Best Weight Vests to Stimulate Strength Gains in the UK

Review & Comparison, Last Update February 2, 2024
Are you a professional athlete willing to intensify your workouts? Or you are a beginner at sports searching for a tool to control ...Read more
PROS

The weight is spread evenly across the vest in order not to put too much pressure on spine, chest and back muscles. The vest has flex fitting, ultra-soft gel foam padding for ultimate comfort, and fully adjustable attachment that allows a personalized fit for almost any size waist.

CONS

The straps across the stomach and chest can be a bit limiting for your breathing.

OUR VERDICT

Regardless of your body type, level of fitness or training goals, the BodyRip weight vest will add intensity at all levels and take your workout to the next level. The vest comes in a large range of weight options, which makes it suitable for both professional athletes and fitness enthusiasts.

Type

Adjustable weighted

Usability

4 elasticated straps with velcros, Inner padding, Stitched edges

Material

Neoprene, Polyester

Size

Adjustable

Sex

Unisex

Weight

20 kg total (1 kg increment)

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

Lined with a moisture-wicking, breathable fabric, the RDX weighted vest allows you to stay dry even when you work up a sweat keeping you comfortable during your training without getting hassled about unpleasant odours.

CONS

Light inserts in the vest are more prone to soiling.

OUR VERDICT

Due to the RDX® hyper technology, this weight vest ideal for Crossfit training. The RDX innovative design doesn't limit the vest movement during exercise and keeps the weight away from arms.

Type

Adjustable weighted

Usability

RDX® hyper technology, Wraparound belted system, Quick-Ez™ Velcro closure, stitched edges

Material

Polyester, QD-1™ lining

Size

Adjustable

Sex

Unisex

Weight

8-14 kg

10 - 18 kg

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The We R Sports weight vest for men is covered with narrow slats where you can insert or remove mini sandbags quickly without taking the weighted vest off. This will come in handy if you have short rest periods between your sets.

CONS

The vest is made of thick fabric that can make you feel hot while working out.

OUR VERDICT

Are you looking for an affordable training equipment which can add extra intensity to your workout? Then opt for the WeRSports weighted training vest, and you will achieve your workout goals in no time.

Type

Adjustable weighted

Usability

4 elasticated straps with velcros, Ultra-soft padding, Stitched edges

Material

Nylon, Polyester

Size

Adjustable

Sex

Unisex

Weight

5, 10, 15, 20, 30 kg available (~0.5 kg increment)

Warranty

1 year

PROS

The vest has a mesh pocket that allows you to store your belongings, like a water bottle, phone, money, and keys while walking, stair climbing, or running. It's very convenient since most sportswear doesn't usually have spacious pockets to keep your most important belongings safe and organized.

CONS
One snap closure may seem not enough for reliable fixation of the vest.
OUR VERDICT

This 8-kg adjustable Jacket is well-suited for professional athletes who want to increase the intensity of their workouts. Wearing the vest will force your body to maximize energy level and help you get more explosive.

Type

Fitness weighted

Usability

Snap closure, Mesh pocket, Soft inner padding

Material

Neoprene

Size

Adjustable

Sex

Unisex

Weight

8 kg

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The Gallant WV-10kg weighted running vest has double adjustable straps on both sides with chrome buckle that tightens up to provide a secure fit and reduce movement while exercising. Made from a robust Canvas material, the vest will withstand the most hardcore workouts.

CONS

The edges of the vest are stitched not very neatly.

OUR VERDICT

Do you think adding weights to your workouts is inconvenient and unpractical? Then try the Gallant WV-10kg weight vest. It's so comfortable to wear that you will forget that you have it on.

Type

Fitness weighted

Usability

2 Snap closures, Soft inner padding, Stitched edges

Material

Canvas

Size

Adjustable

Sex

Unisex

Weight

5, 10, 20 kg available

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

Stay Comfortable and Secure During Your Workout

Bodyrip is a UK based manufacturer of premium fitness equipment that offers a range of high quality, durable products, including kettlebells, dumbbells, barbells, and weighted vests. Weight vests are good at increasing the resistance of your bodyweight workouts, like squats, pull-ups, press-ups, pushups, and etc. Also, they can be used to improve your cardio conditioning.

The BodyRip weight vest looks like a body armour. It’s black with the blue logo on one of the straps. The vest is very comfortable to wear. The back and front of the weighted jacket are made up of the sandbags, which can be removed to lighten the vest to whatever weight you need or added to increase the amount of weight as you increase strength. The removable sandbags are spread evenly to conform to the shape of your body. They are thoroughly stitched around each side with a layer of soft foam inside and a smooth material outside. The Velcro straps provide a snug fit, so the vest doesn’t loosen or shift as you train. The padding is a bit thicker at the shoulders and there is a double stitched overlap that ensures two halves of the vest are reliably held together. The inner padding gives support and flexibility. The vest features flex fitting, ultra-soft gel foam padding for ultimate comfort, and fully adjustable attachment that allows a personalized fit for almost any waist size.

