Being physically and mentally fit is very important especially in the situation we are in. If you can’t help but worry about your health, it is high time you consider exercising. Amp up your exercise and achieve a more effective workout with the use of a weighted vest. This gives you the following benefits:
1. Cardiovascular Benefits
According to a recent study, training with a weighted vest helps improve blood lactate thresholds for runners. This would mean they can tolerate faster speeds longer before getting exhausted. One reason for this is the fact that your heart works a bit harder pumping blood if you train with a weighted vest on.
This results in a healthier cardiovascular system that also works hand in hand with your muscular system. Research revealed that the loads used were about 5-40% of the runners’ body weights. Heavier weights were used for improving running performance.
Lighter weights that were almost equal to 10% of body weight were used for running in longer distances. Note that these vests should not be more than 10% of your total body weight.
2. Increased Strength and Endurance
Using a weighted vest helps increase your strength. This helps you push yourself a little harder than your usual routine. Needless to say, improving your exercise can give you better results. This is a great help for building stronger muscles and improving endurance.
Adding the amount of weight in the vest helps you build up your endurance and you’ll be able to do routines consistently longer. If this is done right, you’ll start to observe greater strength and endurance. These improvements can be seen by adding weight to conventional resistance exercises and in performing extreme movements.
Gaining strength from using these weighted vests is not just beneficial for the youngsters but also for older adults. However, if you have previous physical injuries, make sure to consult your physician and fitness advisor before using this vest.
3. Burn Fats
A lot of people want to lose weight. It is one of the benefits you’ll get from exercising regularly. However, losing weight through exercise is easier said than done. One of the most effective ways to lose weight fast is with the use of a weighted vest.
We have been told time and again that exercise not only improves strength and energy. It also allows your body to become more capable of burning those excess fats. But with your weighted vest on, you are prone to a higher oxygen deficiency. Your heart would need to supply oxygenated blood to the other parts of your body.
Thus, more energy is required as your body needs to burn more calories to be able to meet the increasing demand for more energy. This translates to more fats burned. According to a small study, weight loading improves the body’s ability to metabolize fats more effectively. And all these things are definitely good news for your health.
4. Musculoskeletal Benefits
Moving around wearing your weighted vest is a great help for your musculoskeletal system. This system consists of bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments and soft tissues that work together to support the body’s weight and help you move. This helps your body adjust better to each movement you make. Your body starts to grow muscles to help support whatever extra weight your body has.
Luckily, it’s not just your muscles but also your bones will benefit as well from the use of a weighted vest. The more you use it, the stronger your musculoskeletal system becomes. Not to mention another benefit from using weighted vest and that is the possibility of having reduced risk for osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis makes your bones brittle and weak. But lots of scientific evidence show that the best kind of exercise to hinder bone health deterioration is by bearing weights. This helps you develop thicker and stronger bones. Besides, having stronger muscles and bones helps you avoid injuries while having extreme training.
5. Better Balance and Posture
Having your vest on while exercising makes your body continually adjust to the weight you are not used to. This means that your body is fundamentally working with the muscles that are responsible for balance and posture. If not corrected, you may suffer from back pain, joint degeneration, rounded shoulders, and spinal dysfunction caused by bad posture.
You’ll be forced to practice good posture to make sure it is not compromised while wearing the vest. Getting used to this makes it easier for you to have a proper balance and correct posture even when you have your vest off. This also leads to improved spinal health which may become more noticeable while you’re training without your weighted vest.
Don’t get too comfortable with your former fitness routine. Rev it up a bit by wearing a weighted vest and start taking your fitness routine to a whole new level. Using a weighted vest will be your best option.