Matthew McConaughey is at it again running about town, but this time he is not bare chested and he is actually bearing extra weight.
Wearing a weighted vest like Matthew while running or walking is another way to increase your workload and by doing so you will burn more calories. Plus it is safer than carrying hand weights or strapping weights around your ankles, since the extra weight is distributed through your shoulders and torso. Wearing a weighted vest is also a speed training method; you train with the vest and when you run without it you are faster.
If you should decide to take on the weighted vest challenge, start out light and gradually add weight – no more than two percent a week. Eventually you want to max out at twenty percent of your body weight. So, if you weigh 135 pounds, you want to eventually wear a 27 pound vest.
Me? I find running challenging enough. What about you? Tell me in the comments section below if you run or walk with a weighted vest.
Princesse Tam-Tam
Monsoon
Marithe' F. Girbaud
This guy just doesn't do it for me. I can't figure out what all the fuss is about. . . those teeny little legs. He just looks dirty to me. But props to him for working out and trying to be healthy none the less!
1This is not smart. It sounds good in theory because you are burning more calories & it will be easier to run faster without the weight, but extra weight is bad for your knees. Walking or running with weights just adds more stress to your knees. This is why runners want to lose weight. Seriously, Fit. I don't think this is a good thing to recommend--at least without telling the readers about the potential harm.
People with extra body weight are told that even slight weight loss can make a big difference. I think the statistic is that losing 5 pounds reduces the impact force on each leg by at least 20 pounds. Something like that. So if you are adding a 27 pound vest, that increases the impact force on each leg to 108 pounds?!? Maybe it doesn't work exactly like that and maybe it's different if you are just have the weight on during exercise as opposed to that pressure being on your knees all the time. But I did read a health article advising walkers not to walk with hand weights--if that's true (sorry, i don't remember where I saw that) it's even more true for runners. I don't have time to look up articles, but I'm just putting it out there--do your research before buying a weighted vest.
2Looks more like John McEnroe than Matthew Mcconaughey!
3It's a lot safer to wear a weighted vest than to wear those ankle weights though. The vest distributes the weight evenly so it doesn't stress your joints as much. I read somewhere that some celebrity chick wears a vest with "a half pound of weight" added to it. I seriously hope it was a typo because I probably add more weight than that by picking up my dog's mess when I walk.
4I've utilized the weighted vest while doing HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) cardio on the stair mill. I've also used it while using the plyometric jump boxes. It definitely adds an edge to your workout and gets your heart rate up rather quickly. Good stuff to employ to mix things up. Btw, I don't have any problems w/ my knees.
5It looks like he is doing a fit test for his red card for wildland firefighting. That is the only time I have worn one of these.
6I agree that the weighted vests are safer than ankle weights. I just started using one for walking, it really adds intensity without having to run or jump, something that I consider as I am in my 50s. I also like it because it engages your core muscles and makes you mindful of your posture. I've read that studies have been done indicating that wearing a weighted vest can improve bone density. Anyone who scoffs at this needs to try it, just start out really light, 4% of your body weight or less.
7Post New Comment
Please share your opinion with our community, but make sure it is on topic and follows our Community Rules. We moderate comments and prohibit personal attacks, threats, spam, lewd images, or the promotion of your personal website.