View Full Version : Weighted Vest Training
I came across an article at http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,5033,s6-78-81-0-286,00.html which sparked my interest and I came across some other articles about weight vest training after further searching.
http://faculty.washington.edu/crowther/Misc/RBC/strength.shtml
I was wondering if anyone has tried to train with a weighted vest or know anyone who has, and if so what are their thoughts on it. Personally it looks interesting and worth trying out despite its high cost. What are your opinions on training with this in preparation for SFAS? Not just for running but also pushups, situps, pullups, rope climbing, and possibly for rucking if a rucksack is not available. In regards to rucking, I would imagine it would help to prepare your legs and feet but not so much your lower back and shoulders since the weight will be balanced equally between the front and back of the vest. Thanks in advance for your time.
EDIT: Forgot to include the link to a manufacturer which seems to be the most reccomended/mentioned in articles I've came across. http://www.thexvest.com/
The Reaper
09-10-2004, 19:26
JaY:
Do a search for SFAS Prep.
Then you, and all of the rest of the get-overs who read this, quit trying to find an easy way and just PUT THE FUCKING HEAVY RUCK ON AND MOVE OUT!!! Follow the damn 5 week prep the recruiter will give you, unless you feel smarter than the rest of us.
If you make it to SFAS, you will be tested with a ruck. Last time I checked, we were not testing guys on any event with weighted vests.
On second thought, disregard what I just said. Do what you think is best. You may be satisfied by lying on the sofa watching reruns with a beer in one hand and the remote in another. Some appear to have used that technique before.
Have a very SF day.
TR
I was looking for an alternative because I'm unable to get a frame shipped to my APO address in england due to the size. I thought of just using a backpack and filling it until it weighed enough, but then I came across this. They won't ship to an APO addess either, however I could have it sent home then sent to me in 20-30 pound sections. On a side note, I've never used/worn an ALICE ruckpack, are you able to disassemble the frame? Thanks.
The Reaper
09-10-2004, 19:58
I was looking for an alternative because I'm unable to get a frame shipped to my APO address in england due to the size. I thought of just using a backpack and filling it until it weighed enough, but then I came across this. They won't ship to an APO addess either, however I could have it sent home then sent to me in 20-30 pound sections. On a side note, I've never used/worn an ALICE ruckpack, are you able to disassemble the frame? Thanks.
1. Do you know what the ALICE frame looks like? It weighs less than 5 lbs., and is not particularly bulky. You can ship a television, I can't imagine the frame is any larger.
2. What do you think an ALICE pack weighs empty? "20-30 pound sections"? The whole thing assembled is less than 10 pounds. Are buying an ALICE ruck and frame, or some fat chick named Alice?
3. Are there no Army units or Surplus stores in England? Scrounge or buy one locally.
4. If all else fails, buy a Bergen or whatever you can find, load it up, and step out smartly.
TR
1. Do you know what the ALICE frame looks like? It weighs less than 5 lbs., and is not particularly bulky. You can ship a television, I can't imagine the frame is any larger.
2. What do you think an ALICE pack weighs empty? "20-30 pound sections"? The whole thing assembled is less than 10 pounds. Are buying an ALICE ruck and frame, or some fat chick named Alice?
3. Are there no Army units or Surplus stores in England? Scrounge or buy one locally.
4. If all else fails, buy a Bergen or whatever you can find, load it up, and step out smartly.
TR
1. Yes, I've seen the pictures :O I meant as far as the dimensions, not the weight. I will look into it further and ask the Post Office about the max size of a box coming in. I was unable to get a monitor shipped to me so based on that I figured the frame would be too large.
2. Haha, no need to import fat women... there are plenty already here. I meant the 20-30 pound sections of the vest, which appears to be a dumb/costly idea.
3. I'm sure there is, I'll have to search around and get a friend to take me to one if there is one not too far away.
4. Thanks for the tip about buying a Bergen, after googling it seems they have a soft frame and would be easy to ship.
My apologies for the first post, I should have gone into detail more about the situation so as not to seem like a lazy shmuck looking for a quick fix. Thanks for your help TR.
The Reaper
09-10-2004, 20:29
1. Yes, I've seen the pictures :O I meant as far as the dimensions, not the weight. I will look into it further and ask the Post Office about the max size of a box coming in. I was unable to get a monitor shipped to me so based on that I figured the frame would be too large.
2. Haha, no need to import fat women... there are plenty already here. I meant the 20-30 pound sections of the vest, which appears to be a dumb/costly idea.
3. I'm sure there is, I'll have to search around and get a friend to take me to one if there is one not too far away.
4. Thanks for the tip about buying a Bergen, after googling it seems they have a soft frame and would be easy to ship.
My apologies for the first post, I should have gone into detail more about the situation so as not to seem like a lazy shmuck looking for a quick fix. Thanks for your help TR.
20"x12"x5", with straps and pad. Significantly smaller than a monitor.
If you order it with the pack, make sure they don't ship it filled. ;)
Personally, I would be looking for the nearest Army installation, and head there with some cool AF gear.
TR
Personally, I would be looking for the nearest Army installation, and head there with some cool AF gear.
