Is a weighted vest good for running? Well, although it will definitely not make you smile – it will surely make your workout more intense!
Sure, the vest will feel bulky – but adding more resistance to your run will have plenty of perks by far weighing up for the inconvenience.
Now:
Read on and discover why wearing a weighted vest while running will 2x your exercise game!
Contents
Is a Weighted Vest Good For Running? 5 Science Backed Reasons to Love the Extra Resistance
Burns Calories
Putting on a weighted vest during your daily run burns more calories, which helps you shed more weight.
Sounds obvious, right?
For instance, let’s consider a person who weighs 120 pounds and runs moderately for 45 minutes. According to studies, this guy will burn almost 350 calories during his run.
Another person weighing 150 pounds running at exactly the same speed and time will burn nearly 450 calories.
Why does the 150-pound guy burn more calories?
Because he is heavier!
When you run with a weighted vest, you are strapping your body with extra weight making your body heavier than it should be. Thus, your body burns more fat to release the extra energy required to push you forward.
Improves Stamina
Wearing a weighted vest during your running exercise increases the performance of your fast-twitch muscle fibers.
These muscles are responsible for releasing bursts of energy that improve your overall running ability.
You will realize that after a few days of running with a vest, your running time to exhaustion will have significantly improved.
This is because your respiratory system is now working harder than usual, enabling you to increase your oxygen intake.
And increased oxygen intake equals better overall stamina!
Increases Body Strength
In addition to making your muscles stronger, going for a run with a weighted vest increases your bone mass.
The load transferred to your bones stimulates the osteoblasts cells to form new bone material to meet the demands of the pressure being exerted on your skeleton.
As a result:
- Your bones get stronger,
- your overall muscle endurance is improved,
- and you get more stable.
In clinical studies, benefits have been found with vests containing weights equal to 4% to 10% of body weight.
Reference: wsj.com – Extra Load on Your Back to Help Build Bones
You will notice a huge difference, especially in your core strength if you try the same running exercise without a vest.
Boosting your bone mass also reduces the risk of fractures.
Builds Muscle
Performing your runs with a weighted vest can help you build more muscle.
If your body is already toned, it’s obvious that you are not worried about losing weight, right?
And since the muscles are still facing resistance, they still need to work hard to keep up with the extra weight added to your body.
This intense activity stimulates muscle growth and strengthens your tendons, ligaments, and cartilage.
Better Than Ankle or Hand Weights
Hand, ankle, or wrist weights put direct stress on the areas applied. This can result in injury or affect the way you run.
A weighted vest, on the other hand, helps you maintain a proper posture as the extra load is evenly distributed on your body.
This reduces the risk of injuries and helps you achieve your fitness goals in a safe, effective way.
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Final Words: Is a Weighted Vest Good For Running?
Yes!
Strapping on a weighted vest while doing your daily running routine certainly has myriad benefits.
It improves the strength and endurance of your muscles and keeps you overall fit.
However:
You need to be careful when picking your vest. Begin with lighter ones and graduate gradually to heavier ones as your core strength increases.
You do not want to end up with a painful back, do you?
If you get one of these best weighted vests, you can rest assured your vest is among the top available on the market. I have reviewed vests in several categories -all the way from the budget choice to the premium pick!
Now:
If you want to learn more about strength training, PRESS HERE!
Other Helpful Resources
- Weighted Calisthenics: Benefits of Using a Weighted Vest for Calisthenics
- Top 5 Reasons Why you Should Use a Weighted Vest When Doing Cardio
- 4 Killer Benefits of Weighted Vest Exercise and Workout
- Weight Vest Training Pros and Cons: Is it Worth it or Not?
- Do Weighted Vests Work for Osteoporosis? Science and Facts