The BodyRip weight vest provides the most stability even during high-intensity workouts. You can use it during chin-ups, dips, and push-ups. This durable vest is suitable for any professional athlete and fitness enthusiast.

Make Each Movement Harder

The main idea of wearing a weighted vest is to make each movement harder and that's what the BodyRip weight vest will let you achieve. It’s always better to start light and add weight gradually, as lifting a heavy weight can put extra pressure on your back and knees. Your body muscles require some time to adapt to the increased stress.

The straps across the stomach and chest hold the vest in place and prevent it from moving during your workout. They don't restrict you in any way but can limit your breathing a bit. Surely, you can’t expand your ribcage if you can't take a full breath. So, the BodyRip weight vest is not recommended for long distance runs, but it's ideal for shorter sessions like bodyweight circuits or bag work rounds.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
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ASIN B008ELMM30

Increase the Intensity and Efficiency of Your Workout

Some exercise programs often focus on using your own body weight. A weight vest helps create a greater training effect and produces faster results for more advanced fitness enthusiasts. A weight vest is a good way to make each pull-up, push-up, jump rope, plank, sprint, and sparring session more intense. You can even do your regular daily activities with a weighted vest to significantly increase your athletic performance. So, it can be a crucial component of any workout plan, no matter whether you are a Crossfit junkie, professional athlete, or just try to build a little strength.

The RDX weight vest is excellent for adding that extra intensity to your workouts. It has removable weights, so every athlete can customize their own perfect resistance level. Simply remove or add the weight inserts if you require more or less weight. The RDX vest is designed to distribute weight evenly without putting pressure on your shoulder blades. The soft padded backing creates a comfortable feel. The vest is made with the RDX® innovative hyper technology to hold it in place during intense movements and comes with adjustable straps to provide a secure fit. This fitness vest keeps the weight stable and evenly distributed throughout your torso while a temperature control design keeps you from overheating.

The vest is designed with a wraparound Velcro belt and lined with a moisture-wicking, breathable fabric, which allows you to stay dry even when you work up a sweat, keeping you comfortable during your training. The two Velcro straps on the lower abdomen and over the chest hold the weight in place during workouts. The flex panels allow the vest to stick close to your body and limits its movement while you do various exercises. These distinct features give the RDX vest a clear edge over competitors. With this high-tech weighted jacket, you will push your limits to the max, rev up your intensity level, and improve muscle building.

5 Exercises With a Weight Vest

A weight vest is a great training tool, which makes an exercise harder to perform by increasing the weight of your body. With its high versatility, the vest allows for a broad range of exercises without having to hold on dumbbells or any other types of weight. Here are 5 effective exercises with a weight vest:

1. Jump rope

Jump rope is a great cardio exercise that will certainly get your blood pumping. With a weighted vest, jump rope becomes more challenging. Do 20-30 second sets so that you don’t feel exhausted, as it could result in injuries.

2. Pushups

Pushups are a basic exercise used in physical fitness and athletic training. This exercise normally uses your body weight to build upper-body strength. The weighted jacket allows you to kick up the intensity of your pushups and build greater strength with fewer reps.

3. Plank

The plank is an excellent exercise to work your core, arms, obliques, and abdominal muscles. Using a training vest while doing the plank adds more resistance. It’s essential to do the exercise the right way. You should maintain a straight line between your shoulders and ankles and prevent your hips from sagging.

4. Box Jumps

Box jumps are difficult on their own, but using a weight vest will enhance this exercise even more. It’s better to use a lower box as you won't be able to jump that high with the added weight.

5. Running

Running with a resistance vest adds more intensity to your workout. It increases the load on your legs and helps build strength faster. If you plan to run with the vest on, consider the one that will conform to your body without bouncing around.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B00HD70A8A

Take Your Training to the Next Level

Any Crossfit enthusiast knows that a weighted vest adds extra intensity to any workout. By using a weight vest to artificially increase your bodyweight, you will improve your power, strength, and speed quite rapidly. When your body is forced to move explosively, your central nervous system starts to believe that you have put on extra weight and adapts accordingly. When you remove the vest, your body continues to react as though the weight is still on. As a result, you gain muscle faster and jump higher.

