I noticed the first one while struggling to get my 18-wheeler stroller over a small crack in the sidewalk. "Mornin'," the woman breathed in my direction. She wore the typical power-walking uniform: black visor, shades, 3/4-length leggings, and that drive to get the most out of her time alone. But as I readjusted my grip on the stroller and mightily pushed forth with any and all strength I had left over from an utterly exhausting school drop off, my eyes scanned something new on this woman: a water bladder contraption? No. A bullet-proof vest? Too...exposed. It wasn't until my neighbor and walking buddy informed me that, "All the hot moms are wearing weighted vests," that I finally understood.

A weighted vest—essentially a close-fitting vest loaded with small, evenly distributed weight—adds resistance to everyday movement without limiting mobility. Weighted vests aren't just for moms, but here's why they're popular among us.

Turn errands, dog walks, everyday schtuff into strength-building, calorie-burning workouts. You strap it on, and suddenly walking the block is a low-impact workout, boosting your heart and building muscle.

Women begin to lose bone density as early as their 30s, and the risk of osteoporosis increases sharply after menopause. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, about one in two women over 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis. Weighted vests can help counteract this by promoting bone growth through gentle, consistent loading—without the high impact of running or jumping.

Sold? Here are some of the most popular weight vests we've seen. Psst: It's recommended that you go with 5-10 percent of your body weight.