Weight vests

Weight vests can be beneficial for specific exercises, but there are several important considerations to keep in mind.

Benefits:

1. Convenience for Bodyweight Exercises:

   • Weighted vests are excellent for adding resistance during bodyweight exercises like pull-ups, dips, push-ups, and body rows. They provide the added resistance without the inconvenience of hanging weights, which can swing and be cumbersome 1.

2. Strength and Stamina Building:

   • They are particularly useful for exercises such as walking lunges, side lunges, cossack squats, and various push-up forms. A form-fitting vest allows for a balanced distribution of weight, which helps in building strength and stamina in these movements 2.

3. Versatility in Workouts:

   • According to Justin Andrews, using weight vests helped him feel more athletic and improved his joint stability and body awareness over time, especially when engaging in a variety of bodyweight exercises cycled with a weighted vest 3.
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       Weighted Vest Training

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       Evolving Weight Vests

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       Body Weight Benefits

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       Weight and Conditioning

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       Weighted Vest Debate

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       Weight Vests Unpacked

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Drawbacks:

1. Not Suitable for Cardio Activities:

   • Using weighted vests for activities like running, sprints, or box jumps is generally discouraged unless specifically training for carrying weight during such activities, like in the military. Weighted vests can negatively impact biomechanics and increase the risk of injury, particularly to the knees and ankles 1 4.

2. Joint and Posture Issues:

   • Prolonged use of weighted vests, especially in endurance activities, can lead to joint issues and altered posture due to the additional stress placed on the body. This is primarily a concern with heavier vests used during cardio 5.

3. Not a Major Calorie Burner:

   • While theoretically, a weighted vest could help burn more calories due to the added resistance, it's often not seen as worth the potential trade-offs in terms of injury risk and altered movement patterns. The best use of weight is typically in resistance training rather than trying to combine it with cardio for calorie burning purposes 6.

In summary, weighted vests are effective tools for increasing resistance during bodyweight exercises and can enhance strength and stamina. However, their use for cardio activities or prolonged endurance training should be approached with caution due to the potential for joint issues and the need for proper biomechanics 7.