I Added a Weighted Vest From Amazon to My Workouts

No matter where you are in your fitness journey, it’s inevitable that workouts start to feel like a chore. And just like any chore, I’m always looking to get more done in less time. Enter: weighted vests. You’ve probably seen them pop up on your social media (including on Real Simple’s Instagram page) and wondered what—if anything—they really add to a workout. (I did, too!) So I did what I always do when I have a fitness question and talked to my trainer Miriam Fried, founder and head trainer of MF Strong. 

Thankfully, for me (since I’d already bought this 12-pound option to try), Fried is a fan of weighted vests. “One of the reasons I love a weighted vest is that it can be a fantastic addition to workouts you’re likely already doing!” 

Zelus Weighted Vest with Reflective Stripes

According to Fried, as long as you’re “easing into the weight and intensity,” a weighted vest can be a suitable addition to your workout routine. “You can increase cardiovascular intensity by wearing it on walks, add additional load to strength movements like lunges, push-ups, or pull-ups, as well as offer a solution if you have an injury that prevents you from gripping dumbbells or heavy weights,” she shared. 

I’m a huge fan of the benefits to walking as a form of exercise, so when I heard that weighted vests were a good way to get even more cardio benefits out of my walks, I was sold. “Like any form of exercise, starting slow and increasing weight and intensity over time is key,” says Fried. Keeping that in mind, I opted to wear my new vest for a quick 30-minute walk around the neighborhood with coffee to get a sense of how it would feel before I committed to a full workout. 

The vest itself is incredibly comfortable and easy to wear. The armholes are nice and roomy so it doesn’t rub uncomfortably, and the weight is nicely distributed, so it didn’t feel like the weight was digging into my shoulders at all. It’s low-profile enough that I can wear it under my sweatshirt, too. It also doesn’t shift around or make any noise as I move, so much so that the first time I wore it out, I almost forgot I had it on. 

I expected it to feel like the vest was weighing me down and wearing me out, but it was more subtle than that—kind of like increasing your treadmill speed by just 0.1 mile per hour. I usually feel more mental benefits than physical benefits from a short walk, but this time I had worked up a bit more of a sweat than usual thanks to that boost in cardiovascular intensity from the extra weight I was wearing.

A few days later, I went on a walk in the park to see what a longer workout would be like. I set out with a goal of 10,000 steps, which comes out to about 5 miles. This time out, I definitely didn’t forget I had the vest on, especially when it came time to climb a couple of big hills along my walk. Compared to walks without my vest, I got to the top of the hill more out of breath with my heart pumping just a little harder—a sign I was getting those increased cardio benefits I wanted.

Now that I’ve had the vest for a few weeks, I can see it becoming a staple in my workout routine. In addition to taking it out on walks, I’ve used it for an extra challenge during bodyweight exercises like planks. Once the weather gets cold, I’m even planning to bring it to the gym with me to get more out of my 12-3-30 treadmill workouts.

If you’re thinking about grabbing a weighted vest for yourself, Fried recommends choosing a pick with plenty of adjustability. “Ideally, I’d recommend a vest that allows you to add or reduce the weight as needed,” she shared, adding, “This way, you can start lighter and progressively increase load over time.” You’ll also want to keep an eye out for one that can adjust to fit your body; most have adjustable chest straps to make sure it stays in place without feeling uncomfortable. 

Ready to give this trend a try for yourself? Check out other weighted vests with different designs and weight options from Amazon to start boosting your walks and workouts.

Zelus Weighted Vest with 6 Ironsand Weights

Fuff Adjustable Weighted Vest

Cap Barbell Adjustable Weighted Vest

Heikeen Weighted Vest with LED Reflective Belt and Outdoor Headlight