Adding weights to our cross training programs is a common practice nowadays. Problem is there are so many different types of weight for crossfit purposes. At crosstrainingpro.com, we have already review what we consider to be the best weight vest for crossfit. However, is a weight vest really the best option. What about dip belts? Are they more effective and what is the difference between these two type of equipment? This is what we will be discussing in this article.
What is the difference between weight vest and dip belts
It is easier to compare the two products using different dimensions.
- Comfort: The comfort level for each type of equipment will depend on how you use them. For muscle and strength training such as pulls up, situps etc, a dip belt will be more comfortable as the vest tend to get in the way of such exercises. However, for cardio workouts or running or even daily routines, a weight vest is easier to wear.
- Flexibility: Weight vest can be used for a wide variety of purpose and under different situations such as running, weight lifting, gym etc. A dip belt, on the other hand is used mainly for more stationary type of workouts such as pull ups, lifting, push ups etc, but is not great at cardio workouts such as kickboxing or jazzercise etc.
- Adding weights: Dip belts allow you to add weights but not the weight vest. As such, it is more economical as you can add more weights as you can progress form beginner to advance. For a weight vest, you will need to purchase a heavier weight vest any time you want to upgrade to more advance weight training. This is because the amount of additional weights you can add is contained by the size of its vest pockets which are usually not too large to begin with.
- Prices: At the surface level, a dip belt is usually cheaper than a weight vest. The former typical price is around the USD20+ range while the latter retails for USD50-80+. However, a weight vest comes with weights while you need to purchase additional plates and such for the dip belt.
When to use what
At the end of the day, which equipment is better depends greatly on what you use them for. For pure weight training, we will suggest a dip belt for its comfort and ability to move progressively with you as more weight can be added. If you are into a more generic weight training equipment that can be used both in daily routines or cardio based workouts, then a weight vest is a more ideal choice.
Also, if you are less weights that are less than 25 lbs, a dip belt will be awkward to wear. Since many ladies usually fall in this category, I would suggest a weight vest as the better option.
