Weighted Vest Workouts
If you’ve come to this site you’re probably wondering whether you really need an adjustable weighted vest or not. You may also be wondering which one to get and what they are good for.
I’m glad you stopped by.
In this article I will talk about what you can do with weighted vests, why they are becoming more popular among serious fitness “fanatics” (both male and female), and how you can go about picking the best weighted vest for you.
What Is a Weighted Vest, Anyway?
A Weight vest, as you can see in the picture, is a vest with multiple pockets. Into each of these pockets, you can place a small weight, often a packet filled with sand. You can adjust the weight across a wide range.
Usually the vest is marketed with the maximum amount of weight mentioned along with the model or brand name. Some vests can go as high as 200 lbs. This kind of vest is, of course, used by pretty advanced athletes of guys that are already very fit. However, lighter weights may be used by people across a range of fitness levels and abilities.
The role of the vest is to pack on more weight onto your frame and to make your workouts harder as a result. You’d be surprised by how much more effective your workouts can become with just a little extra resistance. The effect on both muscle building and fat burning can be dramatic.
Exercises That You Can Do With Weighted Vests
Weighted vests can be used for many sorts of exercises. However, we can break down the two types of workouts into two:
1. Strength training
In this case, we’re talking about bodyweight workouts such as:
- Pull ups and chin ups for your back. Your biceps also work with these exercises.
- Squats and lunges for your lower body.
- Push ups for your chest, shoulders, and triceps.
Regular weight training will not be effected by wearing a vest since you’re not adding any resistance to your body. In fact, I wouldn’t wear a vest when lifting weights as they can make it a little less comfortable to perform.
2. Cardio workouts
There are many cardio workouts that you can do with vests:
- Running – the classic vest exercise. This is done by guys who want to take their cardio to a whole new level. It can work wonders with interval training as well as traditional cardio.
- Walking, hiking – the same deal as running.
- Swimming – This usually requires special vests. I may go into swimming vests in another article, but for now, let’s stick to “dry cardio”.
When To Use A Vest
I think vests can be used successfully by nearly every health conscious person. However, there are times in which I would not use a vest:
- When you’re recovering from an injury – There is simply no point to placing additional strain on your body. You should train regularly until you recover.
- When you’re learning how to do a specific exercise – Form is very important. Focus on getting your technique straight and only then proceed to add additional weight and load.
- You’re not fit enough – This relates to the amount of weight you’re placing on yourself. A lot of guys go overboard and place a ton of weight on them. Go slow and adjust the load upward gradually.
Where To Buy Adjustable Weighted Vests at a Great Price
You can find vests in a variety of sport and fitness stores. You can also find some great prices online. Go to this comparison page to see prices by various brands. I don’t think you can find better prices than those you find online.
I will also be reviewing the leading brands on this site and give you the details about their product so you’ll know which weighted vest is the best for you.
