I get so much more out of my daily walks thanks to this on-sale fitness accessory

Walking is my favorite form of therapy and self-care. For up to two hours per day, I put on a pair of comfy sneakers, grab my AirPods and a full bottle of water, and hit the pavement to decompress. And while daily movement has major health benefits, it was never my focus until recently. I was four weeks away from a birthday vacation in the Caribbean, and my beach body was still thawing out. I wanted to tone up, lose some weight, and feel confident when I wore a swimsuit, so I added a weighted vest to my daily walks. And if you’re looking to do the same, we found a few on sale today on Amazon: a 10-pound vest is up to 28% off, and a 12-pound vest is 31% off if you’re a Prime member!

Through research, I discovered that incorporating weights into my workout routine can increase calorie burn while promoting strength, endurance, bone density, and cardiovascular health. 

Cameil Ross, a group fitness instructor certified by the American Council on Exercise, said that “adding a weighted vest to your workout routine [increases] the resistance and cardiovascular output, which may result in higher caloric burn. It forces your muscles to work harder, which can build muscular strength as well.”

I purchased Prodigen’s weighted vest for women and men. It’s available in weights of eight, 12, 16, 20, 25, and 30 pounds, but I opted for the lightest vest to test the waters. Eight pounds initially made me nervous, but it doesn’t weigh you down once it’s on. The vest is crafted from chloroprene rubber, known for its durability and comfort. The buckle strap closure is adjustable to accommodate a range of bust sizes. 

I noticed a visible difference within the first week of wearing Prodigen’s weighted vest for women and men that I purchased (though the one currently on sale is a different model vest). In addition to using it during my daily walks, I also included it in my gym routine. It immediately improved my posture, prompting me to sit up straight and refrain from slouching. Although I only shed a few pounds by the end of the four weeks, my body felt stronger, and I noticed I had less back fat and a more toned core.

Ross cautioned that there are some limitations to the types of exercise that you can pair with this accessory. “You should not do any HIIT-related workouts with a weighted vest on. Instead, try walking around your neighborhood or uphill walks on a treadmill. Squats, push-ups and abdominal workouts are ideal when wearing a weighted vest,” she explained.

If you’re still on the fence on if you should include one on your next walk, see what other consumers had to say about this particular on-sale model.

“Had this for a week and it has helped with my morning workouts. The weight helps with my back coordination while I am doing my morning walks and jump ropes. I love also that I adjusted to it by two to three days. A good way to go by workouts this summer.” — Brittany McCall

“Purchased this Bagail weighted vest after doing a lot of research on rucking backpacks and weight plates for a Christmas gift. Wanted to wait after a few months of use to review. I am an avid walker (30-90 minutes daily) and thought something simpler than the separate parts of a rucking backpack might be a good add on for my walks. I decided on the 8 lb. Bagail vest. I am 5-4 128 lbs. The vest took 2 weeks to be delivered longer than expected. I did let it off gas for 2 full days before using. At first I thought I should’ve opted for the 5lb but was glad I gave it a few wears and got used to the 8 lb. Super happy with it. Definitely helps remind me to stand up straight and I can feel it working my legs on my longer walks. It helps burn more calories and helps work up a sweat more than walking without it. Good deal for the price. For storage I hang it on a wooden suit coat hanger. One note, if you intend to jog/run with it, it doesn’t slide around but does have lift/bounces with running strides. Over all very pleased.” — Christine_a

“Long before I decided to get this weighted vest, I’d been seeing people in my neighborhood using them. They seem to be the latest exercise “thing”. A friend recommended this particular vest. It is comfortable and fits great. It’s adjustable to a degree but be sure to look at the chart to match the correct size and weight to your frame. The chart said ten pounds was right for me, which seemed like nothing but I could tell the difference the minute I got out for my morning walk. It took a bit of effort to walk briskly with the extra weight, but not too much. I’ve worked up from one mile wearing the vest to four so far. The vest itself is very comfortable and well made. It fits close to the body and balances weight on chest, back and shoulders. Unlike the many backpacks I’ve used for hiking over the years, it doesn’t rub in the wrong places or jostle around. I really like that it comes in different colors, some of which are bright so as to make you more visible to drivers if you’re walking or running in busy neighborhoods. Highly recommend if you want to add a bit (or a lot) of weight bearing to your activities.” — Carolina Girl

Looking for more ways to stay active in this sunny weather? Check out some recs for pickleball equipment from our previous coverage.

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