One of the most significant, but often overlooked, benefits of a weighted vest is just how much it can improve bone density and overall health. Adding a weighted vest to your routine can make a big difference and help boost your bone density, even if you don’t have the time or inclination to lift weights or do incline walks.
Here’s the interesting part: we have noticed that our older customers are more likely to notice and appreciate how much wearing a weighted vest has helped their bones get better.
- And that checks out: half of all adults age 50 and older are at risk of breaking a bone and should be concerned about their bone health.
But of course, you don’t have to wait until you are old to prioritize your bone health.
Here’s why wearing a weighted vest is a game-changer for your bones and how it can help you improve your posture and overall well-being.
The Bone Health Benefits of a Weighted Vest
The science behind how a weighted vest improves bone health is quite simple: it all has to do with the added load it places on your skeleton. When you walk with extra weight, each step feels heavier, which places stress on your bones.
This stress encourages your body to develop stronger bone tissue. Over time, this can enhance bone density and help combat conditions like osteoporosis.
The added weight from the vest effectively simulates the benefits of resistance training, which causes your bones to remodel ( to accommodate the additional stress).
Therefore, if you’re looking to strengthen your bones, walking with a weighted vest might just be the answer you are looking for.
What Customers Have Shared with Me
One customer shared their experience on how using our weighted vests helped them with bone health. She told me she has had osteopenia for a long time, but her bone density had plateaued since she began wearing a weighted vest three years prior.
This is exactly the kind of result you’re looking for when you incorporate weight-bearing activities into your routine.
Another older lady who had been using the 12-lb Weighted Vest with Reflective Vest during their Piyo workouts mentioned how much her upper body and overall body balance had progressed.
This, again, is evidence of better bone health. Combining a weighted vest with other forms of exercise always proves to be incredibly effective for maintaining and improving bone density.
1. A Weighted Vest Helps with Posture
The weighted vest forces you to walk upright, which improves your posture and alignment. A good posture reduces strain on your joints over time and makes you feel more balanced.
2. It Supports Overall Strength
As your bones and muscles get stronger, you’ll notice improvements in your overall strength and endurance. It’s like a full-body workout that improves your overall stability.
3. It is comforting and Calming
It’s not just about physical benefits. Many people (myself included) find wearing a weighted vest calming. According to our clients, wearing a weighted vest is like having a gentle hug around your torso that helps you feel more grounded and present.
How To Use a Weighted Vest For Better Bone Growth
1. Wear the Vest for Shorter Periods
What I’ve found works best is wearing the vest consistently for shorter periods—usually 15 minutes at first. Over time, you can build up your endurance and walk longer distances while wearing the vest.
I started with the Zelus 16 lbs Weighted Vest and began wearing it on my regular 2-4 mile walks. The weight might seem small, but it does make a difference.
Besides, the general recommendation is to start with 5-10% of your body weight, and 15 lbs. worked for me.
The added weight will really change your body, and you will know your bones are growing stronger when your body begins to change, and you feel more aligned with each step.
Some people prefer even lighter vests to start, like this customer who used the 6-lb Weighted Training Vest in their JanSport backpack. According to her, she felt the impact in her legs every time she used the vest, and her posture improved significantly.
Starting light and gradually increasing the weight can help you avoid strain while still reaping the benefits.
2. Start with the Right Vest
One of the key things I’ve learned is that the right vest matters. We also had a customer who had bought a weighted vest off Amazon because it was cheap. The weight was poorly distributed, and she was always off-balance. Her shoulders were hurt badly.
This story highlights how important it is to invest in a vest that fits your body properly. Comfort is key, especially if you plan on wearing it for longer walks.
A good weighted vest is well-balanced, adjustable, and comfortable. It is for these reasons that the Zelus Weighted Vests have soared in popularity and now rank amongst the top on Amazon. Highly recommended.
3. Start Slow, Build Slowly
It’s recommended that you start with a vest that’s about 5-10% of your body weight. I started with a 16lb vest, which was enough to get me going. It’s important not to jump in too quickly. Wearing the vest for short periods at first—around 15 minutes—is a good way to build endurance.
4. Be Consistent
The key to benefiting from the weighted vest is to wear it regularly. Like I said, I walked about 2-4 miles several times a week when I just started. It took me a couple of months to upgrade, but I never missed a week.
That solid development was a huge reason for my success with a weighted vest. The idea is that the added weight from the vest helps you take heavier steps while walking, which is where the bone density benefits come from.
Final Thoughts: Make Bone Health a Priority
As we age, it’s essential to prioritize our bone health. Approximately 10 million Americans have osteoporosis, and another 44 million have low bone density.
A weighted vest is an easy and effective way to build strength, improve posture, and boost bone density. Whether you’re trying to prevent bone loss or just want to get more out of your walks, it’s worth considering.
So, if you’re looking for a simple way to protect your bones and feel stronger overall, I highly recommend giving it a try.