The We R Sports™ XTR is a nylon sleeveless vest with Velcro straps. The straps are pulled across the chest and attached to the opposite ends to keep the vest firmly in place. So your vest won't come loose while jogging, and you won't have to constantly stop and tighten it. The vest is covered with ultra-soft padding that adds extra comfort. If you are using a 30-kg weight vest, then adequate padding is highly important. Also, the We R Sports™ XTR weighted vest is covered with narrow slats where you can insert as many of the mini sandbags as you like. The weight vest is one size fits all. If it’s large, you may need comfortable clothing or even light padding underneath.

This workout vest is suitable for walking, running, circuit training, or body weight exercises. Adding extra weight will give an intensity boost and add variety to your training routine. If you keep a consistent workout schedule, you will see remarkable results in the short-term. This extra effort will help you lose weight while toning up and gaining muscle. Whether you are looking for cross-training, general fitness, or rehab exercise, the We R Sports™ XTR vest will add intensity at all levels and take your training to the new level.

Gain in Strength and Endurance

The We R Sports weighted vest allows you to add or remove between 5 and 30 kg. Remember that it’s always better to start light and then add some more weight as your strength improves. Add weight in small increments as you go, as starting too heavy may cause injury. For example, you can start at 5 kg and add a kilogram every week until you can hit your target. Thus, you can steadily increase your strength and endurance level that will result in faster muscle building. Though, at first, it may seem to you that a 30 kg vest is too heavy for you, it’s still better to get a heavier vest and remove weights little by little than to regret not buying one with more weights afterwards when you decide to intensify your workouts. 

With the continued use of the vest your body becomes accustomed to the weight and ultimately you will need more weight to feel the same effect. It means that you’ve gained in endurance and strength. As the added weight forces your muscles work harder, this leads to more calories burned that is ideal for losing weight.

The We R Sports weighted vest is a welcome addition to any home fitness plan. From toning and building strength to burning calories and improving stamina, this fitness vest has lots of benefits to help you reach your workout goals.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B00U7PQEVM

A Versatile Training Equipment

The Xn8 Adjustable Jacket is a regular choice for many fitness buffs. It’s a versatile training equipment for strength and endurance training. Adding the Xn8 Adjustable Jacket to your everyday run is a great way to lose weight, as the more weight your body carries whilst you are running, the more calories you burn. The extra weight also makes your muscles and respiratory system to work harder.

The vest can be adjusted to fit a variety of body shapes and provides full freedom of movement. It's filled with iron sand that is evenly distributed across the jacket. Since the weight is spread across the upper body, this prevents any risk of injury without setting up stress points.

The Xn8 has a soft padding that ensures ultimate comfort during your workout. The skin-friendly, neoprene material is characterized by high durability. This workout vest is perfect for burning extra calories, gaining muscle, and increasing stamina. It can be used during push-ups, dips, and chin-ups. It’s suitable for professional gym and home training. The jacket is easy to put on and strap up. Due to its shape and firm fit, the vest provides maximum comfort for users.

The Benefits of Using a Weight Vest

How can you benefit from implementing a weighted vest into your training regimen? One of the main benefits of the workout vest is adding strength to the muscles, which makes your body more efficient and therefore fitter. When your muscles adapt to the added weight, they develop and become stronger over time. A lot of people use weighted vests when cycling, jogging, or for general fitness training. Any of these types of exercise help naturally tone your body muscles, and this toning is intensified with the added weight. Also, weight vest training helps improve agility, body balance, and speed. Speed plays a big role in such sports, like football, boxing, and rugby. Using the weight vest for body weight exercises like squats, lunges, burpees, and sprinting will improve your overall strength, running endurance, and speed.

A weight vest is also a great training tool for muscle growth. Actually, doing pull-ups using a weight vest is more natural than wedging a dipping belt or dumbbell to your feet, as the weight in the vest is spread more evenly and closer to your centre of gravity.

However, there are people who simply cannot run or do intense workouts for a variety of reasons but nevertheless want to stay fit and healthy. Walking is a good alternative to the strenuous jogging, as it puts less impact on your joints and knees, providing maximum health benefits. A weight vest helps take walking to the next level, making it a lot tougher. The vest will help you increase the cardio, burn fat, as well as strengthen and tone your leg muscles. You can wear it for any occasion and do your regular daily activities. Wearing a weighted vest an hour a day is enough to increase your muscular strength.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
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ASIN B0753YVXRW

Increase Your Training Intensity and Stimulate Strength Gains

If you would you like to make your workouts more challenging, look no further than the Gallant Weighted Vest Jacket. This vest can be used for a variety of workouts, including running, calisthenic exercises, and walking.

