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13 of the Best Weighted Vests to Buy in 2023
Weighted vests transform just about any activity into a resistance exercise. Get ready to bear the load and build your vest self
Whether you’re looking to liven up your lunchtime 5k, add heat to your home workouts or overcome a training plateau (or all of the above) strapping on a weighted vest is one of the easiest ways to fast-track your strength and endurance.
But before strapping on the first vest you see, there are a couple of questions you should consider. For example, what kind of weighted vest do you need? What exercises should you be doing in one? And is it even worth complicating your workouts in the first place? If you're worried about any of these questions, we spoke to a personal trainer and transformation coach to get their expert advice.
In line with their recommendations, we’ve picked our favourite weighted vests for adding resistance to your bodyweight workouts. With everything from lightweight, minimalist vests for beginners to heavy-duty rigs designed to supercharge muscle growth, there’s a training vest in this round-up suitable for every type of workout.
Why Wear a Weighted Vest?
The theory is simple. By adding mass to your centre of gravity, 'it effectively feels like you are heavier, so your muscles and cardiovascular system have to do more work,' explains PT and transformation coach Mark Ross. You’ll increase the intensity and efficiency of your training session, supercharge muscle growth and torch a greater number of calories in a shorter amount of time. And who doesn’t want that?
What Exercises Can You Do with a Weighted Vest?
No exercise is safe from the vest’s heart rate-spiking wrath – ‘even the most basic of bodyweight exercises, like squats and press ups,’ Ross explains. This compact bit of kit is ideal for levelling up your home workouts, especially if you’re short on diverse equipment. ‘Adding a vest to pull-ups, split squats, bear crawls and mountain climbers give an extra push if the intensity is needed,’ he adds.
If you’re feeling particularly masochistic, you might be tempted to strap on a vest and tackle hill sprints straight off the bat. Fine if you’re already fit, but beginners should steer clear – or risk injury. ‘If your body is new to exercise, your joints won’t be used to impact movements, so you don’t need to add excess weight on top,’ says Ross. If you already worship at the altar of CrossFit, nailing your form is crucial to keep back pain at bay.
Which Weighted Vest Should You Buy?
When the time comes to part with your hard-earned cash, what should you look for? ‘The best-weighted vests let you move freely and have adjustable straps,’ Ross says. ‘You don’t want to have to stop and move it around when you are fully zoned-in and training hard.’ Adjustable weights are a bonus since you can add more ‘as you grow stronger and adapt,’ he says. But as a rule of thumb, it shouldn’t exceed 10% of your body weight.
Ready to kick your training into overdrive with a weighted vest? You needn’t look like you just stumbled out of the nearest army training centre – unless that’s the look you’re going for. From stylish ergonomic vests to heavy-duty options, we’ve picked out 13 of the best-weighted vests for every workout. Strap in.
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