Weighted vests are gaining popularity among walkers and runners, but their benefits may not be what many expect. Sports medicine experts say these vests won’t significantly build strength, yet they can increase calorie burn during exercise. For safe use, it’s important to choose a vest that fits snugly, uses breathable material, and weighs no more than 5–10 percent of your body weight.
Meanwhile, new research highlights the importance of variety in your fitness routine. A study published in BMJ Medicine suggests that mixing different types of physical activity may help extend lifespan. Instead of doing more of the same exercise, adding variety is linked to a lower risk of death.
The foundation for an active life, however, begins early. Researchers from the University of Montreal report that nearly 80 percent of teenagers worldwide are not getting enough physical activity, making them less likely to stay active as adults. Their findings also show that children who are encouraged to play daily with their parents as young as two and a half years old are more likely to maintain active habits later in life.