In sports halls as in the street, the gilet
lesté has become the accessory that accompanies push-ups, squats and even walks. Long reserved for crossfitters and rucking soldiers, it is now arriving in the gentler world of well-being. This is where the American brand Stakt chose to strike.
Known in the United States for its foldable yoga mat, named among the best inventions of 2023 by *Time* magazine, Stakt has just launched its first gilet lesté Stakt. A lightweight model designed to fit into everyday life, which says a lot about its vision of fitness.
From the Stakt Mat to the weighted vest: a rise in power
The Stakt foldable mat has won over with its clever format, which also serves as a yoga block and can be stored in a small space. Around this flagship piece, the brand added silicone-covered weights, a Pilates ball and resistance bands, creating an ecosystem for training at home.
The Stakt weighted vest follows this logic: adjustable from 6 to 8 pounds, or approximately 2.7 to 3.6 kg, it is sold for 158 dollars, around 145 €. The jacket, patent pending, offers a washable zipped lining, adjustable straps and a mesh pocket to keep your phone or keys. “Building strength is one of the most powerful things you can do for your body, and a weighted vest is one of the easiest ways to do it without adding time to your day“, explains Millie Blumka, co-founder of Stakt, quoted by Athletech News.
A lightweight Stakt weighted vest compared to performance models
French guides on gilet lesté
recall that beginners generally go towards 5 to 10 kg, intermediate practitioners towards 10 to 20 kg, while the most advanced go beyond 20 kg, some models reaching 45 kg or more for heavy calisthenics or intensive rucking.
With its maximum weight of approximately 3.6 kg, the Stakt weighted vest does not compete with these performance armors. It is aimed at people who walk, climb stairs or take a group class and want to make each movement more efficient. “Like our other products, the Stakt Adjustable Weighted Vest was designed to inspire movement by putting functionality first“, précise Millie Blumka. “You can put it on and every walk, class or commission counts more”.
A vision of fitness anchored in everyday life
The rise of muscle building among women and the fashion for accessories worn on oneself create ideal ground for this approach. For Stakt, the gilet lesté becomes a discreet resistance to add to a walk, a simple movement or a short session on the foldable mat with its Pilates accessories.
This positioning complements heavier vests used for weight training or intensive rucking. THE gilet lesté Stakt speaks especially to busy people who want to squeeze a little energy into their day without disrupting their routine, whether it’s shopping, walking the dog or walking between two meetings.
