As we do every so often, in this week’s newsletter, we’ve provided a short account from a few super popular articles out there about rucking. What you’ll find is that A) if you already ruck (or just started rucking), you’re on to something BIG, B) rucking is OLD and more relevant than ever, and C) rucking is for everyone!

Don’t take my word for it! Check out the articles below…

Motivation

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s ONE Exercise for Strength, Endurance, Muscle, and Fat Loss

If you've watched as many Arnold Schwarzenegger movies as I have, he’s probably made an indelible mark on you too. Not only will he always be the Terminator, but, irrespective of his age – he’s currently 77 years young – Arnold has seemingly defied age-related muscle loss, like sarcopenia. One of the exercises he’s recently got into: rucking!

Arnold Schwarzenegger champions rucking as the ultimate exercise that combines strength, endurance, muscle gain, and fat loss. In his Arnold’s Pump Club Newsletter, he calls rucking the “Swiss Army Knife” of workouts, stating it can help you “achieve every fitness goal imaginable.” Schwarzenegger acknowledges that while no single exercise can fulfill all fitness needs, rucking comes close by offering a well-rounded approach to health. He explains, “If you had to pick one that checks all the boxes, rucking would do it better than anything else.”

And…research supports Schwarzenegger’s claims, suggesting that rucking can burn significantly more calories than walking or even jogging at a moderate pace. “Rucking makes you stronger, builds endurance, and improves stamina,” says Schwarzenegger, adding that it can burn “100 more calories per hour than jogging.”

What’s more, rucking is favored by other health experts, too. Dr. Peter Attia includes it in his top exercises for lifelong fitness, while neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Huberman has committed to it for over 30 years. As Schwarzenegger puts it, “The best type of exercise is the one that you’ll do consistently,” and rucking’s simplicity and effectiveness make it a top contender. If you’re seeking a new challenge that builds muscle and burns fat, rucking might be worth a try!

Fitness & Health

A Deep Dive Into Rucking by Michael Easter

Though I’ve been backpacking and hiking (with some weight in my pack) for more than four decades, it wasn’t until I read the bestselling book, The Comfort Crisis, by Michael Easter, that I learned about rucking. As I poured through this terrific book, I became more and more engrossed in the idea of getting back to nature and employing the (natural) tools that humans have been endowed with for millennia. 

Whether you’ve read The Comfort Crisis or plan to, this article, also by Michael Easter, provides a comprehensive overview of rucking, emphasizing its benefits as a combination of endurance and strength training. Easter discusses how rucking can serve as an effective workout for those who may not enjoy traditional weight training, particularly for women. He also notes that rucking has a lower injury rate compared to other forms of exercise like running, making it accessible for many fitness levels. 

It’s SUPER comprehensive and absolutely worth a read. In fact, after having carried 40 lbs in my rucksack for the last year or so, rereading this article has made me think I should probably increase my weight now and again.

Everyday Ruck

I Rucked Every Day for a Month—Here's What I Learned

Like many of us, I too get caught by clickbait article titles now and again. That being said, given that I ruck several days a week – or at least try to – I found this article to be great, in that it provides a pretty detailed account of the world of rucking and what might happen to your body and mind should you decide to do it every day (or most days anyway).

As an experiment, the author, Meredith Bethune, subjected herself to a month-long rucking challenge. Here, she details her insights into the workout's efficiency and enjoyment. It highlights how rucking strengthens the legs and trunk while providing a low-impact cardio session. The author reflects on the social aspects of rucking and its potential to foster community and motivation among participants. Totally worth a read!