No time to read? My choice for the top weighted vest for basketball training is the PACEARTH Weighted Vest with Ankle/Wrist Weights.
Playing basketball requires a lot of dynamic workouts to help you stay in tip-top shape on the court.
One of the best ways to develop speed and technique is through weight training, particularly with a weighted vest. It’s common for many athletes and basketball players, in particular, to add this to their routine to elevate the intensity of their exercises.
You might wonder, “What basketball weight vest is best for my weight training and overall workout experience?”
In this article, I’ll review the following best weighted vest for basketball training:
- PACEARTH Weighted Vest with Ankle/Wrist Weights
- RUNmax Adjustable Weighted Vest With Shoulder Pads
- Tone Fitness Weighted Vest
- ZFOsports Weighted Vest
- Aduro Sport Weighted Vest
Top 5 Best Weighted Vests for Basketball Training
Check out my top 5 favorite weight vests that I use for my basketball training sessions.
1. PACEARTH Weighted Vest with Ankle/Wrist Weights – Best Overall
Specifications:
- Material: Lycra
- Item Weight/Size: 6 to 30 lbs
- Closure Type: Buckle
This basketball weight vest is the best on the market, thanks to its exceptional features and ergonomic design.
It has a wide range to choose from, making it easier to find one that will fit you. It can also be adjusted to fit your shoulders and torso accordingly.
It also comes with additional weighted bands for your ankles and wrist, helping you get a whole-body workout.
That said, it doesn’t have front pockets for your phone or music player. Users also commented on its lower durability when used for extended-length workouts, which might limit its use.
Overall, this vest is a great way to increase resistance and prepare you to play ball.
Pros
- Great for beginners
- Adjustable
- Works on core stability support
- Available in 3 colors
- Comes with ankle / wrist weights
Cons
- No front pockets
- Not ideal for extended-length workouts
2. RUNmax Adjustable Weighted Vest With Shoulder Pads – Best Value
Specifications:
- Material: Nylon
- Item Weight/Size: 20 to 80 lbs
- Closure Type: Hook and Loop
If you don’t mind splurging a bit for a basketball weight vest, you can look into this adjustable weighted vest from RUNmax. It’s the best premium pick on this list.
It can be adjusted to fit snugly on your chest. It also comes with Velcro straps to secure it in place while you’re running.
The added weight can vary depending on the model, with the lowest being 20 pounds and the heaviest being 80 pounds.
However, I found it to be the most expensive of all the basketball-weight vests on this list. If you want a model with shoulder pads, you’d have to pay extra, which I found to be a downside since other alternatives have it built into the vest.
RUNmax is the best premium vest if you’re looking for something to help you perform better on the basketball court.
Pros
- Minimalist design
- Different resistance levels
- Easy to add, remove, and balance weights
- Bottle holder and phone pocket
Cons
- Expensive
- Shoulder pads cost extra
3. Tone Fitness Weighted Vest – Best Budget Option
Specifications:
- Material: Neoprene Material
- Item Weight/Size: 8 and 12 lbs
- Closure Type: Buckle
If you’re looking for an affordable yet functional vest for running or basketball workout routines, try this Tone Fitness vest.
It has a unique design that helps it maintain a snug fit on most bodies. It comes with adjustable straps, making it easier to adjust to your chest and broad shoulders. However, it can be a bit tight around wider waists.
The simple and easy-to-use design ensures that it doesn’t hinder your movements and can adjust to the intensity of your routine.
It also has reflective strips, which are great for those late-night jogs and outdoor workouts.
However, it has a lower weight range than other models on this list.
Overall, this basketball weight vest can provide the benefits of any other model at a more affordable price.
Pros
- Extremely comfortable fabric
- Doesn’t hinder movements
- Soft but durable materials
- One size fits most body types
- Simple and easy-to-use design
Cons
- Pockets only for 12 lbs
- Can’t be customized
- Uncomfortable for people with bigger waists
4. ZFOsports Weighted Vest – Best for Women
Specifications:
- Material: Nylon
- Item Weight/Size: 30 to 80 lbs
- Closure Type: Velcro straps
This ZFOsports weighted vest is one of the most comfortable for women, thanks to its unique design and how it appropriately adjusts to the differences in physiology.
It’s easy to adjust this model and change the weight as necessary.
It doesn’t restrict any area and correctly supports women’s bodies, which is extremely important. This will help encourage female basketball players and allow them to improve their game further.
However, I found that it lacked padding on the shoulders, making it uncomfortable when used for long periods. If you plan to use one for a long time, finding other alternatives on this list is best.
