This is why you need to wear a weighted vest while doing cardio

If you’re tired of your regular routine and are planning on taking things up a notch, adding weighted vests into the mix can considerably improve the efficiency of your cardio workouts.

Not convinced? Indianexpress.com spoke to fitness experts and found out how you can incorporate these tool into your fitness routine.

What are weighted vests?

“Weighted vests are fitness equipment used by athletes and advanced fitness junkies. The general population doesn’t commonly use this, and it isn’t recommended to beginners. They help balance anterior and posterior parts of the body, and it comes with compartments where we can add weights as we wish,” said Kevin Lobo, certified fitness instructor.

This additional resistance helps in burning more calories and adds more endurance, strength and aids in muscle building, he added.

“Doing jumping jacks while wearing these vests help in increasing the heart rate, and while doing box jumps it will improve your lower body’s power. Stair climbing or Stairmasters while wearing them will add to lower body muscle strength,” he said.

This additional resistance helps in burning more calories and adds more endurance, strength and aids in muscle building (Source: Freepik)

Lobo suggested wearing weighted vests to perform mountain climbers, burpees, jumping jacks sprints, dips, push ups along with cross-fit activities.

“Our body is so used to our own bodyweight to perform the day to day tasks. Using a weighted vest adds extra resistance, and the body adapts to the heavy weight by building the required strength or endurance to perform the movement,” said Darshan Wairker, content creator and fitness expert.

“You can use it while walking, running, doing calisthenics (bodyweight exercises) or even martial arts. Your body will increase it’s strength, muscle endurance, speed and will also improve your cardio that means healthy lungs & heart,” he said.

Who shouldn’t use them?

According to Lobo, people who have breathing difficulties such as asthma, or heart conditions, spinal and shoulder issues (frozen shoulder) are recommended against using it.

“Make sure you have guided supervision before starting, and start with minimal weight to let your body get used to it. Weighted vests can be worn 20 to 30 minutes per session, twice a week, especially when doing cross fit or functional training or some specialised workouts such as plyometrics,” he added.

*DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.*

Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.