Topic: Weighted Training

[Kiro]

For Christmas im probably going to ask for a weight vest id like to increase my speed and strength and i figure this would be a good way to do this. i have ankle weights and i hate them they're bulky and annoying, so i'm looking for a slim weight vest that i can add weight to as a get stronger and isn't made from crap, so it wont fall apart. What do you guys think of weighted training? Possible risks and Benefits? Do any of you use vests or ankle weights? Any recommendations for weight vests?

[Kiro]

oh i nearly forgot before those of you that worship the search bar jump down my throat about there being some other similar threads to this...please don't. the newest of the threads looks to be from about 10 months ago and allot has changed (ie; new people have joined) and while the risks and benefits may not have change peoples general consensus on the topic very well might have, and so might the products that are available, id like an updated opinion.

[Gabe Arnold]

In my opinion, weight vests are best used for simpler/strength based PK training, such as drilling climb-ups or practicing cranes. But I don't think they're as good when doing skill work, such as rail balance, bigger precisions, or vaults. The idea is that adding weight to movements that require finer control can be detrimental and cause the control to be lost, ingraining poor mechanics. There's a growing counter idea in sports science that this might not be the case but nothing has been proven yet.

In short, I say if you want a weight vest, use it for pullups, climbups, pushups, squats, and smaller jumps. Don't use it for vaults, balance, etc.

[Kyle Rudolph]

Also, I'd avoid the ankle weights period. The benefits from studies are varied and no real gains have been noted as far I know. In addition, the excess weight is being put on ligaments that weren't really meant to have extra weight around/on them.

I mean if you're using them for stuff like leg raises and shit, go on ahead. But don't use them for parkour and running.

[Kiro]

ok any recommendations on a vest that wont fall apart isnt too bulky and that i can progressively add weight to?

[Gabe Arnold]

ZFO-40LBS Adjustable Weighted Vest - This one has great reviews on Amazon, is on sale, and looks to be adjustable in weight.

Hyper Vest PRO - This one is a lot more expensive and requires you to buy extra weights if you want it heavier than the standard 10lb, but it is super comfortable. A friend of mine bought one and when I tried it on it was like wearing a snug shirt; very easy to move, elastic on the sides moves with your breathing, very cool stuff.

[Alex Patterson]

I have a Golds gym weighted vest.  Has up to 20 pounds with them little sand bag thingys. Fits pretty well. Its a little bulky but not bad. I use it for pull ups and push ups and doing turbo jam videos with my wife . I don't know how much they cost, I won mine at a health and fitness deal at my work.

[wolf555]

As someone who has trained in body armour, and regularily carries a 50-70lbs pack for long amounts of time on steep terrain I can give you this little bit of advice: Do not run with weight above your knees, nor jump, over time this will screw your knees up worse then you can imagine. I ruck alot (a very brisk walk) and even just this you can feel alot of extra pressure on your knees, granted this is 50-70lbs and you are talking around 20lbs I take it? Imagine how much force you hit the ground with while you are running with no weight. Now imagine adding 20lbs to that, and seeing as a large number of people run on concrete for lack of a dirt trail, it might not feel like it at first but over time this will mess your knees up, ask any retired infantry man and he will tell you the same. I do however train with my ruck on as well as armour, while using it for body weight exercises (push ups, pull ups, dips, squats, etc) I find it helps me alot, of course some of my goals are to be able to move faster underweight so this may not be the gains a normal traceur is looking for. If you do start down this path, I would suggest investing in joint health supplements, I would suggest that for any traceur anyways but definatly for someone carrying excess weight.

[Brian Dayton]

Weights are only good for supplementing body weight exercises. If you use them during actual pk training it will change your center of gravity which means when you take it off it will seem different. For certain exercises, suck as cat balance, it strengthens controller muscles in your arms and wrists. In other exercises, such as vaults, it can cause you to over or under correct and you can hurt yourself. As for running, it can be done as long as you don't add all of the weight all at once. While your muscles may be strong enough to take the force of 20 extra pounds, but your tendons and ligaments can't. You need to slowly add weight over the course of several weeks in order to strengthen them. Chances are, there are people who are a lot heavier than you who run every day but they don't have knee problems because years of walking and running with that weight have strengthened their joints so they can take the pressure, it just takes time. Basically, you can get a weighted vest as long as you use your common sense.

[Ryan Sannar]

Following to get more info.

[Alex Patterson]

I couldn't imagine doing any running in the vest I have. Too clunky feeling.

[Steven Low]

Ankle or wrist weights should not be worn while running or throwing respectively. They alter mechanics.

Generally speaking, weighted vests are best used for bodyweight strength training or conditioning.

I would not use them when practicing PK related skill work.

[KC Parsons]

In my opinion, weight vests are best used for simpler/strength based PK training, such as drilling climb-ups or practicing cranes. But I don't think they're as good when doing skill work, such as rail balance, bigger precisions, or vaults. The idea is that adding weight to movements that require finer control can be detrimental and cause the control to be lost, ingraining poor mechanics. There's a growing counter idea in sports science that this might not be the case but nothing has been proven yet.

In short, I say if you want a weight vest, use it for pullups, climbups, pushups, squats, and smaller jumps. Don't use it for vaults, balance, etc.

I'm curious about the counter movement. Any links?

[Kiro]

three suggestion so far anyone else have ones that they like, ideally id like to wear it under my everyday clothing to the slimmer the better.

[Spencer Young]

I tried it once during my teen years (wanted to be like goku strong) but ghetto ricked some weights into a time capsule and rode my bike a few times. Lol

But seriously, I wondered if a weight vest would be good to invest in for the BW workouts.

[Steven Low]

three suggestion so far anyone else have ones that they like, ideally id like to wear it under my everyday clothing to the slimmer the better.

Wearing weights all the time won't help the way your thinking.  Real life is not like DBZ unfortunately.

I tried it once during my teen years (wanted to be like goku strong) but ghetto ricked some weights into a time capsule and rode my bike a few times. Lol

But seriously, I wondered if a weight vest would be good to invest in for the BW workouts.

Investing in a squat rack, barbell and weights is a good idea.

So is rings and/or a pullup bar.

Those would be better to get before getting a weighted vest

[Kiro]

Wearing weights all the time won't help the way your thinking.  Real life is not like DBZ unfortunately.

care to elaborate further please, im not looking to get big or anything just be able to carry around more weight, without it feeling as heavy im figuring after wearing it for an extended period of time getting increasingly heavier to help just general everyday strength.

[Steven Low]

care to elaborate further please, im not looking to get big or anything just be able to carry around more weight, without it feeling as heavy im figuring after wearing it for an extended period of time getting increasingly heavier to help just general everyday strength.

Sigh.

Studies have shown (hit up pubmed if you want to read them) that wearing vests do not increase strength or explosiveness if they're worn everyday. They can give you a psychological feeling of being lighter when you take them off, but the effects are minor and do not last.

If they did, you would see competitive and elite athletes wearing them to increase their abilities. But they don't.

[Ryan "Loveless" Courtney]

Posting for updates.

[Kiro]

Sigh.

Studies have shown (hit up pubmed if you want to read them) that wearing vests do not increase strength or explosiveness if they're worn everyday. They can give you a psychological feeling of being lighter when you take them off, but the effects are minor and do not last.

If they did, you would see competitive and elite athletes wearing them to increase their abilities. But they don't.

i will look at the articles but in theory isnt that counter intuitive? regardless if i dont use it every day itll just supplement my workouts.