Weighted vests for walking
Discussion
Currently doing around 7 miles (up to 9 on a good day/weekend) a day walking, bloody great for the dog!
However realistically fitting in 3 to 4 miles is much easier, especially as I get busier into autumn. Although I switch up with some weights I just love getting out and walking and it's so damn easy especially as my local walks have some good gradient in them and really keeps the weight off (lost a stone just doing this this summer for instance).
If I was to cut down the miles I thought about buying a weighted vest to keep up the cardio aspect. For less than £100 they seem like a no brainer-if they work!
Does anyone have any experiences with them? I can't imagine a backpack with a 10kg kettlebell in it would be as comfy but neither do I want to look like I'm wearing a bullet proof vest in Fallujah whilst hiking through the woods!
However realistically fitting in 3 to 4 miles is much easier, especially as I get busier into autumn. Although I switch up with some weights I just love getting out and walking and it's so damn easy especially as my local walks have some good gradient in them and really keeps the weight off (lost a stone just doing this this summer for instance).
If I was to cut down the miles I thought about buying a weighted vest to keep up the cardio aspect. For less than £100 they seem like a no brainer-if they work!
Does anyone have any experiences with them? I can't imagine a backpack with a 10kg kettlebell in it would be as comfy but neither do I want to look like I'm wearing a bullet proof vest in Fallujah whilst hiking through the woods!
PositronicRay said:
Some footwear makes walking harder.
How about some steel toe cap wellies?
I actually do have steel toe cap'd and soled wellies for site work;How about some steel toe cap wellies?
https://www.ace-safetywear.co.uk/boots--2/snugboot...
Brilliant things!
If it's been super wet and boggy I do actually use them on walks but I'm thinking more like adding 10kg
g3org3y said:
Be interested to see the recommendations as it's something I've looked into as well.
Quite a few on Amazon, quite varied results. Seems to me the fit is key and whether you are going to be just using it for walking or other activities as well.
That's my main query, the army style ones look the most comfortable but also look maximum "Walt".Quite a few on Amazon, quite varied results. Seems to me the fit is key and whether you are going to be just using it for walking or other activities as well.
Nothing wrong with a good fitting backpack and a Kettlebell. I alternate between 16 and 24kg on my runs.
Wrap the kettlebell in fabric to prevent it digging. Bonus of the backpack is that you can carry water and wallet etc.
Alternately you could buy a ruck plate and a goruck backpack.
If you aren't used to going with weight you will f
k up your legs and feet, so start slow.
Wrap the kettlebell in fabric to prevent it digging. Bonus of the backpack is that you can carry water and wallet etc.
Alternately you could buy a ruck plate and a goruck backpack.
If you aren't used to going with weight you will f
k up your legs and feet, so start slow. SmithCorona said:
Nothing wrong with a good fitting backpack and a Kettlebell. I alternate between 16 and 24kg on my runs.
Wrap the kettlebell in fabric to prevent it digging. Bonus of the backpack is that you can carry water and wallet etc.
Doesn't running with a kettlebell look very 'special' ?Wrap the kettlebell in fabric to prevent it digging. Bonus of the backpack is that you can carry water and wallet etc.
There is always conflicting advice but I have read that ankle weights really shouldn't be used for walking or running due to the different stresses and muscle groups you'll end up using.
For walking and running I think I'm right in saying this is specifically what weighed vests are designed for.
For walking and running I think I'm right in saying this is specifically what weighed vests are designed for.
bigandclever said:
As daft as they look, ankle weights can make a normal walk more strenuous than you'd think.
When I do my daft ultra training / time on feet training I use a regular running backpack with a 10kg plate in it and 2*2kg ankle weights from decathlon.
I would second this, although I am quite allergic to anything but walking, one of my friends is one of the running, military types that enjoys exercise, and swears by the ankle weights.When I do my daft ultra training / time on feet training I use a regular running backpack with a 10kg plate in it and 2*2kg ankle weights from decathlon.
PiesAreGreat said:
bigandclever said:
As daft as they look, ankle weights can make a normal walk more strenuous than you'd think.
When I do my daft ultra training / time on feet training I use a regular running backpack with a 10kg plate in it and 2*2kg ankle weights from decathlon.
I would second this, although I am quite allergic to anything but walking, one of my friends is one of the running, military types that enjoys exercise, and swears by the ankle weights.When I do my daft ultra training / time on feet training I use a regular running backpack with a 10kg plate in it and 2*2kg ankle weights from decathlon.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/wea...
I’m not saying your friend is wrong but there’s plenty more studies out there that don’t recommend ankle weights for walking or running.
Just an update on this, I bought a bargain second hand vest on eBay for £16 and some spare weights (again eBay were cheaper than Amazon) and have been using this for the last couple of weeks.
I can easily put on half a stone and it properly gets you sweating! No back pain or in my joints.
Obviously it's difficult to monitor these things when you're not a pro athlete but I 100% feel I'm getting a better workout for my time than just plugging away doing more miles.
No doubt you look a tt though!
I can easily put on half a stone and it properly gets you sweating! No back pain or in my joints.
Obviously it's difficult to monitor these things when you're not a pro athlete but I 100% feel I'm getting a better workout for my time than just plugging away doing more miles.
No doubt you look a t
t though!
mikebradford said:
With regard to ankle weights I understand the concerns over muscle imbalance, but its no different to being in the gym and concentrating more on on exercise than the other.
My understanding is it isn’t, it’s more that you re-train your body to walk using the wrong muscles which leads to problems.Edited by Pflanzgarten on Friday 25th August 09:15
I use a 10kg vest I bought in Argos. Helped me a lot to start dropping weight just by walking. I can't run in it as it bounces on my shoulders too much. But walk 10-15 miles and you really feel it. The extra weight will make shoes wear a bit quicker and build up to it if it's a lot more weight than you've been to avoid tendonitis in your feet as get this on and off since I've been exercising.
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