Training harder garners better results, right? While that’s true, you shouldn’t have to get there on your own. Reap the rewards (and endure tougher workouts) with a weighed training vest. Increase resistance, and maximize your potential muscle growth, all while adding a bit more calorie loss onto your cardio. It’s a win-win situation; you just have to strap in.
The Best Weighted Vest
1RUNFast Max Pro Weighted Vest
The benefits of a weighted vest come down to resistance training, but perhaps you’re not able to go the full 60lbs of resistance right off rip. With RUNFast’s Max Pro Weighted Vest, you can choose between 12, 20, 40, 50 or 60lbs, This comfortable-fitting weighted vest is certain to boost your workout, and help give that toned look you’re looking for, while making you physically stronger. It comes in all-black, is optimal for hiking and expended workout periods, and won’t leave you feeling sore or achy afterwards, provided you use the appropriate weight settings for your physical build and abilities.
Vest comes with weights up to a pre-designated threshold
Simply select the vest according to your maximum desired limit
Vest is one size fits most with adjustable velcro straps
Features a media device pocket as well as a water bottle holder
- BrandRUNFast
- Weight10 lb
2Aduro Sport Weighted Vest
Trying to hunt down a weighted vest that’s both inexpensive and fully adjustable is a bit of a mission, but with this Aduro Sport you get the best of both worlds plus it has the added advantage of being Unisex too. You only have to look at the design of the rig to see how intelligent this product is. While it is created to be universally worn, it’s especially suitable for the female form and works really well with curves. It’s streamlined, sleek, and basic, but it’s also incredibly practical.
This is a fixed weight vest, which means it comes pre-loaded with the correct balanced weight. There are five different options to select from 4 pounds up to 25 pounds, so it’s not the heaviest of vests out there but should be ample for most people. It’s a minimalist design that basically consists of a pair of shoulder straps connected to the weight bearing element providing even weight distribution and balance. Talking of weights, Aduro Sport utilizes, an odorless filling made of an iron product rather than the traditional smelly river sand you find in other options. The neoprene material is soft and lightweight but also breathable so perfect for intense workouts plus the shoulders are padded for extra comfort and support. There’s also a mesh storage pocket integrated into the design, ideal for storing valuables or a smartphone while you workout.
Manufactured from top quality breathable neoprene
Includes a mesh pocket ideal for storage
Comfortable padded shoulders and protective sternum straps
Unisex design suitable for all shapes and sizes
- BrandAduro
- Weight20.4 pounds
3MiR Air Flow Adjustable Vest
If you’re got a broader build, you’ll be looking for one of those one-size-fits-most models, and MiR brings that to you with this premier weighted vest. Air Flow Adjustable Vest doesn’t wrap around your entire torso; it focuses on the upper chest and abdomen, putting up to 20lbs of weight in concentrated areas. This allows your arms and shoulders free, unrestricted movement, all while allowing your abdomen to twist and pivot with your workout, and reduce the possibility of injury. With the Air Flow breathability feature, you’ll be able to relax a bit more on your run or during your workout, and feel cooler; less uncomfortably heated-up.
Each vest is supplied with its own set of weights
Weights are solid iron bars and entirely removable
One size fits most in this short stack vest
Comfortable padded shoulders protect from friction
- BrandMiR
- Weight20 lb
4Cross 101 Camouflage Vest
Ever wanted to get a workout in while you’re hiking or hunting? Cross 101 Camouflage is the weighted workout vest for you. Seamlessly blend into your environment, all while putting up to 40lbs of resistance on every step you take, building you up for that maximum effect—total personal body dominance. You’ll get back to the campsite, take off your weighted vest, and feel the weight of the world come off of your shoulders, as well as a few pounds.
Simply select the weight load suitable to your level
One size fits most in this comfortable one-piece designed vest
Amp up your weight, strength and cross training sessions
Quickly and securely adjusts in place with velcro straps
- BrandCross 101
- Model10140
- Weight40 lb
5ZFOsports Adjustable Vest
ZFOsports Adjustable weighted vest is designed with you in mind. Whether it’s at the bench or out on the trail, you want to listen to music when you’re working out, and have some storage for a wallet incase you want to grab something to drink on the way back. ZFOsports thought of that, because they ask real users about what they want to see in weighed vests. This premium workout vest is one of the best weighed running vest models out there; with 20lbs being the sweet spot for most users, and a breathable, stretchy material for maximum airflow, you have nothing to worry about; ZFOsports took all the guesswork out of this one. Use the belt attached to the vest for an easier time, a more secure fit, and take off.
6CAP Barbell Weighted Vest
CAP Barbell is a hardcore workout vest that’s not really a weighted vest for running. It has a short style, so most of your weight is concentrated in your upper body. You get to customize up to 50lbs of removeable weights, making this a versatile exercise vest. While it won’t be your first choice for a crossfit vest, you’ll be able to mess around with the weights and create your own customized, comfortable middle ground.
7Hyperwear Hyper Vest Pro
With 10lbs of adjustable weights and a unisex design, Hyperwear Hyper Pro workout vest is the most versatile model on our shortlist. The material is relatively thin, allowing great motion and an easy time to clean it after a few workouts have come and gone. You get an even distribution of the weights all up and down your torso. This can be used by both men and women, and is easily concealed underneath a loose-fitting workout t-shirt or pullover depending on the season. If you want to enjoy the benefits of a weighted vest without being seen using one, this is the model for you.
