Weighted Vest Training Information

Jeff's V-Max Tips & Newsletters

Page 6

Tips you will never get anywhere else!

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Email 17: Long vs. Short

You've made your fitness plans,and maybe you've started your weight vest training. But, now is the golden EIB question; 'What is best, weight lifting or bodyweight workouts?' My answer is both, but don't think that I believe weight lifting is the best for total strength, it's not. I have 25 years experience in bodyweight workouts and strength building,and by far bodyweight workouts produce the best results! Adding weight to your body simply increases the resistance on all bodyweight workouts look for my new book coming out this spring, and the best way is with a short weight vest.

Now here is a good question too; 'How heavy a vest do I need and where is the best place to locate the weights on the vest?' Again, my answer is be sure to get a
weight vest you can easily add weight to and take out. You will also want a vest that you can see the weights and know for sure how many weights you have in the front and back for balance. PS: Always check with your doctor first, and on his recommendation start with a light amount, whatever he suggests, and then add as you feel comfortable. Some guys use up to 100 lb. weight vests for UFC, firefighter and grappling training. I use the 50 lb. vest for core strength workouts.

Next, the location: higher is best. If you wear a weighted belt or a vest where the weights are located lower on the body, you defeat the purpose of bodyweight workouts, especially when doing pushups. I have a new pushup strap coming out soon, and includes a great companion workout booklet. My new straps would be less effective with a vest where the weights are located low. So, when considering a vest for core strength, it's always best to go short. For example; The pushup - the king of strength building, and abdominal workouts, are most effective if your weight vest is short and high on the body. For walking, running and jumping, long is good, and the center of gravity is lower too. This makes the stability better. I personally use a short 50 lb. vest for all-around workouts, it's just right for my needs.

Check out my weight vests for short styles which give maximum resistance for pushups and situps, as well as all core strength building. The fulcrum-effect is real. The shorter, compact, and rugged weight vests make the vest much more versatile.

I hope your new year is productive and you succeed in your dreams and goals.
In Health, Jeff

Email 18: You Tell Me.

My last email I talked about weightlifting vs. bodyweight workouts; which is best. The answer I gave was both. Today a guy from Northern England visited with me at our headquarters. He wanted to try our 75 lb. long vest. So we slapped a 75 lb. vest on him and he started doing a Matt Furey workout.

This guy was massive and immediately I could tell he had an extensive fitness background. I watched as he cranked out 10 Hindu push ups and about the same number of Hindu squats illustrated in Matt book; "Combat Conditioning". He was amazed at the intensity level the vest gave him. We talked about the latest book I read and DVD I watched from Dragondoor.com by Pavel Tsatsouline; "Enter the Kettlebell".

He told me how he used to squat 500, bench 400 and do reps with 315. He explained how he was with Her Majesty's Armed Forces back in the day and how they trained with 55 lb packs and went on 12-1/2 miles hikes regularly. He said without question, bodyweight workouts are by far the best for total-body strength and cardiovascular condtioning. I agreed.

It was a good visit. The top fitness minds in the world understand the principle of body weight fitness and more people are learning each day. You tell me, weights or bodyweight?

Want some good reading on the subject? Matt Furey- "Combat Conditioning" Mark De Lisle- "Navy SEAL Master-Level Fitness. John E. Peterson-"Pushing Yourself to Power" And for you firefighters; Dr. Jen Milus- "Fire It Up" at her website; fireagility.com -just thought you should know.
In Health,
Jeff

Email 19: Fire Bucks.

I helped fight the West Yellowstone fire back in 1988. made big bucks, almost $200 per day for the summer!! Plus, all I could eat 3 times a day! Yes, I was dropped in the middle of a hot zone in the Montana wilderness and wondered what the heck I was doing there! Surrounded by thick smoke and flames that seemed to each the sky! Huge trees would simply burst into flames as if dowsed with gasoline. We watched trees standing on the other side of the Yellowstone river explode from the intense heat as the flames roared down the slope on the other side.
After about 800,000 acres had been destroyed the winter snow finally came and put out the last of the fire. I as in a fire support group helping the Virginia Hot hots and the US Army. It was smoky, hot, and dangerous work. One night after dinner we talked with the night patrolman; a forest serviceman from Oregon whos job it as to walk around the spike camp all night looking for grizzlies - he had only a flashlight with him for protection.
I think back and realize it was my physical conditioning that helped me put up with the demands of fighting the parks worst fire in history. My weight vest training really paid off. I visit the park each year as I live about 1 hour south, and I see its scars till.
West Yellowstone Park is truly a wonder to behold. I am glad I was able to help when the Park needed it. Firefighters make excellent money. Getting and keeping good firefighting job requires passing physical tests. For example, walking a 3 mile hike with a 45 lb. weight vest in 45 minutes!
Firehouse firefighters take a CPAT or Candidate Physical Ability Test which involves wearing a 50 to 75 lbs. weight vest while completing a series of physical tests within 10 minutes 20 seconds. I'm offering firefighters an excellent method to get and stay in top shape.