Plate Loaded Weight Vests have a a lot larger weight capability than common Weighted Vests. This sounds very promising for Weighted Calisthenics, and extra firms have began creating their model of the Plate Loaded Weight Vest. After utilizing the Kensui EZ Vest for some time, arguably the primary Plate Loaded Weight Vest, we aren’t followers of this idea. Let me clarify why there are higher choices in your weighted train, regardless of the promise of an simply scalable, high-capacity “answer” just like the Kensui EZ Vest or different Plate Loaded Weight Vest.
You may also watch my reasoning on my YouTube video:
1. The Plate Loaded Weight Vest
Like the long-lasting Kenzui EZ Vest, a Plate Loaded Weight Vest makes use of weight plates as a substitute of inserts for added weight. The thought with these vests is to make use of common bumper plates, which suggests you’ll be able to obtain a a lot larger most weight capability than with commonplace Weighted Vests. You possibly can combine and match bumper plates to get the best weight in your train.
The place common Weighted Vests go as much as about 30kg on the most, Plate Loaded Weight Vests have a a lot larger weight capability. At the very least, that’s the principle. We’ll uncover many different issues with Plate Loaded Weight Vests that make them much less appropriate in observe. Even that theoretical larger weight capability comes with some unlucky caveats.
1.1 Benefit(s) of a Plate Loaded Weight Vest
The supposed benefit of a Plate Loaded Weight Vest is the upper most weight capability. The place different vests go as much as about 30kg, the restrict to vests just like the Kensui EZ Vest is the variety of bumper plates you’ll be able to match. This rapidly surpasses something a daily Weighted Vest might obtain. You would simply exceed 40kg or 50kg with just some plates. All the burden remains to be on the higher physique, identical to with another Weighted Vest.
Spoilers forward: it doesn’t at all times work out that manner. This setup has some issues that make this sort of vest a lot lower than perfect for Calisthenics train.
1.2 Disadvantages of a Plate Loaded Weight Vest
The place to even begin? I’ll go away issues with loading and exercising with a Plate Loaded Weight Vest apart for now and focus on them in-depth beneath. Let’s start with the prices.
A Plate Loaded Weight Vest comes with out bumper plates. It’s good to purchase the bumper plates individually, and people are costly. The vest itself is often additionally extra pricey than a daily Weighted Vest (our instance Kensui EZ Vest MAX vs coming in at 299 with out plates). Worse, not all bumper plates are suitable with the threading on the vest. In case your plates are incompatible, you need to purchase an adapter for the vest. This will increase the price of your gear but once more.
You would additionally purchase proprietary plates made for the vest to make sure compatibility and so you’ll be able to stack a number of plates (carry on studying the place we attempt to load the vest up with plates). These plates are sometimes dearer than generic bumper plates.
In our expertise, a single Plate Loaded Vest with simply two plates will price as a lot, if no more, than a complete set of weighted Calisthenics Gear. Cash won’t be a problem for you, and a few high-quality or revolutionary merchandise justify a better value. That’s why I’ll concentrate on the sensible disadvantages subsequent.
2. Loading Up the Plate Loaded Weight Vest (w. Kenzui EZ Vest)
In principle, you’ll be able to add as many bumper plates as you need to your vest. It’s not all easy crusing in observe. Not all plates are suitable, so make it possible for any plates you’ve will match the vest’s threading. If you happen to don’t have any plates, purchase these that may match the thread of the vest. When you’ve got incompatible plates, it is advisable purchase the adapter.
A second concern is the width of your plates and the size of the threading on the vest. With thicker bumper plates, you’ll be able to typically solely add one on both sides of the vest earlier than you’ll be able to now not apply the locking nut. The answer is both one other adapter that will increase the size of the thread or utilizing thinner bumper plates.
Heavier however thinner plates are bigger, which is able to turn out to be a problem throughout train. Even with smaller however thicker plates, you’ll encounter issues with workout routines like Pull-Ups and Chin-Ups (once more, examine this beneath).
Level in case none of our bumper plates might create a mixture exceeding 30kg and match on our Kensui EZ Vest. That defeated the entire objective of the vest.
3. Plate Loaded Weight Vest Workout routines (w. Kenzui EZ Vest)
The meat and potatoes are, after all, how these vests carry out throughout train. The weights that match our Kensui EZ Vest had been the proprietary Kensui bumper plates. These are skinny sufficient to suit two per facet, however they’re very giant. The plates instantly prohibit your Vary of Movement, particularly in entrance of your chest.
