Weighted vests are all the rage in women’s fitness. Do they live up to the hype? – CBC

Influencers and experts differ on benefits of walking with weighted vests

Aug 21, 2025

Fitness trainer Kalli Youngstrom thinks weighted vests can be a great tool for fitting exercise into your daily routine — as long as you don’t mind looking like a Navy SEAL on the school run.

“It looks like a SWAT vest. It gets a lot of looks when I’m out in public,” said the Montreal-based wellness coach.

That bulky flak-jacket look is in part because of the many pockets for adding or removing weights from the vest, which sells from $25 to $200.

Youngstrom wears one to raise her heart rate and increase the intensity when she exercises. She recommends them to her clients, in particular busy mothers who don’t have time for a full workout. Strapping it on can upgrade an everyday task like walking the dog or taking the stroller to the park, she said.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/weighted-vests-fitness-claims-1.7613852