Walk any street in Rye these days and you are likely to see someone in a weighted vest.
While many swear by the vests, with their baby-carrier-meets-SWAT-team vibe, some health experts warn that they should be worn with care.
Part of the appeal, vest wearers say, is the ease of adding them to your program and the benefit they can provide without much extra effort.
Alison Cupp Relyea, a Rye resident (and Rye Record contributor), said she started using her weighted vest last year.
“I wear it about two times a week, on long five- to six-mile walks, and I definitely notice a difference in my workout,” said Relyea, who received the vest as a Christmas gift. “The vest has not only improved my workouts, it has also helped me improve my posture.”
Manufacturers and social media influencers say the vests can do everything from improve your strength and endurance to burn more calories and improve your bone density.
But some experts advise caution.
Sona Shah, an endocrinologist with an interest in women’s health who practices at WestMed, said, “In general, I don’t have any concerns with weighted vests, but I do think they need to be used cautiously and safely. They should be worn with structured activities such as walking and should be avoided while running or jumping. I also do think overloading weight is definitely an issue and users should be really gradual about increasing weight.”
Added Macaulay Kerr, a physician’s assistant and menopause certified provider in Rye: “Weighted vests are a great first step to getting people moving and improving fitness levels. They are also really good for posture and for building up your core and strengthening your para spinal muscles, which is something especially important for women. That being said, many people think that it will help improve bone density, which is something that becomes really important as we age, and the truth is there just isn’t enough data to support this yet.”
Instead, she said, those looking to improve bone density, should focus on weight lifting.
But many are using the vests simply to make their walks feel more like workouts, to burn a few extra calories, and become more fit.
Kelly Fallon started using her vest this past summer.
“I started using it on walks because the added resistance increases the challenge and calorie burn while keeping it a low impact workout,” said Fallon, who wears a 12-pound vest.
Both Shah and Kerr agreed that to prevent injuries, the vests should be about 10 percent of your body weight.
“In general, weighted vests are great adjuncts to structured exercise but there are two points I want to make about the trend,” Shah said. “First, there isn’t a lot of longterm data on them, and second, they don’t replace the need to do a variety of movement and overall physical activity. Consistency really is key, like anything, you won’t see results right away.”
Fashion faux pas or not, weighted vests are having their moment — and there are likely to be plenty given out as gifts this holiday season.
