weighted vests

These things - V-Vest, etc. are expensive, especially if someone wants
to wear 100 lbs or so.

Can a good weighted vest (to be used for both upper and lower body
conditioning) be easily and inexpensively constructed?

"Bartleby" <arroyo98@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1189876305.430556.65710@50g2000hsm.googlegrou ps.com...
> These things - V-Vest, etc. are expensive, especially if someone wants
> to wear 100 lbs or so.
>
> Can a good weighted vest (to be used for both upper and lower body
> conditioning) be easily and inexpensively constructed?

I think it depends on how bouncy an activity you intend to use it for.
The bouncier, the better and closer fitting you want it to be. For most
weight lifting purposes, a dipping belt, a backpack or other homemade
solution will suffice.

Just my opinion.

-S-
http://www.kbnj.com

On Sep 15, 1:11 pm, Bartleby <arroy...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> These things - V-Vest, etc. are expensive, especially if someone wants
> to wear 100 lbs or so.
>
> Can a good weighted vest (to be used for both upper and lower body
> conditioning) be easily and inexpensively constructed?

first, I asked my martial arts instructor about it (he knows a lot
about this stuff, 4 times World Champion, 8th dan) and he said you
have to be carefull with your joints, specially your knees and hips.
Anyways, I have used them before, and as a heavy lifter i though i was
going to be easy to put 100lbs in my chest; well it turn out to be
hard and painful. By doing that, I confirmed my instructor's advice
when that night my legs, specially ankles hurt a little. So i wouldn't
recommend it. Second of all, maybe you can attach something to
yourself, like use the very hard and sticky gray duct tape and attach
some 5-10 pounds plates to a vest, or shirt...but forget about
attaching 100lbs with tape, strings, chains, etc. It is for a reason
that profesional bodybuilders, and other athletes are rarely seem with
those kind of vest. (ive seen basketball players, but 10-20lbs vests
and no more than that)

On Sep 15, 2:06 pm, "Steve Freides" <st...@fridayscomputer.com> wrote:
> "Bartleby" <arroy...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1189876305.430556.65710@50g2000hsm.googlegrou ps.com...
>
> > These things - V-Vest, etc. are expensive, especially if someone wants
> > to wear 100 lbs or so.
>
> > Can a good weighted vest (to be used for both upper and lower body
> > conditioning) be easily and inexpensively constructed?
>
> I think it depends on how bouncy an activity you intend to use it for.
> The bouncier, the better and closer fitting you want it to be. For most
> weight lifting purposes, a dipping belt, a backpack or other homemade
> solution will suffice.
>
> Just my opinion.
>
> -S-http://www.kbnj.com

I want to use this for weighted dips as well as other things. I have
dip bars from http://www.ultimatebodypress.com/index.php
I have to bend my knees to do dips. A dipping belt works OK except
when I want to relax/pause for a sec or 2 with my knees on a small
plastic stool before inhaling and pushing up. I don't think a heavy
backpack where all the weight is on my back sounds like such a good
idea. I'd rather have a system where the weights are evenly
distributed to the front and rear. Maybe something where I can attach
weight plates to a ring with a short length of chain. I haven't given
much thought to it. Weighted vests can be useful and they're
expensive so I thought someone here might've figured out a way to make
them inexpensively.

On Sep 15, 7:50 pm, Luke <kruger.l...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Sep 15, 1:11 pm, Bartleby <arroy...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> > These things - V-Vest, etc. are expensive, especially if someone wants
> > to wear 100 lbs or so.
>
> > Can a good weighted vest (to be used for both upper and lower body
> > conditioning) be easily and inexpensively constructed?
>
> first, I asked my martial arts instructor about it (he knows a lot
> about this stuff, 4 times World Champion, 8th dan) and he said you
> have to be carefull with your joints, specially your knees and hips.
> Anyways, I have used them before, and as a heavy lifter i though i was
> going to be easy to put 100lbs in my chest; well it turn out to be
> hard and painful. By doing that, I confirmed my instructor's advice
> when that night my legs, specially ankles hurt a little. So i wouldn't
> recommend it. Second of all, maybe you can attach something to
> yourself, like use the very hard and sticky gray duct tape and attach
> some 5-10 pounds plates to a vest, or shirt...but forget about
> attaching 100lbs with tape, strings, chains, etc. It is for a reason
> that profesional bodybuilders, and other athletes are rarely seem with
> those kind of vest. (ive seen basketball players, but 10-20lbs vests
> and no more than that)

I'm not about to run with a very heavy weighted vest.

