uses for weighted vests

[thinsgreat]

I'm confused--- doing sts -other than squats, lunges-- when exactly would you use this vest?

okay for back exercises ? do you just subtract 10 pouunds from total weight you're using?
thanks

 

[petramom]

I think the vest is mainly used for leg work. You could also use it during pushups or pullup/chinups. But I can't think of anything else. I don't know how you would use it for back work (other than pullups/chinups) since back exercises don't depend on body weight.

 

[wgilchrist]

Mine came with a DVD that has some exercises on it. I have not looked at it yet (I just got it yesterday) but I'm certain that Cathe has some pretty good uses for it!

How about pull ups/ chin ups, walking, biking, step ups (on your step) for cardio etc...

Good luck.

 

[healthy_vegan]

I use it for leg work, when the dumbbells or barbell is particularly heavy. I found it very useful, actually, since I have trouble holding the heavy weights.

 

[Pearlstrand]

LowMax

I use it during LowMax intensity blasts (except for the last one -- kickbox). It makes the workout more of a challenge while keeping the impact low.

 

[Shadowpup]

I use mine, maxed out, during leg work, especially when I'm increasing my weights quickly (it cuts down on forearm stress). When I can, I increase the weight in the vest first, and then gradually shift it to the barbell or dumbbell.

I use it during steady-state cardio, such as hikes, to increase the challenge (and calorie burn), and also to keep myself in shape for backpacking, and for carrying my travel bags. I have one that's a backpack. It really helps with both of these things! No more than 10% of my body weight goes in the vest for cardio.

Haven't yet used it in kickbox or IMAX, but as soon as my calorie burn starts dropping, I'll add in the vest to move it back up a notch.

Eventually I expet to use it loaded lightly for pullups. At the moment, my own body weight is plenty there

It's been a good investment. Hadn't realized how often I'd use it - like weighted gloves. I wonder how I managed without either, nowaways!

 

[kathryn]

I wouldn't use it for back exercises (or for any moves where you are bending forward), as it could put stress on the lower back.

As Cathe mentioned in a post, you could use it for push-ups, once you get to a point where your body weight is not enough resistance (yeah, right, like that's gonna happen!....I'm speaking for myself here, LOL!)

I use one for my walking workouts. You could also use one for other LOW IMPACT cardio (ie: Leslie Sansone type workouts or early Firm step workouts---, or for controlled plyometrics (that sounds contradictory, but weighted vests are used for plyometric sets for people wanting to increase bone density. But regular high-impact cardio has too many non-linear movements that could again put stress on the lower back or knees if you add weights to it)

 

[Gibbee]

Mine came with a DVD that has some exercises on it. I have not looked at it yet (I just got it yesterday) but I'm certain that Cathe has some pretty good uses for it!

How about pull ups/ chin ups, walking, biking, step ups (on your step) for cardio etc...

Good luck.

Wendy - What kind of stuff is on the DVD? Tips?