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By Michael Sawh and Esat Dedezade
Growing tired of pure bodyweight training? Adding an extra few kilos with a weighted vest can be a great way to take workouts to the next level, forcing your body to adapt to the demands of extra bulk during home sessions, park runs and CrossFit WODs
If, like many of our favourite fitness heroes, you’re looking for a way to tick off your cardio, strength and endurance training all in one go, then having a weighted vest in your workout armoury might be the smart way to go.
For those already lacing up their running trainers, donning their favourite running shorts and hitting the pavements (or treadmill) on the regular, adding a weighted vest is a small addition that can make a world of difference. While it might feel like a piece of workout kit reserved only for the hardcore fitness masses, there’s some obvious benefits to upping the load and pulling on that extra weighted layer.
For runners, it can have some speed benefits, but it’s also something worth putting on when you’re tackling exercises like dips, callisthenics, squats, lunges and pull-ups. And if you're tackling CrossFit classes and want to make them even tougher, partaking while wearing a weighted vest can put a greater strain on your body, forcing it to work harder while building more muscle in the process.
While a vest packed with weights sounds like a pretty straightforward purchase to make, there are a few things to consider before going full SAS: Who Dares Wins. Before you strap one onto your torso, heed our advice on what you should consider, then take your pick of the best high-quality adjustable weighted vests to help supercharge home workouts.
Will you be using weighted vests for raising your fitness levels with some high-intensity running? How about a bodyweight exercise session, or maybe even for some additional weight while walking to help boost weight loss? If you have a clear idea of how and where you’re going to put that vest to good use, you can seek out one that’s a better fit for its intended use.
For running, you’ll ideally want a level of weight that can help offer those endurance and strength benefits. That may well mean going for a lighter weight for a comfortable fit and range of motion for your upper body to avoid chafing, as well as something that offers a fixed weight that can’t be adjusted. Also look for a breathable one-size-fits-all design with comfortable shoulder straps that are easily adjustable and can be worn with a snug fit without impacting on your stride. Other vest features to look out for are things like reflective strips or reflective stripes, along with mesh pockets to stow your phone, keys, wallet or energy gels. Water resistance could be an added bonus if you're not intending to let a rainy day get in the way of your training.
If your aim is to use a weighted vest to supplement strength training, the same rules apply on the fit front, but it’s worth considering going for a heavyweight option, choosing a vest with weights that can be adjustable in increments. That way you have the ability to alter the level of resistance during workouts.
Many adjustable vests provide that extra load via individual weights using steel plate carriers or sandbag weights. This means you can easily adjust the load, which can give it more versatility in terms of the range of exercises and workouts you can put it to good use for. More importantly, it can help you adjust to the feeling of training with that extra weight, letting you start off light and build up when you feel more comfortable taking weight training to the next level.
Gravity Fitness goes heavy with its vest, adding 20kg of weight. Though that's a lot of extra baggage, there's not too much bulk here: this is a short-fitting vest best suited for more energetic workouts. The metal weights are removable, while Velcro straps and foam padding make sure it offers a snug fit. It also has the desirable feature of being a vest you can give a good clean after that gruelling training session is done. £99.95. gravityfitness.co.uk
ThruDark brings a serious outdoor adventure and military grade design edge to its entire collection and that includes its all-black force weighted vest that wants to upgrade your indoor and outdoor exercise time. It does that by dropping on 10kg of extra weight from plates that sit up front and around the back to make those strength and resistance sessions a little more rewarding. £160. At thrudark.com
Hyperwear has been making waves with its weighted vests Stateside and the Elite promises big gains over its Pro mode. It comes in four size options with a stretchy design to maximise that fit and packs in a breathable fabric to make sure it doesn’t give off a big sweaty whiff. Small removable steel weights make it easy to adjust from a minimum 4.5kg to a maximum 7kg weight. £169. At hyperwear.com
Brought to you by DJ Locksmith, SAS: Who Dares Wins winner and one half of the band Rudimental, this brand is all about making intense workouts accessible. You can grab this tactical weighted vest in either 10kg or a lighter 7kg option, both using a ventilated mesh to provide a comfortable fit and a hollowed-out waist to keep the weight from the two plates in the right place to give you that added workout boost. £124.99 £110. At theycallmelocksmith.com
JLL’s vest goes from 10kg all the way up to 30kg depending on how big or light you want to go to carry that extra load. It’s carefully padded to keep things comfortable against your body and lets you remove or add individual weights when you need to switch up the effort levels. When it’s time to hit the showers, you can throw it in the washing machine, too. Just make sure you’ve whipped out those weights first. £49.99. At jllfitness.co.uk
Wodsox has crafted its sand-coloured Hero vest to match the look of a military flak jacket, but this is strictly designed for warfare of the fitness kind. Take your pick of 7kg or 10kg weights, and place those plates inside of a polyester frame with toughened straps to make sure it’s fit to soak up heavy-hitting sessions. £130. At wit-fitness.com
A low-weight, low-profile option for runners, this vest comes in 8kg and 10kg weight options, with adjustable straps positioned on the chest and shoulders to stop it from shifting as you up your speed. You can remove the sandbag weights to adjust the load and you will benefit from reflective elements that have been built into the design to offer a visibility boost at night. £27.99. At amazon.co.uk
Swapping metal weights for the removable sandbag ones, this neoprene vest maxes out at 25kg, evenly distributing that added weight on the body. It’s made to fit all body sizes and uses large straps to offer a good, secure fit. There are reflective elements to make it better suited to night training and it’s also safe to give it a clean hand-wash when things get sweaty. £54.95. At amazon.co.uk
This 10kg vest breaks the weight down into 38 individual sandbags which can be removed if you want to train with less. It offers plenty in the way of padding on the inside, to make sure it sits comfortably against the body, and also uses multiple Velcro straps on the back and front to offer a secure fit even for those more energetic workouts. £24.99. At amazon.co.uk
The Phantom comes in 6kg and 9kg weight options in a vest that uses extension straps to make sure it’s a fit that works for most body types. It uses a large plate sheet which is held in place with Velcro-secured compartments. It’s bolstered with padding in the shoulders to ensure you feel the benefits of that extra weight in the right places where it can make a difference to your training. £85. At amazon.co.uk
Surreal's weighted vest range starts at £24 for the 5kg model, reaching £70 for the 25kg version. Evenly distributing weights across your body thanks to easily removable sandbags, it has adjustable shoulder padding to avoid any uncomfortable strap-digging incidents, along with adjustable velcro straps and a secure hook and loop fastening system for added peace of mind. From £49.99. At amazon.co.uk
With models available from 10kg (pictured) up to 30kg, Mirafit’s vest provides options for different levels of weighted vest torture. Weights can be adjusted by adding or removing hefty 1kg cast iron blocks, which also have a painted finish to prevent rust. The strong polyester material and straps promise to be more than up to the task too, so there’s no need to worry about ripping and tearing. £49.95. At mirafit.co.uk
Starting at under £15 for the 2kg version and rising up to around £45 for the 10kg model, this is a simple, self-contained vest with a lightweight, flexible, breathable design, making it an ideal choice for runners. The weight is present in the form of sewn-in iron pellets which add extra weight while still contouring to your body as you move, for a more comfortable run. From £18.99. amazon.co.uk
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