Table of Contents

I asked several clients to help me do this weighted vest for osteoporosis review. We took a bunch of vests that we had and each person tried a couple of osteoporosis vests. Each person provided a personal weighted vest review.  They discussed how they use them to exercise, workout, during daily activities and as a weighted walking vest. They evaluate style, fit comfort and ease of use. I provide my recommendations for the best weighted vest for osteoporosis. Finally, I demonstrate several weighted vest exercise drills.

How to Choose a Weighted Vest for Osteoporosis

Selecting a weighted vest for osteoporosis exercise that is right for you depends on a number of issues:

  • Your build (do you have a long or short trunk?).
  • Your concern about the look (some are more stylish than others and can be worn in a public setting such as a grocery store).
  • How much weight can you bear? Most of the weighted vests I examined supported 4 pounds of weight although several will go to 8 pounds. You need to determine how much you need and can comfortably carry.

Recently, I tried five different weighted vest for osteoporosis exercise. Here is my review of each brand. Prices are quoted in U.S. dollars unless indicated otherwise. But … Please confirm price points with the vendor!

If you have used either of the weighted vest for osteoporosis exercise reviewed below or others I have not covered and want to share your experiences, please use the Comment box at the bottom of this post. Please share your ideas and personal experiences.

Best Weighted Vest for Osteoporosis

There are a number of weighted vests on the market but I believe that the best weighted vest for osteoporosis is made by Hyper Vest. They have two models available. Here is a review of each:

 

Hyper Vest Elite
Hyper Vest Pro

If neither of these vests works for you, consider the IronWear Women’s Vest.

I strongly recommend either of these weighted vests for osteoporosis. Between the three, you can choose the one that you find most comfortable and meets your budget.

hyper vest elite review by melioguide

Exercise Recommendations for Osteoporosis

Exercise is an essential ingredient to bone health. If you have osteoporosis, therapeutic exercise needs to be part of your osteoporosis treatment program.

But what exercises should you do and which ones should you avoid? What exercises build bone and which ones reduce your chance of a fracture? Is Yoga good for your bones? Who should you trust when it comes to exercises for osteoporosis?

A great resource on exercise and osteoporosis is my free, seven day email course called Exercise Recommendations for Osteoporosis. After you provide your email address, you will receive seven consecutive online educational videos on bone health — one lesson each day. You can look at the videos at anytime and as often as you like.

I cover important topics related to osteoporosis exercise including:

  • Can exercise reverse osteoporosis?
  • Stop the stoop — how to avoid kyphosis and rounded shoulders.
  • Key components of an osteoporosis exercise program.
  • Key principles of bone building.
  • Exercises you should avoid if you have osteoporosis.
  • Yoga and osteoporosis — should you practice yoga if you have osteoporosis?
  • Core strength and osteoporosis — why is core strength important if you have osteoporosis?

Enter your email address and I will start you on this free course. I do not SPAM or share your email address (or any information) with third parties. You can unsubscribe from my mail list at any time.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Weighted Vest for Osteoporosis Review

I invited two of my clients, Aline and Farida, to try all of the vests and comment on what they liked and disliked about each one. I was surprised at the diversity of comments. Note that the preference for an osteoporosis vest depends upon body type and personal taste.

weighted vest for osteoporosis

Walkvest Osteoporosis Vest

  • Material:
    • Made of washable cotton.
    • Weights are coated iron plates.
  • Features/Comments:
    • All weighted vests are long.
    • “Small weighted vests” are too long for someone under 5’4”.
    • The construction could be better. One of the snaps broke off the day I received it.
    • Weights are potentially uncomfortable if you have wide hips and a short waist.
    • Weighted vest is fairly attractive except for the large logo.
  • Costs: $69.95 for weighted vest plus shipping.  Price includes 4 pounds of weights (8 times ½ lb) and a CD.
  • Note to Canadians: Add $34.00 to $39.00 for shipping.

