Since our last newsletter the rucking club has really taken off! It has been a blast connecting with new people, being outside and getting some great exercise. Right now, the cadence for our rucks has been one, large, group ruck per week (usually on the weekend) and a few smaller individual sessions with friends during the week. Some of the most recent group rucks have included an “urban-style” sidewalk ruck in town from our local Dunkin’ Donuts to our Ridgefield Farmer’s Market (roughly a 3 mile total roundtrip). This wound up being a great way to get outside on what became an extremely hot day, beat the heat, and to support some local businesses and farmers in the area. Another very fun event recently was our ‘Ruck with Remmi” outing. Remmi is one of our family dogs who loves the outdoors and is extremely loving and friendly. This became our best attended event yet as Remmi led the team down into the Ridgefield Rail Trail (a little over 4 miles total). 

During the last month, I was also able to get away with the family for a nice beach vacation. We tried to get out nearly every day for a “Sand Ruck” and some more exercise. It was incredible getting the kids involved and as you’d imagine, they did great! 

As the club continues to expand, we plan to continue to grow items in the store. Most recently, we launched 6 new shirts (3 men’s Ts and 3 women’s crop tanks) which are all available via our online store or in-person next time we meet up. We also created some of our own Forge Ahead Rucking Club Velcro patches for your rucksacks or hats accept patches. 

Finally, as the club continues to grow, more and more questions pop up about rucking and while I don’t provide explicit advice, I can tell you what I do and how I think about some of these questions as they come up for me and for my family. Below are a few Frequently Asked Questions and ways I tackle them. 

FAQs:

How much weight should I use when rucking?

Any weight is better than none, but in general ~15% of your bodyweight seems to work well for most adults. Don’t forget, the goal is not to go so heavy that you either hurt yourself or can’t ruck again for weeks because you need a significant recovery period. You want to be able to say to yourself, “I feel like I could do that again tomorrow” after you finish. 

Can I use a regular backpack?

Theoretically, yes; however, I would strongly encourage you to invest in a true rucksack. Rucksacks typically hold weight high and tight so that you don’t wind up looking like an elementary school kid carrying too many textbooks in a backpack 😊

If you invest in a rucksack, you will likely have a much more enjoyable experience rucking which in turn, should make you more willing to get back out there and do it again often. 

I, personally, prefer and use a GORUCK Plate Carrier 3.0. I have found this to be an extremely durable and comfortable rucksack/plate carrier. PS – I don’t get paid to say this or to endorse any products; I just really believe this to be a great option.   

As more questions come up, I will likely put them into future newsletters, but until then, feel free to reach out anytime and if I can help, I will.

-Mike