Weighted vests have been having a bit of a moment this year, with athletes and influencers espousing their many benefits across social media.

It’s hard to argue with load-bearing exercise, widely considered an effective remedy for age-related conditions like sarcopenia (muscle loss) and osteoporosis (bone weakening).

So, when I was offered the chance to test out a new streamlined weighted vest from U.S. brand OMORPHO I seized it—and promptly set about using the 6lb G-Vest Run and 10lb G-Vest Icon for all my workouts for 30 days.

The problem was that I happened to be training for a marathon at the time and forgot one of the fundamental principles of how to exercise safely.

Instead of building strength gradually, I bit off far more than I could chew.

I compounded the added load I was wearing during workouts by running further each session, or at faster speeds, which led to my knees swelling up and my fitness plateauing.

Now that I’m on the other side of the marathon, I’ve had time to reflect. Here’s what I would have done differently.

1. Start as light as possible

Strapping on an extra 10lb might feel manageable at first, but over the course of a 30-minute workout, it can really take its toll.

It’s like reaching for a heavier set of dumbbells in the gym.

If you’ve benched 45lb weights all your life, you wouldn’t suddenly increase that by 20lb. You’d move onto 48lb, then 52lb, then 57lb and so on.

The same principle should apply to weighted vests.

“The general recommendation, like with most resistance training, is to start light and gradually build up as strength and comfort with the vest improve,” Holly Haywood, lead instructor at Third Space, a chain of luxury health clubs in London, tells me.

A good starting point is no more than 5% of your bodyweight.

“For example, someone who weighs 160lb might begin with an 8lb vest,” says Haywood.

“As your body adapts and if your technique remains sound, you can progressively increase the weight, so long as wearing the vest doesn’t affect your technique.”

If using the vest for running workouts, like I was half the time, I’d argue you’d be better off starting even lighter, more like 1-2% of your body weight.

Then, when you feel ready to go up in weight, progress gradually in incremental jumps of no more than 2lb at a time.

2. Don’t wear it on long runs

I thought wearing the weighted vest during my slow-paced, long runs would be easier and more effective than during short interval sprint sessions.

I was wrong.

In practice, the extra weight gradually wore down my joints, muscles and resolve, bringing one particularly sapping 14-mile run to a grinding halt at the 12.5-mile mark.

That’s why I also wouldn’t recommend wearing one when taking long walks either.

“Wearing a weighted vest and moving under a heavier load forces your body to work harder, resulting in more calories being burnt,” says Haywood.

“But if the vest is too heavy, or worn incorrectly, it can put additional strain on joints such as knees, hips and ankles.”

It can also compromise form, elevating risk of injury.

“It’s vital to always speak to trainers or physios to make sure your vest is working for you, not against you,” adds Haywood. “If it begins to feel uncomfortable on your joints, move to a lighter vest, or remove it completely.”

3. Save the vest for bodyweight workouts

While giving my knees time to recover, I focused on using the vest to add incremental load to bodyweight exercises like push-ups, dips and pull-ups.

This, I found, is where the OMORPHO vest excels.

Its figure-hugging design meant the vest didn’t clatter into the floor when performing push-ups or restrict upper-body mobility on the pull-up bar (nor while running, jumping, sprinting or doing sit-ups for that matter).

That meant I could focus on executing each rep with good form.

The added resistance offered by the vest also made workouts more efficient, because I was able to increase the intensity of the session without having to perform more reps.

Just make sure your movement patterns are sound before adding load, warns Haywood. “Good form should always be your top priority.”

4. Remember, weight is not the only variable

The biggest mistake I made during my month-long weighted vest experiment was forgetting one of the fundamental principles of exercise: only increase one variable at a time.

In the context of running, the duration of your run is one variable. The tempo or speed at which you run is another.

Then there’s the weight, or load, of the vest.

I was increasing multiple variables at once: running further, or faster, or more frequently, while carrying a heavier load.

With hindsight, in the first week I should have run the same distances at the same paces as the previous week, just wearing the 6lb (or lighter) G-Vest Run, and taken note of how my body coped.

If you’re still determined to introduce a weighted vest into your workouts, Haywood recommends starting with something as simple as a treadmill walk.

“Build up your volume as you would your mileage if you were training for a run or race,” she says, suggesting beginning with a brisk walk for 15-20 minutes.

“Provided you’re feeling good with the weight, add a 1% incline to increase the effort, rather than increasing speed or time.”

Once that feels comfortable, in your next session you could increase the incline by another 1%, or your speed by half a mile per second.

Just don’t increase everything all at once.

“Adding a weighted vest to your workouts will make every step or rep feel a little harder,” says Haywood.

“So all you’ll need to do is make slight tweaks to your variables over time to see improved muscular endurance and cardiovascular fitness.”

Do you have problems focusing? Are you overstimulated by noise? Do you struggle to work in a distracting environment?

I did too, once, but my Loop Switch 2 made those issues a thing of the past, and they are now reduced by 20% in Amazon's Big Deal Days sale.

This amazing deal is exclusively for Amazon Prime members, but you can sign up for a free 30-day Amazon Prime trial and get instant access to membership perks.

You can then cancel any time, or it’s $14.99 a month (plus taxes) once the trial is over.

I love that I can wear my Loop Switch 2 while working to block out distractions, then head to the pub or a gig without changing to a different pair.

The handy makes it easy to toggle between modes and find a noise level I'm comfortable with.

For me, that varies throughout the day and depends on what I'm doing and how overstimulated I feel. Being able to respond and adjust as my environment changes is invaluable, especially as someone with sensory sensitivities.

Instead of rooting through my purse in a panic looking for a more powerful set of Loops, I simply reach up to my ear and flick the switch to suit my needs.

More Loop Earplug deals

I’m a personal trainer and I spend the majority of my time in leggings—so I’m picky about which ones earn a place in my wardrobe.

Amazingly, I still wear some Fabletics leggings I bought in my early 30s (I’m now 48), so I know how much value you can get from a pair that lasts.

Comfort is essential, but I also look for a high waist, handy pockets and a fit that stays put through runs and squats. Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days discounts include Nike leggings with up to 34% off and Adidas with up to 39% off, alongside affordable brands discounted by as much as 44%. Here are some other bargains that caught my eye.

These gorgeous fleece-lined leggings from COOLOVER made the list because they offer extra warmth on chilly winter walks, while YEOREO’s seamless “butt lifting” leggings come with a three-layer tummy control waistband and a choice of 10 colors.

For everyday value, you can’t go wrong with Leafigure’s two-pack of high-waisted leggings. They have pockets (the dream!) and at $11.99 with 20% off, they are an affordable way to stock up if, like me, you get behind on the washing and always appreciate a fresh pair at the back of the drawers. Choose from 15 different colors. And don’t miss this amazing deal on these buttery soft IUGA leggings, now with 44% off!

Jennifer Aniston has been candid about how her approach to working out has changed as she’s gotten older.

The 57-year-old actress and Pvolve partner once subjected herself to lengthy, intense workouts, but now values short, functional routines.

“I’ve learned that consistency doesn’t have to mean long workouts,” she stated when Pvolve released her favorite arm and abs workouts.

“I feel stronger now than I did years ago, and that’s because I focus on consistency over extremes.”

It’s these short, functional sessions that have built her impressive arms and abs, according to Aniston—and you can get the exact workouts and equipment she uses in the Pvolve sale.

Aniston partnered with Pvolve back in 2023 and now works out under the guidance of the company’s head trainer, Dani Coleman.

“Jen's really down for the get down,” Coleman told Fit&Well in an interview last year.

“She truly lets me throw anything at her; everything is taken with a grain of salt, and she always keeps me laughing.”

Since partnering with the brand, Aniston has regularly shared the exact workout routines she does on the app: you can copy her express arms and abs workouts, along with a 30-day workout routine she recommends for longevity benefits.

The Pvolve workout method focuses on low-impact movements, taking inspiration from Pilates, and mixing it with strength training and mobility.

The app features both pre-recorded workouts and live classes, with a focus on mobility, strength and cardio.

You can access the app without buying any of the accompanying equipment that Pvolve sells, but that may limit the classes which you can participate in.

Amazon's October Prime Day sale has landed with some of the best discounts I've seen in the five years I've been covering these events.

Big brands are getting involved too, with some fantastic discounts on products from famous names like Nike, Adidas and Under Armour.

The deals on Nike apparel are particularly noteworthy, with up to 45% off a huge range of items.

I've rounded up the best Nike deals I've found in the Big Deal Days sale below, with something sure to appeal.

If you aren't a Prime member, remember that you can sign up for a free 30-day Amazon Prime trial. You can cancel any time, or it’s $14.99 a month (plus taxes) once the trial is over.

Men's T-shirts

Men's jackets

Men's sweaters

Men's pants

Men's shorts

Women's tops

Women's jackets and hoodies

Women's pants

Women's shorts

Women's leggings

I’ve been strength training for over five years. My routine has varied over time, but it’s usually been based at a gym.

However, after a recent city move, I decided to switch to training at home—I needed to find something heavy to lift that wouldn’t take up too much space.

After some research, I decided to pick up the NordicTrack select-a-weight adjustable dumbbells.

Right now, they’re nearly $80 off on Amazon's Prime Big Deal Day—and I think they’re a fantastic addition to a home workout setup.

I’ve now been using the adjustable dumbbells for seven weeks, while exclusively strength training at home.

Not only have I been lifting more regularly because of how easy it is to work out at home, but I’ve been getting stronger and consistently increasing the weights.

It’s easy to add load to the dumbbells (it takes literally seconds to switch the adjustment lever) and I’ve had no issues with the weights falling out of place, so they feel safe and secure to use.

They are a little wide for my hands, which is myonly gripe—but at least they’re testing out my grip strength!

So far, I haven’t gone above lifting 30lbs with each dumbbell, so I know these dumbbells will last me a long time, even as I continuously apply progressive overload principles to my workouts.

They’re a great option for anyone who wants to save money on a gym membership or start lifting weights from home.

Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days have arrived, heralding the start of the deals season. I always hold back my spending until this time of year to get the most for my money, and with the holidays just around the corner, it’s a great opportunity to line up gifts early, avoiding stock issues and delivery mishaps in December.

The team at Fit&Well are sifting through Amazon’s offers, as well as sales at rival retailers, to highlight discounts on products that have genuinely improved their lives. From footwear to weights to supplements, we’re putting our name behind products we think could help improve your wellbeing.

I’ll be collecting deals here for the entire two-day sale period, so if nothing catches your eye just yet, keep checking back to see what’s been added.

Quick links

• Amazon Big Deal Days, with 28% off Apple AirPods Pro 3.
• Best Buy Techtober dangles 50% off through October 11.
• Dick’s Fall Deal Drop with up to 50% off.
• Walmart Deals & More offers up to 50% off through October 11.
• Target Circle Deal Days with up to 40% off for members.

Smartwatches

Headphones

Footwear

Home weights

Resistance bands

Cardio machines

Pilates

Yoga

Supplements

If you're as excited as I am for Amazon Prime Big Deals Day, you'll be thrilled to hear there are even more discounts in Amazon's new Haul section, with tons of products under $1.

Amazon Haul is Amazon's answer to sites like Temu and Shein, with insanely low prices, cumulative discounts, and free shipping over $25.

The only downside is that Haul products sell out fast and once they're gone, they're gone.

Many items in Amazon Haul are enjoying an extra discount for Amazon's October Prime Day event.

I've done some extra snooping, and many Haul discounts beat the equivalent October Prime Day listing discounts. You don't get the speedy next-day shipping when you buy through Amazon Haul, but you get better prices overall.

What's more, the more you spend, the more you save, with a 5% basket discount applied when you spend over $50.

If you aren't a Prime member, remember that you can sign up for a free 30-day Amazon Prime trial. You can cancel any time, or it’s $14.99 a month (plus taxes) once the trial is over. Many Haul discounts are available to anyone with an Amazon account.

I've rounded up my favorite health and fitness deals from Amazon Haul below. Happy hunting!

Under $3

Under $5

Under $10

Until my late-30s, lifting weights had never crossed my mind. I didn’t own dumbbells and when I had a gym pass I used it solely for swimming and classes. I was apprehensive of the weights section, had no idea how to use the equipment, and was far too self-conscious to pick them up for fear of doing it wrong or looking silly.

But in the last few years, a lot of people I know started to lift weights, and I read article after article listing the benefits of strength training for women, from enhanced bone density to improved metabolism.

I decided I needed to give it a try and my editor suggested I try Peloton’s strength training program so I could begin in the comfort (and privacy) of my own home.

Raring to go, I set myself up at home with three sets of dumbbells: light (2.3kg each), medium (4.5kg each) and heavy (6.8kg each). I then downloaded the Peloton app and decided on Joslyn Thompson Rule’s Discover Strength programme, which schedules three sessions a week for six weeks.

Here’s how I got on.

Weeks 1-2

I was thankful that the first few sessions didn’t push me too much, so I wasn’t put off continuing by sore muscles. To a background of uplifting music, Joslyn talked me though the importance of breathing during lifting, plus how to breathe into the different reps.

