Weighted Vests Are Suddenly Popular. Do They Work?
By Kristen Marie Beavers , Research Professor of Health and Exercise Science, Wake Forest University Press enter or click to view image in full siz Jannelliz Barragan, center, wears a weighted vest during a workout class in New York on jun. 13, 2026. Health and fitness trends come and go, and many fads don’t deliver on their promises — remember vibrating belts or sauna suits? Today, weighted vests, made from sturdy fabrics like nylon and filled with iron sand or small weights, are gaining widespread use. Here’s what to know about them: Weighted vests have been around for centuries, but they have recently surged in popularity in response to a broader shift in thinking about exercise. No longer confined to the gym, physical activity is increasingly about maximizing health benefits of the movements people already do — things like walking, climbing stairs or cleaning their homes. Weighted vests fit squarely into this philosophy. They offer a simple, manageable way to add ...