Can Weight Vests Get You into Zone 2 Cardio?

Yes, weight vests can be a highly effective way to achieve and maintain Zone 2 cardio, which is a crucial component of cardiovascular fitness and metabolic health. Zone 2 cardio is typically characterized by a heart rate where you can comfortably hold a conversation but still feel challenged. It's often referred to as the "fat-burning zone" and is excellent for improving mitochondrial function and endurance.

Here's how a weight vest helps with Zone 2 training:

• Increased Energy Expenditure at Lower Intensities: By wearing a weight vest during activities like walking, hiking, or light jogging, your body has to work harder to move the additional weight. This naturally elevates your heart rate and energy expenditure even at a moderate pace, making it easier to reach and sustain your Zone 2 heart rate without needing to move at a high speed.

• Enhanced Endurance: Consistent training in Zone 2 with a weight vest improves your body's ability to use fat as a fuel source, leading to greater endurance.

• Reduced Joint Impact: For individuals who find higher-impact cardio challenging or painful, a weight vest allows them to increase the intensity of lower-impact activities (like brisk walking) to reach Zone 2 without putting excessive stress on their joints.

Improved Efficiency: Over time, your body becomes more efficient at moving with the added weight, which can translate to better performance in other endurance activities even without the vest.