Weighted Vests: 5 Benefits, Plus Tips for Using One

Weighted vests are having a social media moment among fitness influencers and those looking for an effective workout. But can they really boost your workouts? And who benefits most?

That extra load makes your body work harder with every step, which has many beneficial effects. “Weighted vest walking improves cardiovascular fitness, muscular endurance, and bone health, with weight loss as a possible secondary benefit,” says Tiana S. Woolridge, MD, MPH, a sports medicine physician at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City.

Using a weighted vest to increase your load while walking may benefit your heart, muscle, and bone health.

However, it’s not necessarily advantageous for everyone. Wearing a weighted vest may exacerbate certain health conditions, such as arthritis, joint pain, or balance issues, says Kristen M. Beavers, PhD, MPH, an associate professor of health and exercise science at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 

So, get cleared by your healthcare provider before you try walking with a weighted vest if you have one of these conditions. In addition, ask your doctor first if you have heart disease, uncontrolled blood pressure, diabetes, chest pain, or shortness of breath.