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Weighted vests transform just about any activity into a resistance exercise. Get ready to bear the load and build your vest self

Whether you’re looking to liven up your lunchtime 5k, add heat to your home workouts or overcome a training plateau (or all of the above) strapping on a weighted vest is one of the easiest ways to fast-track your strength and endurance.

But before strapping on the first vest you see, there are a couple of questions you should consider. For example, what kind of weighted vest do you need? What exercises should you be doing in one? And is it even worth complicating your workouts in the first place? If you're worried about any of these questions, we spoke to a personal trainer and transformation coach to get their expert advice.

In line with their recommendations, we’ve picked out 16 of our favourite weighted vests for adding resistance to your bodyweight workouts. With everything from lightweight, minimalist vests for beginners to heavy-duty rigs designed to supercharge muscle growth, there’s a weight vest in this round-up suitable for every type of workout.

In a hurry? Here’s a quick round-up of our favourite weighted vests for adding extra weight to your workouts. For a more detailed breakdown of each, keep scrolling.

The theory is simple. By adding mass to your centre of gravity, 'it effectively feels like you are heavier, so your muscles and cardiovascular system have to do more work,' explains PT and transformation coach Mark Ross. You’ll increase the intensity and efficiency of your training session, supercharge muscle growth and torch a greater number of calories in a shorter amount of time. And who doesn’t want that?

No exercise is safe from the vest’s heart rate-spiking wrath – ‘even the most basic of bodyweight exercises, like squats and press ups,’ Ross explains. This compact bit of kit is ideal for levelling up your home workouts, especially if you’re short on diverse equipment. ‘Adding a vest to pull-ups, split squats, bear crawls and mountain climbers give an extra push if the intensity is needed,’ he adds.

If you’re feeling particularly masochistic, you might be tempted to strap on a vest and tackle hill sprints straight off the bat. Fine if you’re already fit, but beginners should steer clear – or risk injury. ‘If your body is new to exercise, your joints won’t be used to impact movements, so you don’t need to add excess weight on top,’ says Ross. If you already worship at the altar of CrossFit, nailing your form is crucial to keep back pain at bay.

When the time comes to part with your hard-earned cash, what should you look for? ‘The best-weighted vests let you move freely and have adjustable straps,’ Ross says. ‘You don’t want to have to stop and move it around when you are fully zoned-in and training hard.’ Adjustable weights are a bonus since you can add more ‘as you grow stronger and adapt,’ he says. But as a rule of thumb, it shouldn’t exceed 10% of your body weight.

Read more: Best adjustable dumbbells | Best kettlebells | Best resistance bands | Best treadmills | Best rowing machines | Best exercise bikes | Best weight benches | Best gym bags

Ready to kick your training into overdrive with a weighted vest? You needn’t look like you just stumbled out of the nearest army training centre – unless that’s the look you’re going for. From stylish ergonomic vests to heavy-duty options, we’ve picked out 16 of the best-weighted vests for every workout. Strap in

It's no secret that we're huge fans of Bulldog Gear's kit – click through to see MH's very own fitness editor Andrew Tracey road-test their weighted vests, including this 20kg option. The 18 removable 1kg bricks and 18 pockets distributed across the front and back of the vest make it easy to find a weight that fits your strength and fitness levels, helping you crush even more calories with every WOD. It’s also super comfortable. With a contoured shape, this vest has padded shoulder straps which help to avoid discomfort throughout long sessions.

One of the lighter options on our list, this Decathlon weighted vest lets you adjust the load to fit your workout, holding 6-10kg of removable weight plates flush against your chest and back. The anatomic cut-out shape allows for comfortable movement, so you can dial up the resistance on bodyweight exercises for faster results. Perfect for beginners.

This heavy duty weighted vest can add up to 14kg (that's 32lbs) of resistance to your workout. It weighs 9kg (20lbs) to start, and you can add 0.9kg (2lb) pouches incrementally as you choose. With two large pockets to stash your phone, house keys and wallet, it's ideal for park laps – and the ergonomic design ensures your shoulders and back won't suffer. The only downside is that it comes with a pretty hefty price tag.

