[Bud_Smith]

I have made it a point to walk 1/2 hour a day for the last couple of months. My body thanks me for it. Also, I get plenty of time to catch up on new music on my iphone.

My question is... does anybody have any info on walking with added resistance? Is it a waste of time? I like to use walking for recovery. However today I am going to take a stroll with a weighted backpack (45 pounds) see how I like it.

I read somewhere that postal workers are in the best shape of anyone from their walks with their mail bags.

[Magic Wonder425]

You'll need a strong backpack otherwise it could feel very uncomfortable.

Ideally, it would be better if you could distribute the weight around your torso opposed to the backpack pulling your body down in one spot. This is where a weight vest comes in handy, but there's no harm in trying it out a few times to see how it feels.

[ripock]

or farmer's walk with a kettlebell. even a 16kg one can get heavy after a while.

[Dev Chengkalath]

Originally Posted by ripock

or farmer's walk with a kettlebell. even a 16kg one can get heavy after a while.

I agree completely. Farmer's walks or suitcase walks (weight in only one hand) are awesome. It definitely doesn't take long for a light load to feel really heavy.

[Bud_Smith]

The backpack seems to work pretty well... I have been climbing the stairs in my building for some "cardio" or what Mike Mahler calls "structural integrity training" via weighted vest walking...

I'd like to get a weight vest eventually because I think it would be better all around. I know it would distribute the weight better and that it would also be more aesthetically pleasing, ie. I could easily hide it under some clothes/hooded sweatshirt.

If I lived in a more rural rea, I would just carry around a kettlebell, a sandbag or whatever... I would probably just be doing sled drags anyway. In NYC, I try not to call too much attention to myself. As is, the people in my building are fed up with me climbing up and down the stairs with my backpack.

Too bad for them. What a leg workout.

I've been trying to figure out about making my own vest- guess I gotta go see what the army navy store has in store.

[Nadine S]

Even in the gym you can do farmer walks/suitcase walks.. yo can grab the weight and walk around the gym. With all the traffic (people) in NYC it would be hard to walk let alone walk with weights

As for the backpack just back sure ergonomically you are ok - as in it sits high up on your back and is in a tight position (not hanging down, etc).. as that can lead to back pain. Other then that you are fine and it would simulate a weighted vest.

[superman_86]

I think a weighted vest would be a good investment if you plan on using your weighted backpack a lot. I think you'll have less back pain, you can wear it under your clothes comfortably, and the hassle factor for me would be worth it. In the interim you could always wear the backpack in reverse, with if on your chest. I think this may be a better center of gravity while you are climbing stairs. Obviously the neighbors may talk even more but who knows maybe you'll start a new fashion statement.

[Bud_Smith]

Originally Posted by superman_86

Obviously the neighbors may talk even more but who knows maybe you'll start a new fashion statement.

These NYC assholes did that last fashion season. Now wearing the back pack as a front back pack is old hat. Who knows what the next hot accessory display will be.

Urban Sombraro?