Aline Discusses the Walkvest

The Walkvest osteoporosis weighted walking vest is Aline’s favorite osteoporosis vest. She finds it a comfortable fit. Aline likes the distribution of the weight all around her hips. She likes that she can wear clothes underneath the walking vest, and can even wear her winter coat on top.

It’s really very flexible and she can adjust it. Just loosen the belt a little. If she wears a T-shirt in the summer, she tightens the Walkvest osteoporosis weighted walking vest. She wears the vest in the winter or the colder weather with another jacket on and it’s very comfortable.

Farida Discusses the Walkvest

Farida tried on four or five weighted vests for osteoporosis. She likes the Walkvest osteoporosis weighted walking vest because the weights feel comfortable around the hips.

However, the fit for her because of her shorter frame is actually not a good one. It hangs a little bit too much down below her waist. If she was taller it would actually fit more comfortably.

One negative aspect is the closure that is a distraction. However, it’s not an issue necessarily if you like the rest of it. It can be cut off. As far as appearance is concerned, it’s very attractive.  If you’re looking for fit, it’s way too big for a small stature person.

Margaret Discusses the Walkvest

The Walkvest is the least favorite of mine. It is too large for my stature (I am five foot two).  The small size is really big. Even with making the belts as tight as possible, I still find it a very loose fitting vest.

I’m not a huge fan of cotton. It bothers me when I invest a lot of money in a vest and in no time the buttons start to fall off. Although it doesn’t affect the function, it’s just an indication of quality for me.

Lastly, I really don’t like being a walking billboard. I would rather it just be a stripe for reflective material instead of their WV logo.

NYCNYK Vest for Osteoporosis

  • Material:
    • The type of material varies depending on the style of weighted vest.
    • NYCNYK vest for osteoporosis is a weighted vest made of neoprene and a different weighted vest made of a quilted fabric for the spring and fall season.
    • Weights are bars. I was unable to determine the material used to make the weights.
  • Features/Comments:
    • Depending on your individual taste, the weighted vest could be stylish enough to wear when doing errands, etc.
    • Bars are roughly finished and have pointed corners.
    • The small weighted vest accommodates 4 pounds.
  • Costs: $79.00 plus shipping and handling. Price includes 4 pounds of weights (8 times ½ pound)

Farida Discusses the NYCNYK

Farida finds the NYCNYK vest for osteoporosis to be her favorite vest.

  • It feels comfortable.
  • She likes the texture.
  • It’s not quilted or heavy looking either.
  • In terms of appearance it looks good.
  • The weights around her waist feel very comfortable. This vest accommodates four pounds normally. There are these flat plates of which we don’t know the material.
  • However, they’re a little bit sharp on the edges. If you try to double up, you might stress the material of the vest itself.
  • They are flat and they do feel less bulky around your waist than some of the other vests do.
  • If you are going to go with 8 or 12 pounds or increase the weight in your vest, then it probably won’t be the vest for you.

Wasatch Weighted Vest for Osteoporosis

  • Material:
    • Weighted vest is made from a stretchable cordura and is washable.
    • Weights are lead beads in individual one-pound pouches.
    • Pouches are made of canvas and have a lip for easy handling in and out of the pockets.
  • Features/Comments:
    • Stylish enough to wear when doing errands, etc.
    • The small weighted vest accommodates up to 16 pounds.
    • The staff in Utah are very friendly and will ensure to send you the best suited for you.
  • Costs: $125.00 plus shipping. Price includes 8 pounds of weights (8 times 1 pound).
  • Note to Canadians:  Shipping was $27.  In addition, I was charged an extra $20 for HST (in Ontario) by the delivery man.  This made the weighted vest a bit too pricy for me.

Aline Discusses the Wasatch

Aline finds this osteoporosis vest to be her least favorite.

  • She finds that it’s too heavy on her hip bones.
  • The beanbags don’t spread the weight properly. It’s dragging me down.
  • The vest looks fine.

Farida Discusses the Wasatch

Farida finds that this weighted vest for osteoporosis is one with a proper fit for her height, weight or shape.

