There are three products that I’m interested in buying. The problem is that they are all in the $200 range and I can only afford to purchase one of them right now. They have all been T-Jacked here at T-Nation and got good reviews. Can you all help me make up my mind? Which one would you buy first and why?
Xvest 40lb - I would be using this mainly for weighted pull-ups and dips but also for GPP and cardio work.
GetStrength Front Squat Harness - I just started doing the front squat. Holding the bar in that position sucks! This looks like it would realy help and keep me doing them with good weight but I don’t know if I’m willing to pay $200 after shipping for it.
I’d go with the Xvest because you have so much more workout options with it.
Of the three, I wouldn’t bother with the squat harness primarily because of the inconvenience factor. Judging by the picture, it looks impossible to squeeze into a gym bag and a bitch to lug around. You can probably learn to do without it through practice and perseverance.
Another option to consider for front squats is the Sting Ray. It’s relatively inexpensive and portable. I personally don’t care for this device, but it might work for you.
Save your money on the sled and the front squat harness. Make your own sled and just get used to the feeling the front squat on your clavicle. Try front squating Olympic style so your hands take some of the pressure off of your shoulders and clavicle.
Seems like the only thing you NEED to spend that much on is the X-Vest.
You could cobble together a sled on the cheap, or do what I did and buy a keg or two from a liquor store ( I got mine for $12 each). You can fill them with water or other stuff, use them for odd lifts or tie ropes on and drag them. With a rope tied to each end they drag real nice.
I would also not pay money for something to assist with front squats. IMO one of the greatest benefits to front squatting is the benefits to shoulder, wrist and upper back flexibility. Just front squat a couple times a week and before long that position will actually be comfortable. Besides, if you can’t hold a front squat how are you going to do cool stuff like squat cleans and jerks?
1 Truck Tire (free)
1 Piece scrap plywood (free)
10 Screws to screw the plywood into the tire
1 Rope to hook into tire (tow rope found in basement) (free)
1 Weight belt to hook rope into (free)
1 Bag of sand to load into tire (from basement)
I’m sure this worked as well as anything you would wind up spending $200 on.
OK, XVesters, have any of you sprung for the Firefighter model so that you will have lots of growth potential in how much weight you can work? Or does 40lb seem like the most you would ever need for something like a vest for GPP, and occasional mix-it-up weight work?
I ahve the 40 and would say that I would not mind having the extra weight of the FF version. Though I am not sure it is worth the extra cost.
The forty has plenty of extra pocket room to add small weights/plates when needed and the loops allow for you to add extrenal weights, sleds, cables what not.
So I would say thatv really the Forty is vesitile enough and allows you to easily add extra pounds/resistance when needed without having to unload/load all the lil bullet like weights.
Hope that helps,
You’ll love the vest, just get creative.
