What the Ruck?

That’s exactly what I said when Todd suggested we start walking around the neighborhood carrying weights. In a backpack? But once I learned it’s called rucking (and that it’s secretly an amazing full-body workout), I was in.

After years of loyal love for my Peloton (and that obsession is still real), I found myself craving fresh air + sunshine + movement that didn’t involve my bonus room walls. Todd was looking to boost his cardio and strength, and we both wanted to sneak in a little day date sweat sesh. So, we geared up with ruck weights (20 lbs for me, 30 lbs for him) and hit the hills right outside our door.

For those who haven’t heard of it, rucking is basically walking with weight — a workout that’s part strength, part cardio, and all outdoorsy goodness (though I extend my workouts inside, often up our 16 stairs to the second floor). It’s low-impact but incredibly effective, building endurance, posture, and core strength while torching calories. The best part? It’s simple. No fancy equipment, no gym membership — just your backpack, weights, a good pair of shoes or boots, and water. Oh, and for my longer rucks, I pack my homemade granola or “fit bars” (stay tuned — I’ll be sharing that recipe soon!).

We bought two sets of ruck plates — 20 lbs for me and 30 lbs for Todd — plus one non-official ruck backpack, all from Amazon (of course). I slip my slim weights into my oldie-but-goodie Patagonia backpack and it works beautifully. When Todd can’t squeeze in a ruck date, I go solo. Our neighborhood is hilly, so I keep a fast pace for about an hour — sometimes adding 2 lb hand weights for an extra burn.

But get this — I don’t just ruck in my ’hood. I ruck while watching the boys at lacrosse practice, ruck while running errands (real life!), ruck while climbing stairs, on trails, in parking lots, and through neighborhood streets. And while I ruck, I listen to my other newfound love: podcasts. My go-tos are The Mel Robbins Podcast (clearly my spiritual muse) and, most recently — thanks to my girly pop’s rec — SmartLess (so funny it’s giving me laugh lines).

And it’s not just for grown-ups. We’ve started family rucks too — slipping 2 lb weights into the boys’ backpacks and hitting the trails together. They might not last long (and usually in the most questionable footwear, but I pick my battles over quality time) — yet it’s so therapeutic. A little mental reset, a good sweat, and plenty of family + fun + fitness.

Ready to give rucking a try? I’ve linked our a-list gear on my recs page — your body and your mind will thank you.

smiles + SONshine,

-SeaChelleB