Feeling bored with your usual workout routines? Shake things up with a weighted vest. This simple gear adds extra resistance to every exercise, from weightlifting to cardio, boosting both strength and performance. Just remember, proper form is the key. While weighted vests can enhance your workouts, they might not be suitable for everyone. Activities like jumping and sprinting with added weight can put extra stress on joints of the people struggling to control their body weight while performing these exercises. If you have neck or spine issues, it is best to skip this vest.
A weighted vest is a fantastic tool for boosting strength, enhancing cardio and losing weight. Before we delve into the benefits of incorporating weighted vest in your routine, it should be noted that it is ideally only used to improve your performance, not get into shape.
Improves Cardiovascular Fitness
Strap on a weighted vest to supercharge your cardio workouts. The added weight pushes your heart rate higher during exercise, improving cardiovascular health. This extra challenge not only enhances endurance but also boosts calorie burn. Studies reveal that even a simple treadmill walk becomes more intense and effective with a weighted vest, maximising your workout results.
Strengthen Your Muscles
Adding a weighted vest to your workouts increases resistance which helps in muscle growth. Moreover, studies have shown that strength training can keep your metabolism elevated for up to 72 hours post-exercise that helps in burning fat. This means not only you are building muscles but also potentially accelerating your weight loss after your workout ends.
Enhance Bone Health
Using a weighted vest during activities like walking and jumping may boost bone health, especially for postmenopausal women who face higher risk of developing bone conditions like osteoporosis. Integrating a vest into your routine could be a valuable step towards maintaining strong, healthy bones.
Switch Up Your Strength Routine
One of the most significant benefits of weighted vests is versatility, enhancing your strength workouts by providing even weight distribution. This design allows you to remain agile while performing complex exercises. Unlike dumbbells, a weighted vest integrates seamlessly into dynamic movements such as running and high-intensity interval training (HIIT). It is also perfect for exercises like weighted planks where traditional weights can be cumbersome. For balance focused moves like Bulgarian split squats, using a vest can help you focus on muscle engagement rather than struggling with hand-held weights.
