Running with a weighted vest....what do you think?

I tried it for a week with a 10lbs vest a while back. After I stopped using it, I feel like I was floating through the world lol. The big takeaway was that I was carrying an extra 40 lbs at the time so It was great motivation to loose the weight.

I have a 30 lb weighted vest that I run with. The bad thing is it’s under my skin and taking it off requires a lot of time and effort. However, when I do it makes running so much easier.

OP, this is akin to running with a parachute or dragging a tire. It is a phenomenal workout, but it won't really do you any good distance running-wise. Maybe some strides for strength and form training, but it isn't going to do much lowering your times. Plus, increased risk of injury and form deterioration (if used for actual >1-mile runs).

If you need to drop some pounds, this could be good, if you're careful...

If you want to increase the chances of f-ing up your back and injuries, it's a great workout.

I agree that it seems like a good way to cause/contribute to, an injury. I do wonder though about a very light weight, something like 5-10 lbs, I think you could run 60mpw, for example, with a 5lb vest.

Eric Hulst did it but after all these years I’m not quite sure why ( or carrying the two pound weights in his hands, I don’t think I could have held on to them and run)

Agree with those saying it could injure

Robert E . Lee wrote:

Eric Hulst did it but after all these years I’m not quite sure why ( or carrying the two pound weights in his hands, I don’t think I could have held on to them and run)

Agree with those saying it could injure

Right, and he suffered chronic injuries shortly after high school. It is like the donut on a baseball bat. It can be good for perceived effort or strength training exercises, but if you just swing with it all the time it will likely just contribute to overuse injuries and limit your effectiveness.

You have the wrong approach.

I walk with an 80lb vest and work on the little things. Up the hills I put my hands up to make a big V and walk on my toes until the top of the hill. I make sure to stand up straight to get a tight pull on my neck muscles and stomach.

Running with it on is asking for injury. Add weight and walk with a runner's mindset. The vest is useful for living room exercises too.

Could be a great way to discover knee and hip problems you'd never felt previously!

The other outside of the box thinking that led to a good 80lb vest workout.

I experimented and walked backwards around the neighborhood. The neighborhood kids will look at you like you are crazy -- and you are. But 1.25 miles of walking backwards with an 80lb vest on will make you so sore the next day meaning you are repairing muscle. Good workout.

You can run with a moderate weight vest, maybe 3 - 4 times a week, with little injury worries.

I have run for years with a 13lb vest.

It will not make you run faster!

What it will do is make you stronger. Especially if you wear it on days that you run hills.

I would keep the runs with the vest to usually about 5 miles.

Why to carry a weighted vest and not wear heavy boots?

I'd prefer heavy boots. If I wouldn't have hills.

But the weighted vest...

There was some obstacle racer world champion called Hoby something who was some sort of ultimate athlete and had already tempo ran a 2h15 marathon. He was basically going to train for a sub 2hr marathon using a weighted vest but he needed a sponsor for his training so we never got see how fast he was going to go.

Walking with a 40 lb vest is a good workout but running with one is just very unnatural and will probably screw you up more than help. Same thing for ankle weights.

Thanks all for the advice! I would not go higher than 6lbs. I am starting with 3.5 lbs. Even that little bit makes a difference in the work out. I sure do not want any injuries so I doubt I would go higher than 6lbs. Happy running! I may walk with a little more but not run.

someone who has to ruck march on occasion not by choice wrote:

If you want to increase the chances of f-ing up your back and injuries, it's a great workout.

This.

Something that is similarly foolish:

Carrying your golf bag. Just get a caddy or a cart (pull/push) or ride if you have too.

Back problems are super super common and doing silly, unnecessary things just makes it more likely YOU will have problems. My personal trigger (after 15+ years of running and golfing) was going to Disney with 2 young kids and one stroller. Ended up carrying one or the other a lot for several days.

Thus began my life of lower back pain. As long as I'm sensible, its not a problem but its a big hassle avoiding triggers now.

tl;dr Treat your back right early and it will last longer.

I have a friend who uses a lighter one. He's a sprinter but he doesn't use them during his workouts, just during warmups and drills. I wouldn't spend a whole lot of time with them on when you run but it's got some value to use before a run because it makes you feel great afterwards. Also USE THEM DURING CORE!

Don't run in it - too much injury risk. Ian Sharman swears by it for hiking.