As soon as I hit 40, I felt an uptick in concern about bone density from both my physicians and peers. Increasingly, people are turning to weighted vests to help combat bone density loss and increase the effectiveness of workouts. A casual scroll through perimenopausal Instagram will reveal a cadre of women wearing jauntily hued weighted vests while pushing strollers, powerwalking with friends or hitting the gym.In previous HuffPost reporting, experts confirmed that “weighted vests increase bone-loading stimulus, especially during walking or bodyweight exercises.” Doctors explained, “Bone density refers to how strong and solid your bones are,” and maintaining one’s bone density is an incredibly important preventative measure that can help reduce the risk of fractures or conditions like osteoporosis.Another expert told HuffPost that with the addition of a weighted vest, “you can help increase your metabolic rate, which improves your oxygen consumption, and that relates to a greater calorie burn,” adding that this can “strengthen the muscle groups of the leg.” To properly use a weighted vest for walking to help with bone density or osteoporosis, Medical News Today suggests trying out a vest without weights first, then adding the lowest possible amount and slowly increasing that amount over time. (It’s generally recommended that you start with no more than 10% of your body weight, but always check with your physician first.)Overall, the addition of a weighted vest has many health benefits, and it’s a fairly easy way to elevate your everyday workouts and walks. Best of all, you don’t have to invest in super pricey options to see results. Some of HuffPost readers’ favorite retailers, like Target, Amazon and beyond, carry highly-rated weighted vests. Below, we’ve rounded up a selection of popular weighted vests. Take a look and pick one up for yourself; your bones, future self and primary care physician will thank you.AmazonA comfortable weighted vest that comes in three different weightsThis vest is currently available in weights of eight, 12 and 16 pounds. HuffPost contributor Marsha Badger owns this vest and previously said, “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.”She noticed a visible difference within a week of wearing the vest, which she wore during daily walks and in her gym routine Badger also saw that it immediately improved her posture, preventing her from slouching. At the end of a four-week period, she felt stronger, had less back fat and a more toned core.Promising review: “I got this weighted vest mainly to make my daily walks more challenging, and I couldn’t be happier with it. The fit is excellent—it feels snug without being restrictive, and it doesn’t bounce around while I move. At 12 pounds, it adds just the right amount of resistance to help maximize my walks without feeling overwhelming. The material is comfortable and breathable, so I don’t get overheated, and it stays in place even on longer routes. I’ve already noticed I’m burning more calories and feeling stronger after a couple of weeks. Definitely recommend this vest to anyone who wants to level up their walks or workouts!” — JGTargetA weighted vest designed by a popular fitness influencerI remember doing Blogilates on my living room floor in the mid-aughts, so imagine my surprise to find that its founder has an entire fitness collection at Target, including this stylish weighted vest. Designed to be as stylish as it is comfortable, easy to use and effective, this vest is made with soft materials and features adjustable straps. It has a back pocket and a key ring, along with integrated reflectors that can help with outdoor visibility. It’s a 10-pound vest that comes in four colors.Promising review: “I absolutely love this vest! We have other ones but this one super comfortable and I love how soft it is!” — Sarah S.AmazonA 6- to 7.5-pound weighted vest that looks like a chic pufferIf you prefer your weighted vest to look more like an article of clothing than fitness equipment, then look no further than this stylish option. It’s definitely on the expensive side, but worth it for those who don’t like the look of a traditional weighted vest. It has a slim, tailored and quilted design with individual steel discs between the clothing’s stitch lines. It flows with the body, evenly dispersing the weight around your torso. It’ll be your little secret at school drop off. Promising review: “I’ve purchased this Weighted vest for my family and they love the clean stylish look as well as the added weight benefits. It helps them keep their posture in line and helps them burn more calories through out their busy days without anyone knowing they have a weight vest on! Best health tool on the market!” — Harley WheatonAmazonA weighted vest to increase bone density while walkingAn adjustable vest like this one by Zelus is great for beginners, since