It’s made from the robust Canvas material that will stand the test of hardcore workouts. The vest has double adjustable straps with chrome buckle that tightens up to provide a secure fit and prevent movement while exercising. The weight is evenly distributed and held close to your body, so it’s less likely to move around, even during the most vigorous workouts.

One more important feature of this vest is that the weight can be added or reduced to your liking. For example, you can increase the amount of weight for one exercise and then reduce it for another one, thus getting a lot more use out of the vest. When you start weight vest training, it’s better to begin with a small amount of weight and increase it gradually as you get stronger. This incremental progression ensures that you train safely while making steady strength gains.

The Gallant Weighted Vest Jacket is good for burning fat, increasing resistance weight, and developing your stamina. Also, the vest is comfortable on your shoulders and spacious openings for the arms and neck give a full range of motion while exercising. It’s simple and fast to wear and remove. Simply put the vest on and fasten tightly with two straps. So, if you are serious about your fitness training and want to boost your training intensity and stimulate strength gains, this weighted jacket is a great investment!

How to Use a Weight Vest?

Body weight exercises, such as squats, pull-ups, pushups, and aerobic exercises are proven methods of staying in shape. If you would like to increase the resistance during your workouts, implement a weight vest into your training routine. Have a look at some recommendations on how to use a training vest.

- Choose your optimal weight

Before you start your weight vest training, figure out how much weight you want to add. If you are unsure, use a lighter weight first and then increase the weight steadily.

- Wear a workout vest properly

It’s crucial to wear the weight vest correctly, depending on the type of exercise you are performing. If you are doing cardio exercises, box jumps, and pull-ups with a loose vest, this can add unnecessary pressure to your joints. Though, if you are doing static exercises like planks, squats, and pushups, a loose vest won’t affect you very much.

- Warnings

Using a too heavy vest may lead to strained muscles and joint injuries. The American Council on Exercise recommends using a vest that weighs 5-10 % of your body weight.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
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ASIN B0153I9EY6

Infographics


What Is a Weight Vest?

If you want to stay fit and strong, you should not only receive proper nutrition but also exercise on a regular basis. Every athlete knows how efficient it is to workout at least three times a week and intensify resistance of the activity gradually. With this approach, you will provide your muscles with sufficient workload and constant progress. For this reason, a weight vest is excellent fitness equipment that will help you make a big step towards a desirable shape. Moreover, your training sessions will become more efficient thus improving your stamina.

If you like training at home, you may find our reviews on dumb bells and kettlebells quite interesting. These tools are very easy to use, and they've become very popular among sports enthusiasts.

What Features to Compare

Type

The first thing you should do before purchasing a weight vest is to decide on your muscle training program. Depending on your objectives you can buy an adjustable vest that allows you to increase or reduce weight, or nonadjustable that doesn’t have such option. You should also take into your consideration that due to their design, some models are designed only for male or female use. 

Size and weight

The heft is another important criterion of such a gym clothing. If your vest, for example, is heavier than you need, the possibility of injury increases due to extra load on your spine and muscles. For this reason, it is essential to select the proper weight. The suitable size of any sports clothing also influences comfort in wear. It shouldn’t move around your chest thus rubbing or causing you any discomfort during your training sessions. Also, additional straps allow you to fix it accurately hence not hindering your movements. 

Material 

Needless to say, that the durability of a vest and how smooth it will be to the touch depends on the type of fabric used in the production. More often such sportswear is constructed of polyester, neoprene or nylon. Polyester is a synthetical perdurable rigid material. This fabric usually covers the vest. Neoprene is a stable and elastic fabric that remains flexible at different temperatures. Nylon is also a synthetical material that is valuable for its light weight, durability, and resistance to damage. 

Did you know?

Weight Vests for People With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Sensory Integration Disorder

Weight vests are used in sensory integration therapy developed in the late 1970s by A. Jean Ayres, an educational psychologist and occupational therapist. They are used for people suffering from sensory integration disorder. They have difficulty processing information from the senses (hearing, taste, smell, touch, vision, and movement) and responding to this information. This also includes people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). 

The supporters of weight vests believe that the pressure of the weights helps relax and calm people with ASD, changes the way they process sensory information, makes them better control their movements, and realize better where their bodies are in space. When people improve the ability to process sensory information, their learning, attention, and focus also improve. The vest is worn over or under clothes in the classroom or at home. Children should use weight vests under the supervision of a qualified occupational therapist. Besides, people can use weighted belts or blankets.

What is the Importance of Weight Lifting?

