At first I thought I’d seen someone running through the park in a bulletproof vest. Mostly when I’m running, I’m listening to my podcast and keeping my dog-off-lead-radar spinning and not much interested in what other runners are wearing, so it was only when weighted vests started to be mentioned on podcasts about women and fitness in midlife that I understood. I use them occasionally, in hotel gyms if I’m somewhere it’s not sensible to run alone before dawn, and it feels better than not running but possibly not in a healthy way. As far as I know, weighted vests have not been imposed on humans in disciplinary and carceral contexts, but other forms of weights and shackles certainly have. I’m not suggesting that it’s wrong to wear a weighted vest.

Source: The Irish Times January 19, 2026 09:00 UTC