A Los Angeles physician found a surprising way to feel stronger, faster, and lighter: by making himself heavier. Dr. Brennan Spiegel, a gastroenterologist and professor of medicine at Cedars-Sinai, wears a weighted vest and ankle weights for hours at a time. The routine started as a temporary experiment but became part of his daily life after he noticed lasting improvements in energy, fitness, and weight control.
Spiegel says the practice builds “gravity resilience“. His idea is simple: living part of the day under extra weight conditions the body to handle the pull of Earth more efficiently. Let’s take a look at how weighted vests can help and the other habits he recommends for better strength, posture, and metabolism.
Why the weighted vest works
Spiegel often straps on a 20-pound vest along with ankle weights that add another 40 pounds. He’ll keep them on for several hours, usually while at his desk. Once he removes them, normal movement feels lighter, almost like training on a planet with stronger gravity.
According to Spiegel, the weighted vest is “a very potent way of passively exercising”. It creates a steady demand on muscles, tendons, and connective tissue, keeping the body engaged even while sitting or walking. This constant low-grade tension supports cardiovascular health and calorie burn without the need for a traditional workout.
The effect goes beyond muscle tone. Spiegel believes it influences the alignment of organs, circulation, and even digestion. He reports that since adopting the practice, he’s not only fitter but also less prone to fatigue. For people interested in trying it, he recommends starting with light weights, wearing them for short periods, and checking with a doctor first.
Other ways to build gravity resilience
Spiegel doesn’t rely on the weighted vest alone. He outlines several strategies that, together, help the body adapt to daily gravitational stress.
- Go upside down: Yoga poses like headstands, shoulder stands, and downward dog increase blood flow to the brain, which may boost focus and clarity. People with glaucoma or high blood pressure should check with their doctor before attempting inversions.
- Stand up straight: Poor posture compresses abdominal organs and can disrupt digestion. By keeping the spine aligned, your internal organs are better supported, reducing issues like bloating and constipation.
- Get enough sleep: Lying flat allows circulation to flow back to the brain without working against gravity, which supports recovery and cognitive function.
- Eat foods that promote serotonin: Serotonin helps regulate circulation, muscle contraction, and digestion. Because most serotonin is produced in the gut, Spiegel recommends foods rich in tryptophan, such as salmon, turkey, tofu, eggs, and seeds. Polyphenols in green tea, turmeric, and cocoa also help.
- Try dead hangs: Hanging from a pull-up bar decompresses the spine, improves posture, and builds grip strength, a marker linked to longer life expectancy.
These methods share a common theme: using the body’s relationship with gravity to improve strength, circulation, and resilience. While not a replacement for medical care, they offer accessible ways to incorporate movement and awareness into everyday routines.