New Fitness Trend Cautions
A new workout trend, drawing from military conditioning techniques, is garnering attention on social media, yet healthcare experts are warning people to be careful with these types of exercises.
This latest craze focuses on using weighted vests during workouts or while walking, reminiscent of military rucking and athletic training practices. Users are promoting it as a quick method to enhance calorie burn, build endurance, and accelerate fitness results.
On TikTok, the hashtag #weightedvest has surged past 30 million views, with influencers asserting that these vests can lead to significant weight loss and transformation.
However, despite their modern appearance, experts advise that this rising trend carries risks if not handled properly. Dr. Mark Kovacs, a sports scientist, pointed out that while weighted vests have a long history in athletic and military environments, the impact of social media has brought them into common fitness routines.
He noted, “The allure is straightforward: it turns regular walking into a more challenging workout without altering the basic movement.”
Still, Kovacs suggests a cautious approach. He recommends starting with a vest that weighs no more than 10% of your body weight, engaging in sessions of 15 to 30 minutes, and emphasizing correct posture.
“Always listen to your body. If you feel discomfort, that’s a sign to ease off,” he advised. “Weighted vests can enhance workouts, but they shouldn’t replace traditional strength training or high-intensity cardio.”
These vests, inspired by the long-standing military practice of carrying weight over long distances, are now readily available online and have even made their way into upscale gym classes, such as Equinox’s ‘Fully Vested’ treadmill workouts.
Being trendy, the costs of these vests vary significantly, ranging from about $30 to $375 for premium options.
Certified trainer Sarah Fuhrmann highlighted one reason for the trend’s appeal as being somewhat psychological. “It’s as simple as putting them on and walking; fitness just follows,” she said. “Social media has a way of making old tools seem new.” She also emphasized that these vests shouldn’t be seen as a shortcut to fitness, urging people to prioritize a solid strength program over the convenience of a vest.
This trend also taps into our evolutionary fitness instincts. In his popular podcast, Michael Easter remarked, “Humans are unique mammals capable of carrying weight over long distances. Historically, we transported everything—food, tools, and even children. Our modern lifestyle has stripped this carrying from our routines, even though it’s innate to us.”
Nevertheless, research into the long-term health advantages of using weighted vests remains limited and somewhat inconclusive. While some studies indicate that they can increase calorie expenditure and elevate cardiovascular demands, findings related to bone density are mixed.
One study suggested that obese participants lost around 10% of their body weight using weighted vests, but there wasn’t a corresponding improvement in bone health. Dr. Colin Haines, a spine surgeon, remarked that these results were inconsistent compared to previous research but aligned with others.
Other smaller studies have shown positive outcomes, particularly for postmenopausal women, indicating improvements in leg strength and femur bone density.