  • The fact that the weights are lower feels ok.
  • Her preference would be for weights higher up. It is a very snug fit.
  • It fits well appearance-wise. Something that she would wear very readily with just a T-shirt.
  • Allows for putting on a jacket in the winter.
  • The fabric is a nice one.
  • It doesn’t really feel as thick as a couple of the other vests which give you that heavier look.

MiR Weighted Vest for Osteoporosis

The MiR Weighted vest for osteoporosis is one of my favourites and I highly recommend it to my clients. (although recently I have been recommending the Hyper Vest as the best weighted vest for osteoporosis.)

  • The MiR Women Adjustable Weighted Vest is available on Amazon.
  • Material:
    • Weighted vest is made of 1200 D-Nylon compressed and is washable.
    • Weights are solid iron bars.
    • Belt is made with soft but strong enhanced rubber.
  • Features:
    • Adjustable straps around the shoulders and bottom of the weighted vest ensure that it will not move or shift.
    • It looks like a workout weighted vest and would appeal more to men and younger athletic women.
    • Belt is one size fit all.  Smallest circumference is 32 inches.
    • 30 days money back guarantee and 60 day exchange policy.
  • Costs:
    • MiR Air Flow Short Vest with 10 pounds of weight is $129.95.  Maximum weight limit is 50 pounds.
    • Women Adjustable weighted vest with 10 pounds of weight is $89.99. Maximum weight limit is 30 pounds.
    • Belt with 10 pounds of weight is $89.95. Maximum weight limit is 36 pounds.
    • Weights are also sold separately.

Farida Discusses the MiR

Farida thinks this osteoporosis vest is probably the most unique looking one of the collection that we have today. However, there are many pros and cons for me particularly as a small-statured person.

She finds it extremely bulky and does not like the idea of having this much girth.

Finds that the weights are not well located — between hips and breasts.

She is very conscious of the weights and feels they can affect whether she can walk with this weighted vest.

Margaret Discusses the MiR

This is my favorite weighted vest (among the ones tested) for two reasons.

The first reason is that I can start low. Each weight is three pounds. It can then build up to 32 pounds which for the majority of you listening to this is far more than you’ll ever need. In my case, I have a husband and a son that like to work out. All of a sudden, if I’m going to invest in a vest, invest in a weighted vest, it’s really nice to invest in one that they can also use.

My 15 year old thought it was great and he had it on working out last night. Certainly he can comfortably wear it up to 32 pounds for his training when doing his squats and lunges, whereas I am going to be more comfortable keeping it to the 15 to 21 pound range. That’s one of the reasons.

The second reason is it’s very very durable and I know it will last a lifetime. The investment is well made. It has a lot of adjustments in terms of the belts, the fit as well. So I guess there’s three reasons. I do like the fact that the weight sits close to the shoulder blades, where you could start it here and then lower down because that does help with the alignment. Those are the reasons that I’ve chosen this vest, the MIR as my favorite vest.

Weighted Vest 4 Osteoporosis

  • Material:
    • Weighted vest for osteoporosis is made of a breathable nylon.
    • The weights are made of lead pellets encased in plastic and then nylon – giving them a softer feel than regular weights.
  • The small size holds up to 10 pounds, medium and large size holds up to 16 pounds of weight.
  • Features/Comments:
    • Padding is provided under the weights in the shoulder region for added comfort.
    • Weights sit just over the front of the shoulder and in the mid to upper back.
    • The position of the weights encourages improvement in postural alignment.
    • The long weighted vest would appeal more to the 60 plus age group – while the shorter one might have more appeal with a younger group.
  • Costs: $132.00 includes 10 pounds of weights.
  • Note to Canadians:  Add $20.00 for shipping.

 

Weight Vest 4 Osteoporosis

Farida Discusses the Weighted Vest 4 Osteoporosis

Farida finds that it looks quite different from the ones that we’ve been looking at in the collection.

