Unveiling Truth: Is Weighted Vest Hype Backed by Research?

2 min read

If you are a fitness enthusiast who has used social media, chances are you’ve come across an advertisement for a weighted vest. Once reserved for dedicated bodybuilders and tactical units, these weighted gear are now being marketed to a wider audience, including women, thanks to their sleeker and trendier designs.

Understanding the Benefits of Weighted Vests

At Women’s Health, we’re dedicated to exploring the newest fitness trends and gadgets. Naturally, we’ve tested numerous weighted vests, but the question remains: Does wearing one during your walk or run really make a difference? Editors Jacqueline Andriakos and Cori Ritchey, C.S.C.S., discuss the hype versus the reality in the latest episode of The Huddle, our podcast where we talk all things fitness.

Regrettably, as Ritchey points out, while weighted vests have been around for years, there is still a lack of conclusive studies to determine their true impact on your routine morning walk.

Weighted Vest Research and Reality

“The research has not caught up to the hype yet,” Ritchey admits. “We don’t know as much as we should about it.”

Andriakos also notes that the available research may not be applicable to the average person’s daily use of a weighted vest.

“Much of the research involves older adults wearing them for eight hours a day. But most people only wear them for 30 minutes to an hour during walks or strength training sessions in the gym. There isn’t a direct correlation between the research and how people are using them,” she explains.

A Motivation Boost?

Nonetheless, for some, the weighted vest can serve as a motivating factor to get a workout in. (Ritchey’s clients have given testimonies to this effect.) So if a weighted vest encourages you to move, why not put one on and hit the trails?

For more on Andriakos’ and Ritchey’s weighted vest discussion, tune in to the latest episode of The Huddle!