Weighted vests are a great addition to a home gym, especially for someone looking to get into or advance in calisthenics. This one item can take the basic movements and make them challenging again, allowing you to build muscle mass and progress towards your goals without having to buy heaps of new equipment.
In the world of calisthenics, a weighted vest is all it takes to turn the simple pull-up into a challenge. Without that challenge, it’s hard to achieve hypertrophy. When I finally bit the bullet and bought a weighted vest, I broke through a strength and aesthetics plateau I’d been in for months.
The Aduro Sport Weighted Vest is Amazon’s choice in the weight vest category. Let’s see if it’s worth buying.
The Good:
It’s important to note that this vest is marketed as a companion to cardiovascular exercises. Therefore it can be ordered as light as 6 lbs, while the heaviest is 25 lbs. I bought the 25 lb. vest and found it extremely comfortable. It hugs the body without chafing and actually looks pretty cool over a shirt. The adjustable buckles work well, and I think a person of almost any size could get this to fit like a glove.
Another cool aspect of the vest is its low profile. Theoretically, it could be work under a shirt and used in places like the office, or in any other public place. The balance of the weight is another great point—unlike many other vests, it doesn’t feel like the weight is ‘hanging off’ you. It feels almost connected to your body, with no awkward problems with momentum and swinging. This is important when performing advanced calisthenics movements.
The Bad:
It came out of the box with a chemical smell, as many similar products do. However this quickly faded. The vest won’t stay in place when worn upside down, which is an issue for movements like handstand pushups. Other reviews have noticed issues with durability if the vest is thrown around and really roughed up.
Recommended?
For a vest in the 25 lbs. and under range, I think this is the best on the market. The snug fit, low profile and weight distribution are excellent, and I had no issues with durability or discomfort with the straps.