Rucking: Embracing the Weight for Real Growth
Rucking: Embracing the Weight for Real Growth
Growth isn’t always about dramatic changes. Sometimes, it’s the small shifts in our daily routines that trigger the biggest transformations. Rucking—walking with a weighted backpack—is one of those small changes. It seems simple, but it can deliver powerful results for both your body and your mindset. Much like picking up new skills in the workplace, it’s about facing discomfort and emerging stronger.
What Is Rucking?
Rucking involves placing some weight (usually in a backpack) on your back and then walking. That’s it. No complicated workout routines, no gym memberships, and no expensive equipment. You load up a sturdy backpack with a few pounds (start small!) and walk at a pace that feels comfortable. Over time, you can increase the weight or walk faster and longer.
Easy Setup: All you need is a backpack and something to weigh it down—like water bottles or weight plates.
Adaptable: You can walk in your neighborhood, a local park, or even on a treadmill.
Steady Progression: Increase the weight gradually, just as you would take on more responsibility in a new role.
Why Rucking Works
Rucking is a surprisingly effective workout because it adds resistance to a natural movement—walking. Studies show that carrying extra weight can boost calorie burn, strengthen core and leg muscles, and even improve posture. Most importantly, it builds mental toughness. You learn to push past the initial awkwardness or discomfort, which translates to other areas of life.
Physical Strength: Supporting extra weight on your back encourages better posture and activates underused muscles.
Mental Endurance: Each step under that added weight teaches you to persist even when it feels challenging.
Confidence Boost: Overcoming discomfort makes you more likely to tackle new tasks in life and work.
Rucking and Skill-Building
Embracing discomfort is a core part of personal and professional development. Think about learning a new software or taking on a leadership role. At first, it feels awkward. You might doubt your abilities or worry you’ll mess up. But that discomfort is a catalyst for growth.
Step-by-Step Approach: Like adding more weight over time, start with small tasks before moving to more complex ones.
Reflection and Feedback: Just as you keep track of distance, speed, and how your body feels when rucking, note your progress and challenges in your new responsibilities.
Patience and Persistence: Results don’t happen overnight, but consistent effort compounds over time.
My Rucking Experience
I was drawn to rucking because I just wasn’t being consistent with traditional strength training routines. I worried about injuring myself or not doing the exercises correctly and dealing with aches and pains in different places. With rucking, I do feel a little self-conscious about people staring or my posture not being perfect. But every time I finish, I feel a sense of accomplishment—like I’ve conquered both the physical task and my internal doubts.
Closing Thoughts
Whether you’re trying to get stronger physically or refine your skills for a new role at work, the path to real growth often starts with embracing a bit of discomfort. Instead of sidestepping challenges, lean into them—one weighted step at a time.
Why not put on a backpack and take a walk outside? You may just find that the weight you carry helps lighten the load in other parts of your life.
