Weighted vest or Dip belt: Which should you choose according to your needs?

Do you want to intensify your workouts, become stronger, more resistant and push back your limits? You may be asking yourself this question: Should I choose a weighted vest or a dip belt for my workouts?

In this article, I'm going to help you choose the perfect equipment for your goals. Get ready, because if you're looking to take your physique to the next level, you've come to the right place! 💪

Why add weight to your workouts?

Before you decide whether to use a weighted vest or a dip belt, it's important to understand the benefits of adding weight. Training with added weight is a direct way of increasing your strength, muscle volume and endurance capacity. You create more mechanical tension on your muscles, force your body to adapt, and build muscle faster.

Whether you're an avid bodybuilder, street workout enthusiast or cross-training enthusiast, adding weights will help you reach milestones you never thought possible.

Weighted vest or Dip belt: two types of equipment, two options

When we talk about weighted vests and dip belts, we're talking about two very different ways of loading your body:

• The weighted vest slips on like a bullet-proof vest. It distributes the weight across your torso, front and back. The result: you can move freely, yet feel extra resistance with every movement.
  
  
• The dip belt is fastened around the waist. You can attach discs or a kettlebell. The weight hangs below you, mainly centered on your pelvis, perfect for heavy pulling or pushing exercises.

In other words, between a weighted vest and a dip belt, it's not just a question of style: it's a question of training intention.

When should you choose a weighted vest?

If you like varied, dynamic, functional sessions, the weighted vest is for you.

It's the ideal choice for pull-ups, push-ups, squats, burpees or even running. It lets you intensify your entire workout without cluttering up with accessories that restrict your movements.

Put it on and you'll immediately feel a natural, well-distributed load that pushes you to fight for every repetition.

The weighted vest is particularly effective if you're doing street workout, cross-training or preparing for a CrossFit "Murph" challenge.

When should you choose a dip belt?

If your main objective is to increase your pure strength on a few key exercises, then the dip belt is your best ally.

It is absolutely essential for progressing in movements such as heavy pull-ups, weighted dips or even muscle-ups.

The main advantage of the belt is its ability to support heavy loads!

You can easily add weight, our dip belt can support up to 300kg, for example, so you can continue to progress safely and without limits.

Unlike the vest, you're not limited by the weight your chest can comfortably carry.

Weighted vest or dip belt: how to make the right choice?

So, weighted vest or dip belt? It all depends on what you're trying to achieve.

If you want to be more complete, develop your resistance, muscular endurance and cardio capacity at the same time, then the weighted vest is your best choice. It goes with you everywhere, in almost every exercise.

On the other hand, if you're looking to beat your strength records on pull-ups or dips, or want to specialize in high-level movements, then there' s no substitute for a dip belt.

In a perfect world, the ideal would even be to have both: a vest for functional endurance, and a belt for heavy specific strength sessions.

My personal experience: Weight vest or belt?

To give you my passionate opinion, I simply can't do without both.

When I want to do a series of intense circuits (like EMOM), pull-ups and squats, I put on my weighted vest. It's super motivating, you literally feel like a warrior under load!

But when it's time to progress on my weighted pull-ups or prepare heavy dips, I get out my weighted belt again. It's ultra-efficient for really exploding strength on precise movements.

So it's not a "vest VS belt" battle, but a winning duo depending on your goals at the time.

In short, between a weighted vest and a dip belt, there's no such thing as a bad choice, only one that's adapted to your goal.

If you want to maximize your versatility, boost your cardio and improve your muscular resistance, go for the weighted vest. If you want to aim for maximum strength on specific exercises: the dip belt will be your best ally.

Whatever your decision, one thing is certain: adding ballast to your workouts will completely change your level.

So, are you ready to explode at training? 🔥

FAQ :

What exercises can I do with the weighted vest?
A wide range of weighted exercises can be performed with the vest: pull-ups, dips, push-ups, squats, pistol squats, burpees, HSPU...

What exercises can I do with the belt?
You'll be able to perform weighted pull-ups, weighted dips and even muscle-ups!

Can the weighted vest be used for running?
Absolutely! It will help you gain strength, endurance and muscular balance. We've written an article on the subject: right here.

What are the benefits of ballasting?
The benefits are clear: by adding weight you'll gain strength, muscle and explosiveness! What's more, it will boost your mot

What load should you use at the beginning with a vest or belt?
Start light: 5% to 20% of your body weight. It's best to progress slowly and cleanly.