Weighted Vests For Walking: Should You Add One?

Going for a walk is one of my favorite things to do. Whether it is a lap around our hilly neighborhood or getting in the car and driving to a nearby park for a lap around the walking path it is so nice to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. Have you noticed more people wearing vests of some sort when you are out and about on your walks? I have, so I decided to check out weighted vests for walking and see what the hub bub was all about. You could say I had a little FOMO about it.

Walking is one of the most convenient and safest ways to get in a little cardio. Not only does it have physical benefits, but also some mental benefits. It is free and suitable for almost everyone. Walking can also be a good time to catch up socially. Yes, stop by and get a neighbor to join you or meet a friend at the park. Not in a social mood, find a good podcast or listen to your favorite music and it will make your walking time fly by.

Today I’m going to talk about weighted vests. I will talk about the one that I have and my husband has. We have different ones and I will give you our feedback on each of them.

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Weighted Vests For Walking: Should You Add One To Your Walks?

I am a fan of getting as much as possible out of my workouts. In and out of the gym is always my motto. I don’t have time to linger longer. That is one of the things that intrigued me most about wearing weighted vests for walking. Many times I go for a walk, but don’t feel that I got in a GOOD workout. Yes, I got my steps in but beyond that meh.

Enter weighted vests. Adding a vest can amp things up a bit. I am going to do my best to answer any questions that you have about this new trend for walking. Like any new workout trend, some people embrace them while it isn’t for others. You can then decide if the benefits of a wearing a weighted vest are for you and your fitness goals.

If you have neck, shoulder, or back issues you might want to check with your doctor before taking one for a spin. I always say that it’s better to be safe than sorry.

What Does A Weighted Vest Do?

A weighted vest is an added load for your body to carry. So it is a change that your body has to adapt to…..extra weight in this instance. The weighted vest will provide additional resistance to your regular body weight. That extra bit of resistance will increase the intensity of your workout. Extra intensity equals extra benefits.

Think of it this way. You can walk on a treadmill on level one at a speed of 3.5 – 3.7. A nice pace, not too fast, and on level ground. You might get into a fat-burning zone on your heart rate monitor. Adding an extra 10, 15, or even 20 pounds via a weighted vest will be like you are on that treadmill at level three or four at a speed closer to 4.0 or possibly more. Increase the load on your body and you will amp up the workout.

Are Weighted Vests Good For Walking?

Like any type of workout, there are pros and cons to working out with a weighted vest. Here are some benefits you may see from wearing a vest on your next walk.

Increases Load

Walking is a great low-impact cardio activity. That is why so many people, including me, like to have it in their rotation. Adding a weighted vest varies the activity, increases the load, and adds a little challenge for your body. Variety is good because if you keep the muscles guessing they have to work a bit harder.

Burns More Calories

Your body is having to work a little harder with the additional weight so with that extra work comes an extra calorie burn. You are making your muscles work harder so you are naturally going to burn more calories with this extra weight you are carrying on yo

Improves Balance

Wearing a weighted vest works the muscles of the legs, hips, and core. Keeping those muscles strong helps with balance and so many other daily activities.

Builds Muscle

No matter the exercise if you add weight you can build muscle. More muscle can increase your metabolic rate which is a good thing. Adding a weighted vest for walking will make your legs work more which can improve the muscle mass in your leg.

Improves Core Strength

Core strength. We hear that phrase oh so often. The stronger the core the better is my motto. We use it for so many daily activities and we don’t even realize it. When we walk we use our core. So adding the weight will help us to engage and strengthen the core.

How Heavy Should A Weighted Vest Be For Walking?

When I was trying to figure out what weight of vest I should order I came across varying answers. Some would say start with 10% of your body weight and work your way up. Other information would say to start light and work your way up. I think starting light and working your way up is great advice because everyone has their own comfort level and fitness goals. If you are starting a fitness journey you can read my exercise tips for women over 50. I didn’t start my fitness journey until I was in my mid 40s and I have learned a lot over the years.

I weigh about 105 lbs and chose to go with an 8lb weighted vest for my walks. My reasoning was this. I will wear it for walks, but I also wanted a vest that I could use for other bodyweight exercises that I like to do such as planks, squats, walking lunges, and pushups.

How To Use A Weighted Vest For Walking

Start slow. I know. You have a new toy and you want to play with it, but as with any exercise starting slowly is best. So if you normally knock out a 30-minute walk, start by getting used to wearing your vest for a 10-minute walk and work your way up. You may also want to start with a route that isn’t hilly and then reincorporate those.

What are the Best WEighted Vests For Walking?

The best weighted vest is the vest that fits your body and your body’s needs. The vest that I chose is completely different than the one we chose for my husband. When choosing a weighted vest you may need to try a couple of different ones to find the best fit for your body.

Empower Weighted Vest For Women

The Empower weighted vest is designed by women for women. That is what intrigued me about this particular vest. I also liked the way the vest is ergonomically designed to fit the curves of a woman’s body. The X-shape of the design makes it so the weight distribution is even over your upper body. It does not dig into my shoulders or put all of the weight of the vest there.

It is easy for me to get in and out of this vest. I put it on over my head and snap it closed at the waist. The straps are fully adjustable so it is easy for it to fit a range of body sizes.

Also, it doesn’t cover up a lot of my upper body. Since I live in the suburbs of Atlanta I will be wearing it on warm and humid days. I didn’t want something that would add a lot of extra body heat.

I have the 8 lb vest, but it also comes in an adjustable 10-16 lb option. I will probably add the 10-16 lb option to my workout accessories collection once I work my way up to a 30-minute hilly walk without feeling it in my legs.

Hyperwear Hyper Vest PRO Unisex

This Hyperwear vest is the one that my husband wears for walking. I remember the first time he wore it for his walk at the local park he came home and his legs were like jell-o. He could feel the difference.

I gave him this vest as a gift. The reason that I chose this for him is that he needs to strengthen his core muscles due to having had a few abdominal surgeries over the past 10 years. The fact that it zipped up and made him hold in all of his core muscles is why we paid more for this vest versus one like I have.

Another feature of this vest that we liked for him was the fact that it is made from a lightweight moisture-wicking, odor-resistant fabric. The sides of the fest are so adjustable and also good for ventilation. You can also add weight to this vest and it is evenly distributed.

ZELUS Weighted Vest For Men And Women

A good friend of mine has this vest and is very happy with it. She walks her dog in it a few times a day. She has the 11-20 lb version of the vest. The feature that sold her on this vest is the little pocket on the front so she can have her keys and remote with her and not have to have another thing to hold during her dog walks.

It also comes in a 4-10 lb version and a 20-32 lb version.

One thing to keep in mind is that none of these are machine washable. So if you are a sweaty walker you will want to keep this in mind when choosing one. Another option is you can use a spray like this on it after your walks to keep the odor away.

Thanks, Let’s Keep In Touch

Thanks so much for stopping by. Did I help you figure out if you want/need to add a weighted vest to your fitness routine? I’m glad that I had a little FOMO about this fitness trend. Walking with a weight on my upper body feels good for me and I feel more productive when I go on walks with my vest. Remember that this is cardio so you also want to make sure you wear a supportive sports bra.

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