Why should I exercise with more weight?

INCREASES STRENGTH AND ENDURANCE
Benefits from wearing weight vests are seen in both strength training and aerobic activities. Carrying extra weight during exercise requires additional strength and oxygen, all the while sapping your energy stores. With any exercise, the more weight used, the more the muscles have to adapt to the higher weight—which builds strength and muscular endurance.

SERVES AS A TOOL FOR VARIATION
Human bodies adapt to specific movements over a period of time, becoming more efficient. Weighted apparel can help burn stubborn fat cells because that's a change our bodies aren’t prepared for.

CARDIOVASCULAR BENEFITS
Working out with a weight vest poses a challenge as our name implies. In addition to the effects in muscular strength and endurance, there is a cardiovascular challenge. The cardiovascular system has to work harder as a result of the added resistance, strengthening the lungs and the body’s ability to consume oxygen.

MUSCULOSKELETAL BENEFITS
As well as making your muscles stronger, wearing weighted apparel when running puts a greater load on your bones. The extra loading can result in increased bone mass by stimulating cells called osteoblasts to lay down new bone material in response to the demands being placed on your skeleton. To simplify, bones become stronger and denser in order to handle the extra weight. For a fuller explanation, see William Imbo’s Aug. 

What and where is the weight in the Challenge vest?

One of the many unique differences in this vest is the inner-weight design. This is made possible by our patent-pending Weight Thins that are both soft and flexible with each quarter-pound weight carrying over 700 tiny ball bearings embedded in a thermal plastic elastomer substrate. That's why Challenge is the only vest that can offer you full-length exterior design options. To put the weights into the interior enclosures, just push them in and they are secured in place. The soft weight is snug but you won’t feel the press of metal or the shifting of weight inherent with some exterior weight-bearing vests. Challenge Weighted Workoutwear vests balance the weight on the front and back and are strategically placed for the female body, so you can concentrate on getting more from the workout instead of on discomfort.

Where should I put the weight in the leggings? 

Like the vest, this is based upon your fitness level and activity. Some people under 5’5” prefer not to put the weight in the lowest enclosure if their exercise is such that they don’t want the weight next to the ankle. Others may want to take out the weight near the side of the knee if the weight affects the flexion of the activity. Weights can be doubled in any enclosure and extra weights can be purchased in two-pound increments. Some women may want to place more weight below the knee while doing leg lifts or yoga while some runners may prefer more weight above the knee. Weight placement is the customer’s choice and based upon a multitude of factors.

How much weight should be in the vest?

That’s totally up to you based upon what you are doing, your fitness level and how much weight you feel comfortable with. Each Women's vest comes with 16 Weight Thins, which total 4 pounds, one for each enclosure. Each Fitness Pro vest comes with 32 Weight Thins, which total 8 pounds. Put two weights into most of the enclosures. (many customers prefer to put only one Weight Thin into the shoulder enclosures.) For those who want to add more weight, additional weights can be purchased since each enclosure can carry two Weight Thins. With repetitive movement workouts such as aerobics, kickboxing, walking and running, we don’t recommend the use of additional weight in the vest unless your body type and fitness level make that practice viable. Varying the weight total based upon how you feel on any given day, what activity you are going to do and your fitness level is advisable.

Is there a warranty?

We warranty our products to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use for 6 months from date of purchase. Your exclusive remedy under this warranty is that we will repair or replace without charge if you return it to us, shipping prepaid by you. Contact us for a return authorization number and instructions.

Should I wash the vest or leggings with the weights in it?

No. It’s best to remove the weights. Machine wash in cool water, no bleach, slow spin, separate darks from lights. Do not wring. Lay flat to dry. Option: Soak in sink with water and delicate fabric wash, for example (Woolite), then rinse and lay flat to dry.

Is there a return or exchange policy?

Challenge Weighted Workoutwear offers a 30-day return policy for purchases made from and shipped in the USA. For size exchanges, take the weights out and ship only the vest itself. Just tell us the size preferred. Shipping to us is at customer expense. For returns, include proof of purchase along with vest and all 16 weights. A refund will be processed to the credit card number you provided. Pick up a free 9.5” x 12.5” priority mail padded envelope from the post office, fold the vest or legging carefully, and insert with receipt or proof of purchase.

What about initial shipping charges?

Shipping is free.

How long will it take to ship my order?

We usually ship within two business days. If we are temporarily out of stock on a particular style/size, you will be notified as to the delivery time.

Shipping is free.

Why are weight vests and leggings often helpful with osteoporosis?”

Please read the blog on page one entitled "Better Bones". We have received hundreds of orders for those seeking to increase mineral bone density.