Rucking - my personal experience so far..

[frossmark]

Rucking is a very often mentioned and discussed topic in the Newsletter and App. I personally did start walking long before that, every morning I read my emails and start my day, then I stroll around the office building for about 15 minutes. I repeat that around noon.

My wife started having us walk with the kids in the evening, after dinner. I added a rucking pack to make it more challenging. We walk about 1.5-2 miles in the neighborhood.

Of course, safety is key here - I personally added reflective gear - here the link - they are USB-C rechargeable and light.. the kids love em and they fit easily over my rucking vest even. It is dark at 7 PM now, be safe is priority number one. Here the link to what I use: https://a.co/d/bARiZKi

The weight did go up over time for me, I started at 20 lbs and keep working my way up, I go slow, when I really feel my shoulders are totally used to it, I add a few pound. My goal is eventually 50 lbs, as this is the safe spot and actually the max load for my west. Taking my time gives my body time to adjust, my shoulders to get used to the weight and my knees as well.

Changes I noticed are that my core seems to get a lot stronger, my chiropractor is happy cause my lower back is less stressed, what partly must have to do with the constant rucking. I increased my endurance a bit as well, it bothers me less to have a backpack full of supplies while e.g. going with the kids to the Zoo or all the other little activities..

Of course, these are not extreme runs and brutal rucking sessions, but that's the point - they do not have to be at all. Something simple like a backpack loaded with a few books or so will easily get you started.

The point is, keep doing it every day, rep by rep.

Picture of me after Rucking with the Pump Club member in LA / September 2024

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[Ted]

Thanks for starting this topic

When I first read about rucking, I realized that i am doing it already for years, just did not know it has an own term
Since I can remember, I am getting 90% of my groceries by walking to the store. So on my way home, I was always rucking carrying all the groceries.
I still do this today as I live in Los Angeles without a car (7 years now)..
Also during Hiking, I was rucking as well because carrying all the water and clothing you need has some weight, too ..

Since reading about all the benefits of rucking, I started doing it with weight plates, too.
I was already doing walks every day to get my steps in, so I just took my hiking backpack, added some weight plates and go.
After doing this for about a year, my girlfriend gave me a rucking vest for my birthday this year which I am using since.
It has a max capacity of 45lbs - so it will last a while as I am on 22lbs right now

I already noticed on hikes that my backpack doesn't feel that heavy anymore which is a big plus on backpacking trips,
especially in California where you very often have to bring all the water you need.