Exercise & Fitness

What are the benefits of walking with a weighted vest?

Ask the doctor

By , Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor
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A mature woman on a hiking trail, holding a trekking pole in one hand and wearing a weighted backpack.My good friend and I have a long-established walking routine. Last week, she showed up wearing a weighted vest. What are the advantages?

By increasing your body weight, rucking amps up your walking intensity. This can pay off in numerous ways: building muscle strength and bone density; improving the heart’s pumping ability; expanding lung capacity; burning more calories; and enhancing core strength, which involves abdominal and back muscles.

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About the Author

photo of Toni Golen, MD

Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor

Dr. Toni Golen is a physician specializing in obstetrics and gynecology, practicing in Boston. Dr. Golen completed her residency training at George Washington University Medical Center in 1995, and is an associate professor at Harvard Medical … See Full Bio
View all posts by Toni Golen, MD
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