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One of the most underrated pieces of workout equipment that bridges the gap between heavy lifting exercises and bodyweight moves is a weighted vest. For a reasonable price and with virtually no learning curve, you can squeeze bigger strength gains out of air squats, lunges, push-ups, pull-ups, and even walking (aka “rucking”) by simply throwing on a moderately loaded vest. During Amazon’s Cyber Monday 2023 sale, the no. 1 bestseller among all vests is discounted by up to 57%.
Several sizes of the CAP Barbell adjustable weighted vest are on sale. The best ones include the 20-pound vest, which can be had for as low as $35 (57% off its original price of $80); the 40-pound vest, which is on sale for $68 (53% off the original price of $150); and the 70-pound vest, which we recommend, is on sale for $95 (17% off from $113). Considering the vest has over 7,600 perfect ratings, it seems like the bang for the buck can’t be beaten, especially when it’s so deeply discounted.
CAP Barbell Adjustable Weighted Vest (20-pound), $35 (was $80) on Amazon
Weighted vests have become increasingly popular in recent years with the rise of functional fitness protocols, like CrossFit and obstacle races, where additional resistance is often added to runs and other traditional bodyweight exercises to increase intensity. The trendiness of rucking (walking with a weighted backpack or “rucksack”) has also contributed to the surge, even though vests and backpacks are inherently different.
There are four distinct features to look for in a great weighted vest—adjustability, weight distribution, comfort, and durability—this CAP Barbell vest nails all of them.
With any of these vests, you can adjust the weight as needed. Included are individual sand packets that can be added to or removed from the shell’s small pockets. We recommend the 70-pound vest for any type of routine. The 70-pound vest allows you to do lower body exercises, like squats and lunges, that require moving more weight but also lets you go lighter for upper body exercises (i.e., 10 to 30 pounds). You can even strap on the vest for a long walk or hike.
CAP Barbell Adjustable Weighted Vest (70-pound), $96 (was $113) on Amazon
[$96 (was $113); amazon.com]
Weight pockets are located on the front and back of the vest as well as high and low on both sides. An evenly balanced load is important to ensure proper posture and to keep vulnerable areas, like the shoulders and lower back, safe from injury. If all additional weight was in front of the body, for example, it could pull you forward and place undue strain on the lumbar spine. The CAP Barbell vest disperses the weight nicely across the entire torso, which is what differentiates it from a rucksack, making it more versatile.
This vest was ergonomically designed with padded shoulder straps and an adjustable waist belt to ensure a snug, comfortable fit. Amazon reviews bear this out.
CAP Barbell Adjustable Weighted Vest (40-pound), $68 (was $150) on Amazon
“This is the most comfortable weight vest I’ve used, partially because the shoulder straps are pretty wide, which distributes the weight over a larger area,” one shopper said. “The Velcro straps would also accommodate various waist sizes so that even people with a larger midsection can wear it.”
Constructed from reinforced nylon and polyester with robust stitching throughout, you can plan on getting years of hardcore use out of this vest, whether it’s for HIIT workouts or rucking. “This vest is well made and worth every penny,” another shopper said. “It is the heaviest vest for the money that you can find.”
With the holiday season just underway, now is a great time to bump up your workout intensity with a weighted vest to offset the additional calories you’ll be getting from turkey, pie, and your favorite beverages. If you want to save some money in the process, grab this CAP Barbell weighted vest for as low as $35 before Amazon’s Cyber Monday sale ends.
More Great Deals From Black Friday & Cyber Monday 2023:
- Asics’ No 1. Running Shoe That’s Podiatrist-Recommended Is Nearly $100 Off for Black Friday on Amazon
- The tiny Keurig with 72,000 perfect ratings shoppers call ‘the BEST coffee brewer’ is just $60 for Black Friday
- Lego’s Iconic Flower Sets Are Nearly All on Sale For Black Friday and Deliver In Time for The Holidays