karenwolf

I'm interested in purchasing a weighted vest for my walking to potentially burn more calories. I've never worn one before and so I don't want to spend a great deal of money. The one I'm looking at right now is a 10lb vest (which I THINK is not adjustable) for $18.

If you own one, how do you like it?
How many more calories would it burn than just walking without?

Thanks!

midwestj

These are pretty cool devices because you could wear this while doing all sorts of body weight exercises.

I would try and spend some extra money on one that is adjustable in size and able to increase the amount of weight you put in it.

Not really sure about walking with it and how many more calories you will burn, probably a decent amount more.

Mcroninpt

Weight vests are nice, especially for functional strength-training athletes. The thing about them though, except for the price because they can be expensive even used, is that you need to be concerned with your joints, primarily your knees. The impact of you walking around with much more weight on you than your body is used to can severly, negatively affect your knees. One way of going about that is to use it at shorter distances and work your way up, until your body has built the strength necessary to tote it around. But I think if you are aware of this potential problem and tread smoothly you should not encounter it.

How many extra calories will it burn? I'm not really sure. Weight vests are primarily used on body weight exercises, as the above poster stated.

To be honest, it might just help burn a little extra just for the way it will affect your breathing (wearing a vest is like wearing a trash bag sweater, but heavier) If walking is your main means of fitness then adding a vest and or light dumbbells and incorporating complex movements is of course better for results than walking without it.

cjohnson728

I'm not sure how accurate this would be, but you could go here The Most Accurate Calories Burned Calculator, and put in your weight and activity without the vest, then do it again with your weight plus the weight of the vest.

almeeker

I do a lot of walking for exercise and I really like my wrist and ankle weights for an extra calorie burn. My ankle weights are adjustable 2-10 pounds (in 2 pound increments) and I think I paid $11 for them, the wrist weights were 9ish, but are not adjustable.