Weighted vests are ideally used in different fields, beginning with fitness and strength training, and even occupational therapy. They are increasingly becoming a trend, largely because of their positive effects on the body.
When we need to increase your muscle mass or intensify your workout regimen, often times we resort to exercise that revolves around weight lifting, planking, push-ups and others. There are people, however, who go an extra mile which entails pushing their bodies to higher limits. One of the methods that is gaining traction quite fast is the use of weighted vests.
Holding a perfect plank is in itself an incredibly difficult exercise, so imagine doing it while wearing a weighted vest. The level of difficulty goes up a notch higher, causing you to demand more of yourself. Thankfully, you can expect better results in a shorter time than you would have taken without a weighted vest. So, aside from making you work harder, what else does a weighted vest do for you?
Weighted Vests – How do they impact the body?
- Increases muscle and bone development
As earlier mentioned, a weighted vest causes you to push yourself harder. It is common knowledge that the harder you work your muscles, the better the results are going to be. Your muscles have to put in a lot more effort to support your own weight and that which is added by the weighted vest itself. This physical demand causes them to increase in mass so as to accommodate the extra weight. Additionally, you acquire stronger and tougher connective tissues which support the muscles.
Additionally, your bones will be required to level up to support this new weight. This causes them to become denser and stronger. However, you have to provide necessary nutrition in the form of calcium to aid your bones in their proper development. These physical changes will result in a stronger musculoskeletal system.
- Enhances cardiovascular activity
Whenever we engage in strenuous physical activity, our hearts tend to beat faster in an effort to pump blood that carries oxygen and nutrients to the sites of energy production. Adding extra weight to your body makes the heart go on some sort of overdrive in an effort to supply oxygen where it is needed most. Additionally, your lungs increase their capacity to take in more oxygen to be distributed to your muscles and other vital organs. Over time, you develop a strong and highly efficient cardiovascular system that can handle a good deal of stress.
- Enhances fat burning
Research has shown that the easiest and quickest way to burn fat is through intense workouts that demand a good deal of energy from the body. When you wear a weighted vest, you require your body to go beyond its usual limits, and in an effort to provide more energy, it changes the overall physiology of the cell. This change gives the cells the capacity to burn fat better and faster, and to become leaner over time.
- Increases core strength
The core is easily one of the most difficult places to work, and you need to be deliberate about it so as to increase its strength. A strong core gives you good balance and allows you to achieve strenuous activity such as lifting weights and holding a perfect plank.
Weighted vests work by demanding more energy and support from your core, leading to more strength and incredible balance. You will be able to notice a significant difference in your abs area when you wear a weighted vest over time.
Below are some of the best and most efficient weighted vests for your workouts.
The Best Weighted Vests for Workout Comparison Table
Weighted Vest Name | Total Weight | Special feature | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|
Hyperwear Hyper Vest Elite Weighted Vest | 15lb, 20lb, 25lb | Hyperwear patented technology | |
Gravity Fitness 20Kg Weighted Vest | 44lb | Fully adjustable | |
Harbinger Women’s Adjustable Weight Vest | 10lb | Adjustable | |
miR Air Flow Adjustable Weighted Vest | 20lb | Air flow design | |
RUNmax Runfast Pro Weighted Vest | 20lb | Shoulder pads, phone pocket |
The Best Weighted Vests for workout Products Review
Hyperwear Hyper Vest Elite Weighted Vest – Constructed using clever patented technology
This weighted vest comes with three adjustable weights, making it ideal for a good majority of people.
Key features
- 3 adjustable weights
- Made using Hyperear patented technology
- Comes in three sizes
- Low profile construction
One of the characteristics that makes the Hyperwear Hyper Vest Elite Weighted Vest ideal for most people is the level of adjustability it comes with. With most weighted vests, the weight is constant, and you cannot increase or decrease it at will. This weighted vest, however, gives you freedom to decide the best weight for you depending on the level of resistance and work you are willing to put in.
Additionally, it is constructed using the clever Hyperwear patented technology that utilizes Cordura fabric along with reflective stripes that make it an excellent vest to run in. Additionally, it is well padded to make certain that you do not experience discomfort as you work. Its adjustability also allows for a seamless fit for better comfort.
On the front and back of this weighted vest are small pockets which are ideal for small accessories such as your phone and earphones in case you need to listen to music as you work out.
Pros
- Comes with three adjustable weights
- Comes in three sizes
- Fits to a snug
- Has small pockets for accessories
Cons
- It is an incredibly expensive vest
Verdict
While you may feel the need to reconsider picking this weighted vest due to its price, it would make an incredibly convenient buy since you can adjust it as much as you like. Its Cordura material also makes it quite strong and durable.
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Gravity Fitness 20Kg Weighted Vest – Comes as a fully adjustable weighted vest
This innovative weighted vest is ideal for use as you work out, in cross training, as you run, at home and even for commercial purposes.
Key features
- Ideal for multiple settings
- Fully adjustable
- Weighs 20 pounds
- Foam padding and Velcro for support
- Short lower profile
Nothing makes a buy more economical than its ability to be used in multiple settings. Usually, most weighted vests are designed to be used in different settings, but the Gravity Fitness 20Kg Weighted Vest is a versatile workout tool that can be used in multiple settings.