TR
Hah, I'm not so sure how eager they'd be to trade a pack for my cool mouse pads with gel wrist supports or some nice cushy office chairs. :p
The Reaper
09-10-2004, 20:38
Hah, I'm not so sure how eager they'd be to trade my cool mouse pads with gel wrist supports or some nice cushy office chairs. :p
Gear, not property, unless you want to be someone's date.
For example, if you were around here, and had a Gentex helmet shell to trade, we could probably work something out.
TR
Ahh thats what you mean by gear, well I certainly don't want to be someones date..unless SHE'S cute. **keeps his mouse pad and chair to himself**
Unfortunately I don't have any kind of gear like that :boohoo
The Reaper
09-10-2004, 20:45
Ahh thats what you mean by gear, well I certainly don't want to be someones date..unless SHE'S cute. **keeps his mouse pad and chair to himself**
Unfortunately I don't have any kind of gear like that :boohoo
No coffee or booze?
Usually works on Supply Sergeants.
Cash as a last resort.
Warning: This may exceed your AF Skill Level.
Maybe you should stick to surplus or eBay.
TR
No coffee or booze?
Usually works on Supply Sergeants.
Cash as a last resort.
Warning: This may exceed your AF Skill Level.
Maybe you should stick to surplus or eBay.
TR
I've got plenty of booze and coffee, I figured it would take more then that..those supply sgt's sure are easy. Hell, I'll even throw in a spare coffee maker that an old suitemate left behind.
Ahaha, when it comes to coffee my AF training is unmatched :D
I have used my flank vest on a semi regular bases to help improve my run/push ups and sit ups but it is not a alternative to rucking or doing these events regularly. i use it to break up some of my other training works well with lunges and squats also.
NousDefionsDoc
09-24-2004, 20:04
JaY,
Go over to LF.com and ask around, there are all kinds of European dudes over there getting kit shipped. I think there are even some dealers.
Desert Fox
09-24-2004, 20:35
Hi,
I'd like to post an observation I made about training...
I often do climbing, scuba, rucking, running, etc.. I thing I remarked: a person can be called 'fit', and still have very hard time doing things somebody else who looks less 'in shape' will do easily. That person is doing extensive weight training, with some running. Big arms...and at the middle of the walls, too tired to continue.
Another one, a classic: a running gazelle.And then only 40 pounds on the back, and few hours of admin rucking. His face was red!
That are just two examples among MANY others.
My conclusion is: to be good at something, just do THAT thing.You want to be good at climbing, climb.You want to be good at swimming...swim.You want to be good at ruckcking, well....just ruck. Birds dont do weight training just to fly in a better way, and monkey dont do heavy sets.
Squats, bicycle, and rucking are three different things. Your body will be good at what he is used at.
If you want to boost your training, do more, or put weights while swimming, or just try to do lenghs with scuba shoes, or just put one fin to simulate the lost of one; or just find big hills and ruck in it.Do 15 k in one way, wild terrain, so youll get no choice to do the 15 k back to the car. Wait the next big snowstorm, and put a big ruck. While rucking, do simple maths in your mind, 36+128, 87 x 2. Each dead tree you see is an enemy that requires a doubletap. Try to locate all deadtrees on your path. If you are walking in a hard terrain full of holes, keep a look around, because if the enemy is smart, he'll wait there, knowing EVERY team member is looking at his feet, careless and vulnerable to an ambush.
On my personal board I have 2 badges: US SF, and JTF-2 (Canadian SF, my goal). Each time I do training, I swear I will accomplish my objectives, unless I fall on the ground, passed out. If one day I fail, the badges will be turned around so I can't see the badges...until I accomplish my next objectives. Sometimes, just the though to turn around those badges keeped me going forward. 'At the end you will be happy', I repeat to myself. 'Pass the day and you golden', that's what they say?
Hi,
I'd like to post an observation I made about training...
.......
My conclusion is: to be good at something, just do THAT thing.You want to be good at climbing, climb.You want to be good at swimming...swim.You want to be good at rucking, well....just ruck........say?
Well said. Swimming is a very good example, I thought I was in pretty good shape and could swim relatively well since I went scuba diving pretty regularly and was always very comfortable in the water and still run and bike for exercise.
Then I jumped into a pool and tried to do a "light beginner swimming workout", ~1200 meters (3/4 mile) for an alternate exercise to running and biking. (non-stop various strokes). I was sucking water ready to drown at ~450 meters. I am sure there are others here that have experienced the same. :D
I found my technique sucked and I was a flailing O2 robbing non-swimmer. A couple of researches on technique later and many hours in the pool solved that eventually.
NousDefionsDoc
09-29-2004, 12:50
Here JaY
Click Me For ALICE Frame (http://lightfighter.net/eve/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=7336015661&f=2756008371&m=153103665&r=160103975#160103975)
I even started a thread for you.
NousDefionsDoc
09-29-2004, 16:20
Silvermans 0207-7900900
USMC 0870-7525500
RangeMaster 0845-1084401
MFC Supplies in Hailsham 01323-846883 or in Eastbourne 01323-721367
Brogans 01851-830706.
Any other excuses? :munchin
Wasn't around a computer for a bit, thank you for all your comments/suggestions. NDD thank you for taking the time to start the thread and find out that information, I appreciate it.