  • It’s lighter in many respects in terms of the fabric.
  • Thinks that it accommodates the weights for her more comfortably because they’re higher.
  • There’s nothing that’s adding girth to begin with, but also fitting tightly around the waist. If you’re worried about that, it might not be the one for you.
  • The negative aspect is in terms of the fit.  It’s very loose.
  • In terms of the fabric, it’s probably the least durable.
  • It does look quite untraditional and may appeal to many women.
  • In fact it does appeal in terms of a different kind of style because it shows a little bit of the sides which also allows for walking more comfortably.
  • The weights are the positive things about this vest.
  • She would buy this primarily because she feels the most comfortable walking in this.

Recommendation

Individuals evaluate the weighted vest for osteoporosis based on what body part they want to accentuate or hide. Much depends on their stature, their height, and how much body fat they have.

All of those things play a role in choosing the vest that you feel is the best vest for you. Although I’d like to make a recommendation for each of you, I can’t do that. This is the closest I’ve come to giving you an answer to the many questions that came my way after I wrote the article on the weighted vest. Hopefully it allows you to choose the best osteoporosis vest for you.

Exercise Recommendations for Osteoporosis

Exercise is an essential ingredient to bone health. If you have osteoporosis, therapeutic exercise needs to be part of your osteoporosis treatment program.

But what exercises should you do and which ones should you avoid? What exercises build bone and which ones reduce your chance of a fracture? Is Yoga good for your bones? Who should you trust when it comes to exercises for osteoporosis?

A great resource on exercise and osteoporosis is my free, seven day email course called Exercise Recommendations for Osteoporosis. After you provide your email address, you will receive seven consecutive online educational videos on bone health — one lesson each day. You can look at the videos at anytime and as often as you like.

I cover important topics related to osteoporosis exercise including:

  • Can exercise reverse osteoporosis?
  • Stop the stoop — how to avoid kyphosis and rounded shoulders.
  • Key components of an osteoporosis exercise program.
  • Key principles of bone building.
  • Exercises you should avoid if you have osteoporosis.
  • Yoga and osteoporosis — should you practice yoga if you have osteoporosis?
  • Core strength and osteoporosis — why is core strength important if you have osteoporosis?

Enter your email address and I will start you on this free course. I do not SPAM or share your email address (or any information) with third parties. You can unsubscribe from my mail list at any time.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Weighted Osteoporosis Vest Exercise Benefits

There are a wide range of weighted vests on the market today. What weighted vest is right for you to purchase? Are there any weighted vest exercise benefits you should be aware of?

An article published in the July 2007 edition of the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity supports the use of progressive exercise training using weighted vests in postmenopausal women. (1)

Weighted Osteoporosis Vests — Summary of Study Findings

The article reports on the effects of a twelve-week exercise training program using weighted vests on bone turnover and isokinetic strength in a randomly selected group of postmenopausal women.  The intention of the study was to design an exercise-training program of progressive resistance that could be easily adapted to home and community settings, and, at the same time, diverse (and interesting) enough to appeal to a large number of postmenopausal women.  The program was composed of exercises that do not require the use of specialized machines or free weights.

The results of the trial indicated that within the group of postmenopausal women who followed the exercise program over the twelve-week period:

  • Bone resorption (breakdown) decreased significantly.
  • Bone formation activity was unchanged.
  • There were improvements in percentage of body fat, fat free mass, and ankle plantar-flexor strength.
  • 80% of the group stayed on the exercise program throughout its twelve-week duration.

What does this mean for you?

A weighted vest would be a great alternative or adjunct to holding free weights during your exercise program.

How heavy should the vest be?

The study demonstrates that there are significant benefits if you progressively increase the weight in the vest.  An initial weight of 3% of your body weight is a good start, eventually progressing to a maximum of 15% of your body weight.

Which exercises are most suited to wearing a weighted vest?

A weighted vest would be a good adjunct to following exercises in the MelioGuide Exercise for Better Bones Program:

  • Marching (Beginner level)
  • Heel Drops (Beginner level)
  • Reverse lunge (Beginner level)
  • Squats (Active through Elite level)
  • Lunges (Active through Elite level)
  • Step Ups (Active level)
  • Band walks (Athletic level)

It would also be a good adjunct to a walking and balance training program.

