Weight Vests, do they really help?

Question

i want to loose lb in fat and gain lean muscle do the Weight Vests help or are they a waist of time. if it helps im 5'7" 185 lb

Answer 1

Weight vests are only good if you can already do an exercise well and your body can handle the weight comfortably without feeling out of breath. They are meant to add a little bit more resistance to an already comfortable exercise to help you improve and are more for increasing strength and power rather than losing weight.

If you want to tone your muscles without free weights, you can wear the weight vest and perform squats, lunges, push ups and sit ups 3 times a week. However, at your weight, I would not recommend running or jumping as this could damage your knees and hurt your back.

Here is what you should do it you want to lose weight properly.

Step 1) Change your diet
Step 2) Do more aerobic exercise

I recommend consulting a fitness instructor and nutritionist for the 2 above items, but here are some things you can do right now.

1) Lose the snack foods, meaning no burgers, no fries, no pizza, no pastries, no chips, no soda etc. If you can't do that, then at least halve what you are eating now in terms of snacks, it will make a difference.

2)Make sure your food portions are approximately 2/3 vegetables and 1/3 protein during your main meals.

3)Get protein from sources like chicken, turkey and fish. Remove the skin from chicken and turkey.

4)Replace the pasta, rice or potato with vegetables like brocolli, cauliflower, carrots, tomatoes, pumpkin etc. Squeeze lime juice over your vegetables to get the most of the nutrients in your food.

5)Eat small meals every 4 - 5 hours. DO NOT STARVE yourself, it will not help. Snacks can include fruits, muesli bars, a protein shake or bar.

6) 20 minutes (minimum) a day, 3 times a week (minimum), go running, swimming, or cycling at at least a moderate to fast pace, it is important that you do not stop. Slow down if you must but never ever stop.

Just do these, and I can assure you that you will see a difference within 2 weeks at the very least. The difference's should include:

1) A reduction of your overall body fat
2) Better energy and endurance

As time goes on you can add more exercises or exercise for a longer duration and more times a week for faster results, all the best.

Answer 2

I don't know if it'll gain you lean muscle or bulky muscle, but think of it this way.

Put the vest on and only using the balls of your feet and calves, jump up and down for a little while.

Next, take the vest off and do the same thing. Do you feel lighter and jump a little higher? That's because you got used to extra weight and your muslces adjusted.....became stronger to deal with the weight.

Ofcourse, when done over a long period of time, this is called weight training.

As for lean muscle.....do repeated sets of lighter weights over and over. Example: bench press 30lbs 20 times as opposed to 60 or whatever 10 times. If what the gym teacher explained way back when is true, this is endurance training and more likely to give you the lean muscles you are looking for.

Answer 3

I use a weight vest. It can carry 40lbs of weight but for now I only use 20. It's great for squats and stance training. I also use it for pushups with my feet inclined and dips. I won't run with it on, but I've taken long fast paced walks. I've had no problems with injuries but I'm also careful.

Answer 4

weight vests do NOTHING but hurt your back, believe me i know that from expiriancence, what does help are the ones you put on your wrists and feet, i found that training with those work ( i once wore for around two days, sure my arms were sore but they became noticibly stronger)

Answer 5

i know my trainer will jog in the summer heat wearing plastics and a weight vest (and sweatshirt layers) to lose weight for a fight.