Weighted Vest Buyers Guide
1. What Is a Weighted Vest and Who Is It For?
A weighted vest is a form-fitting training tool designed to add resistance to bodyweight movements. Instead of using machines or barbells, you’re loading your own body — making everyday exercises significantly more demanding.
Who is it for?
Anyone looking to build strength, endurance, and mental grit — especially calisthenics athletes, functional fitness fans, and people who train to perform, not just look the part.
But weighted vests aren’t for everyone. If you’re recovering from injury, have joint issues, or haven’t yet built a solid base of unweighted movement, start with bodyweight alone. A vest magnifies stress — which is great when you’re ready, not when you’re not.
2. Are Weighted Vests Effective? (Why Train with One)
Yes — when used properly, weighted vests are one of the most effective tools to level up bodyweight training. You don’t need to chase heavier dumbbells or barbells — just add weight to your frame and move.
Benefits include:
• Increased strength and muscle activation
• Boosted cardiovascular load and endurance
• Improved bone density and joint resilience
• Greater carryover to real-world strength (think lifting kids, moving furniture, or helping someone in a crisis)
You’ll work harder. You’ll burn more calories. You’ll become more capable.
3. Types of Weighted Vests (And Which One Is Right for You)
• Gravity-Style Vest (Modular Pocket Design): Our best-seller. Comfortable, close to the body, and adjustable. Ideal for calisthenics, walking, and strength circuits. Can bounce slightly at high running speeds, but the trade-off is superior flexibility and range of motion.
• Plate Carrier Vest: Bulky and rigid. Often seen in military-style workouts. Great for runs or rucks, but limits range — not ideal for calisthenics or dynamic movement.
• Cheaper Sand-Filled Vests: Heavier isn’t always better. These tend to be bulky, poorly balanced, and leak over time. Often uncomfortable and short-lived.
4. Is 20kg Enough for a Weighted Vest? (How to Choose the Right Weight and Vest)
It depends on your goal and current level. Here’s how Gravity weights break down:
• 10kg Vest: Perfect for beginners or high-volume workouts. A great entry point for those walking or starting calisthenics progressions.
• 20kg Vest: Our most popular weight. Heavy enough to challenge seasoned athletes across push-ups, pull-ups, lunges, and more.
• 30kg Vest: Built for strength monsters. Best for weighted calisthenics, power circuits, or using lower reps with longer rest.
You can also remove individual weights in all Gravity vests — so you can adjust intensity as you progress.
5. What Are the Downsides of Weighted Vests? (And Who Should Avoid Them)
Weighted vests add load — which increases results but also stress.
Potential drawbacks:
• Joint strain if your form isn’t solid
• Poor posture or movement quality if overloaded
• Discomfort with cheap or poorly-fitted designs
• Not ideal for anyone dealing with spine, knee, or shoulder injuries
Pro tip: Don’t jump straight to maximum weight. Master the basics first. A lighter vest used well beats a heavier vest used badly.
6. How Often Should You Use a Weighted Vest?
• Beginners: 1–2x per week, focusing on movement quality
• Intermediate: 2–4x per week, using split training (upper/lower/cardio days)
• Advanced: Use strategically to overload, but still rotate with unweighted sessions for recovery
Overuse leads to overtraining. Think of it as seasoning, not the whole meal.
7. What Exercises Work Best with a Weighted Vest?
Bodyweight training is powerful. Add a vest, and it becomes elite. Try:
• Strength: Pull-ups, dips, push-ups, squats, lunges
• Power: Jump squats, stair climbs, explosive push-ups
• Core: Plank variations, mountain climbers, L-sits
• Conditioning: EMOMs, AMRAPs, circuits
Pair with parallettes for push-up depth and L-sit support. Use a pull-up bar to progress towards muscle-ups and lever work.
8. What Equipment Works Well with a Weighted Vest?
To build out your Gravity setup:
• Parallettes: Perfect for weighted push-ups, dips, and core holds
• Pull-Up Bars: Essential for loaded upper body training
• Gymnastics Rings: Add instability to your weighted movement
• Resistance Bands: Ideal for mobility work and warm-ups