Our Exercise for Better Bones Program is available and we encourage you to check it out.

Weighted Vest for Women Tips

Recently, a reader contact me about shoulder pain she experienced when using her weighted vest while walking and asked me for some suggestions on how to deal with the pain.

Weighted vests are popular with women who want to incorporate weight bearing exercises into their osteoporosis exercise program. Since publishing my reviews of weighted vests, I have received questions on the specific use of the vests.

Some people find weighted vests can cause discomfort when used during their weight bearing exercises/activities and strength training.

 

Weighted Vest for Osteoporosis Tips: The Dilemma

Ruth lives in Kentucky and is a reader of my blog. She has followed the weighted vest reviews and reached out to me with her question.  I anticipate a number of other people experience the same problem as Ruth.

I have osteoporosis (more severe in the hip) and am very interested in the weighted vests and watched your video. However, I have experienced a problem with a weighted vest. The downward pull of the vest exerts a strain on the shoulders after a while of walking — at least, it does with my vest (mine has 10 lbs of weights). I have had to stop wearing my vest because of injury to my shoulder.  I started using weights strapped around my legs instead, but was told not to do that either.

My question is: How do you avoid the drag on your shoulders that it seems to me all weighted vests (even lighter ones) would cause?

Good question, Ruth.  I decided that I could best address your question with a show-and-tell video. I have also provided the key points that I made in the video in this blog. You will find the video at the bottom of this page.

Three Options If Your Weighted Vest for Osteoporosis Hurts Your Shoulders

There are three things Ruth can do to address the shoulder pain caused by her weighted vest. I encourage her to consider all three.

  1. Be careful how you load your weighted vest.
  2. Make sure you maintain a good posture.
  3. Consider a weighted belt as an alternative.
weighted vest for osteoporosis

Be Careful How You Load Your Weighted Vest

If your weighted has front and back pockets to accommodate the weights, I suggest that your place the weights in the back pockets first. Then, counterbalance with equal amount of weight in the front pockets. This will help you obtain proper postural alignment.

Some vests have high and low back pockets. If your vest does, start loading the high pocket first since this will encourage an upright alignment.

Make Sure You Maintain Good Posture

I cannot emphasize this point enough. Good posture will address many of the back and shoulder issues caused by the loading of the weighted vest. Here are a couple of key points to keep in mind:

  • Stay in optimal postural alignment. If you have a forward lean (a slouch), do not load the front of the vest. Only load the back of the vest to encourage you to straighten up.
  • Make an effort to actively use your postural muscles to lift against the weights.

Consider a Weighted Belt

Since Ruth has concerns about building bone at her hip, she should consider a weighted belt. Like the weighted vest, the belt allows you to load gradually. You should start with a low weight load and gradually build up your weights.

Weighted Vest Osteoporosis Exercises Drills

Weighted vest exercises drills are effective for building bone bone because they  increase the load on your bones and muscles as you exercise. In this video blog, I will cover different types of exercise you can do with a weighted vest.

I have written several posts on the different types of weighted vests available on the market today. Here is a list of the weighted vests I recommend people use:

 

Hypervest Weight Vest
Ironwear Weighted Vest

I have also discussed whether you should use a weighted vest for backpacking and provided tips on weighted vests.

Good Form is Crucial

Good form is essential when you exercise – whether you are using weights, a weighted vest for osteoporosis or free of any accessories. Before you incorporate a weighted vest in your exercise program, make sure that you are able to maintain good form without the weighted vest.

Exercises with Weighted Vest

Here are the exercises I demonstrate in the weighted vest for osteoporosis video:

  1. Squats – hip width, narrow or wide squats
  2. Squat jumps
  3. Lunges – forward, lateral, backward, or clock lunge
  4. Jump lunges
  5. Simple jumps
  6. Heel raises (with chair support)

Give them a try! But make sure you have progressed to this level.

hyper vest pro review by melioguide

Weighted Vest Exercises

Here are some suggestions and ideas to use your weighted vest when exercising.