you can change the weight and slowly increase it. The vest comes in three sizes and six colors, with six removable weights on each vest. The vest is designed to evenly distribute the load, and the neoprene material is strong and comfortable. The vest is also equipped with reflective strips for visibility and a pocket to hold your keys, phone and other essentials.Promising review: “My workout program includes a daily walk/run. I have osteoporosis in my spine and I’d been looking for a weight vest to wear during my walks to possibly help rebuild bone density. I really like this vest because the straps are adjustable; there’re pockets in the front to hold keys, tissue, etc.; it doesn’t ride up or rub when I’m running; and the weights are easy to add and remove. The vest had a noticeable chemical smell when I first took it out the box, but the smell quickly dissipated after the vest sat out a couple days. All in all, it’s great value for the money!” — E. R. RogersAmazonA popular vest at Amazon that comes in a lot of stylish colorsAvailable in six weight options and a wide array of colors, this vest is beloved by fitness fanatics and those who simply want a bit more of a workout during their daily walks. There’s something for everyone. The Apexup vest is made from breathable and durable materials and designed to evenly distribute weight across the body, while the padded straps and waist belt contribute to its snug, comfortable fit. It has an adjustable clip, reflective stripes and a mesh pocket for personal items like your keys or a phone.Promising review: “Great for adding intensity to walks! Really impressed with the weighted vest. The weight is evenly distributed which makes it comfortable to wear on a walk, run or bodyweight exercise. The straps are adjustable and stay secure without digging into my shoulders. Great quality for the price I paid. And the sizing is perfect.” — Kimberly RamosTargetA weighted vest designed for a wide variety of physical activitiesThis simple 8-pound vest is designed for everything from high-impact workouts like running to slower walks, stairs and other workouts. The straps are padded and it features a single buckle closure. It also has reflective stripes that can help you stay safe during evening walks.Promising review: “Great fit. I like that It’s adjustable. I’m 5”4 and fits great, my son is 5”7 and had a wider back and fits great on him too. I use it when doing chores too.” — EvelynTargetAn adjustable weighted vest with removable weights that double as ankle weightsThis versatile 2-in-1 vest has adjustable weights from five to 15 pounds, so you can customize your training and work your way up if you’re a beginner. The neoprene padding was designed to be comfy and breathable and the weights pull double duty, since they also work as ankle weights. The reflective strips amplify visibility and the pockets are perfect for storing your personal items. It’s designed to be long-lasting and durable, whether you use it for walks or rigorous workouts. Promising review: “The quality is really nice the weighted vest is easy to put on . The ankle weights are excellent quality and are well made . I’m looking forward to incorporating these pieces in my fitness routine.” — Schivelle S.AmazonA breathable weighted vest available in two sizesMade of sturdy neoprene fabric, this weighted vest has a soft handfeel and reflective strips for your safety. It has adjustable top and bottom buckles, well-balanced weights for a comfortable fit and can be worn for a wide variety of activities. It’s designed with padding throughout so it won’t dig into your skin, and it has a sleek silhouette that is easy to put on.Promising review: “I was surprised with how great it feels. Helps me into correct posture when walking and adds the weight for bone density health.” — Nicolette V.WalmartA popular vest at WalmartAvailable in six different weight options, this Walmart vest is beloved for its comfort, ease of use and slim silhouette. The best is designed with an adjustable torso clasp along with a hook-and-loop closure to keep everything secure. The neoprene material is made to be soft and breathable, so you won’t overheat while working out. It includes a storage pouch that attaches to the vest and can be used for personal belongings. It even comes with a user guide to help you get ideas. Promising review: “I’ve been seeing these everywhere and I really wanted to try one. When I saw this excellent price, I jumped on the purchase. It fits well, I wear a 1-2X and there’s no problem buckling it. It seems relatively comfortable and I can wear it for a while. So far, it’s great quality and I’m very happy with my purchase!” — Emily
Boost Your Bone Density By Adding This 1 Little Purchase To Your Cart
If you’re over 40 and haven’t jumped on the weighted vest bandwagon, take this as your sign to hop aboard.







