David Powers and his daughterMore Info
Getting started We’d love to hook you up with some rucking tips to help you get started, but … well, we’ve never tried it. But we know someone who has.How can I get started?Powers: Don’t just start out with a 60-pound pack. The best workout to prepare for rucking is just to get out and start doing it little by little. Walk around your neighborhood or the park. I guess you could wear a weighted pack and walk on a treadmill or a stair climber, but why would you want to do that? Just get outside and walk.How much weight should I carry?Powers: If it’s too heavy to lift up and put on your back by yourself, I’d say it’s too heavy. Too heavy equals too dangerous. You’ll end up top-heavy on a trail and fall backwards over a cliff or something.Is there anything I shouldn’t do?Powers: Never do jumping jacks, or jumping, period. You try to jump over a log or rock and you’re going to bust an ankle.
When it comes to backpacking, most hikers can spend hours combing through every item in their inventory, desperately trying to whittle down the weight they’ll have to carry.
But not David Powers.
While others are removing protein bars and ponchos, the U.S. Army veteran is tossing in iron weights and kettlebells. Because for him, a heavy hump is half the fun.
During his time in the military, Powers and his fellow soldiers spent a lot of time “rucking,” or moving over varying terrain under a heavy load. That often meant lugging a 40- to 60-pound rucksack, along with body armor, weapons and other gear that put their load well over 100 pounds.