I know what you're thinking -- it's a hand weight. Big deal. But is that really all it is? The XCO Trainer promises to "boost your cardiovascular system and increase weight loss by up to a third more" by building and toning muscles while strengthening surrounding tissue and stabilizing joints.

That sounds pretty complex to me -- let's look a little closer at what it does.

Each movement you make creates a delayed soft-impact due to the free-flowing silicone granulates within each foot-long tube. Based on the notion of "Reactive Impact," your body has to work harder to accommodate this shifting of weight, or secondary load, which generates faster results for you.

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Walking with hand or ankle weights is never a good idea. While they increase your calorie burn, they also increase your injury-risk. But now a potentially safer alternative is available.

The Walk Vest is a lightweight cotton vest with pockets for small weights. The site recommends starting out with four pounds and then adding more weight as necessary. The weights are evenly distributed, which is supposed to make it comfortable and safe. According to the product's web site, the weighted vest augments the many benefits of walking including:

• Blood pressure and cholesterol management
• Reduced risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, and diabetes
• Weight control.

The vest isn't as bad looking as you might think. It vaguely reminds me of an army vest, but if you shake that image out of your mind, it's not too bad. I'm not convinced I would want to strap a vest on during a hot summer day, though. What do you think?

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