Additionally, it comes as a fully adjustable vest. This way, it fits our torso like a glove does a hand, giving you good firmness and comfort even during the most intense activity. When it comes to weight, the Gravity Fitness 20Kg Weighted Vest comes with 44 pounds, and this weight is not for the faint hearted.
However, the fact that it is heavily padded ensures that you do not hurt your body, especially shoulders, as you carry all that weight. There is also Velcro all around the jacket which ensures a firm fit no matter what. It also has a shorter lower profile fit that allows you to have a full range of motion and zero restrictions where movement is concerned.
The jacket is made from heavy duty nylon that is highly breathable and that does not allow you to cook even in intense heat.
Pros
- Can be used in multiple settings
- It is fully adjustable
- Fits to a snug
- Made with durable and breathable nylon
- Has a shorter lower profile fit
Cons
- It does not have any storage pockets
Verdict
This weighted vest proves quite efficient since you can use it in different workout settings. Additionally, its adjustability means that you are going to be comfortable as you engage in even the most strenuous physical activity.
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Harbinger Women’s Adjustable Weight Vest – Comes with good adjustability
This weighted vest was ideally designed for use by women athletes and fitness enthusiasts.
Key features
- Women specific
- Ideal for core strength, burpees, sit-ups
- Adjustable
- Contours to body
- Heavily padded
This weighted vest is an excellent exercise tool for women since it is made to contour and assume the physical shape of a female. When it comes to workouts, it is especially ideal for persons who would like to build on their overall endurance as well as work on their core strength.
For ultimate comfort and convenience during physical activity, the Harbinger Women’s Adjustable Weight Vest comes with heavy padding, particularly around the shoulder area where most weight is felt. Also, it has strong Velcro that keeps the parts from slipping out of place as you work out.
When it comes to adjustability, this 10 pound weighted vest can be adjusted by half a pound each time. Additionally, its outer shell is made using breathable material that has a high level of strength which keeps it from being damaged by tension, intense workout or even machine wash. What stands out about it is its ability to work for persons of any height, providing room to move about without experiencing any hindrance.
Pros
- Ideal for women
- Highly adjustable
- Heavily padded
- Can be used in different settings
- Supports high mobility
Cons
- It is a bit expensive
Verdict
When engaging in highly strenuous physical activity, comfort is key. Aside from being adjustable, the Harbinger Women’s Adjustable Weight Vest is well padded to ensure your shoulders do not fatigue fast or sustain injury in the course of your workout.
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miR Air Flow Adjustable Weighted Vest – Made using a clever Air Flow Design
This weighted vest is made to ensure that your body stays cool even during the most intense workouts.
Key features
- Made using Air Flow technology
- Highly adjustable
- Weighs 20 pounds
- Well-padded for comfort
- Weights are made using solid iron
When it comes to convenient and easy use, the miR Air Flow Adjustable Weighted Vest stays on top of the game. For starters, its outer shell is made using highly breathable material that enables your body to stay cool no matter how hard you work out. The material promotes air circulation and also absorbs your sweat.
The weights on this vest are made using solid iron which is quite durable. These weights are removable, so you can throw the weighted jacket into the washer to get it cleaned up. It comes with a otal weight of 20 pounds, but these weights can be removed s you are left with only as much weight as you would like.
The shoulders on the vest are heavily padded to ensure you maintain a good level of comfort all through your workout without sustaining an injury.
Pros
- Highly adjustable
- Promotes air circulation to keep you cool
- Weights are made using solid iron
- Heavily padded
- Can be machine washed
Cons
- Its price is on the higher side
Verdict
When it comes to comfort and convenience, your body will appreciate the miR Air Flow Adjustable Weighted Vest. It will allow you to work as long as you like without overheating and with low discomfort.
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RUNmax Runfast Pro Weighted Vest – Has a pocket for your phone and other accessories
If you like to listen to music as you work out, you are going to enjoy using the RUNmax Runfast Pro Weighted Vest.
Key features
- Weighs 20 pounds
- Has a water battle holder
- Weights in front and back for weight distribution
- Heavily padded
This weighted vest comes with a perfect weight balance, both at the back and at the front. What I liked most about it is the fact that I could listen to my music as I worked out since my phone conveniently fit into its front pocket.
Additionally, it has great padding that ensured my shoulders did not feel fatigued during the entire time I was working out. Another characteristic that made it quite convenient is its water bottle holder that allows you to just reach and have a drink.
It is also machine washable, making cleaning I quite easy and convenient.
Pros
- Has a water bottle holder and phone pocket
- Well-padded for comfort
- Balanced weight distribution
Cons
- The shoulder pads are bought separately
Verdict
Even though the shoulder pads are sold separately, they make your workout session a lot more bearable and comfortable. You also will not have to worry about carrying your phone or water around.
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Final thoughts
Weighted vests make an ideal way of adding a good deal of intensity to your regular workout session. They are incredible for persons who want to go above and beyond their normal routine as a way of hastening muscle and resistance development. Since the market is flooded with many brands, make certain that you pick one that works for you and that is most ideal for your regular routine.
