I'm SO glad you did this post on rucking!!! I've been meaning to try it out and now that it's more feasible (no winter coats) I'm totally going to drop my dumbbells into my backpack and start.
I may even splurge on a vest for convenience.
I remember the first time I saw someone walking in a weighted vest I wondered why she was wearing a bulletproof vest 😆😆 It kinda looks like one.
I've never been a runner. I've always wanted to, but running doesn't like me very much.
I do love walking. I "accidentally" ruck every time I go hiking with my son. I am the designated holder of all the things: our water bottles, snacks, phones, wallets, etc. It may or may not be a tenth of my body weight, but it sure feels that way! Thanks for sharing and inspiring!
I used to ruck before I knew it was a thing too. Especially when my wife and I are out exploring and shopping. I always bring a pack and we come back with stuff I never knew we "needed."
Great post! I’m going to try it. I ran weekly for over 20 years but now my knees are shot. The thing I miss most is just being outside in every kind of weather.
Love this post, Tim — rucking really is the underrated cardio MVP. Your humour makes it all feel so accessible (especially the “I look dumb anyway” bit 😂). It’s great to see someone talk about movement in a way that respects physical limitations without making people feel like they’re opting out of “real” fitness.
I’ve started mixing in short rucks between study blocks and it’s such a vibe — clears the head and gets the blood pumping. Thanks for keeping it real and simple. Let’s keep rucking! 👣
I use a regular backpack almost everyday, walk to the food store and load up with maybe 25 pounds worth of groceries. Walk home and depending on route get in 3 to 6 miles.
Even if someone thinks it's a little weird to see you backpacking in your neighbourhood, they just glance and keep going. And if you have a weight vest, they assume you're a fitness nut. There are worse things people could accuse you of than working to improve your health!
Rucking is great! I do it regularly to stay in shape for backpacking. These are some excellent guidelines for getting started. If you want to spice it up, you can add a few squares or pushups in intervals every few minutes, every mile, or whatever you choose!
I got my husband a ruck a few years back after reading Michael Easter's, The Comfort Crisis. This year he got me a weighted vest. It's woman specific and I can add weights (and subsequently take them out) if the vest gets sweaty and I want to wash it. (since I just got it at Christmas time and I live in the depths still of winter-no sweat yet! 😂) For those looking at buying something specific, especially for women (read: busty women!), check what will fit a women's size comfortably especially around the shoulders and bust area. I like mine a lot!
For short walks, I agree! She can totally pack her own junk. But when I want to convince her to walk up a mountain, and hiking is not really her thing? I have to pull out all the stops.
I typically carry everything for my wife as well as myself
Ha! I typically carry my wife.
Sometimes we do crazy things for those we love. Like carrying them the rest of the way on a walk?
I'm SO glad you did this post on rucking!!! I've been meaning to try it out and now that it's more feasible (no winter coats) I'm totally going to drop my dumbbells into my backpack and start.
I may even splurge on a vest for convenience.
I remember the first time I saw someone walking in a weighted vest I wondered why she was wearing a bulletproof vest 😆😆 It kinda looks like one.
So far no one has ever done more than a double-take when I had the vest on. Mine has a pocket on it for my phone and everything.
I love the sleek and compact look of them over a backpack.
The best part about the vest is that it hugs your body and doesn't pull back on your shoulders. So much better for the back.
I recently started walking with a weighted vest. Local teens thought it was cool that I was training to be a police officer. Lol
Haha! Extra street cred
Bahahaaa did you say yes??
OMG when I wear my vest out, I'm afraid to stop in a store because someone will wonder WTH!??! The vests aren't as inconspicuous as a backpack!
Bahaha I feel so validated knowing I'm not the only one who thinks this 🤣
Great idea for my summer walking goals , bonus with a pack to burn more calories.
It really amps it up a notch. That first minute when you take off the pack after you're done, your body feels so light
I've never been a runner. I've always wanted to, but running doesn't like me very much.
I do love walking. I "accidentally" ruck every time I go hiking with my son. I am the designated holder of all the things: our water bottles, snacks, phones, wallets, etc. It may or may not be a tenth of my body weight, but it sure feels that way! Thanks for sharing and inspiring!
I used to ruck before I knew it was a thing too. Especially when my wife and I are out exploring and shopping. I always bring a pack and we come back with stuff I never knew we "needed."
Lol! I know that feeling ...
Great post! I’m going to try it. I ran weekly for over 20 years but now my knees are shot. The thing I miss most is just being outside in every kind of weather.
I like to run, but I get too sore to do that every day. So rucking takes up the slack for me!
Love this post, Tim — rucking really is the underrated cardio MVP. Your humour makes it all feel so accessible (especially the “I look dumb anyway” bit 😂). It’s great to see someone talk about movement in a way that respects physical limitations without making people feel like they’re opting out of “real” fitness.
I’ve started mixing in short rucks between study blocks and it’s such a vibe — clears the head and gets the blood pumping. Thanks for keeping it real and simple. Let’s keep rucking! 👣
Thank you for this comment! I’m glad you appreciate the humor. And that extra movement will help with your mental agility for sure.
I loaded my wife's pack with all my stuff.
When she objected, I pointed out I was helping her.
I rucked, she rucked. When we got home, we rucked some more.
Rucking- who knew?
You have to do what you can to help out your favourite people
Wait…the soup cans are supposed to be full? Man that explains a lot!!!
I use a regular backpack almost everyday, walk to the food store and load up with maybe 25 pounds worth of groceries. Walk home and depending on route get in 3 to 6 miles.
(And I’m 72)
You are definitely getting in your exercise! That can get rough on squishy things like loaves of bread I bet.
Big fan of the occasional ruck. Underrated.
After two years of daily walks, this is what I’ve been looking for. Chances are high I need a shower afterwards, but that’s cool!
And looking foolish-people won’t notice what I’m doing there. Just a guy carrying around a backpack with a sweat on his face😄
Even if someone thinks it's a little weird to see you backpacking in your neighbourhood, they just glance and keep going. And if you have a weight vest, they assume you're a fitness nut. There are worse things people could accuse you of than working to improve your health!
And a fitness nut I am 😄
I have been meaning to add this to my walking collection.
I plan on wearing the weighted vest or carrying a pack for most of my walks this summer.
Rucking is great! I do it regularly to stay in shape for backpacking. These are some excellent guidelines for getting started. If you want to spice it up, you can add a few squares or pushups in intervals every few minutes, every mile, or whatever you choose!
Pushups would be a good addition. Maybe without the pack, for most of us!
I got my husband a ruck a few years back after reading Michael Easter's, The Comfort Crisis. This year he got me a weighted vest. It's woman specific and I can add weights (and subsequently take them out) if the vest gets sweaty and I want to wash it. (since I just got it at Christmas time and I live in the depths still of winter-no sweat yet! 😂) For those looking at buying something specific, especially for women (read: busty women!), check what will fit a women's size comfortably especially around the shoulders and bust area. I like mine a lot!
Thanks for that information. I bet my weighted vest wouldn't fit anyone with much chest padding - too tight.
Summer is so close! 18 C today.
I loaded my wife's pack with all my stuff.
When she objected, I pointed out I was helping her.
I rucked, she rucked. When we got home, we rucked some more.
Rucking- who knew?
For short walks, I agree! She can totally pack her own junk. But when I want to convince her to walk up a mountain, and hiking is not really her thing? I have to pull out all the stops.