Health and fitness trends come and go, and many fads don\u2019t deliver on their promises \u2013 remember vibrating belts or sauna suits? Today, weighted vests, made from sturdy fabrics like nylon and filled with iron sand or small weights, are gaining widespread use. Here\u2019s what to know about them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Weighted vests have been around for centuries, but they have recently surged in popularity in response to a broader shift in thinking about exercise. No longer confined to the gym, physical activity is increasingly about maximizing health benefits of the movements people already do \u2014 things like walking, climbing stairs or cleaning their homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Weighted vests fit squarely into this philosophy. They offer a simple, manageable way to add resistance to everyday activities. And they don\u2019t require additional time, complex equipment or major changes to established routines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I study health and exercise science and have analyzed the effects of exercising with weighted vests. In my view, they represent a low-tech, high-impact opportunity to sneak resistance training into everyday activities. Research has shown that adding weight can help with building muscle and bone, as well as losing weight and keeping it off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As with any tool, however, the results depends on how you use it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n