, start by having someone "spot" you, i.e. keep their hands on the ball. Babystep your feet forward and lean back until you are at a 45 degree angle. Then do tiny little crunches. Start with only 5 your first day. I promise you people over-do it with this one and the next day they feel sore muscles they never knew existed!!!
Once you have the balance thing down you won't need a spotter, you will feel like you can do it all day without slipping off.
The balance aspect makes your muscles work harder, that's why this exercise is so awesome.
Anyone can do it...I taught senior citizens and very out-of-shape people how to use the balance balls....with practice they all could do it.

Thanks Laura..I appreciate your advice. I'm going to try out the sizes at my gym and then buy one for my home. Flat abs here I come!!
While I have your attention..I've been meaning to tell you that I truly enjoy your postings..you have a great sense of humor and a way with words. You make me laugh most everyday and I just wanted to say thanks and let you know I'm glad you're here.
Take Care

Where can you get those exercise balls? They sound great.

Any place that carries fitness equipment, including stores like Target.