Ottumwa, Iowa — Getting in shape is a common New Year’s resolution, and this year, some people are adding weighted vests to their workout routines.
Chris Kolba, PhD, PT, CSCS, with Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center, says it’s a trend that can be beneficial to some workout routines as long as it’s used correctly. It’s important to start with light weights and work your way up to heavier weights to avoid injury, use proper form and hydrate. One of the most important things, though, is to listen to your body and to dial things back or stop if your pain is more than just being sore.
“Try not to be too overzealous,” Kolba said. “My thing is to be consistent before you’re heroic, because then we all know how that works. Everyone gets excited, and they want to just go add more weight, add more distance, add more speed—too fast, then things start breaking down, and then we can’t do the things that we enjoy.”
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Kolba recommends getting a vest that fits properly and that you can change the weight of as you progress with your fitness goals. He also says to only use your weighted vest two to three times a week, and to see a healthcare provider if you experience pain that significantly disrupts your daily life—especially if it lasts longer than a week.