Weight Vest
Interview with Jeff Egbert, Vice President
Interviewed by: Tammy Renee'
Not all weight vests are created equal and with this interview with Jeff Egbert, Vice President of weightvest.com, we will highlight what sets them apart from all other weight vests out there. With almost a million units sold since 1981, it’s no wonder why they have became the number one weight vest company out there.
"...We believe anyone can benefit from weight vest training. It’s funny; I get overweight people saying they are carrying enough weight already. A weight vest is exactly what they need to lose those extra pounds. I have talked to so many people, many locals in our town, who have lost a substantial amount of weight just walking with their weight vest."
WP: Thank you, Jeff, for taking the time for this interview! Could you please tell our readers a little about yourself.
Sure! I’m an Idaho native, graduated from BYU Provo, UT with B.S. degree in science; I love all sports and am a fan of all top achievers in any area of discipline. I play guitar and piano. My interests are in writing, reading, computer technology, sciences, health and fitness and riding ATV’s. I read and speak fluent German. I’m nearly 55 years old, but am told I don’t look over 40. My goal is to finish my first novel this summer, which is in the works at this time. I am part owner of Weightvest.com, Inc., First Place Publications, LLC, and IWVA, LLC; companies dedicated to bringing the best possible fitness products and information to the world.
WP: You stated you are into fitness yourself. What is your health and fitness background?
Fitness has always been high on my list. I played baseball, football, basketball, racquetball, volleyball, track and field, swimming, skiing, snowboarding, river-rafting, kayaking, competitive diving in college, bodybuilding, triathlon, martial arts, and am a level-1 Crossfit trainer.
WP: How long have you been in this industry?
We started Weight Vest sales in 1981 in Racquetball Illustrated magazine, not sure what issue.
WP: Are you married and do you have kids?
Yes, I am married with 3 children and 4 grand children.
WP: What do you feel has been your stepping stone to get where you are today?
I feel my stepping stone to get where I am today has been paying close attention to customer’s needs and doing everything possible to get them filled.
WP: Let’s talk about your company. How did the company, Weight Vest, come about? What brought on the interest? Outstanding website and information on weightvest.com by the way.
I was playing indoor soccer in Germany and noticed the lateral speed of the opposing team’s goalie. I later asked what his training was. He said it was partly due to a weight vest which he showed me. Later, my younger brother asked me to make him a weight vest for his long-distance running training. It took me about 10 hours and $120 to make it. We decided other people could benefit from them and started a company called WeightRoom. After the internet started, we bought weightvest.com and have been number one on most search engines for the past 11 years.
WP: There are a lot of weight vests out there. What makes yours different than the rest?
The biggest difference is we are the pioneers and have worked out the flaws. So many weight vests have weaknesses, like fit, function and durability. They may look good but, fall apart. I know I’ve talked with hundreds of people who tell the same story; they bought a cheaper vest and it fell apart after a short time.
WP: Your vests are made in the USA. Do you feel that makes a difference in quality?
I believe it does. We watch the process and keep a close eye on details like reinforcement, and quality of materials. We’ve had our competitors manufacture’s offer to make our vests and they simply could not make them to our specifications.
WP: Your company has a program where people can actually trade in old vest. Can you tell me about this?
We just started this program a few months back and have recently been tracking the results. I believe, to date, we have over 150 trade-ins. People can send us their old vest, without weights, and we give them a huge discount on a new one. I just want people to use the number one weight vest and I believe strongly that my vests are just that.
WP: Do you sponsor or endorse athletes?
I’ve sponsored Brian Stann, who has a 10-3 record and who just beat the toughest guy UFC 125 in Las Vegas. I’ve sponsored Juliet Draper, 2-time world record holder in the Firefighter’s combat challenge, Graham Watanabe, USA Olympic snowboarding, Alison Baver, USA Olympic speed-skating, several mount Everest climbers, Crossfitter’s - Chris Spealler (3rd 2010 Games), Graham Holmberg (1st 2010 Games), Tanya Wagner (2nd 2008 Games), and many more.
WP: Tell me the story behind how your company got its name.
Weightvest.com, Inc. is the official name of the company. We decided it was our mission to concentrate on weight vests and do an excellent job in that specific area of fitness and therefore chose the name that best describes our future.
