Weighted Vest for Better Bone Health

A simple approach to stimulate bone growth is to wear a weighted vest during exercise or daily living on a regular basis.  The study often cited that clearly showed positive results for hips was reported in 1998.  Since then other studies confirm the idea that wearing a weighted vest with no more than 10-15% of body weight is helpful.  As with any exercise that uses weights, need to work up to the max weight gradually.

For a list of related studies that includes a 5-year study from 2000 and others reported in 2006-2008: http://www.wasatchweightvest.com/Research.html

Most weight vests are designed for general fitness or to enhance training for sports.  A few vests were designed for the purpose of stimulating bone growth.  In general, they are sold with 10-12 pounds of small weights that are easy to add or subtract.  As of 2016, the following are available for $125-210, not including shipping or extra weights.

1) http://weightvest4osteoporosis.com

This vest was designed for women by a woman who was diagnosed with osteoporosis around age 60.  Her product was included in a Wall Street Journal article in 2013.  The vest comes 1/2 pound flex weights to allow up to 10 pounds.  It's adjustable and zips up in front like a regular jacket/vest.  She recommends starting at min weight for an hour a day, 5 days a week.

2) http://www.drfuhrman.com/shop/weightvest.aspx

Joel Fuhrman, M.D., is a family physician, author of Eat to Live (2003), as well as several other nutrition health books.  This vest comes in Long or Short and uses 1/2 pound flex weights, with a   unisex design.  Dr. Fuhrman recommends working up to 3 hours per day, 5 days per week.

3) http://www.wasatchweightvest.com

The Wasatch Weight Vest is the most stylish and was designed by women.  One of the designers is a physical therapist at the Univ. of Utah Orthopedic Center.  This vest comes in a range of sizes from XS to XL.  The color choices are red or light blue, with black planned.  The 1 lb weights are canvas with recycled metal pellets.

4) Iron Wear Fitness Cool Vest
5) Iron Wear Fitness Women's Speed Vest

Iron Wear Fitness sells a variety of weighted vests.  The Cool Vest is similar to the vest sold on Furhman's website, #2 above.  The Women's Speed Vest is similar to the vest sold in #1.

6) Better Bones Women's Zipper Front Exercise Vest

Better Bones is a website by Susan Brown, Ph.D. that is all about bone health.  The vest is similar to the #1 and #5.