I want to use a WV when doing paused dips on a low set of parallel
bars.

I'll use the WV for other types of conditioning in time.

"Bartleby" <arroyo98@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1189876305.430556.65710@50g2000hsm.googlegrou ps.com...
> These things - V-Vest, etc. are expensive, especially if someone wants
> to wear 100 lbs or so.
>
> Can a good weighted vest (to be used for both upper and lower body
> conditioning) be easily and inexpensively constructed?
>

Good for scuba diving.

Bob

"Bartleby" <arroyo98@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1189908166.510884.232480@k79g2000hse.googlegr oups.com...
> On Sep 15, 2:06 pm, "Steve Freides" <st...@fridayscomputer.com> wrote:
>> "Bartleby" <arroy...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>
>> news:1189876305.430556.65710@50g2000hsm.googlegrou ps.com...
>>
>> > These things - V-Vest, etc. are expensive, especially if someone
>> > wants
>> > to wear 100 lbs or so.
>>
>> > Can a good weighted vest (to be used for both upper and lower body
>> > conditioning) be easily and inexpensively constructed?
>>
>> I think it depends on how bouncy an activity you intend to use it
>> for.
>> The bouncier, the better and closer fitting you want it to be. For
>> most
>> weight lifting purposes, a dipping belt, a backpack or other homemade
>> solution will suffice.
>>
>> Just my opinion.
>>
>> -S-http://www.kbnj.com
>
> I want to use this for weighted dips as well as other things. I have
> dip bars from http://www.ultimatebodypress.com/index.php
> I have to bend my knees to do dips. A dipping belt works OK except
> when I want to relax/pause for a sec or 2 with my knees on a small
> plastic stool before inhaling and pushing up. I don't think a heavy
> backpack where all the weight is on my back sounds like such a good
> idea. I'd rather have a system where the weights are evenly
> distributed to the front and rear. Maybe something where I can attach
> weight plates to a ring with a short length of chain. I haven't given
> much thought to it. Weighted vests can be useful and they're
> expensive so I thought someone here might've figured out a way to make
> them inexpensively.

You can get heavy chain - drape over yourself and you're ready to go,
pad as necessary.

You can use a standard weightlifting belt, not a dipping belt, and
attach weights with chain - for most, that'll keep the weights closer to
you and further from the ground. Any decent hardware store will cut you
a length of chain and sell you a carabineer or two to complete the
setup.

You could also get an interesting - don't know if it's desirable in your
case - training effect with bands instead of weights. Extra resistance
at the top where you're strongest in the ROM, and arguably safer than
adding iron using a belt or vest.

Otherwise you can wear one backpack from and one to the rear but the
weights will almost certainly move around at least a little, especially
in the front one.

-S-
http://www.kbnj.com

On Sep 16, 11:16 am, "Steve Freides" <st...@fridayscomputer.com>
wrote:
> "Bartleby" <arroy...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1189908166.510884.232480@k79g2000hse.googlegr oups.com...
>
>
>
> > On Sep 15, 2:06 pm, "Steve Freides" <st...@fridayscomputer.com> wrote:
> >> "Bartleby" <arroy...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>
> >>news:1189876305.430556.65710@50g2000hsm.googlegr oups.com...
>
> >> > These things - V-Vest, etc. are expensive, especially if someone
> >> > wants
> >> > to wear 100 lbs or so.
>
> >> > Can a good weighted vest (to be used for both upper and lower body
> >> > conditioning) be easily and inexpensively constructed?
>
> >> I think it depends on how bouncy an activity you intend to use it
> >> for.
> >> The bouncier, the better and closer fitting you want it to be. For
> >> most
> >> weight lifting purposes, a dipping belt, a backpack or other homemade
> >> solution will suffice.
>
> >> Just my opinion.
>
> >> -S-http://www.kbnj.com
>
> > I want to use this for weighted dips as well as other things. I have
> > dip bars fromhttp://www.ultimatebodypress.com/index.php
> > I have to bend my knees to do dips. A dipping belt works OK except
> > when I want to relax/pause for a sec or 2 with my knees on a small
> > plastic stool before inhaling and pushing up. I don't think a heavy
> > backpack where all the weight is on my back sounds like such a good
> > idea. I'd rather have a system where the weights are evenly
> > distributed to the front and rear. Maybe something where I can attach
> > weight plates to a ring with a short length of chain. I haven't given
> > much thought to it. Weighted vests can be useful and they're
> > expensive so I thought someone here might've figured out a way to make
> > them inexpensively.
>
> You can get heavy chain - drape over yourself and you're ready to go,
> pad as necessary.
>
> You can use a standard weightlifting belt, not a dipping belt, and
> attach weights with chain - for most, that'll keep the weights closer to
> you and further from the ground. Any decent hardware store will cut you
> a length of chain and sell you a carabineer or two to complete the
> setup.
>
> You could also get an interesting - don't know if it's desirable in your
> case - training effect with bands instead of weights. Extra resistance
> at the top where you're strongest in the ROM, and arguably safer than
> adding iron using a belt or vest.
>
> Otherwise you can wear one backpack from and one to the rear but the
> weights will almost certainly move around at least a little, especially
> in the front one.
>
> -S-http://www.kbnj.com


