What is the best material to make your own weighted vest (for body strength training)?

Question

Most weighted vests/wrist-weights/sand-bags/etc and other kinds of flexible weights are made of iron. I assume this is so because it is cheaper, because, had they been made of tungsten, although they could be MUCH less bulgy for the same weight, they would be also MUCH more expensive...

Considering density and price, what would be the best material for the ~filling~ of weighted vests for me to make a as-non-bulgy-as-possible weighted vest?

E.g. I am considering sand (obtainable in hardware stores i.e. the stuff to make concrete) because it is denser than iron and reasonably cheap. Any other suggestions?

Answer 1

I have thought about this too.  I like the flexability of the rubber insert weighted vests.  the weight is metal powder in a polymer matrix.  If you managed to use tungsten power instead of iron to mix into the rubber polymer, you would approximately double the density.  If you could increase the concentration of the tungsten powder in the rubber matrix you could triple the density.  Unfortunately according to www.tungsten-heavy-powder.com the cost of tungsten powder is about $28/lb.  this means for a full body weighted suit (mass = 100lbs) you would need about 95 lbs ($2,660) in tungsten + the cost of polymer and mixing the two.  If you then produced sheets of the power filled polymer with even distribution of holes to allow for breathability, you could still make a 100 lb. suit that would nicely cover your body without showing up under your clothes.