Weighted workout vests
 

Anyone use a weighted vest to workout in? I was at Target earlier and was tempted to buy one but decided I should do some research first. Pros? Cons? Thanks in advance.

I have a 25 lb weighted belt that I use with bellydance. It's pretty awesome... but I had to work up to it slowly so that I didn't hurt knees or hips by all of a sudden using the extra weight on the joints. The extra weights help with muscle memory as well as making the workout more intense. Then when I'm doing the actual dances and take it off, I feel so much lighter and can accentuate movements.

I'd say if it has a way to add the weight slowly, like in 5 lb increments or so... go for it. Or even if you could find a way to adjust it yourself. If it's just a whole bunch of weight all at once it could be risky depending on how strong you already are.

MamaBee: The vest went from a 4 lb. to 8 lb. vest - you could add or subtract the one pound weights. So I could start with the 4 lb. and work my way up to 8 lb. I was thinking of wearing it when I run. Good to know though - thanks for the info. :)

Right now I feel like I'm wearing a 30 pound body suit everyday!

no good for wearing when you run... it will mess wwith yor running form, and not to mention put unnecessary stress on your already taxed joints... just a bad idea... however, they are great for progressing through pushups, planks, pullups and inverted rows... i would DEFINITELY get one that allowed for higher than 8 pounds though....... thats just not much weight.... youd want it to be able to go at least to 25 lb, if not more

Haha...I kind of felt that way when I was pregnant. I know the feeling. :lol:

I don't know if I could find one that was 25 lbs. I only saw the abovementioned one at Target. I'd have to look around. I could use it for planks and push-ups though. Good to know.

I agree that it's probably not good for running. We used them in my highschool weight training class for lunges. I liked it because I could use more weight that way than with hand weights. Also it left my arms free to assist with my horrendous balance.