A lifting belt with chains and carabiners sounds like it's worth a
shot. I hope I still have my leather belt.

The bands idea sounds interesting. I may try to figure this out. The
biggest effort with dips is at the greatest depth not at the top so
I'm not sure that bands would be my numero uno training choice. Also,
my home dipping station is not perfectly stable and has thick, padded
handles (which I don't like and may remove). Figuring out the
logistics with bands may be an issue in my case. I understanding the
additional work for stabilizers with bands.

What thickness/length/brand of bands would you recommend? I'd like to
dip with up to 135 pounds. I can get 2 reps out with 105 now.

I don't like the idea of using two backpacks.

"Bartleby" <arroyo98@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1189958812.744492.300010@d55g2000hsg.googlegr oups.com...
> On Sep 16, 11:16 am, "Steve Freides" <st...@fridayscomputer.com>
> wrote:
>> "Bartleby" <arroy...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>
>> news:1189908166.510884.232480@k79g2000hse.googlegr oups.com...
>>
>>
>>
>> > On Sep 15, 2:06 pm, "Steve Freides" <st...@fridayscomputer.com>
>> > wrote:
>> >> "Bartleby" <arroy...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>
>> >>news:1189876305.430556.65710@50g2000hsm.googlegr oups.com...
>>
>> >> > These things - V-Vest, etc. are expensive, especially if someone
>> >> > wants
>> >> > to wear 100 lbs or so.
>>
>> >> > Can a good weighted vest (to be used for both upper and lower
>> >> > body
>> >> > conditioning) be easily and inexpensively constructed?
>>
>> >> I think it depends on how bouncy an activity you intend to use it
>> >> for.
>> >> The bouncier, the better and closer fitting you want it to be.
>> >> For
>> >> most
>> >> weight lifting purposes, a dipping belt, a backpack or other
>> >> homemade
>> >> solution will suffice.
>>
>> >> Just my opinion.
>>
>> >> -S-http://www.kbnj.com
>>
>> > I want to use this for weighted dips as well as other things. I
>> > have
>> > dip bars fromhttp://www.ultimatebodypress.com/index.php
>> > I have to bend my knees to do dips. A dipping belt works OK except
>> > when I want to relax/pause for a sec or 2 with my knees on a small
>> > plastic stool before inhaling and pushing up. I don't think a
>> > heavy
>> > backpack where all the weight is on my back sounds like such a good
>> > idea. I'd rather have a system where the weights are evenly
>> > distributed to the front and rear. Maybe something where I can
>> > attach
>> > weight plates to a ring with a short length of chain. I haven't
>> > given
>> > much thought to it. Weighted vests can be useful and they're
>> > expensive so I thought someone here might've figured out a way to
>> > make
>> > them inexpensively.
>>
>> You can get heavy chain - drape over yourself and you're ready to go,
>> pad as necessary.
>>
>> You can use a standard weightlifting belt, not a dipping belt, and
>> attach weights with chain - for most, that'll keep the weights closer
>> to
>> you and further from the ground. Any decent hardware store will cut
>> you
>> a length of chain and sell you a carabineer or two to complete the
>> setup.
>>
>> You could also get an interesting - don't know if it's desirable in
>> your
>> case - training effect with bands instead of weights. Extra
>> resistance
>> at the top where you're strongest in the ROM, and arguably safer than
>> adding iron using a belt or vest.
>>
>> Otherwise you can wear one backpack from and one to the rear but the
>> weights will almost certainly move around at least a little,
>> especially
>> in the front one.
>>
>> -S-http://www.kbnj.com
>
>
> A lifting belt with chains and carabiners sounds like it's worth a
> shot. I hope I still have my leather belt.
>
> The bands idea sounds interesting. I may try to figure this out. The
> biggest effort with dips is at the greatest depth not at the top so
> I'm not sure that bands would be my numero uno training choice. Also,
> my home dipping station is not perfectly stable and has thick, padded
> handles (which I don't like and may remove). Figuring out the
> logistics with bands may be an issue in my case. I understanding the
> additional work for stabilizers with bands.