Many people avoid weight training because they are afraid of becoming too muscular. Those who prefer cardiovascular exercises simply don’t see the benefits of weight training. However, the benefits of weight training go beyond building muscles. It’s a great way to improve cardio performance and overall health. Here are some interesting facts that show the importance of weightlifting:

- weight training lowers blood pressure and bad cholesterol;
- adding just two weight training sessions a week can lower body fat by 7%;
- better muscle coordination improves overall body mechanics;
- increased metabolism allows you to burn more calories when your body is resting;
- weightlifting acts a natural antidepressant by boosting serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine;
- by 80 years-old, people who lead a sedentary lifestyle will lose 50% of their muscle mass, and weight training can prevent muscle loss.

How Much Weight Can You Lose With a Weight Vest?

You lose weight only if you burn more calories than consuming. This can be done by eating a low-calorie, healthy diet, aerobic exercise, and strength training. By adding weight to your exercises, you can lose weight quicker. Consequently, using a weighted vest while training will help increase your exercise intensity and result in a greater weight loss.

Go Harder

The amount of weight which you can lose depends on how heavy the weight vest is. A heavier vest will allow you to burn more calories, as it forces your body to work harder. When you exercise at a higher intensity, you lose weight faster. A vest weighing 10% of your body weight can help you burn up to 8 % more calories than when you do the same activity without a vest. You have to burn 3,500 calories to lose one pound, thus the more calories you burn, the faster you will lose extra weight.

The Food Factor

Regardless of your workout intensity or the amount of weight you add, you will not lose extra pounds until you adjust your diet. A vest won’t work if you continue eating more calories than burning. To make the weight vest truly effective, you should lower your caloric intake. Reducing calories gradually will prevent your digestion from slowing down. Try to limit foods with little or no nutritional value, like chips and cookies. Instead, choose low in fat food, like fruit and vegetables. Eating the right foods combined with weight vest training will help you lose weight quickly.

FAQ:

Q: How much weight should I get?
A: Well, it depends. If you purchase a vest for endurance training, it would be better to start with low weight. For strength training, on the other hand, add heaviness. Many athletes prefer to buy a vest with an adjustable load. For instance, they get 140 lbs and then start with 40 lbs. However, 10-20% of your body weight is a standard starting heft.

Q: Can I start with the full amount of weight?
A: If you want to avoid trauma, you shouldn’t. First of all, it is better to consult with your physician. Make sure you are in good shape and there is nothing that can make such training unadvisable. When you start training, always begin your workout with a warm-up and add weight gradually.

Q: How will a weight vest help me to lose weight?
A: Well, if you want to control your weight, such a training tool will become a good assistant for you. So how does it work? This sportswear adds heft to your body and intensifies your activity immediately. Hence the caloric consumption increases. That means, while doing the same exercise you will burn more calories with a vest than without it. For this reason, even doing your household chores you can lose weight.

Q: When will I see the result?
A: In theory, it won’t take long. However, if you want to get a good result in a short period of time, you should follow a set of rules. Firstly, exercise regularly and add weight little by little. Don’t haste since if you add too much, for example, you are more likely to have an injury. That won’t speed up your progress. And don’t forget about healthy nutrition. If you consume high-fat food and eat fewer vegetables, fruit, and meat, you are more likely to waste your time. Because the observation of low-calorie diet and regular exercising is half the battle. Trust us, in this case, you will see the result much faster. Also, you can add some supplements such as weight gainers to your diet.

Q: Can I wash my weight vest?
A: Yes, unless the manufacturer recommends you not to. Oftentimes you can wash it with your hands but you can’t wash it in a washing machine. It can be cleaned with mild soap and warm water. Also, you shouldn’t use chemical or abrasive cleaners or submerge your vest in water. Also, to keep it smelling fresh, try to use an antimicrobial spray that is available almost in every grocery store.

Q: Isn’t it too heavy for yoga practice?
A: No, not at all. If the weight of your vest is adjustable, you can always change it, just adding or reducing resistance when it is required. This allows you to use it even during yoga. Moreover, with its help, you are more likely to develop a better sense of balance and strengthen your muscular system faster.

Sources:

1. Weighted clothing, Wikipedia.

2. Brandi Junious How Much Weight Can You Lose Wearing a Weighted Vest? LIVESTRONG.COM. December 29, 2015.

3. Laura Williams 10-Minute Weight Vest Workouts to Maximize Your Results, Onnit. May 25, 2016.

4. Six Rules for Weight Vest Training, STACK. July 7, 2011.

5. Matthew Percia Do Weighted Vests Work? LIVESTRONG.COM. December 29, 2015.

6. 4 Important Benefits of Weighted Vest Workouts, Yuri Elkaim.

7. Casey Ames 5 Research-Backed Benefits of Weighted Blankets and Vests, Friendship Circle.

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