Okay, so I’ve been hitting the gym for a while, you know, trying to get in shape, lose some weight, the usual. But I heard about this thing called rucking, where you basically just walk with a weighted backpack. Sounds simple enough, right? But then I started wondering, “What’s the best weight for rucking?”
I did some digging around, asked a few buddies who are into fitness, and it seemed like there wasn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. Some folks said start with 10% of your body weight, others said 20%, and a few hardcore folks even mentioned going up to 30% or more! It was all a bit confusing.
So, I decided to experiment a bit myself. I grabbed my old hiking backpack and started with just a few textbooks, maybe around 10 pounds or so. It was just a short walk around the block, no big deal. But even that little bit of weight made a difference. I could feel my heart rate going up, and my legs were definitely working harder than usual. I went to work, came back, and I increased to 20 pounds. Now, that was a bit more challenging, still, I felt good.
Over the next few weeks, I gradually increased the weight. 25 pounds, 30 pounds, and I even tried 40 pounds once. Let me tell you, 40 pounds was a whole different ball game. I felt pretty wiped out after that one. I also tried to record my heart rate with my smartwatch and I found it was definitely more challenging with the weight. I also tried different terrains, flat roads, hills, even some stairs.
- Start small: I started with around 10 pounds and gradually worked my way up.
- Listen to your body: I didn’t push myself too hard, especially at the beginning. Some days I felt great, others not so much.
- Mix it up: I tried different weights, distances, and terrains to keep things interesting.
- Be patient: It takes time to build up your strength and endurance.
Eventually, I found a sweet spot that worked for me. It was around 25-30 pounds, which was enough to get a good workout without feeling like I was going to collapse. I started rucking a few times a week, and I noticed some real improvements. I lost some weight, felt stronger, and my endurance got way better.
My Results
After a few months of rucking, I was really happy with the results. I managed to lose about 15 pounds, and I felt way more energetic and fit overall. It wasn’t easy, but it was definitely worth it. I kept a simple journal to track my progress, nothing fancy, just the date, weight, distance, and how I felt.
So, if you’re thinking about trying rucking, my advice is to start slow, listen to your body, and find a weight that challenges you but doesn’t leave you feeling wrecked. It’s a great way to get in shape, enjoy the outdoors, and it’s pretty low-impact, so it’s easy on the joints. Just don’t overdo it, and you’ll be golden!
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