Do you want to burn more calories and achieve better, faster results from your cardio routine?
Are you looking to build muscle, strength, and add lean mass to your frame?
Well, you aren’t the only one.
In the last decade, the health and fitness category has grown into an almost $100 billion global industry. So with so many routines, diets, supplements and equipment available that claim to help us burn fat and gain muscle more efficiently, what really works?
Whether your goal is fat loss, building muscle, or simply being fit and healthy, adding a weighted vest to your routine is simple and, most importantly, effective. In this article, we’ll tell you what to look for and show you how to buy a weighted vest that suits your needs.
Related reading: What Does a Weight Vest Do To Your Body?
A weighted vest is exactly that—a vest that has pockets that hold weights. It is used to add extra weight to the body, increasing the intensity of exercise.
They can be used for cardio like walking, jogging, or even interval training. By carrying extra weight, you’re forcing your body and your cardiovascular system to work harder. Weighted vests allow you to burn through more calories in a shorter amount of time. Share on X
They’re also a perfect complement to bodyweight strength training programs. Continuously adding more weight to the vest as you get stronger will stimulate muscular hypertrophy – the increase in size and mass of muscle tissue.
Related Reading: Best Weighted Vest Workouts
When choosing a vest for cardio, you won’t need an excessive amount of weight. 5 to 10% of your bodyweight is a good starting point. Look for soft materials and something that’s washable.
For a strength training routine, look for a heavier, fully-adjustable vest. You’ll want to slowly add more weight to the vest as you make progress. Choose a vest made of a durable material with plenty of fitment adjustability features as you’ll want it to stay in place while holding a lot of weight.
Best Vest: Top Ten Picks
To get you started on your search for your perfect weighted vest, we’ve come up with our top ten picks. These quality weighted vests can be your go-to for a more productive workout.
While we’ve ranked these on overall value, they’re all high quality vests and any of these will help you achieve your goals. Choose the vest that best suits your body and your needs.
How to Choose the Right One for You
Finding the right vest depends on your specific goals and personal preferences. There are a number of factors that can help you determine which one offers exactly what you’re looking for.
Material and Quality
If you’re a fitness enthusiast, you’re already aware that high-quality workout gear is not cheap. To get the best value for your money, be sure to purchase a product that’s manufactured with high quality, durable material.
Weighted vests must be able to withstand carrying heavy weights for a long period of time. This isn’t something to skimp on. You want a well-made, high-quality vest that isn’t going to fall apart after just a few workouts. You’ll also want to invest in something that is made from a sweat-resistant and anti-microbial material.
Adjustability
Depending on your routine, you may want to have the option of adding or reducing the amount of weight you put in your vest. In this case, be sure to choose a vest that’s fully adjustable. Also, consider how long it will take to adjust the weight of the vest. If you’re flying through a circuit-style routine, you don’t want to have to pause for 10 minutes to adjust the vest.
Accessories
With hundreds of options to choose from, you’ll come across weighted vests that offer various features. Some have reflective strips that are perfect for night runs, while others have a designated pocket for a cell phone. Make sure the vest you choose includes your preferred options.
Comfort and Fit
When it comes to working out, you don’t want something that doesn’t fit well or rubs you the wrong way. Be aware of your body shape and choose a vest that fits that shape. For the perfect fit, look for features like adjustable straps, Velcro, and shoulder pads.
Weight
When choosing a weighted vest, be aware of how heavy you want it to be depending on your exercise routine and your capabilities. Some are made for those who require only five pounds of weight, and some can accommodate over 100 pounds.
Details on the Top 5
1. RUNfast/max Adjustable Weighted Vest
This vest comes in various weights, with 12 pounds being the lightest all the way up to 60 being the heaviest. The weights can be removed depending on your preferences. The maximum weight the vest can handle depends on which model you purchase.
The RUNfast/max Weighted Vest sports a simple yet functional design that’s geared toward running and cardio but will also work for strength training as it’s fully adjustable. It has front and back pockets that distribute the extra weight evenly across your body. It has a strap around the waist as well as extra shoulder pads should you prefer to use them.
