Budget Weight Vest page

[TheTeddy]

I'm interested in getting a weight vest, about 20-30 lbs, to spice up my bodyweight work. However, I'm on a budget. Less than $100 is acceptable, but less than $50 is preferable. Any ideas?

[Dirlot]

Heavy duty back pack and some weights
Or see if you can find one second hand

[Dirlot]

Canadian company but 45 lbs Micro adjustable weighted vest -Fitness Accessories - The Treadmill Factory

[Lynna]

Here is a selection of weight vests

Amazon.com: weight vests: Sports & Outdoors

And

Cheap Weight Vest - Weights: Compare Prices, Reviews & Buy Online @ Yahoo! Shopping

[BennettC]

I just made one. I have a nice columbia backpack that has chest and waist straps. went to home depot and bought a 50lb bag of sand for $4 and some change. filled up gallon zip lock bags with it and wala!

[texas.grok]

I would second (or third) the backpack idea but you end up having to buy a good quality backpack so that it doesn't rip under the weight. A cheapo pack from Wal-Mart is likely not going to last you very long. I bought mine off of Craigslist.com in Houston. I paid $40 bucks for it and it is a 45# vest. Not a bad idea. Also look for backpacks on Craigs and try and stick to the tactical type since they are better suited to heavy loads than most others.

[iniQuity]

Lead shot is denser than sand, so you can get the same weight (or more) without it taking as much space as sand, which would be better if using a backpack.

I have no personal experience with it though, just seen it used instead of sand for "sand" bags.

[jfreaksho]

Lead shot is denser than sand, so you can get the same weight (or more) without it taking as much space as sand, which would be better if using a backpack.

I have no personal experience with it though, just seen it used instead of sand for "sand" bags.

Sometimes too much density can be an issue as well- 80lbs of fuel for a pellet stove fills a seabag/ large duffle bag pretty nicely, without much extra space. I wouldn't want to carry 80lbs of sand in a duffle on my back, as it would sit funny and be really awkward to wear. 50lbs of sand just fits in my one backpack, and it doesn't balance well- I need to break it down and repack it so that the weight is higher on my shoulders. Lead might be easier to distribute the weight how I like it, or maybe harder, but I'd definitely have to fill more space in the bag in order to shift the weight higher.

The difference between a weight vest and a backpack is that a weight vest is simulating that you are heavier, while a backpack is something heavy strapped to your back. The weight vest will move with you, right with your center of gravity, while a backpack can throw you off quite a bit.

Lead may or may not be easier here, but I'm sure it's more expensive- first link on Google says $104 for 50 lbs, as opposed to the $5 or so for the sand.