running with weights in hand

I don't know the legitimacy behind this, but in high school our coach would have use hold 5 lb weights in each hand, then move our arms like we do when we were running. We would do this for as long as we could (about 5 minutes when I started, ended up being able to do it for pretty much however long I wanted)

I always thought it was one of the most influential things I did when developing my form, I had wild upper body movement when I began running, after a few seasons of this drill I got much better about it.

No idea if any of this is legit, but I think it worked to improve my form up top. I think actually running with the weights might be a bad idea though, as it adds some weight, and therefore increases the stress from running.

Its dumb, don't do it, no benefit just adds stress to your legs from added weight and will injure your arms if you have bad form. Standing and moving your arms in a running motion in front of a mirror while minding your form might be okay.

This doesn't relate, but one time I did a 5 mile run with a 11-12 pound rock in my hands. It was weird shaped(kind of like a flat football) and couldn't be held with one hand. It was for a bet. (that I never got payed for.)

P.Whelan wrote:

I don't know the legitimacy behind this, but in high school our coach would have use hold 5 lb weights in each hand, then move our arms like we do when we were running.

This was one of a bunch of exercises we'd do in group circuit sessions in college and after: e.g. we might do 3 sets of 10 exercises, 40 sec on / 20 rest, and this would be one of them. I'm not sure it had a magical effect but it is at least a vaguely running-specific exercise; I still do this with dumbells or 5kg plates (thumb through the hole) in weights sessions.

OTOH I run to work and back, and once in a while I forgot my bum-bag and have to carry stuff in my hands. I really hate that.

thanks for the information.