One of the things the bands let you do is add more resistance at the
easiest part of the movement, which can make the movement more effective
overall. They reward speed so they help develop explosive strength as
well. That you'd be adding less resistance at the point of "biggest
effort" is exactly the idea. You'd probably anchor them to your gadget
by looping them around the tubing at the bottom.

> What thickness/length/brand of bands would you recommend? I'd like to
> dip with up to 135 pounds. I can get 2 reps out with 105 now.

http://www.jumpstretch.com - ask them via the contact links on the site
if you're not sure. Generally speaking, people recommend doing band
work with less than maximal weights and for maximum speed, and since the
bands aren't expensive, it's probably worth getting a few so you can
find what works best. If you get a pair each in mini, monster mini, and
light, those six bands will set youf back about $100 and you can add
them together as needed. They're rated as up to 25, 35, and 50 lbs.
each, respectively. Don't forget you can match iron and bands, too,
e.g., you could add 50 lbs. of iron and another 50 lbs. of bands. Given
that you're moving both your bodyweight plus the extra iron, I think
you'd find even just your bodyweight plus one or more of the lighter
bands about right. And you don't necessarily need one band per side -
you might find one over the whole gadget and your back works - since
your dip gadget is pretty non-standard, I think you'd just have to try
and figure out what's going to work.

> I don't like the idea of using two backpacks.

I don't blame you - I wouldn't like it, either.

