- And Why the Wrong One Might Ruin Your Workouts
Training with a Weighted Vest can take your workouts to the next level — from average to exceptional. It’s just so versatile. Whether your goal is building muscle, improving endurance, developing strength, or boosting your cardiovascular fitness, a good weighted vest provides the extra boost to your stats.
But here’s the truth:
A bad vest can do the opposite. It causes discomfort, restricts movement, and makes you dread working out.
So how do you choose a good weighted vest? Let’s break it down.
The Myths (That Most Brands Don’t Tell You)
There are many cookie-cutter brands out there that use the same generic weighted vest design and simply slap their own logo on it. Then they glorify this template through slick marketing to attract consumers like you.
Now — there’s nothing inherently wrong with this…
Provided they’ve actually tested the product thoroughly themselves over an extended period to back up their claims. But most don’t. They simply apply "Logic" that "Should" work.
And that’s where the myths start.
❌ Myth #1: “The Thicker the Shoulder Padding, the Better.”
Yes….and No. Obviously you need some padding for your shoulders to distribute take the pressure of your shoulders, but only up to a certain thickness. Anything thicker is redundant and the rest of the cushion is just for show.
In fact, it can backfire once it becomes too thick. When perform exercises such as the Pull Up, your shoulders compresses the straps against your neck and because it is so thick, it cannot bend naturally and continues to restrict your neck.
Another issue it causes is that the Vest is unable to naturally rest and contour over your shoulder to effectively “hug” your body. This makes the vest very bulky and shifts a lot during movement.
❌ Myth #2: “Wider Shoulder Straps = More Comfort”
Just like thickness, strap width has a limit.
While straps should be wide enough to distribute load across your shoulders, excessively wide straps restrict your movement and increase friction between your neck and shoulders. This leads to chafing and skin irritation — especially performing in larger range of motions movements like push-ups, pull-ups, handstands, jogging, and even casual walking.
Comfort = Balance, not Bulk.
The Ideal Weighted Vest Design
After testing dozens of vests and gathering feedback from real calisthenics athletes, one thing became clear:
The best design is one that is as compact as possible, with bulkiness reduced to the absolute minimum. Shoulder straps should be slim and thin, yet just enough to provide relief of pressure.
All these elements allow for free movement, secure usage, anti-chafing, and overall good equipment Ergonomics.
And that’s what led us to create the Ergorilla Weighted Vest — the World’s First Weighted Vest designed specifically for Anti-Chafing Performance.
🔧 Utility: Match Your Vest to Your Goals
Not all vests are built the same — and not all should be used for the same purpose.
- If you're using a vest for jogging or cardio, opt for a lightweight, secure-fitting vest that won’t bounce around and strain your knees.
- If you’re doing weighted squats or lower-body work, a heavier vest may suit you better — even if it’s more basic in design.
Know your training. Pick your vest accordingly.
Price vs. Performance: What You Pay = What You Get
I once used a $80 SGD (~$60 USD) weighted vest for over a year.
True story: The Velcro wore out. The Vest started to stink. Every session ended with red marks and sore traps.
If you are looking to seriously level up without dreading your workouts, inVESTing in a good Vest is worth it. Just do your research and make sure that you get a suitable vest for your goals. Also ensure that your Vest has a warranty or return policy in the event that you cannot work with it at all.
That said, don’t fall into the honey trap of thinking that more expensive = better.
Weight Range: Go Adjustable or Go Home
There are many weight range for Weighted Vest - 2kg, 5kg, 10kg, 12kg, 16kg, 20kg and some even up to 30kg or more.
Broadly speaking, if you're a Beginner, it’s best that you do not go beyond 10kg. If you are experienced and serious about building Muscle with Weighted Calisthenics, you will need at 16-20kg to give you the much needed resistance.
For this reason, and adjustable Weight Vest is usually your best bet when it comes to versatility and having various targets to hit.
I want to caveat here: Being able to adjust the position of the Weights is equally important. You don’t want your Vest to be heavier on one side, and surprising you with muscle imbalances.
🦍 The Ergorilla Weighted Vest — Built for Athletes
Let’s be real — our vest may look like others at first glance. But every millimeter and material has been redesigned for performance and fits all the above criteria. The inner lining and material have also been upgraded to absorb moisture and be smooth for skin.
Personally the Ergorilla Vest gave me the BEST weighted workout experience in my 7 years of Calisthenics experience.
Final Thoughts: Choose Your Vest Wisely
Your vest shouldn’t hold you back. It should elevate every rep, every step, every second.
If you’re serious about calisthenics, strength training, or home fitness, don’t just settle for an expensive hype, a cheap knockoff, or a flashy gimmick.
Happy working out!