WP: Does your company manufacture any other equipment or products?
We offer several accessories to our weight vests that give the customers unparalleled weight-vest training; our new sweat-stopper (removable, washable) liner, new inflatable running pad, 27 different models for sport-specific training fit and function, and presently 16 colors for hundreds of combinations. Our line is very detailed and customized for a very particular segment of the market. We absolutely believe there is a “Just right design” for everyone. I feel other generic weight vests simply cannot fill that market niche.
WP: Are weight vests made available to people outside of the US?
Yes, we have a link on our site for foreign orders.
WP: I know when I purchase equipment; I like to know it has a warranty and a money-back guarantee. Can you tell me about your warranty and guarantee?
We proudly give a lifetime warranty on our weight vests. This means, under normal conditions, it will not wear out. Otherwise, we will repair or replace. Our 30-day money-back guarantee provides confidence that our weight vests will be 100% satisfactory.
WP: What clientele is your main focus? Is it mainly for home use, gym use, or both?
We believe anyone can benefit from weight vest training. It’s funny; I get overweight people saying they are carrying enough weight already. A weight vest is exactly what they need to lose those extra pounds. I have talked to so many people, many locals in our town, who have lost a substantial amount of weight just walking with their weight vest.
WP: What are some of the activities that a person can do while wearing a Weight Vest?
I just mentioned walking, but running, jumping, stair climbing, hiking, snow-showing, calisthenics, track and field, sprinting, plyometrics, boxing, UFC and MMA training, just to name a few.
WP: Are there different sizes and weights of weight vest?
Our weight vests are one-size-fits-all and are customizable if needed. We feature models for specific use, longer for walking, running etc., shorter for body-weight workouts, men’s and women’s models for better fit and function.
WP: How many weight vests have been sold thus far?
Not sure, but not quite a million.
WP: How can our readers get a hold of a Weight Vest for themselves?
They are very welcome to visit our website at weightvest.com or call 888-909-5473.
WP: What has been your driving force that got you and your company to where you are today?
The American Entrepreneurial spirit and pride knowing our weight vests are needed and wanted by so many fine people worldwide and the desire to fill that need.
WP: What the most asked question about Weight Vest?
The most asked question is, “What’s a weight vest?” I personally like that question.
WP: Does your company provide an affiliate program where people that own websites can make money? Can you tell me about that?
Our new website will have a login feature where other companies can create an account. They, then, purchase at wholesale and we drop ship to their USA customers.
WP: Do your company offer videos to help explain about Weight Vest?
This is a market my other company is developing and we currently have several products coming this year.
WP: What challenges have you faced with your company thus far and how you overcame them?
My challenges have been finding new, better materials and designs to help our customers with even better weight vests. Our new V-Force line is incredible and it is quickly becoming our biggest seller. They are very difficult to construct and are really a premium weight vest. I can say without hesitation, the weight vests we offer are unmatched, but the V-Force line is by far superior to anything out there.
WP: What do you see in the future for Weight Vest?
We are going to concentrate on our wholesale marketing. This will also be a challenge, to bring our quality to the mass market.
WP: What is the next product you will try to introduce next?
Funny you ask this question. My shipping manager and I were just talking about the new product I’ve been working on. It would be a huge success and will be worth several million dollars. I am still working out some of the bugs and testing should start this spring or summer. It will make weight lifting much more enjoyable and effective for $500 to $1000 per unit, and the results should exceed anything possible in bodybuilding currently.
WP: That sounds exciting! I can’t wait to see it! Before we end this interview, I’d like to ask one more question. What do you have to say to any skeptics out there, if there are any, of course?
Consider a Sherpa who carries an extreme load up the Himalayan Mountains, sometimes equal to or greater than his or her own bodyweight, and who as a group are consider by many to be some of the most fit humans on the planet. I believe weight-vest training alters the body in a positive way, adding strength, agility, power and endurance that no other conventional method can.
WP: Well said! Is there anything you would like to add that I might have forgotten to mention?
We would like to offer a discount to your readers. Please use this discount code at checkout on our website at WeightVest.com: WPJAN2011.
WP: Thank you for your time and I am honored to interview you! It has been a pleasure!
