Weighted vests gain trainer backing as workout add-ons
NBC Select says trainers recommend starting light and choosing a vest by fit, load style and adjustability.
By Tom Brennan · Health & Medicine Correspondent
3 min read
Weighted vests are being promoted by fitness experts as a way to make familiar workouts harder without changing the exercise itself. NBC Select reported that trainers see them as a useful tool for people who have stopped seeing progress from the same routine.
Joe Rodonis, a Tonal coach, told NBC Select that a weighted vest can raise the challenge of basic functional movements and conditioning sessions without requiring someone to hold dumbbells or weight plates. Experts cited by NBC Select recommend beginning with a vest equal to 5% to 10% of body weight before trying heavier loads.
NBC Select said it chose its recommendations by looking for models that matched expert guidance and had strong ratings at major retailers including Amazon, Target and Walmart. The outlet said McKay Romney, a certified personal trainer and nutritionist in Salt Lake City, favors models from Mir, Go Ruck, Hyperwear and TRX.
Top recommendations
- NBC Select named the Zelus Weighted Vest its beginner pick. The neoprene compact vest comes in 6-, 8-, 12-, 16-, 20-, 25- and 30-pound versions, has adjustable sizing but fixed weight, and was listed at $27.99 on Amazon.
- The Mir Air Flow Weighted Vest was selected as the machine-washable option. NBC Select reported that it comes in 20-, 30-, 40-, 50- and 60-pound versions, uses removable 3-pound iron weights, is made from nylon and was listed at $104.99 on Amazon.
- The Go Ruck Training Weight Vest was NBC Select’s plate-carrier pick. According to the outlet, the nylon vest can hold up to 60 pounds total, with pockets for plates on the front and back, and was listed at $195 at Rogue.
- NBC Select chose the Omorpho G-Vest Icon as the compact pick. The outlet reported that it comes in men’s and women’s styles, starts at 6 pounds for women and 10 pounds for men, and can be increased with add-on panels to 12 pounds or 20 pounds, respectively.
- The Hyperwear Hyper Vest Pro was picked for cardio. NBC Select said the vest has removable steel weights, a close-fitting zip design, adjustable sides and 10-, 15- and 20-pound options.
- The TRX Hexgrip Weighted Vest was recommended for experienced users. NBC Select reported that it comes in 20- and 40-pound versions, has adjustable shoulder and waist straps, and was listed at $319.95 from TRX Training.
What buyers are told to consider
Rodonis told NBC Select that weighted vests generally distribute load across the torso. The outlet said shoppers usually choose between tactical plate carriers, which hold weight plates at the front and back, and compact vests, which place weight within the fabric and fit closer to the body.
NBC Select’s product notes emphasize adjustability, cleaning and movement. Some models let users remove or add weights, while others require choosing a fixed load at purchase; some are machine-washable once plates or weights are removed, according to the outlet.
The outlet also highlighted fit as a practical issue. Compact models from Omorpho and Hyperwear were described as easier to move in during cardio or HIIT-style sessions, while heavier plate-carrier designs from Go Ruck and TRX were framed as better suited to users who already have experience training with extra load.
This story draws on original reporting from NBC News.