I didn’t feel like I was working especially hard at times, but luckily the Peloton app told me how many calories I had burned and which muscles I’d trained.

The mobility sessions covered plenty of stretching and included practising the beginning stages of a push-up. It was enlightening to see how mobility informs technique and Thompson Rule is also great at getting across the why along with how.

While I’m not used to following workouts on my phone, it was handy to be able to move the phone around the mat and change angles depending on the move and where my gaze naturally went.

The other advantage of using my phone was that, towards the end of the first week, the weather improved, so I was able to move my mat outside and exercise in the sunshine.

Things stepped up in the second week, but at a manageable pace. Thompson-Rule built on exercises she taught in the first week, such as progressing the bear plank by lifting one hand off the floor at a time, challenging me to maintain the position with three points of contact with the floor, rather than four.

It was gratifying that exercises like side planks and goblet squats were becoming more familiar, and I didn’t have to look at the screen to copy every pose. Just a couple of weeks ago I didn’t have a clue what those terms even meant!

Weeks 3-4

Weights began to be incorporated in week three as we continued to build on what we learnt in the first fortnight. The intensity certainly went up another notch and I found myself breaking out in a sweat and getting out of breath.

The sessions were divided into a series of blocks, such as a combination of renegade rows, half goblet squats and forearm side planks.

By now I had learned that I had to embrace the chaos of my home life to work out regularly. To begin with, I tried to carve out a quiet and clutter-free space, but with a partner working from home and a young child on school holidays, solitude and tidiness just wasn’t part of the equation.

Instead, I accepted practicing planks while my child threw a ball over me, or perfected my goblet squats in the space between the washing line and the paddling pool.

In week four, as we finished phase one of the program and started phase two, the workouts increased from 20 to 30 minutes. Using a combination of light, medium and heavy weights, I noticed that for the first time it felt like a whole-body workout, and I enjoyed an invigorating whoosh of endorphins during and after each session.

It was around this point that I finally felt like I was making progress. For the first few weeks of the program, I had itchy feet and was desperate to see immediate muscle or proof that what I was doing was working, but from week four many of the moves became second nature to me, and I was able to hold them for longer or use heavier weights.

Weeks 5-6

As the workouts increased to 30 minutes, the warm-ups became more involved, and Thompson-Rule took time to explain the importance of rest to make sure the strength gains were realised. It was refreshing to get this balanced view and not just be told to push harder.

Thompson-Rule also introduced new movements designed to improve balance and stability, such as the single-arm reverse fly. While this was a challenge, it was a confidence boost to be able to quickly learn an exercise.

The final week was the hardest of all, with Thompson-Rule giving the option to use heavy weights for familiar moves. It was testing, but I did it—which was a fantastic feeling.

I’ve loved following this program. While I was impatient to see improvements at first, I feel so much stronger now, and confident to continue. I can now plank, and know the difference between a goblet squat and a Romanian deadlift.

Strength training is now firmly part of my exercise routine and I can’t see myself stopping—the endorphin release is just too addictive!

Treat yourself to some new outdoor wear with REI's mind-blowing Labor Day Sale.

If you love premium brands but are on a tight budget, now is the time to stock up, with newly listed discounts on top-of-the-range brands like The North Face, Patagonia, Arc'teryx, Sweaty Betty, Sealskinz and many others.

I've picked through the Labor Day sale section and selected the best 50 items reduced by 50% or more, all with good stock levels.

What's more, REI members can get an extra 20% off with coupon code LABORDAY26. This discount applies to the highest-priced REI Outlet item in your shopping cart.

What are you waiting for? Get shopping!

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At almost 66, my mother is one of the fittest people I know.

She is still completing triathlons, going on cycle treks and living a more active life than many people half her age.

What keeps her on track? Mostly, her trusty Garmin Forerunner 255, which she uses to measure all her fitness and health metrics.

Nothing seems to give her more joy than hitting her daily step goal and boasting about her unbelievably low Garmin fitness age (she would like you all to know that it’s regularly in the low 30s).

I was curious about why she—and so many others—love sharing our wearable scores.

According to Philip Gable, a professor of psychology and brain sciences, bragging about our workouts taps into a primal evolutionary drive.

“We're neurologically wired to love sharing information with other people and getting their approval,” says Gable, noting that most of our success as a species is due to our ability to share information and cooperate.

