ZFOsports Weighted Vest 30lbs - 80lbs

My story - I usually don't write reviews but I noticed a lot of reviews for vests are negative for some of the shorter and smaller people like myself, so I decided to write this review to let those people know that this is the vest for them and most likely anyone. Due to the expensive nature of gyms (and weights in general)and wanting to go for a more "natural" workout, my routine consisted of non-weight workouts(push ups, pull ups, squats, dips, step ups, etc.) exclusively. After a few years I found that I had hit a wall with the amount of reps for any given workout to the point where it just felt like cardio despite some high numbers. Not wanting to abandon my routines (nor a large sum of money from my wallet) I decided to go for something that would add some more resistance to my workouts and therefore a few more pounds in muscle mass to my body. I originally thought about getting the 60 lbs vest but I had to remind myself that 40 lbs is 1/3 my current weight and should be more than enough for my workouts in the long run. So far this was a good decision. Results - This weighted vest was the perfect investment. Even after a few weeks of only 15 lbs added I have noticed some wicked results without changing anything to my current routine but wearing this vest over my shirt. My pushup reps dropped from 70 to about 20 with just an extra 15 lbs. My front palm pullup reps dropped from 20 to 8. My wide arm front palm pullups dropped from 10 to 2! I look forward to pushing myself in the near future all the way up to 40 pounds while maintaining 20+ reps on all of my workouts. It feels good to feel sore after my workouts again! Comfort - I am a fairly small person (120 lbs and and 5'6") and this vest can fit pretty snug and flush if adjusted properly. The bottom of the vest is maybe an inch below my belly button - no sack tapping here!(which was a major complaint in other vest reviews for shorter people). The vest stays close to my chest and stomach despite my my tiny waist (I can fit in size 26 pants). I can do pushups, and all my leg workouts mentioned earlier, with no issues at all. The only workout that can be slightly bothersome is close-armed forward palm pullups. the shoulder part is a little wide so for a small person like me raising my arms straight up with those big shoulders can be slightly uncomfortable but certainly not workout-breaking and probably not an issue for anyone bigger than me. I didn't really experience shoulder/neck pain (other than the kind that builds up those muscles) but I can imagine running in it for over 30 mins with 20+ lbs would do the trick (even a small backpack will cause some discomfort if worn for a long time though). Straps - Yes the straps will befuddle you at first but once you figure it out it is common sense. I noticed a lot of people saying you might need help putting it on each time but that's not true. You can velcro it in the back first so the length dangles at your sides. You then put the vest over your head then wrap the velcro that is dangling at your side around the front and velcro it there to finish the seal. When you go to take it off just undo the velcro in the front and pull it over your head. No need to ever un-velcro the back or re velcro it again. If your really pushing the weight and worried about possibly dropping it on your neck while taking it off just undo the shoulder velcros and waist ones while laying down and then just let it slide off you. Quality - This thing is made nice, like really nice. I expect it to last a really long time. And like everyone else mentioned, it looks pretty awesome. Overall - 100% recommend it for the "smaller" crowd but I imagine this would be a great product for anyone, any size, looking to add some resistance to their workouts for a good price. Read more

This high-quality weighted vest arrived yesterday, and I immediately put it to use using only four 5-lb weights around the four corners of my middle. Weights slide right in and out of the sturdy pockets. It put some stress on my shoulders, so I added a second, thick belt in addition to the tightening straps to make my middle carry more of the weight, which relieved the back and shoulder pressure well. The package was so heavy when I carried it in the door that I finally realized why the shipping fee had to be so high! My purchase was made with points earned from my Chase Amazon credit card, which is such an advantage, since it provides an excuse to test out ancillary healthy living items like this one. I bought the vest after reading the April 2016 news that so many Biggest Losers gain back their weight as their metabolism seems to fight against them and they cannot burn as much in a smaller body. My family and I hypothesized that this may have been why after 15-years, I still couldn't get back to my pre-pregnancy weight of 140. Though I had reached 145 two years earlier, once I went back to full time work I couldn't spend as much time on a regiment, so I was back at almost 160, and none too happy about it as I near middle-age (50). I immediately felt fat with the vest again, even fatter than normal, as I began walking in my padded basement loop. It really simulates having more around the middle so well that I find it frightening enough to be a good disincentive for gaining weight. With the vest off, it is fun to feel so light that you feel even lighter than in reality, making it easier to imagine yourself at your target weight. What I love is that all the extra rectangular weights (15 7x4 or so inch packets provided and none leaked!) can be tucked into shorts pockets, wrapped in upper arm bands, or used in other creative ways to add targeted weight directly to the body. I really believe this is the breakthrough I needed, and I will update this review before the end of the year with the final assessment of value and efficacy to meet my 135-140 permanent weight goal. Both psychologically and physically, this is a great new fitness option. November 2018 Update as Promised - Daily new research comes out about the criticality of both aerobic and anaerobic - weight-bearing exercises for not just body, but brain health in middle age. I am combining both by using this tool as well as ankle weights and at least 5 pound weights walking at least a mile with some hills to further increase strength and endurance. Weight lifting directly ups subsequent days tennis game and alertness, speed. Read more

This vest is durable and seems well made. Having the option of adding or reducing weight is nice. To this point, the sandbags have not leaked at all. The vest may be too large for smaller frames and could definitely use some padding in the shoulder straps - adjustable length ( for shorter torsos) would be helpful also. All in all a decent vest. Read more