As with all types of exercise, weighted vest workouts and weight-loss potential depend on you. Factors that affect weight loss with a weighted vest are the frequency at which you perform the activity, how consistent you are with your workout, your workout intensity level and your eating habits. The addition of weight to your body will increase calories used for physical activities such as walking.
Weight Vest
Weight vests are not only used by professional firefighters for training purposes, these exercise tools also can be purchased by anyone for use during personal workouts. You can find vests that are preloaded with weights or adjustable so you can add weight as you improve your strength. Your weight vest can be purchased to fit over or underneath your clothing and this choice will be based on personal comfort. Some of the vests can irritate sensitive skin because the material does not allow for easy sweat evaporation.
Research
A study performed at the University of Iowa in 2006 says wearing a weighted vest while walking can increase your number of calories burned by about 7 percent, according to the New York Times. The study also found you burn more calories with an increase in exercise intensity while wearing a weighted vest.
Walking
Walking is the most common type of physical activity to perform while wearing a weighted vest. According to the American Council on Exercise, a 120-pound person burns approximately 6.5 calories per minute while walking. If you add a weighted vest, a 120-pound person burns about 7 calories a minute.
Weight Loss
Weight loss is dependent on the number of calories burned. One pound equals 3,500 calories, so a realistic goal is to expend 500 more calories a day than you consume. If you can decrease your calories eaten by 250, and increase your physical activity by 250 each day, you will lose approximately 1 pound a week. A 120-pound person can burn 250 calories by walking with a weighted vest for 35 minutes.
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