Billed as a 'six in one' weighted vest, this versatile clip-in option from ProForm comes with extra arm and leg weights to distribute 9kg across your body: 3.5kg on your upper body, 0.5kg around your waist, 0.7kg on each wrist, and 1.8kg on each ankle. A worthy alternative to the bulkier weighted vests out there.

This streamlined Jordan vest is available to order in 10, 15, 20 and 30kg sizes. Not sure which one to go for? Don't sweat it – the metal weights can be removed individually to tailor your training session. This weighted vest’s standout feature is that it loads the core more centrally than other options, resulting in better balance.

Another rugged, robust weighted vest from the team at Bulldog Gear. Made from water-resistant 500D nylon and aerospace mesh, it provides unparalleled airflow to your chest to keep your core temperature in check. The bar system in the previous vest has been replaced by streamlined weight places (up to 9kg/20lb), making it a better fit for certain bodyweight exercises. Great for taking your workouts outdoors.

While the Goruck Ruck Plate Carrier 3.0 is technically more of a backpack than a vest, it serves the same purpose. With a padded back panel and shoulder straps, the Ruck Plate Carrier 3.0 is designed to spread the additional weight evenly across you back and sit comfortably during dynamic workouts. It is compatible with 20lb or 30lb Ruck plates, which are sold separately.

If you’re after a snug-fitting weighted vest, you’ll struggle to find a more comfortable and customisable option than the Hyperwear Hyper Vest PRO. This weighted vest features a lace-up design, which means you can easily adjust the fit to suit your preferences. Each vest comes with 10lbs of high-density steel weights and you can add more depending on your needs. The only downside is that additional weights are sold separately.

Padded and form-fitting, this Homcom vest features 38 individual velcro-style fastenings across the front and back – allowing you to customise the weight up to 10kg. Taking a weighted vest off can be a workout in itself, but this one-size-fits-all option prides itself on easy, safe removal once you've crushed your PB.

Smart-looking and super-customisable, this Phantom Athletics weighted vest can be adjusted to fit most sizes – thanks to its strap extensions – and holds up to 18kg (though you only get 6kg as standard). If you're looking for a sturdy, adjustable weighted vest to pack on high-calibre muscle at home, you can't go wrong with this option.

One of the more reasonably priced weighted vests on the list, this Reebok option is available in 3kg, 5kg or 10kg. It's been engineered for balance and stability, with strategically-placed weight packs and dual buckles that strap the vest securely in place. Laser-cut ventilation boosts airflow during hard-hitting HIIT routines.

With a tapered-fit design, adjustable side straps and removable weights up to 10kg, this Pro Fitness weighted vest is a winning all-rounder. Unlike other options on this list, it has a handy front zip for speedy access and – let's face it – easy removal i.e. when your aching limbs are too weak to peel the vest off.

If you're looking for a heavy duty weighted vest, this isn't it. However, if you want a cheap weighted vest to make your evening runs or home workouts a little more challenging, you can't go wrong with this 5kg offering from Decathlon.

Gravity Fitness' weighted vest has been commended for being "well made" from "high-quality materials" and "very comfortable". There's not too much more you can ask for from a heavy duty weighted vest.

If you've not heard of 5.11, where have you been? 5.11 has been the official plate carrier provider to the CrossFit Games for several years, and its Tactec plate carrier is a heavy duty weight vest worthy of any CrossFit athlete. It’s fully scalable and modular for adjusting the difficulty of your workout, while the low-profile, adjustable shoulder straps ensure you can exercise effectively on the go.

With two large velcro straps that sit just below your pecs, DKN's 20kg weighted vest is easily adjustable and designed to fit a range of body sizes without chafing. It also comes with 38 510g weight packs for altering the difficulty of your workout and the pouches are distributed evenly around the front and rear of the vest for comfort and stability.

Jason Fox, or Foxy to his friends, is a former Royal Marine Commando and Special Forces sergeant, but you probably know him as one of the DS from Channel 4’s SAS: Who Dares Wins. Here, he takes us through the gruelling AMRAP workout he uses to prepare for the show.