The Metabolic Cost of Walking with Weighted Vests

Research has shown that weighted vests can have a moderate effect on physical function in older adults, with no significant difference in physical function between those who wore a weighted vest and those who did not. However, a 2024 paper found that the energy cost of walking with weighted vests increased in a nonlinear fashion, being roughly proportional to the load carried. This increase in energy cost is more pronounced at faster walking speeds and may not be significant enough to result in substantial weight loss or weight maintenance benefits. The authors of the study used active military-age men and women to test the effects of weighted vests, walking with either no vest or 22%, 44%, and 66% of their body mass. The results suggest that weighted vests are unlikely to be a game-changer for health gains as it pertains to walking while wearing one. Nevertheless, they may be a useful addition to cardio routines or body weight exercises, and further research is needed to confirm their potential benefits. The authors of the paper also found that those who wore a weighted vest managed to maintain better weight loss in the two years following the study, suggesting that weighted vests may have a role in long-term weight management. While the current evidence is not conclusive, it is clear that weighted vests are not a magic bullet for weight loss or weight maintenance, and individuals should approach their use with a critical and nuanced perspective.