Teach me what you know about Ruck. More than walking less than jogging? How to start. Been a long time runner. Knees and low back are getting less happy with my jogs. Need to find something else to mix in.

In Ergo, hiking with a backpack that is designed to better distribute weight? Carrying weight at a brisk walk will burn more calories and build a little more strength.

Ruck almost every day. I have three different packs. The original is full of paver-stones and is about 50lbs.

I have a smaller pack around 30lbs, and my most favorite pack is my son's ROTC pack with a 40lb bag of water-softener and a few other items.

I keep them in the covered bed of my truck. When I'm walking the dog, waiting on kids at practice, or just when I want to get away by myself. I usually go for 45-60 minutes at a time due to circumstances. No excuses for bad weather - nothing better than going up/down the ramps in a parking garage.

Make sure you have stable shoes. Those smushy-soled running shoes aren't great. They give too much. I switched to Solomon trail-runners/hikers and they are great.

Not much to tell. Put some weight in a pack and go.

I have the GR1 from GoRuck. Yeah, it's pricey but the quality is unmatched. I also use it for my everyday carry so it's worth it to me.

Look into GoRuck events. I did the Tough (10-12 Hours) back in 2018. There's also Pathfinder which is a "12-week online-based, self-paced ruck training program".

I've been doing it a lot the last couple of years. I surprisingly enjoy it. Never thought I would have the patience for anything low speed like that as a part of my regular routine. Like someone alluded to above it's nice because you can just do it whenever. Doesn't matter if you just ate a meal or anything like that. Just go.

That sounds hard. Like it would take way longer than say, 2 to 3 minutes.

When I'm prepping for an elk hunt and need to go extra heavy, I'll wear a bullet proof vest + mag carrier (loaded) in addition to my hiking pack filled with weights. Definitely get some looks from the neighbors but I don't really care.

I bought a pair of the GoRuck ballistic trainers about a year ago and they are my favorite shoe to train in! I also just purchased a pair of their Rough Runners for my runs and city rucks. By far my favorite shoes out there, plus made in the USA.

I've been throwing in shorter rucks (2-3 mins @ 40-50lbs) into some of my cardio sessions and I've been enjoying that style of rucking as well.

I have a 20lb vest and I swear after 30 minutes I want to die. I have no idea how some of you are doing 40-50lbs.

I have the same and have considered going up in weight - your post has convinced me that I should wait a little longer.

I just got a goruck pack with 45lb plate and did a couple of 30 minute walks this past week. I was shocked at how much of a full body workout that is with such a light weight. It definitely has me wanting to work up to longer/faster rucks.

I used to Ruck, but it killed my shoulders any suggestions to combat that?

Apollo79 said:

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I used to Ruck, but it killed my shoulders any suggestions to combat that?

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I had pain in my middle back. I had to drop it to 10lbs (from 20) and it seemed to have helped. 20lbs doesnt seem like a lot but after 45-60 mins it feels like 100lbs.

You definitely condition to rucking over time but I have found (even more so than with weights or other cardio) that some days you just feel the load way more than others. On Sunday I did my usual 3-4 miles with a little bit lighter load than I usually carry and it just sucked. Killed my traps. Sucked from start to finish. Other times I really don't even notice the load and it's just seems like a small increase in my exertion relative to walking.

I definitely think good equipment helps. I know they have their fanboys and I don't believe I am one, but GoRuck bags do help make the weight more tolerable. I like my vest, too, but I can't carry near as much weight in it before it becomes uncomfortable.

Been training for the GoRuck 50 miler in April for the past few weeks. Carrying a 30lb plate in a Centr Ruck Sack. Prior to switching to the ruck sack I used a 37lb vest. The ruck sack was definitely an adjustment and was more difficult, but I'm conditioned to the change now. Between the actual ruck sack and vest, I used a standard back pack for a few weeks. The ruck sack is much easier on your shoulders. It keeps the weight closer and higher on your back. Would definitely recommend getting a designed ruck sack. Up to 10 miles at a time so far.

bam02 said:

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You definitely condition to rucking over time but I have found (even more so than with weights or other cardio) that some days you just feel the load way more than others. On Sunday I did my usual 3-4 miles with a little bit lighter load than I usually carry and it just sucked. Killed my traps. Sucked from start to finish. Other times I really don't even notice the load and it's just seems like a small increase in my exertion relative to walking.

I definitely think good equipment helps. I know they have their fanboys and I don't believe I am one, but GoRuck bags do help make the weight more tolerable. I like my vest, too, but I can't carry near as much weight in it before it becomes uncomfortable.

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My sister lives in a very affluent neighborhood in Houston. On Christmas morning she sent me a picture taken out of her second floor window of a couple walking by with GoRucks on. She said "Apparently rucks are the trendy couples gift this year, this is the third couple that has walked by with them on this morning. I didn't know what they were, had to ask <husband>."

Tailgate88 said:

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bam02 said:

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You definitely condition to rucking over time but I have found (even more so than with weights or other cardio) that some days you just feel the load way more than others. On Sunday I did my usual 3-4 miles with a little bit lighter load than I usually carry and it just sucked. Killed my traps. Sucked from start to finish. Other times I really don't even notice the load and it's just seems like a small increase in my exertion relative to walking.

I definitely think good equipment helps. I know they have their fanboys and I don't believe I am one, but GoRuck bags do help make the weight more tolerable. I like my vest, too, but I can't carry near as much weight in it before it becomes uncomfortable.

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My sister lives in a very affluent neighborhood in Houston. On Christmas morning she sent me a picture taken out of her second floor window of a couple walking by with GoRucks on. She said "Apparently rucks are the trendy couples gift this year, this is the third couple that has walked by with them on this morning. I didn't know what they were, had to ask <husband>."

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That's funny it doesn't really surprise me. We enjoy doing it, but I kind of think the whole fad and obsession over rucking is kind of laughable. It's great at all, but I think you get about 95% of the same benefit just by getting out and walking or hiking, but people really try to get technical with it.

I had joined a rucking group on Facebook a while back out of curiosity, but it didn't take me long to remove myself from the group. Just nonstop, stupid questions about the right footwear and all sorts of unimportant nonsense.