You may have heard of rucking as it's been a long staple of military training, tracing its history back to the days of the Romans. At its core, rucking is walking with a loaded pack, commonly known as a rucksack, to carry equipment. But what you may not realize is that rucking is making a move in the fitness industry as a way to enhance your workout—challenging your heart, strengthening your muscles and helping you to get stronger.
And because we’re always looking for ways to level up walking and discovered a need for a weighted vest that fit a woman’s body, we created the Jetti Pack, making rucking accessible for all. Tipping the scales at a comfortable 7 lbs to start, it's the perfect companion for your everyday walk. With your Jetti Pack on your shoulders, you're not just taking a stroll—you're embarking on a full-body workout and getting stronger with every step.
The Benefits of Rucking
By adding a Jetti Pack to your regular walking routine, you can contribute to your well-being. Walking with a Jetti Pack elevates your walk and introduces an accessible form of exercise that delivers tremendous benefits like:
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Better Heart Health: Rucking is a great way to improve your cardiovascular fitness as it increases your heart rate and engages your cardiovascular system, helping to build endurance and stamina.
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More Muscular Strength: Rucking is a full-body workout that engages various muscle groups. The weight on your back adds resistance, which helps to build strength in your legs, glutes, core, and upper body muscles. It's like a strength training session while you walk!
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Effective Form of Weight Loss: The combination of walking and carrying extra weight elevates the calories that you burn, aiding in fat loss and weight management.
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Less Joint Stress: Unlike high-impact activities like running, rucking is low-impact and puts less stress on your joints.
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Better Posture: Rucking requires you to maintain an upright posture and engage your core muscles. Over time, this can help improve your posture, as it strengthens the muscles responsible for supporting your spine and maintaining proper alignment.
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Improved Mental Health: Engaging in moderate physical activity outdoors is great for your mental well-being as it can reduce stress, improve mood, and boost mental resilience.
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Versatility and Accessibility Options: Rucking is a versatile exercise that can be adapted to different fitness levels and goals. You can adjust the weight, distance, and terrain to suit your preferences and gradually increase the intensity over time. It's an accessible activity that can be done almost anywhere, requiring minimal equipment.
- Teamwork and Camaraderie Opportunities: There’s nothing like rucking with others as it gives you a chance to encourage each other along the way, and fosters a sense of shared accomplishment when completing rucking events together.
The Research Agrees
According to this study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, adding weight to your walks can increase your energy expenditure and heart rate, transforming a leisurely walk into a challenging workout without adding undue strain on your body. This can improve your cardiovascular health and muscular strength, especially in your lower body and core.
In addition, this study featured in Osteoporosis International that has shown that load-bearing exercises, like rucking, can help improve bone density. This is especially important for women, as osteoporosis is a prevalent condition, particularly after menopause.
Ready to Start Rucking?
If you’re new to rucking, add a Jetti Pack to your fitness arsenal. Why Jetti Pack? Because we designed it for you. As Co-founder and CEO Joyce Shulman explains, “I couldn’t find a weighted pack designed for women – so we created one.”
Remember, it's important to start slowly and gradually increase the weight and distance. As you get stronger, you can add additional Jetti Pack Weight Plates to your Jetti Pack to continue to challenge yourself.
The physical benefits, combined with the chance to connect with others and exercise outdoors, make rucking a rewarding exercise that promotes wellness in multiple aspects. Whether you're a seasoned fitness veteran or just starting your journey, the Jetti Pack is the versatile tool you need to elevate your walking game.
As always, remember to consult with a healthcare professional or fitness expert before starting a new fitness routine, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or concerns.