I picked this vest up from Amazon a year ago and have found it a great addition to my toolkit. It’s ideal when it comes to cardio or athletic movements. The weight is carried around your shoulders, keeping most of your upper torso unencumbered and providing a lot of mobility.
The ApexUp Adjustable Weighted Vest also has reflective stripes in front and back, making it ideal for night workouts. The adjustable belt helps keep your vest in place during high-intensity exercise, too. For the heavier options, like 15 pounds and above, there are two straps that provide extra support.
I was gifted this weighted vest by a friend years ago before participating in the CrossFit challenge The Murph and I haven’t had to replace it since. Based on the plate carriers used in the military, you strap in with Velcro panels, and place metal plates of various weights inside to add load.
I can confirm this vest is more comfortable than it looks, and the side panels give you a lot of airflow. This vest is great for outdoor workouts or in the garage when you want to add load to your exercise with weights.
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This weighted vest keeps the added weight (up to 60 pounds) close to your chest and your core. The straps are easy to mange, and the pockets allow you to add weight at your convenience mid-workout, which is not always the case.
Excellent for cardio or bodyweight exercise, I like that this vest keeps a lot of your torso uncovered by extra material, making it easier to cool down. The straps also really lock in and give a lot of adjustability.
This is an easy-to-use option that allows you to simply drop weights in the number of pockets on the front to add load. This doesn’t allow as much mobility as the APEXUP, but it distributes the weight well and gives more coverage, as well as super convenient pockets that you can drop your phone or earbuds in (which is not standard in weighted vests).
There’s even a pocket for your water bottle, so if you are planning to use this as a vest for walking or jogs, it’s a perfect partner. The product is also very durable, which is why its one of my favorites.
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Charles Thorp is the Fitness and Commerce Editor at Men’s Health, where he shares the best product recommendations in gym equipment, recovery tools, supplements, and more. Following an early life in athletics, Charles became a NASM-certified trainer and began writing programs alongside the most respected coaches in the world.
Since entering the world of fitness content, Charles has had the opportunity to learn from and train alongside high performance individuals from the NFL, UFC, NBA, Formula 1, CrossFit, US Olympics, and Navy SEALs. When he’s not writing about training programs or gear, he can be seen at the gym or in the wild, putting them to the test.