-S-
http://www.kbnj.com

On Sep 16, 2:17 pm, "Steve Freides" <st...@fridayscomputer.com> wrote:
> "Bartleby" <arroy...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1189958812.744492.300010@d55g2000hsg.googlegr oups.com...
>
>
>
> > On Sep 16, 11:16 am, "Steve Freides" <st...@fridayscomputer.com>
> > wrote:
> >> "Bartleby" <arroy...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>
> >>news:1189908166.510884.232480@k79g2000hse.google groups.com...
>
> >> > On Sep 15, 2:06 pm, "Steve Freides" <st...@fridayscomputer.com>
> >> > wrote:
> >> >> "Bartleby" <arroy...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>
> >> >>news:1189876305.430556.65710@50g2000hsm.googlegr oups.com...
>
> >> >> > These things - V-Vest, etc. are expensive, especially if someone
> >> >> > wants
> >> >> > to wear 100 lbs or so.
>
> >> >> > Can a good weighted vest (to be used for both upper and lower
> >> >> > body
> >> >> > conditioning) be easily and inexpensively constructed?
>
> >> >> I think it depends on how bouncy an activity you intend to use it
> >> >> for.
> >> >> The bouncier, the better and closer fitting you want it to be.
> >> >> For
> >> >> most
> >> >> weight lifting purposes, a dipping belt, a backpack or other
> >> >> homemade
> >> >> solution will suffice.
>
> >> >> Just my opinion.
>
> >> >> -S-http://www.kbnj.com
>
> >> > I want to use this for weighted dips as well as other things. I
> >> > have
> >> > dip bars fromhttp://www.ultimatebodypress.com/index.php
> >> > I have to bend my knees to do dips. A dipping belt works OK except
> >> > when I want to relax/pause for a sec or 2 with my knees on a small
> >> > plastic stool before inhaling and pushing up. I don't think a
> >> > heavy
> >> > backpack where all the weight is on my back sounds like such a good
> >> > idea. I'd rather have a system where the weights are evenly
> >> > distributed to the front and rear. Maybe something where I can
> >> > attach
> >> > weight plates to a ring with a short length of chain. I haven't
> >> > given
> >> > much thought to it. Weighted vests can be useful and they're
> >> > expensive so I thought someone here might've figured out a way to
> >> > make
> >> > them inexpensively.
>
> >> You can get heavy chain - drape over yourself and you're ready to go,
> >> pad as necessary.
>
> >> You can use a standard weightlifting belt, not a dipping belt, and
> >> attach weights with chain - for most, that'll keep the weights closer
> >> to
> >> you and further from the ground. Any decent hardware store will cut
> >> you
> >> a length of chain and sell you a carabineer or two to complete the
> >> setup.
>
> >> You could also get an interesting - don't know if it's desirable in
> >> your
> >> case - training effect with bands instead of weights. Extra
> >> resistance
> >> at the top where you're strongest in the ROM, and arguably safer than
> >> adding iron using a belt or vest.
>
> >> Otherwise you can wear one backpack from and one to the rear but the
> >> weights will almost certainly move around at least a little,
> >> especially
> >> in the front one.
>
> >> -S-http://www.kbnj.com
>
> > A lifting belt with chains and carabiners sounds like it's worth a
> > shot. I hope I still have my leather belt.
>
> > The bands idea sounds interesting. I may try to figure this out. The
> > biggest effort with dips is at the greatest depth not at the top so
> > I'm not sure that bands would be my numero uno training choice. Also,
> > my home dipping station is not perfectly stable and has thick, padded
> > handles (which I don't like and may remove). Figuring out the
> > logistics with bands may be an issue in my case. I understanding the
> > additional work for stabilizers with bands.
>
> One of the things the bands let you do is add more resistance at the
> easiest part of the movement, which can make the movement more effective
> overall. They reward speed so they help develop explosive strength as
> well. That you'd be adding less resistance at the point of "biggest
> effort" is exactly the idea. You'd probably anchor them to your gadget
> by looping them around the tubing at the bottom.
>
> > What thickness/length/brand of bands would you recommend? I'd like to
> > dip with up to 135 pounds. I can get 2 reps out with 105 now.
>
> http://www.jumpstretch.com- ask them via the contact links on the site
> if you're not sure. Generally speaking, people recommend doing band
> work with less than maximal weights and for maximum speed, and since the
> bands aren't expensive, it's probably worth getting a few so you can
> find what works best. If you get a pair each in mini, monster mini, and
> light, those six bands will set youf back about $100 and you can add
> them together as needed. They're rated as up to 25, 35, and 50 lbs.
> each, respectively. Don't forget you can match iron and bands, too,
> e.g., you could add 50 lbs. of iron and another 50 lbs. of bands. Given
> that you're moving both your bodyweight plus the extra iron, I think
> you'd find even just your bodyweight plus one or more of the lighter
> bands about right. And you don't necessarily need one band per side -
> you might find one over the whole gadget and your back works - since
> your dip gadget is pretty non-standard, I think you'd just have to try
> and figure out what's going to work.
>
> > I don't like the idea of using two backpacks.
>
> I don't blame you - I wouldn't like it, either.
>
> -S-http://www.kbnj.com



I tried the leather weight belt with a chain & carabiner. Works OK
with two 25 lb plates. The big plates (45 and 50 lb ones) hang too
low and won't work with a low dip station and bent legs. I don't own
more than two 25 lb plates and I wonder whether it's going to be a
problem if I try to load 4 or 5 25 pound plates (not that this is an
issue now with doing dip reps from a dead start).

I'll call the jumpstretch folks and explain my non-standard dip
station. I don't know if this thing lends itself to band work.

I may be wrong about this, but I see equally as much potential with
bands with the eccentric component. The bands will try to force me
down fast and I want to go slow here. Being explosive from the start
would be great too.

I did two 115 weighted dips at the gym today. I used a ladder approach
from 5 reps to one. 115 was beyond the one-rep step; I was trying for
a new PR. I struggled with 115 and my depth was unsatisfactory, but
I'm making progress and have a month and a half of training to go.
Too bad they don't have a box I can use for doing weighted dips from a
dead start. Have any ideas as to what I can bring in as a box as an
alternative to building a box-size stack of weight plates?

Thanks for the ideas.