Unlike other vests that use metal weights, this product uses plastic sandbags, which contributes to the comfort of the vest.
Pros
- Comes with dual straps to hold the vest securely
- Sandbags are softer than weights made of solid metal
- Made from a sturdy, heavy-duty material
- External waist strap for secure fit
- Front pocket with earbud port that can fit a cell phone
- Water bottle strap
- Easy to add or remove weights
Cons
- Only comes in one size
- Not machine washable
Summary
The RUNfast/max Weighted Vest can be a great addition to your workout routine especially if you are just starting out. This vest gives you the option of choosing from a wide range of weights starting from 12 lbs all the way up to 60 lbs.
It is designed with numerous front and back pouches that carry sandbags instead of metal weights. It also has multiple straps which enable you to adjust the fit to accommodate different body shapes. This vest also has a pocket designated for a cell phone with a port for your headphones.
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2. Tone Fitness Weighted Vest
If you’re looking for a weighted vest that offers great value for the money, check out this weighted vest from Tone Fitness. This model is perfect for beginners as it weighs only 12 pounds. This vest is better suited for use during yoga or cardio routines as the weight is not adjustable. It’s perfect for walking/running as it has built-in reflective strips on the front.
The weight on this vest is distributed slightly more on the back, which is in the form of sandbags instead of metal weights. The Tone Fitness Weighted Vest comes in black or blue.
This one-size-fits-most weighted vest is made from a soft, neoprene material which keeps it very comfortable. It has multiple sandbags adding up to 12 pounds. The sandbags are not removable.
It is intelligently designed with reflective strips both on the front and back to ensure the wearer’s safety when used during early morning or night runs. It also has a removable front pocket that can hold a cell phone, some cash, keys, but it’s a little small and may not fit larger smartphones.
Pros
- 12-pound weight is perfect for beginners
- Comes with a strap to accommodate different body shapes
- Removable music player or cell phone pocket
- Made from a soft neoprene material
- Reflective strips on front and back
- Stays in place well
Cons
- Weight cannot be adjusted
- Not machine-washable
- Pocket is too small to carry a large smartphone
Summary
The Tone Fitness Weighted Vest is perfect for those looking for an affordable, entry-level vest to add to their cardio routines. Using the straps, this product can be adjusted to fit most men and women of normal build. It’s made from a very soft neoprene material but comes with no additional padding. It also comes with multiple reflective strips on the front and back for safety during early morning or night runs.
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3. MIR Pro Adjustable Weighted Vest
Instead of using sand as weights, this weighted vest from MIR uses small iron bars, each weighing 3lbs. It can hold up 60lbs and won’t retain odor compared to sand weights. It comes in two options: solid or zipper front.
This vest can be used for running, jogging, and walking as well as during bodyweight programs.
Burn more calories and build lean muscle faster when you add this iron-weighted vest to your workout. The additional weight is held securely on the front and back to distribute the weight evenly. The straps can be adjusted to fit any body shape. All the weights are removable and the vest is machine washable.
Pros
- Weight is in the form of iron bars instead of sand
- Will not retain odor
- Adjustable straps to fit most sizes
- Equally distributes the weight throughout the upper body
- Designed for cardio or strength training
- Machine washable
- Fully adjustable to start slow and work your way up
Cons
- Closed front is not ideal for women
Summary
With the MIR Pro Weighted Vest, you get an evenly distributed, fully adjustable weight vest that is guaranteed to make your exercise routine more effective. This product is made from a durable but soft, padded material that is machine washable.
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4. RUNmax Cross101 Adjustable Camouflage Weighted Vest
Check out this one-size-fits-most weighted vest from RUNmax if you are looking for an adjustable vest that comes with a camouflage design. It comes in two models, which varies in weight capacity where one is 12 lbs to 80 lbs and the other 100 lbs to 140 lbs.
The weights come in the form of sandbags, are included in the purchase, and you can buy additional sandbags to put in the empty pockets. For added protection, RUNmax also offers shoulder pads for this model.