Good Form is Crucial

As you’ve heard me say many, many times before: whenever you introduce anything, whether it’s weights that you’re holding in your hands, or weights that you’re putting on your body, such as with the weighted vest, your form is what dictates how much weight you can hold or carry or workout with. You want to make sure that your form is always perfect.

For any of the exercises that I introduce today, I assume that you know that you don’t introduce exercises with weights or weighted vests until you’ve done dozens and dozens of them without the weighted vest or without external weights.

Squats

Let’s start with squats. Whether you started with chair squats, free squats, a hip-width squat, or a narrow squat, or a wide squat, you want to ensure that your squats are in good form. Your knees point in the same direction that your second toe points

A weighted vest is a great adjunct to squats, frees up my hands, allows me to start doing things like jump squats.

Lunges

The lunge is a great exercise, whether you choose to do a forward lunge, a lateral lunge, or a reverse lunge.  Alternatively, you can do a combination, where you’re doing what’s called a clock lunge.

Clock Lunge

Imagine me drawing the face of a clock.

  • Twelve o’clock. one o’clock. Notice that my back foot and knee is pointing in the direction of that heel.
  • Now lateral, where both feet are parallel to one another.
  • Back to the four o’clock, again, back toe and heel are pointing towards the front heel.
  • A six o’clock, and then switch it.
  • And then finish the face of the clock.

In the video above, the model demonstrates the clock lunge.

Again, you want to have done these many times without the vest, and then you start adding the vest, and gradually increase the weight in the vest.

Weighted Squat Jumps

Just as in weighted squat jumps, you could do weighted jump lunges. A jump lunge would involve lunging and going into a jump. The vest is a great adjunct.

Walking with an Osteoporosis Weighted Vest

The simpler way of introducing a vest that we’ve talked about in the past is walking, brisk walking, step-ups, but simple jumps is another one.

Jumps

Jumps and squats should have similar form:

  • Point knees in.
  • Ensure that you land with toes and knees pointing in the same direction.
  • Start your jumps on the spot.
  • Forward jump.
  • Backward jump.
  • Jump side to side.

Heel Raises

If jumps are not in your repertoire of movements, whether it’s from arthritis of the hips, or knees, or just general conditioning, you could do with your weighted vest is your heel raises.

  • Start with introducing the vest.
  • Begin with double heel raises or single heel raises.
  • Transition into more explosive movement, the plyometrics easier by getting that explosiveness and strength in the calf muscles.

Those are enough ideas for today on the use of the weighted vest for osteoporosis in your exercise program. They help you build bone through the hips and spine.

Osteoporosis Weighted Walking Vest

A reader contacted me recently to ask my opinion on using a backpack with free weights instead of a weighted vest for osteoporosis while on her hiking trips.

Dear Margaret, I have read your information on weighted vests for extra weight-bearing walking and I am wondering about a substitution specifically carrying a backpack loaded with free weights that could be stabilized with towels (or whatever) as opposed to the extra cost of these vests. I suspect that the positioning of the weights is critical for most effect. Thanks in advance for your opinion … I so appreciate the resources that you give.

Weighted Vest for Backpacking — My Response

Here is my response to her inquiry.

Here is my opinion on the backpack versus a weighted vest for osteoporosis.

Depending on the type of pack, it can provide the same benefits.

Some backpacks are well designed and transfer a large percentage of the weight to the hips.  This would reduce the load on the spine and so I would expect that you would have to carry more weight to get the same benefit as a weighted vest of the same weight.

If you decide to wear your backpack, then I highly recommend that you use a sternal strap (linking the two shoulder straps together) to take pressure off the nerves and muscles in your armpit area.  It also keeps the pack more stable.

In so far as the type of weight, I recommend you try to load your pack evenly and with soft weights for two reasons: 1) to keep you more balance especially with hiking on uneven surfaces, and 2) should you slip back onto the backpack (the once in a lifetime but possible occurrence) then you will be cushioned rather than hurt.

