A simple piece of fitness gear is suddenly getting a lot of attention: the weighted vest. Once mostly used by athletes and military trainees, it is now being promoted as a tool for fat loss, strength building, and even long-term weight maintenance. Now, new research suggests there may be more to this trend than hype. A recent study indicates that wearing a weighted vest during weight loss could help prevent weight regain and preserve metabolism, especially in older adults. But how effective is it really, and should you consider using one?
What the Research Actually Found
The study looked at older adults with obesity who followed a calorie-restricted diet. Some participants also wore a weighted vest for up to 10 hours a day during the weight-loss phase. Interestingly, both groups lost similar amounts of weight initially. However, the difference became clear over time.