3.1 Pull-Ups/Chin-Ups
Plate Loaded Vests are usually not perfect for Pull-Ups or Chin-Ups. The huge plates are inclined to stumble upon your chin in the course of the ascent in case you’re not very cautious. Your Vary of Movement is so restricted that you need to hole the world round your armpits to permit the plate to clear your arms. That is awkward to start with and makes slender Pull-Ups unattainable altogether. If you happen to had smaller however thicker plates, your Vary of Movement won’t be as affected, however the plate itself would stumble upon the bar.
3.2 Dips
The plates additionally have an effect on your means to do Dips. If you happen to put on a again plate, your elbows can stumble upon them and wedged between the plate and the bar. The entrance plate additionally tends to come back up and may contact or stumble upon your chin. Once more, not perfect. In hindsight, this is able to be much less of a problem in case you had smaller however thicker plates for this train.
3.3 Squats
The huge plates are inclined to wedge in opposition to your thighs when doing dips. Smaller however thicker plates would work right here. Nonetheless, there’s a security concern in case you’re sporting a Plate Loaded Weight Vest for its excessive capability.
If you happen to fail the train, there’s nowhere so that you can go. With a Dip Belt, the burden naturally drops to the ground and off your physique in case you fail the train. You possibly can simply let go of the kettlebells or dumbbells you’re holding. With a daily Weighted Vest, the burden is proscribed to 30kg, and these vests are inclined to observe the form of your physique so you’ll be able to simply roll over.
We don’t see any secure manner of failing a heavy Squat sporting a Plate Loaded Weight Vest. Simply fall over gently and hope for the most effective.
3.4 Push-Ups
For Push-Ups, this sort of vest would work. A spotter can load the again plates and observe when you’re doing very heavy Push-Ups. The load would keep in place, not get in the best way, and the excessive weight capability means you’ll be able to push this train to any restrict you please.
3.5 Handstands and Handstand Push-Ups
The vest works with handstands and handstand push-ups. Together with your arms above your head, the plates are much less of a problem together with your Vary of Movement. I’ve additionally seen individuals do very heavy handstand push-ups with the Kensui EZ Vest particularly, so it’s doable.
Nonetheless, that is such a tiny area of interest of athletes that I don’t suppose many individuals will see this profit. For 99% of Calisthenics practitioners, a daily Weighted Vest is greater than sufficient weight for his or her handstands and handstand push-ups.
4. Higher Alternate options To Plate Loaded Weight Vests
It’s most likely obvious already that we don’t suggest Plate Loaded Weight Vests. Even our Kensui EZ Vest isn’t one thing we’d suggest to 99% of individuals as a consequence of points with plate compatibility, prices, vary of movement and typically even security.c
A a lot better choice could be a daily Weighted Vest. These are cheaper, simpler to put on, and extra snug to put on, they usually go away your Vary of Movement intact. With a most capability of 30kg, these common vests are greater than sufficient for 9 out 10 Calisthenics practitioners, if no more.
A Dip Belt is cheaper, extra handy, and extra snug for heavier workout routines. In addition they go away your higher physique’s vary of movement intact and are safer for these workout routines the place you would possibly sometimes see a better load.
A set of a Weighted Vest and a Dip Belt with some plates mixed is also cheaper than a Plate Loaded Weight Vest with plates. Listed here are two nice merchandise that price much less (mixed):
5. Conclusions And Why To not a Purchase Plate Loaded Weight Vest
Our conclusion is easy. We will’t suggest you purchase a Plate Loaded Weight Vest. There are higher options that go away your Vary of Movement intact and add adequate weight for most individuals. A Weighted Vest and Dip Belt mixture is the tried and examined answer for Weighted Calisthenics.
Though we’re at all times interested in improvements that may enhance Calisthenics, the Plate Loaded Weight Vest is, in our opinion, a dud.
Ceaselessly Requested Questions About Plate Loaded Weight Vests
A number of extra questions we’ll reply concerning plate loaded weight vests and their alternate options.
Is a 30kg weighted vest too heavy?
Sure, at that time it’s higher to put on the burden in your hips with, as an example, a dip belt. These are simpler to put on and higher fitted to the kind of train you do with that quantity of added weight.
Can you employ a plate service as a weight vest?
Sure, you need to use a plate service as a weight vest. Nonetheless, they severely impression your vary of movement for doing Calisthenics workout routines. For the most effective good points, it’s higher to make use of a devoted weighted vest or dip belt that permits for unimpeded train.
