Have you ever considered adding a little extra weight to increase your daily calorie burn?
Weighted vests are back in the spotlight as a fitness tool with potential health benefits.
Could a weighted vest be the right fit for you?
Local 4 went to Livonia to try one out and get expert advice on the pros and cons of using weighted vests.
“I have seen people wear them – and never thought to give it a try. Now that I have – I’m sold,” Jones said. “But to be clear – just like with any fitness tool – weighted vests come with pros and cons.”
Lindsay Sheridan and Ashley Seelbach began wearing weighted vests on their four-mile walks after discovering the benefits on Instagram.
“We follow a lot of people who commented on the importance of core strength, especially in women getting older, so osteoporosis. We thought, ‘Why not try?’” Sheridan said.
“We are walking anyway, so let’s pump it up a little bit,” Seelbach added.
Getting used to the vest was challenging at first. They started with 11 pounds, and the jump to 13 pounds felt drastic.
Currently, they use approximately 10 pounds, slipping the vest on and securing it comfortably.
Nick Parkinson, supervisor of athletic training at Henry Ford Health, has been wearing weighted vests for some time.
“This one goes over your head and comes down,” Parkinson explained.
He advises people to approach weighted vests cautiously, building up slowly with exercises.
Parkinson says weighted vests can improve bone density, core strength, and endurance. Besides walking, exercises like squats, lunges, and push-ups can be done wearing one.
Trying it out, Jones said, “Oh yeah, I feel the difference. I feel the difference a lot.”
However, Parkinson cautions that weighted vests are not right for everyone, especially those recovering from lower-body injuries.
“People should avoid them if you’re coming back from injury. Talk with your rehab professional or healthcare provider to see if it’s appropriate for you,” he advised.
Lindsay and Ashley, who love staying active, are glad they gave weighted vests a try.
“It might feel different putting them on. You feel silly. Our first time, we wondered if we’d really walk with them. We even wore them under sweatshirts,” Sheridan said.
“Yeah, we definitely were kind of concealing. This feels weird,” Seelbach said.
Now, they openly wear their vests and feel more confident because they can feel the difference.
As for cost, weighted vests range from about $20 to $30 and up. Parkinson recommends starting with a lighter weight and working your way up.