@ChiefSmoke posted this in the Anderson County thread:

Our guys enjoy these weighted vests from Omorpho. They are becoming more common at the collegiate & professional level. 

Both Ohio St. & the Eagles purchased sets prior to winning their titles this past season. 

We saw them at AFCA, January of 2024. Have been pleased w/ the purchase. 

Here is the link to Omorpho:

https://www.omorpho.com/

==============

Who else is using weighted vests?  What brand?  What are your thoughts?  

I am curious here but I am also ready to purchase a weighted vest for my personal use.  Which brand(s) do you recommend?  For high school athletes?  For older people?

One company that has my attention is Wolf Tactical:

https://www.wolftacticalusa.com/collections/plate-carrier

Anyone?

3 hours ago, theguru said:

@ChiefSmoke posted this in the Anderson County thread:

Our guys enjoy these weighted vests from Omorpho. They are becoming more common at the collegiate & professional level. 

Both Ohio St. & the Eagles purchased sets prior to winning their titles this past season. 

We saw them at AFCA, January of 2024. Have been pleased w/ the purchase. 

Here is the link to Omorpho:

https://www.omorpho.com/

==============

Who else is using weighted vests?  What brand?  What are your thoughts?  

I am curious here but I am also ready to purchase a weighted vest for my personal use.  Which brand(s) do you recommend?  For high school athletes?  For older people?

One company that has my attention is Wolf Tactical:

https://www.wolftacticalusa.com/collections/plate-carrier

Anyone?

I don't use a weighted vest, but I've been training with a rucksack/weighted backpack, carrying 3-5 miles 5 or 6 days a week. I can tell you it's a game changer in terms of fitness. I put anywhere from 20-50lbs in it, and sometimes carry a 10-15lb kettle bell in my hand (switching hands every 1/4 mile or so). I only lift light 3 days a week, about 30 minutes per session, and rucking has helped me build muscle, stamina and raised my fitness level significantly. I can definitely see it having value for football training. I've bought most of my stuff from Goruck....the gear is pricey, but it's comfortable, and very durable. I have a rucksack, several sand filled training bags, medicine balls, ruckplates and kettlebells. The way the sand shifts introduces more difficulty into all of the regular lifting moves. I will likely add a weighted vest in the near future.

https://www.goruck.com/

13 minutes ago, rjs4470 said:

I don't use a weighted vest, but I've been training with a rucksack/weighted backpack, carrying 3-5 miles 5 or 6 days a week. I can tell you it's a game changer in terms of fitness. I put anywhere from 20-50lbs in it, and sometimes carry a 10-15lb kettle bell in my hand (switching hands every 1/4 mile or so). I only lift light 3 days a week, about 30 minutes per session, and rucking has helped me build muscle, stamina and raised my fitness level significantly. I can definitely see it having value for football training. I've bought most of my stuff from Goruck....the gear is pricey, but it's comfortable, and very durable. I have a rucksack, several sand filled training bags, medicine balls, ruckplates and kettlebells. The way the sand shifts introduces more difficulty into all of the regular lifting moves. I will likely add a weighted vest in the near future.

https://www.goruck.com/

I work with medicine balls at least twice a week, usually more and I love them.  I also have several dumbbells and when the weather is bad I walk indoors with them for long periods of time.  I agree this type of working out helps increase muscle, stamina and overall fitness levels.  Essentially, that is why I want a vest or backpack but I am concerned with having all the weight on my back vs. a vest that will distribute it evenly over my center of gravity. I strongly prefer to not have something in my hand(s) when I am outside working out.   Back to this type of working out being a game changer, that is exactly what I have told a couple of my friends that I share fitness tips with.  When I do a long, weighted walk, my whole body feels hard. Thanks for the input!

1 hour ago, theguru said:

I work with medicine balls at least twice a week, usually more and I love them.  I also have several dumbbells and when the weather is bad I walk indoors with them for long periods of time.  I agree this type of working out helps increase muscle, stamina and overall fitness levels.  Essentially, that is why I want a vest or backpack but I am concerned with having all the weight on my back vs. a vest that will distribute it evenly over my center of gravity. I strongly prefer to not have something in my hand(s) when I am outside working out.   Back to this type of working out being a game changer, that is exactly what I have told a couple of my friends that I share fitness tips with.  When I do a long, weighted walk, my whole body feels hard. Thanks for the input!

I was a little concerned about placing weight on my back too, but the packs by Goruck (and I'm guessing by others who make ruckpacks) are nicely padded and when correctly adjusted allow the pack to spread the weight out evenly while held closely to your back. And since I don't run with it ( I do sometimes do a shuffle) the pack sit firmly, doesn't move and doesn't give me any trouble at all. Also, the weight of the pack also forces me into a more upright posture, and with the core development that comes with it, has improved my overall gait. When I get into heavier loads (about once a week I carry 50lbs) it puts more stress on my shoulders and traps than my back. If I were to start running more, or doing functional type workouts while weighted, I would definitely prefer a weighted vest, and will likely be getting one soon. It's hard to believe, but I'm getting the same type of results that I used to get lifting heavy weight 5 times a week. If I ever get back to coaching, I will definitely figure out a way to incorporate these types of workouts into team conditioning.

I looked hard at the goruck products and a couple of others but decided on the TRX HEXGRIP WEIGHT VEST.  Should be here this week.  I will report back to everyone after I use it a few times.

https://www.trxtraining.com/