Typically, the Murph Workout is completed FOR TIME with a 14 lb (6 kg) weight vest for women and a 20 lb (9 kg) weight vest for men.
For starters, a rule of thumb: your weighted vest should not exceed 10% of your body weight. This isn't rucking (in which the workout is slower and the packs trend much heavier). So, if you're 180 pounds, shoot for the 15-pound vest, not the 20-pound vest.
A 20lbs weight vest is usually too light for many exercises. This will depend on your fitness level, but for the average individual a 20lbs weight vest will not be enough weight to unlock you full potential for exercises like the push-up or squat.
The added weight increases the workload on your muscles and cardiovascular system, making it more challenging to maintain your pace and breathe efficiently. The amount of added difficulty will depend on the weight of the vest you're wearing and your fitness level.
Running weight vests come in a variety of loads. However, research suggests that they are most effective when the weight is between 5-10% of the wearer's body weight.
The weight of a vest should never exceed 10% of the student's overall body weight.
Percentage of Body Weight
The general guideline suggests starting with a vest weight that is 5-10% of the user's body weight. This strategic range offers a delicate equilibrium between effectiveness and safety, ensuring that the added resistance remains challenging without venturing into the realm of undue strain.
The MURPH WOD is a demanding workout consisting of a mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 squats, and finished with another mile run. Sounds difficult right? That is only part of the story. An official MURPH time requires doing the workout while wearing a weight vest of 20lbs (men) or 14lbs (women).
What is a 'Good' MURPH Time? What's considered a good time is relative to the exerciser. If you're a beginner, less than 60 minutes is considered a good finish time. For exercisers who are advanced, you'll want to complete it in less than 45 minutes, and for elite athletes, less than 35 minutes.
A good starting point is around 5-10% of your body weight. This range allows your body to adjust to the extra resistance without putting too much strain on your muscles or joints. As your body adapts, you can gradually increase the weight of the weighted vest, but it's important not to exceed 20% of your body weight.
Fatigue and Overuse Injuries – Wearing a weighted vest for too long can lead to joint stress, muscle fatigue, and bad posture. Compromised Recovery – Your body needs time to repair and grow stronger. Wearing weight all day is like making your muscles work overtime with no paycheck.
V-FORCE® II 150 lb. long weight vest is the heaviest, most compact weight vest on the planet; consists of a 75 lb. weight vest with a 75 lb. attachment that fits over the top of the 75 lb.
A weight vest primarily engages the core and upper body muscles, but may compress the spine and ribcage. In contrast, rucking engages the entire body, particularly the upper back and shoulders, and hips offering a more comprehensive workout.
How heavy should a weighted vest be? A weighted vest should not weigh more than 10 per cent of your body weight. Research has suggested that weighted vests should be around 4-10 per cent of your body weight.
Weighted vests can be a helpful sensory strategy for children with ADHD when used appropriately and in-line with specific student needs. For more information on Deep Touch Pressure, ADHD, and sensory processing, be sure to check out the Harkla blog for additional resources.
What types of pull ups are in Murph? Any pull-up variation is acceptable; providing you begin (or pass through) under the bar with straight arms and finish the rep with your chin above the bar. This can be achieved with strict pull-ups, kipping pull-ups or butterfly pull-ups.
On average, you're looking at burning anywhere from 500 to 800 calories.
As prescribed, Murph is performed for time. It starts with a 1-mile run, followed by a grueling sequence of 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, and 300 air squats. The workout concludes with another 1-mile run. Athletes may partition the pull-ups, push-ups, and air squats as needed.
The good Murph times by age group 35-39 are: 40:16 for “Advanced” athletes, 35:25 for “Competitor” athletes, and 32:35 for “Elite” athletes. The good Murph times by age group 40-44 are: 43:16 for “Advanced” athletes, 35:31 for “Competitor” athletes, and 34:48 for “Elite” athletes.
The extra weight makes it harder to move quickly, which can make running feel more difficult. Increased Sweating: Running with a weighted vest can also increase your sweat levels. The added weight means that your body has to work harder, which can lead to increased sweating and discomfort.
They ensure your feet are supported in the best way every step of the way. The shoes you wear matter. Wear running shoes to run.
As a rule, most experts suggest that you begin with no more than 10 percent of your body weight, says Reed. So if you're 150 pounds, don't go higher than 15 pounds to start. If you pick a vest that allows you to add more weight later, then you can start low and carry more weight over time.
If you're using a weighted vest for strength training exercises like squats, lunges, or push-ups, you can go heavier—up to 20% of your body weight. However, if you are a beginner, it is recommended you start with 10-15 lbs and increase over time even for strength training.
The relationship between your body, the weight, and the rucksack will determine your level of comfort on the move. Our recommendation for most people is to start with 20 lbs of weight for rucking, progress in increments of ~10 lbs, and ultimately max out at ⅓ of your bodyweight.