Even other women basketball players can upgrade their workout regimes with this specially-designed piece of sports equipment.
Pros
- Easy removal and addition of weights
- Evenly distributed weight
- Secure and comfortable fit
- Pocket and water bottle holder
- One size fits most
Cons
- Lacks shoulder padding
5. Aduro Sport Weighted Vest – Best for Versatility
Specifications:
- Material: Neoprene material
- Item Weight/Size: 4 to 10 lbs or 26 to 46 lbs
- Closure Type: Buckle
If you want versatility in your resistance and basketball workout, try this adjustable weighted vest from Aduro.
It has a highly breathable and durable construction, perfect for working out and increasing your strength for basketball.
The Aduro Sport vest is great for broad shoulders and is adjustable according to your needs. You can choose from different ranges to match your routine.
However, I found it more rigid than the other models on this list, which might be uncomfortable for some people, especially when ball handling.
Overall, the Aduro Sport vest is still one of the most highly recommended because of its versatility and ability to fit on different people.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Comfortable
- Breathable material
- Excellent Adjustability
Cons
- Can feel more rigid
Factors to Consider When Choosing Weighted Vests
To get the most benefits out of your basketball weight vests, you’d have to look into their features and construction.
Here are some things I considered while looking for the best weighted vests.
Durability
You’d want to invest in a model that will last long, especially since you’ll use it for your workout and practice routine.
Look into materials like nylon and mesh. It’s also important to have breathable components to make the vest more comfortable during long basketball workouts.
Weight Capacity
Different body types mean our bodies can only carry a certain weight.
You can look into the adjustability of these vests to see if you can set them to your ideal weight.
Most products would go between two and 40 pounds. You can also find some which can go up to 60 pounds.
Material
You’d want to invest in a vest that features comfortable and breathable materials, especially if you’re playing while wearing them.
Look into materials with sweat-resistant properties, like neoprene or mesh, so sweat doesn’t build up under it.
Weight Distribution
Get a vest that will consistently distribute weight throughout your body.
This will help prevent back injuries and unnecessary pain during your long runs.
Overall Weight
When using a weighted vest during training sessions, you’d want to start with a lighter one before slowly working your way up.
Simply upgrade to a heavier vest once you get used to it.
Cost
You’d want to consider the price when looking for a weight vest.
More expensive models can have comfier and more durable materials. However, you don’t usually have to spend a lot to get a good vest for running and training.
Find one that fits your budget and doesn’t compromise your needs when you train.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You may have more questions about weighted vests for your training sessions.
I’ve gathered the most common ones to help you with your research.
What Are the Advantages of Weighted Vests for Training?
Weighted vests have been known for their advantages when it comes to exercise. Some of the most common ones are the following:
- Bones Benefits: Your bones can get stronger from the vest’s load. When you train with the weight vest, your body will create more osteoblast cells to build bone material and support your muscles better.
- Endurance and Strength: You’d need more oxygen when you work out with a weight vest due to the exertion it places. As a result, your endurance will slowly increase to help you sustain the energy required during games.
- Muscle Workouts: These vests are designed to help different body parts and their muscles grow stronger.
- Elevated Overall Wellness: Once your body gets more pressure from the weight, your body will be notified of its need for cardio, resistance, and strength and will work on improving your overall health.
Whether you’re doing it for basketball or for overall fitness, these vests are a great way to work on your form, strength, and overall athletic ability.
One of the most remarkable advantages of using weight vests in basketball training is their ability to enhance muscular strength and power. By adding extra resistance during drills and exercises, weight vests force your muscles to work harder than ever before.
As a result, your muscles become more resilient and powerful over time. Imagine being able to push through defenders with ease or effortlessly elevate for that game-winning slam dunk – all thanks to the wonders of a simple vest!
How Long Should I Wear a Weighted Vest?
It’s best to use a weight vest for around 20 minutes to an hour at a time.
While there are fads that involve people wearing these vests for longer, even wearing them outside of workouts, it isn’t encouraged.
Wearing weight vests for too long can hurt your joints in the long run. They put extra weight on your body, especially your joints, which can get strained when made to carry such heavy loads for too long.
The best players who use vests know when to stop wearing the weighted vest and when to utilize them.
Conclusion
Do weight vests work? Absolutely!
Using a basketball weight vest is a great way to boost your strength and endurance during your workouts.
If you want to spice up your workout routine and improve your game on the court, weighted vests are a worthy investment.