You can choose from two models depending on how much added weight you prefer. It contains multiple sand-filled pouches that can be adjusted to match your needs.
The RUNmax Cross101 Adjustable Camouflage Weighted Vest comes with a cell phone pocket as well as a water bottle holder. Additionally, it also has a waist strap that can be customized to fit almost all shapes and sizes.
Pros
- Comes in two models, a 12 lbs to 80 lbs and 100 lbs to 140 lbs
- Adjustable weight
- Weight is evenly distributed
- Has a pocket with headphone port
- Designed with a water bottle holder
- Adjustable waist strap to fit most sizes
- Comes in a camouflage design
- Made of a heavy-duty material
Cons
- Shoulder pads are sold separately
- Only comes in one design
Summary
The RUNmax Cross101 Adjustable Camouflage Weighted Vest is a reliable vest that’s worth buying. You can choose from two different weight capacities depending on your preferences. The weight can also be adjusted. It has a cell phone pocket, an earphone hole, and a water bottle holder. The only downside is that the shoulder pads are sold separately.
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5. Harbinger Adjustable Weight Vest
Like many weighted vests, this product from Harbinger comes in a one-size-fits-most model. It sports a black and green design, and a tank top-like build contours the body and distributes the weight evenly. It can hold up to 20 pounds of weight and is adjustable in one pound increments. The vest machine washable.
Made from a durable, non-abrasive outer shell, this vest has an adjustable neoprene belt that holds the vest securely and comfortably in place. The Harbinger vest is also designed with dual padding on chest and shoulder area.
Pros
- Made from a durable, abrasion-resistant outer shell
- Designed with dual padding to protect the shoulder and chest area
- Has an extra wide neoprene belt for comfort and fit
- Machine washable
- Fits most sizes, both men and women
- Fully adjustable in one pound increments
Cons
- Weights can be difficult to insert
Summary
This vest from Harbinger comes with one-pound weights made of sandbags that can be added to or removed from the vest to match your preferred weight. It’s made from a very durable material that can take anything you throw at it. The design hugs the body with a comfortable fit, and allows for even distribution of weight throughout the upper body. It has dual padding on both the chest and shoulder areas for added protection and comfort.
Read the Full Review Buy Now on Amazon
Weight Vest FAQs
How much weight should I get?
The amount of weight that you put in your vest depends on your personal goals and level of experience. For running, interval training, and other cardio, start with just a few pounds and work your way up. If building muscle is your goal, you’ll want an adjustable vest that can hold significantly more weight as you’ll be continuously adding weight to the vest as you become bigger and stronger.
How do I clean my weighted vest?
Most weighted vests require hand-washing with a mild detergent and cold water, but some are machine washable, which is always recommended. With regular use, you can imagine the odor that can build up. Clean your vest according to the specific product’s recommendations as often as necessary.
Will wearing a weighted vest help me lose weight?
In short, yes. If you use it correctly. You’ll benefit by burning calories faster as when compared to exercising without one. The added weight increases the intensity of the workout, thus, more calories are burned. Check out this article for the full breakdown – How Weighted Vests Help You Burn Fat.
How are weighted vests different from ankle weights?
Although both are designed to add extra weight to intensify your workout, ankle weights are not as versatile and can cause injury to your knees if worn while jogging or running. With a vest, the weight is evenly distributed throughout your torso which is safer and more effective than using ankle weights. Here’s another full article on this topic – Weight Vests vs Ankle Weights.
Are weighted vests safe to use by older individuals?
If used with the proper amount of weight, weighted vests are not only safe to use, they can actually help improve posture, increase bone density, and ward off muscle atrophy in elderly adults.
The Best Vest
There’s no one specific vest that’s going to be perfect for every individual. The vest that you choose will be based on your personal goals and preferences, but we’ve given you a few great options to choose from. Just be sure that the one you select can hold the amount of weight you’ll need and includes any additional features you’re looking for. We recommend choosing a vest that’s machine-washable. You’ll get the most value from a vest that’s fully adjustable as it allows for more versatility and continuously challenging workouts.
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