Hope this is helpful. Happy trails.

References

  1. Effects of Exercise Training With Weighted Vests on Bone Turnover and Isokinetic Strength in Postmenopausal Women. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, July 2007, 15, 287-299.  This study was conducted  by Panagiota Klentrou and Brian Roy at Brock University’s Faculty of Applied Health Sciences in St. Catherines, Ontario, Jill Slack with the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Nursing, and Michel Ladouceur of the University of Iowa’s Department of Exercise Science.

Osteoporosis Guidelines

For more information, check out my Osteoporosis Guidelines.

Comments

October 5, 2017 at 5:02am

Martin Bobs

Excellent post. I like your great topics to share, discuss and published here. I impress your great advice about weighted vests for Osteoporosis. I agree your Information. Thanks for your great struggle on this article.

November 28, 2018 at 2:55pm

Carol

Hi thx for the excellent blog and info
Whilst I am awaiting the arrive of your exercise book I have a question re activity and type of vest recommended
I have just signed up for a clay/pottery course and like an idiot ( newly diagnosed last year even though my lumbar compression fractures have remained stable since 2008 - childhood scheuermans disease -) I didn’t give thought to the fact that I will be positioning myself over a table or at a wheel. Any suggestions as to what type of vest would be best as a reminder during this activity. Though my BD scores are high I am considered a moderate fracture risk over next 10 years)
Thx - just gobbling up all your marvellous videos and blogs. I am in Toronto On and whilst we do have marvellous resources here, very few discussions go on except to recommend scrip meds and apply scare tactics to get you to take them!!!

December 1, 2018 at 7:26am

Margaret Martin replies

Hi Carol,
Thank you for your kind words, so glad you find the videos helpful.
I loved learning pottery I hope you have as much enjoyment as I did. I do not recommend a vest or brace while working with clay. You would benefit from practicing hip hinging from a seated position, working with in a mirror is helpful.
You'll want to be sure that your seat is high enough to allow you to optimize your posture and allow you to work on the clay by bending through your hips and not your spine (hip hinging):
http://melioguide.com/perfect-posture/how-to-fix-rounded-shoulders/#rs-avoid-sit
As well, when you receive my book you will find a link to my ebook that outlines modifications to day to day activities to keep your spine safe. This should help you reinforce good posture during you pottery classes.
Lastly, keeping the clay close to your body and above the level of your pelvis will also keep your back in a safer position.
Enjoy your pottery classes.

March 23, 2020 at 10:10am

Marcie A. Sclove

Hello! I have been using weights in my backpack while taking walks and find that I am getting some neck pain. I’m considering a weighted vest instead and found your blog. I will give more thought to my posture next walk. Maybe that is part of the problem? Also, What is your opinion about the small trampolines (jumping or “running”slowly) for weight bearing and other benefits? I am 64 years old and mostly walk for exercise. Thanks so much and hope y’all are safe up where you live.

March 23, 2020 at 12:40pm

Richard Martin replies

Hi Marcie

Margaret covers posture and safe exercise guidelines in detail in Exercise for Better Bones. Please consult that resource:

http://melioguide.com/products/exercise-for-better-bones-program/

Margaret wrote a blog post on mini trampolines. Please refer to that resource:

http://melioguide.com/osteoporosis-exercise-equipment/rebounder-review-build-bone/

You are a walker so you might want to read Margaret's post on bone health and walking.

http://melioguide.com/osteoporosis-exercises/is-walking-good-for-osteoporosis/

Good luck.

November 14, 2020 at 8:53am

Fernández

How long should I wear my weighted vest? Can I wear it more than an hour a day? How much weight should I put in it. I recently purchased the Hypervest. I have osteoporosis on my spine and and my hip.

I am 47 years old and weigh 90 pounds. I have gone through menopause and my T-score on my spine is -3.2.
Y. Fernandez

November 15, 2020 at 5:00pm

Richard Martin replies

Hi. This video addresses many of your questions. https://youtu.be/TM8cpV7Hw6Q