

“Setting out on the expedition, he laboured to perfect his army as it went along, practising the men in all kinds of running and in long marches, and compelling them to carry their own baggage and to prepare their own food.” Many of the soldiers took pride in their ability to haul their own supplies, and jokingly referred to themselves as muli mariani -“Marian Mules.”Īs the ancient historian Plutarch explains : Marius’ insistence on his soldiers rucking not only allowed Roman armies to move faster and cheaper, it also made the soldiers tougher, fitter, better warriors. Previously, soldiers had stowed much of their kit on pack animals, which were slow, unwieldy, and inefficient. In 107 BC, the statesman and general Gaius Marius reformed the Roman military, requiring legionaries to carry their own equipment on campaign, which worked out to about 50 to 60 pounds of armor, clothes, weapons, food, and other supplies. As the Roman general Scipio Aemilianus once remarked, “for what can you expect in a war, from a man who is not able to walk?”


That said, due to soldiers’ need to carry large amounts of food, weapons, and other supplies long distances, the history of rucking has been closely intertwined with military life for millennia. While the term “rucking” has come into vogue recently, humans have been humping heavy loads ever since our ancestors started walking upright. Take this quiz to learn which ones are best for you. You don't need supplements to build muscle, lose fat, and get healthy. The extra weight is incidental to your main goal, not the goal itself.įind the Perfect Supplements for You in Just 60 Seconds In the case of backpacking or hiking, you’re usually carrying extra weight because it’s needed to complete the trip (such as food, water, tent, etc.). Typically, this extra weight is in the form of metal plates (ruck weights), bricks, sandbags, water jugs, or some other heavy object. In the case of rucking, you’re carrying extra weight with the goal of getting a better workout. What’s the difference between rucking and hiking or backpacking, you wonder? Typically, rucksacks are made of more durable materials and feature thicker shoulder straps and back padding than regular backpacks, but the terms are often used interchangeably. The term “ruck” is short for “rucksack,” which is a durable backpack designed to carry heavy loads. Rucking is simply walking with a weighted backpack. FAQ #4: Can I wear a weighted vest instead?.FAQ #3: How can I make rucking more comfortable?.FAQ #2: How should you plan your ruck workouts around weightlifting?.FAQ #1: What kind of shoes should you wear?.Step 2: Buy a Good Rucksack and Buy (or Make) Ruck Weights.Rucking (Probably) Doesn’t Interfere with Muscle Growth.Rucking Is Easier on the Body Than Running.Rucking Boosts Your Fitness More Than Walking.In other words, rucking is one of the best kinds of cardio for people who “don’t like” cardio. That is, you can continually make your rucks a little bit harder, which isn’t easy with walking. What’s more, it’s also very easy to progressively overload your workouts. And, it’s social-you can easily do it with a group.It’s versatile (you can do it anywhere).While rucking is simple, it’s also one of the most underrated kinds of cardio you can do:
