Weighted Cardio..

not that anyone usually finds my feedback useful, but oh well, here it is anyway. I train on a full suspension mountain bike on very tight singletrack... I wanted to increase my functional strength so I thought about this exact question> should I get ankle weights or a weight vest... I tried both and here are my conclusions> the ankle weights are not very secure nor comfortable, what I mean is that because your legs are moving constantly the weights tend to shift easily and eventually rub against your ankles which depending on how long you are training for can cause blisters... the weight vest is the way to go for sure since the weight is centered at your core> kinda like your center of gravity. The weight vest feels more like it is a part of you vs the ankle weights feel like an extension of your body. With the weight vest (20lbs in my scenario) it emulates what a workout would be if I was at the weight I was before starting to workout. If you query "weight vest" in the MFT search, you should be able to find more info and videos as I know Clark B is a big fan as well as Jamo when he does those crazy 2 hour farmer walk sessions :)

Considering your center of gravity will be offset in different directions.

Ankles and wrists would force your outter limbs to work harder whereas a vest would not; but if the weight isnt very heavy then you would be getting negligible effects. I would assume the weighted vest would allow you to advance more with weights, and it just seems like it would be comfortable. But honestly if your motion is straight up and down like it is on a stairclimber then there is not going to be much difference. However if you were to walk on a treadmill etc.. there would be a much larger difference.

Ankle weights would not really benefit any muscles above the waist, and wrists wont significantly benefit any parts below the waste.

It also depends on where your hands are; if your hands are holding onto the machine the entire time the wrist weights wont help at all :-p.

And finally, you cannot advance much with ankle and wrist weights because your shoulders can only handle so much torque for only so long a period of time; whereas your back could hold significantly more weight for a significantly longer period of time.

Try holding a 5lb plate in front of you, arm fully extend, elbow locked and the plate at eye level.. see how long you can hold it ^^

I would say go for the vest, personal opinion of course :).

Of course there's Dazzaem's logically valid reasoning as well for the vest; it looks cool.... [lol].

"Obsession is a term the lazy use to describe the dedicated" - Anon.
"Shoot for the stars, you might just reach the sky" - Unknown

to be honest bro , ankle weights and vest weights and wrist weights are the same thing , ITS weight that you wear , i find it hard to understand any dilema in this question , theres one simple answer =

GO WITH WHATEVER ONE FEELS COMFORTABLE !!!

personal preference would be the vest cause it looks like a bullet proof vest and it makes you look cool , ankle weights and wrist weights look like swimming pool accesories ( LOL but dont wear them in the swimming pool ) , go with any option lol ;)