“If I'm proud of something and I think other people will like it, it enhances the reward value to share it.”

Gable says people also love sharing metrics to see how they measure up.

Seeing a score that proves you’re performing better than 50% of your peers feels instantly gratifying.

“There are mechanisms at work that increase the value behind fitness when we share it socially,” he adds.

But you don't actually need to broadcast your fitness age to reap the neurological benefits.

Even the private act of tracking your metrics and logging a workout can keep you motivated.

Gable says ticking those virtual boxes—or seeing your fitness age drop—lights up your brain in the same way as sharing your success with a friend.

“If we're getting feedback from our Garmin, even though it's not a person, it's as though somebody is telling us the same thing,” says Gable.

You don’t even have to fork out for a tracker. Recording your workout in a diary will provide a similar sense of reward,

“You still get the sensation of sharing with others when you log a workout,” says Gable.

So if you’re struggling to stick with an exercise routine, try logging every session on something physical to keep yourself motivated.

If you are looking to spruce up your fall fitness wardrobe on a budget, look no further.

The hidden gems in the REI discount section are too good to miss, with prices starting at under $12.

I've pulled together my favorite picks from womenswear, menswear and accessories, with good stock levels and even better discounts.

Hiking accessories

Women

Men

I'm usually disappointed when my favorite gadgets get an upgrade.

A quick beauty makeover and minor software tweaks rarely justify the price hike.

But sometimes, I'm pleasantly surprised.

This was the case with the new generation of Soundpeats clip-on earbuds, the UU2, which has added some real value.

The latest iteration of the earbuds still has all the great features of the original Pop Clip, with some handy additions like better battery life.

What's more, the UU2 has launched with exclusive vouchers that bring the price down to $34.99.

Better battery life

The UU2 has a better battery, with an extra two hours of listening time.

There's a lot more stored in the UU2 case, as well. The older Pop Clip held 22 hours, while the newer version offers a whopping 42 hours.

Plus, you only need to put the buds back in the case for 10 minutes to charge up for another two hours of playback—perfect if your audiobook is getting juicy.

Continued comfort

I find a lot of earbuds uncomfortable.

Big over-ear models make my ears too hot, while rubber-tipped buds go too deep into my ear canal and make my ears feel itchy.

I have no such trouble with these earbuds.

The UU2 is designed to sit snugly at the entrance of your ears and project sounds into them while being held in place by the clip feature.

Perfect for walking

There are three features I look for when choosing walking headphones:

• No noise-cancelling (or the ability to turn it off)
• Secure fit
• Physical buttons

When I'm walking, I need to be aware of my surroundings.

This is especially true when walking my dog around busy roads or when I'm in a rural spot where she might hear something she wants to chase.

The UU2 filters wind noise and muffles the sounds from your surroundings without fully removing them.

This means you can still hear cars and other potential dangers.

I also don't want to knock my earbuds out while tucking my hair behind my ears or raising my arms.

These earbuds are super secure and only come off when I deliberately unclip them.

They're even burpee-proof, making them great for the gym!

Finally, the physical buttons mean you can't accidentally change the volume or hang up on a caller.

A light brush with a finger won't inadvertently give the buds a command—so no more disconnecting from your mom mid-sentence

Hoka doesn't just make shoes—the company makes fantastic apparel as well.

I've rounded up the best of the Hoka sale section, with great deals on sneakers and clothes.

You can currently get up to 37% off men's, women's and all-gender picks, from top-rated shoes to summer essentials.

I've chosen items with good stock levels and decent discounts to save you the scroll.

Hoka members also get an extra $20 off when they spend $150 or more, but not for long! This bonus deal expires at midnight.

Women's Tops

Women's bottoms

Men's tops

Men's bottoms

Allgender clothing

Women's footwear

Men's footwear

Lululemon's We Made Too Much section is always worth a look if you're in the market for new sportswear.

Lululemon doesn't just make yoga clothing, but has a range of comfortable pieces for everything from running to lounging. All made with the signature Lululemon comfort built in.

However, the We Made Too Much section can be difficult to sift through. Sometimes discounts look great when you're browsing, but when you look more closely, there will only be one size left in stock.

With this in mind, I've rounded up the best of the Lululemon sale for you below, and I've made sure all my picks still have plenty of stock.

But hurry, most of it is on final sale and won't be available for long!

Accessories

Women's Tops

Sports bras

Women's bottoms

Men's Tops

Men's bottoms