While the weight of the world can seem a little burdensome as of late, Equinox has rolled out two ways to keep trekking.
The high-performance health specialist is literally upping its performance training with the launch of what it is calling the world’s first treadmill-based hiking class, “Fully Vested.” To maximize participants’ cardio workouts, Equinox has introduced a proprietary weighted vest called “the Precision vest” that they can use for the 60-minute class or their own adventures. The item was developed in collaboration with Kilogear, a forerunner in weighted wearable products that are developed with scientific research.
The class and the vest, which is available to wear-test in some clubs and is also being sold via Equinox, are the latest evolution of Equinox’s Precision Run ecosystem. That heart-racing portfolio already includes 1:1 Coaching, Outdoor Run Clubs and Equinox’s signature treadmill class on its proprietary Woodway equipment. Equinox’s Precision Run Labs in Texas, Boston and Santa Monica, as well as on-demand via Equinox+. Precision Run’s creator David Siik spent five years vetting potential partners and developing Fully Vested and the Precision vest with the aim of making walking performance-based. Skeptics will be surprised by “what a low-impact way it is to have a really big energy burn in such a short amount of time. It also helps you to discover how your body moves in a very different way,” he said.
During the COVID pandemic shutdown, many walked for miles as an alternative to their regular workouts and trips to the gym. Last year 115.3 million Americans walked as a form of fitness compared to the 114 million who did so in 2023, according to Statista.
By talking to Equinox members and other fitness enthusiasts, Siik observed that many did not consider walking was worth their time compared to running and other more arduous activities. “For years, we tried to solve this. How you make walking more meaningful as a health benefit and emotionally trigger a response to looking at it differently,” he said.
The sturdy and tactile vest also makes wearers feel like “a bit of badass,” according to Siik, who was inspired fashion-wise by Angelina Jolie’s role in “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.” Knowing many invest upward of $100 on stylish activewear pieces, the Precision vest is designed to show off some of the fashion features of their choices.
The Equinox Precision Vest
Photo Courtesy Equinx
With 12 individual pockets for 2.5-lb. miniature kettle bell weights, the vest has a maximum weight capacity of 33 lbs. But users decide how much weight to add. A few of Siik’s friends, who are accustomed to carrying small children, groceries, and/or laundry simultaneously couldn’t get over how balanced the vest felt in comparison, he said.
Thirty Equinox clubs have the vest available for members to wear-test. It retails for $375 and comes with 20 pounds of weights, which can also be used for non-walking workouts. Foldable and sold with a mesh bag, the vest is designed with travel in mind. “If you are on vacation near a beach and you don’t want to go to the gym or you don’t have one at the hotel, the weights have handles so you can do arm exercises or walk with them,” Siik said.
#Equinox #Debuts #Tomb #Raiderinspired #Vest #Amp #Walking #Workouts
