Should You Run in a Weighted Vest? Experts Explain the Benefits—And Drawbacks

Weighted vests are exactly what they sound like—form-fitting vests that can usually be adjusted in weight. But is running in a weighted ves a good idea? While the answer comes down to personal preference, here are some pros and cons, according to experts.

• Using a weighted vest while running can enhance balance, speed and agility.
• Running with a weighted vest may lead to spinal issues or joint injuries if you don't have sufficient core strength or proper form.
• The weight of your vest shouldn't exceed 10 percent of your body weight, and it should be snug fitting and adjustable.
• Check in with your healthcare provider before running with a weighted vest.

Running with a weighted vest offers a couple of distinctive benefits, said Megan Kennihan, CPT, RRCA-certified running coach and USATF-certified athletics coach.

• It can improve your balance: running with a weighted vest emphasises your body position and foot landing, according to Kennihan.
• It can improve your speed: when running with a weighted vest, you're training your body to exert more force during these run sessions, so when you run without it, your body remembers how to exert that same force, making you faster without the vest, according to Kennihan.
• It can give you a cardiovascular boost and improve running economy: when running with a weighted vest, your body has to work harder to propel you forward, according to Kennihan. That increases your heart rate and makes your heart pump faster to get blood to the muscles and through the veins. As long as you don't have cardiovascular issues making that process a concern, the effect can be a performance booster.

However, if you're susceptible to injury or have an underlying health condition, running with a weighted running vest could increase the risk of complications. Make sure you clear it with your doctor or related health professional before test-driving a weighted vest.

Studies on the benefits and drawbacks of weighted vests are limited, with either a modest number of participants, a short time frame or both.

That said, some studies show that weighted-vest training offers benefits for runners. For example, a small-scale 2012 study in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found that weighted vests were effective in slightly improving agility for runners, which translated to being able to jump with more power when the vest was removed.

And a small 2024 study found that for every 10 percent of weight you add with a vest, the amount of calories you'll burn may increase by almost 14 percent. That's similar to a clinical trial where participants wore a weighted vest for eight hours a day for three weeks—without doing physical activity—and had pronounced body weight loss compared to those who didn't wear vests.

And a research review that examined 11 studies on weighted vest training for sprinting performance found that using vests improved blood lactate thresholds, which means runners were able to tolerate sprinting for longer time periods before fatigue. Lower-weight vests, such as those using only an empty vest—usually around 2.27 kg—were also shown to be helpful for longer distances.

However, it was tricky to determine the overall effect since vest loads varied widely—from 5 to 40 percent of body mass. That led researchers to conclude that future studies need to look closer at optimum load and volume to determine the training benefits for sprinters and endurance runners. Studies on the benefits and drawbacks of weighted vests are limited, with either a modest number of participants, a short timeframe or both.

That said, there are some results showing that weighted vest training offers benefits for runners. For example, a small-scale 2012 study in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found that weighted vests were effective in slightly improving agility for runners, which translated to being able to jump with more power when the vest was removed.

A 2021 study in the same journal found wearing a vest of 10 percent of a person's body weight burnt more calories than running without one. That's similar to a clinical trial where participants wore a weighted vest for eight hours a day for three weeks—without doing physical activity—and had pronounced body weight loss compared to those who didn't wear vests.

And a research review that examined 11 studies on weighted vest training for sprinting performance found that using vests improved blood lactate thresholds, which means runners were able to tolerate sprinting for longer time periods before fatigue. Lower-weight vests, such as those using only an empty vest—usually around 2.27 kg—were also shown to be helpful for longer distances.

However, it was tricky to determine the overall effect since vest loads varied widely—from 5 to 40 percent of body mass. That led researchers to conclude that future studies need to look closer at optimum load and volume to determine the training benefits for sprinters and endurance runners.

When you hit menopause, a drop in oestrogen causes a "significant loss in bone strength", according to a 2024 research article in Best Practice & Research Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. This hormonal change may boost your risk of developing osteoporosis, a condition that weakens your bones and makes you susceptible to fractures.

While the research is limited, there is a link between exercising with a weighted vest in menopause and the reduction of the risk of falls and fractures in older women. A small 1998 study in The Journal of Gerontology: Biological Sciences found that when women ages 50 to 75 (who had bone loss and low oestrogen) worked out with a weighted vest for nine months, their stability, lower-body strength, power and muscle mass improved—all of which can reduce fall and fracture risk.

In terms of running specifically, "a vest itself can be beneficial because it increases the load on your muscles and bones, which is how they both get stronger", said Erica Coviello, CPT, RRCA-certified running coach and owner of Run Fit Stoked. "This is especially important once your hormones start changing and the way your body deposits minerals changes".

However, women in menopause are at higher risk of injury due to bone loss and reduced strength, so Coviello suggests not overdoing it. If you notice your posture starting to falter, it's best to stop running.

"You'll probably see more benefit if you walk with a weighted vest and run without it", Coviello said. "Running without the weight already increases load, therefore sparking your bones' ability to adapt and grow new tissue".

The biggest caveat here is that running already creates much higher forces on the body than walking does, according to Rachel MacNeill, DPT and owner of Flexibility Physical Therapy. For example, she noted that each heelstrike produces a force equal to three to four times your bodyweight. So, is running with a weighted vest safe?

"We're constantly trying to mitigate these forces in our attempts at decreasing injury risk", she said. "A weighted vest would add to compressive forces on the joints and overall impact on the body, which seems counter-intuitive. A better use of weights for runners would be simply lifting in the gym during strength-training sessions".

Other drawbacks are that you won't be able to run as quickly and that your body mechanics could change in a way that throws off your form, Kennihan added. Although a lower weight might improve posture by causing you to run more upright, a higher weight could cause you to compensate by leaning forwards or back, or adjusting your stride in a new way.

"Also, overloading the upper body with a weighted vest could lead to injuries of the spine, and poor posture if you're using a vest that's too heavy could lead to a 'hunchback' posture overall", she said. That's particularly true if you haven't built up more core strength, which will help you utilise the vest more effectively.

How heavy should a weighted vest be for running? According to Kennihan, it should be no more than 10 percent of your body weight on its own. If the weighted vest changes your posture, it's too heavy, Coviello said.

If you've never run with a weighted vest before, Coviello suggests wearing it for just a few minutes at a time. Additionally, she recommends walking with a weighted vest before you run with one to get used to it. Gradually increase the amount of time, distance and speed you go while wearing it, she says.

Coviello also suggests not wearing a vest for speed workouts, intervals, recovery runs or long runs unless you're training specifically for an endurance event that requires you to wear a pack.

The best time to wear it is on a short- to medium-distance easy run, she says.

Follow these form and safety tips from Coviello:

• Land with your foot under your hip, not out in front of you.
• Keep your ribs stacked over your pelvis, and stand tall, with a slight lean from the ankles.
• Keep your elbows back.
• Stop if you feel pain or discomfort.
• Allow yourself time to recover from the effort.

Like any type of added fitness equipment, the use of a weighted vest will come down to personal preference and how it affects you. Some people swear by them, while others could be at a higher risk of spinal injury. It's important to check in with your physician or physical therapist before testing out a weighted vest to avoid injury.

If you are giving a vest a try, Kennihan suggests choosing one that fits close to the body and is snug when you're running. The weight should feel evenly distributed around your torso—not just in the front, which can pull you forward when you run.

"Ideally, get one that is adjustable, so you can start with it empty and gradually build up to its full capacity", she said. "Start with only running in the vest for a few minutes at a time, then very slowly build up from there in terms of time and weight".