How to Choose a Weighted Vest [by a Physical Therapist]

Are you ready to jump onto the coolest Nature-fitness trend, but unsure how to choose a weighted vest? I’ve got you covered!

As a physical therapist and avid hiker, I’m always on the lookout for new ways to improve my fitness and overall health and provide recommendations for people that don’t want to follow the traditional “gym-path”.

That’s why I was intrigued when I heard about the science-based benefits of using a weighted vest during exercise, the boost it gives walking, weight loss, and as a way to combat osteoporosis.

So I cancelled my crossfit membership and decided to do a month of weighted vest strength training (other than Murph) and am very pleased with the results.

It’s a great mode for strength and agility training for all ages and ability levels. From hardcore to really gentle, it’s very versatile and especially great for women who want to strength traing but prefer the outdoors and not a smelly gym.

Tl;DR

• A good weighted vest should be form-fitting and have small weight increments for versatility.
• Progress slowly and integrate the vest into your exercise routine gradually.
• Trekking poles are a great addition to a weighted vest workout for added stability and posture support.

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Choosing the Right Weighted Vest

When it comes to choosing the right weighted vest, there are a few things you need to consider.

First and foremost, you want to make sure the vest is form-fitting to your body. This will ensure that the weights are distributed evenly and won’t move around as you exercise.

Additionally, you’ll want to look for a vest that allows you to make small changes in the weights.

This is especially important as you get older, as smaller increments will be easier to handle than larger ones.

While wearing a weighted vest all day may seem like a good idea, it’s not recommended.

Your body needs time to adapt to the added weight, and wearing it for extended periods of time can lead to injury.

Instead, use the weighted vest during exercises that require your entire body, such as squats and lunges.

If you’re looking for a more advanced routine, plyometrics can be a great way to integrate your weighted vest.

When deciding on a weighted vest, consider the Hypervest or Hypervest Elite. Remember, investing in a weighted vest is only beneficial if you use it consistently and correctly.

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Hyper Vest FIT Review

One great option for a weighted vest is the Hyper Vest. This vest is form-fitting and allows for small changes in weight increments. It’s a bit pricey, with a cost of around $100 to $200, but it’s worth the investment if you’re serious about incorporating a weighted vest into your exercise routine.

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Hyper Vest Elite Review

Another option to consider is the Hyper Vest Elite. This vest is similar to the Hyper Vest, but has a few additional features and you can add more weight. It’s also form-fitting and allows for small changes in weight increments, but it also has a sister vest that can be worn on top for additional weight.

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Run Max

This vest has some serious weight capacity for those that want a really heavy wegihted vest. It goes from 12 – 140 lbs of weight.

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Buying Guide Weighted Vest

If you’re considering purchasing a weighted vest, it’s important to invest in a good one. Here are some benefits of a good weighted vest:

Form-Fitting and Versatile

A good weighted vest should be form-fitting to your body, allowing for small changes in the weights. This versatility is important, especially as you get older. It’s also important to choose a vest with smaller increments in weight, as larger increments can lead to injury.

Integrating a Weighted Vest into Your Exercise Routine

If you have recently purchased a weighted vest, you may be wondering how to integrate it into your exercise routine. Here are some tips to help you get started.

Progression is Key

When you first start using a weighted vest, it’s important to start with a small amount of weight and progress slowly. Adding too much weight too quickly can lead to injury, such as plantar fasciitis.

Trekking poles are also a great way to integrate a weighted vest, as they help with posture and stability.

Progression should be done weekly, with only a half to a pound increase in weight if you’re responding well to it. This slow and steady progression will allow your body to adapt to the added weight and prevent injury.

Exercises to Incorporate

When using a weighted vest, it’s important to start with exercises that require you to use your entire body. Squats, forward lunges, and reverse lunges are all great exercises to incorporate into your routine. For the upper body you can find a bench and do pushups, planks, shoulder taps or dips on the bench.

Once you have your form down and you are feeling comfortable with these exercises, you can start adding weight to your vest.

In addition to these exercises, heel raises and step-ups are also great options. By incorporating these exercises into your routine, you can gradually increase the amount of weight you are using and continue to challenge your body.

You can read my post here on how to clean a weighted vest when it gets grungy.

Advanced Exercise Routine

If you are looking for a more advanced exercise routine, plyometrics are a great option. Plyometric exercises involve explosive movements that can help improve your speed and power. Some examples of plyometric exercises include jump squats, box jumps, and burpees.

When incorporating plyometrics into your routine, it’s important to start with low-impact exercises and gradually work your way up to more advanced movements. This will help prevent injury and ensure that you are challenging your body in a safe and effective way.

Using Trekking Poles

Another great way to incorporate your weighted vest into your routine is by using Nordic poles. Nordic poles are a type of walking stick that can help improve your posture and provide additional points of contact for balance and stability.

By wearing your weighted vest and using Nordic poles, you can challenge your body in new ways and improve your overall fitness level. Additionally, Nordic poles are a low-impact exercise option that can be a great alternative to high-impact exercises like running or jumping.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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