Weighted vests are trending among fitness and wellness creators on social media, who claim they enhance walks and workouts. These vests, ranging from affordable to high-end, are said to improve endurance and support weight loss. While some studies indicate people may lose weight with vests, evidence regarding benefits for bone density is uncertain. The Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation does not endorse their use for enhancing bone health, stating the claims are unsubstantiated in current research.
"It's my weighted vest era," menopause expert Dr. Mary Claire Haver posted to Instagram. "Walk as much as you can in a weighted vest and you will be unrecognizable," one TikTok creator wrote.
From the $30 Zelus vest dominating your For You Page (often linked through influencers' Amazon storefronts) to a sleek 20-pound version from Equinox priced at $375, the concept is simple: Adding weight to your walks, runs, or workouts may help boost endurance and stamina.
In one frequently cited study, participants wore weighted vests equal to 11% of their body weight for eight hours per day over three weeks and lost an average of 3.5 pounds.
Some influencers have said weighted vests are among 'the best-kept secrets' for increasing bone density. However, most of the studies cited as evidence of weighted vests' effectiveness don't actually involve walking.
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