8ZELUS Weighted Vest
The ZELUS Weighted Vest is perhaps the most impressive weighted vest available on the market right now. This is a 20-pound frame vest that’s sleek in design but still consistent with the brand’s vision of providing premium workout equipment.
This vest is very durable, and the manufacturers made it with longevity in mind. It comes with a chloroprene rubber material, and a soft elastic mesh that ensures it is breathable as you work out. The weight is found on the back, while you get shoulder straps that run through to the front. The weighted vest swaps out the conventional metal weight plates for iron sand. This offers a better range of motion.
9Empower Weighted Vest
This unisex design is stretchable, and contours to your body in an X-shape, evenly distributing the weights all around your entire body for optimal performance. Empower weighted vest for running will definitely give you a heavier feeling while doing your normal cardio workout, and as such, can offer increased calorie burn and increase your stamina and lung capacity, all with the relief of taking off this 8lb weighted vest and feeling lighter, and more agile. With stretchy, durable material, you won’t chafe from running or activities like yoga, and is fairly easy to clean sweat out of.
10Tone Fitness Weighted Vest
This is a great introductory vest for those wishing to get involved with weighted vests. You’ll get a great feel for how resistance training can improve your physical fitness and strength. This vest comes in black-and-blue, and the material is extremely flexible and comfortable. Each weight is strategically located to ensure you won’t take off your weighted vest, and feel back pain or spams arise. Tone Fitness is a great weighted vest for running, or a great workout vest for your garage bench setup. Using weighted vest workout sessions to your advantage can give you results you never imagined.
Weighted Vests Buyers Guide
Benefits of Weighted Vests
The whole point of your weighted vest is to improve your physical form with resistance training. If you were to carry a 5lb weight in each hand, (as you see many people doing,) you’re not going to get the same benefits as a 10lb weighted vest that’s evenly distributed across your torso. The main benefits of a weighted vest are:
1. Improved Cardiovascular Function
While you should always consult your doctor before making rash changes to your workout routine, you can still reap the rewards of a weighted vest. Resistance training is going to put however many pounds you decide into your workout, making it more strenuous, and making you work harder. The same way that cardio can help you remove blood clots over time, weighted vests can assist you with improving your cardiovascular health.
2. Resistance Training
Your muscles grow faster, and increase in size as opposed to non-weighted vest workouts. When you’re adding resistance, such as push-ups and lifting weights, you’re putting weighted resistance against your body, and putting your muscles to the test. Resistance training can help you if you’re plateaued and are not happy with where you are. Push past your limits.
3. Reach New Heights Quickly, and Effectively
Certain testing has proven that you can improve your leg muscle potential, and other key muscle areas that make your workouts easier, and your daily life more maneuverable, all with short-term exposure to weighted vest training. It’s just one more reason to grab a weighted workout vest today.
5 Tips To Get The Most Out Of A Weighted Vest
So you’re looking to improve your overall physique, and we understand that. Weighted vests are an admirable way to go about it, and the entire process can be mostly effortless if you’re smart enough and implement them in clever ways. Below, read about the best ways you can use your weighed vest when it arrives and push past your limits.
1. Corporate Casual Training Machine
Crunching the nine to five, donning a nice suit every single day? You’re not alone. If you go with a more compact, breathable weighted vest, let it replace your tank or t-shirt underneath, and keep your jacket closed when you can. If your weighted workout vest is durable and flexible enough, you’ll feel like your normal self after a slight adjustment period. Everything you do from walking up the stairs, (take the stairs, man,) to walking across the street to get a coffee, will have 10lbs of resistance alongside it. You can actually burn calories while walking to the snack machine. Ironic, yet effective.
2. Cycling
While it’s not the first workout choice that comes to mind when you think of utilizing a weighted workout vest effectively, think about this: you’re pushing extra weight. That’s going to boost your leg muscle production that much more. Cycling is also a cardio workout, so you’ll burn more calories the more weight you’re pushing. If you’re looking to trim down, get lean and fit, pop on that bad boy when you fire up the Schwann on a Sunday morning ride.
Pro Tip: Utilize a weighted vest, ankle weights, and wrist weights to get a serious workout going.
3. The Extremist
We all may be thinking about a popular 1990s anime anytime a weighted vest comes into the conversation. If you’re on that bandwagon, then you know that the desired effect is to take off the weighted vest, and feel that much lighter, more nimble, and agile all-around. In this case, it’s true. If you only take off your vest when you sleep and shower, and wear it the rest of the time, you’re going to become so accustomed to it that you’ll be shocked when it’s off. Since real life doesn’t work like television shows, you’ll be happy to know that plenty of people have used it in this extreme way, and actually felt lighter when they were done.
4. Manual Resistance Training
So we’ve covered why these are so invaluable to your rapid physical development. Good old fashioned push-ups are always a great idea, but now, with your new secret weapon, you can get even more out of your manual resistance training. While it’s not recommended to use these for sit-ups, you could also use these at the pull bar for the same effect. More weight, no matter how much, is better for resistance training.
5. Crossfit It Up
Planning on doing some running with a weighed vest? It’s a great idea for multiple reasons. You can improve your cardiovascular health, while pushing the envelope and gaining a more agile way that you carry yourself. If you were to wear a 10lb weighted vest for every one of your runs for a month, and then suddenly run without it, you’ll see your previous average or best time dramatically increase. Your body acclimated to a higher weight, and when you take that away, all the results and hard work you put into it are going to shine through.
