RUCKING

Rucking comes from the word "rucksack," a German word for "backpack" that has been adopted into English. (In German "der Rücken" means "the back" and "der Sack" means "the sack or bag.") Military units conduct marches carrying rucksacks as part of physical training and endurance tests. In the US military and in some other NATO forces, this type of training is known as rucking. (In the British army it is known as "tabbing" and in the Royal Marines it is called "yomping.")

Rucking began transitioning from a strictly military practice to a civilian fitness trend in the early 2010s. A major catalyst was the founding of a company called GORUCK, by a former Green Beret called Jason McCarthy. GORUCK began as a gear company but quickly expanded into events and communities centered on endurance, teamwork, and military-style fitness. Since the COVID pandemic, social media posts and worldwide searches for information about rucking have grown considerably. It seems to have been embraced by all sorts of people looking to get extra value from their walking workouts, as well as hikers/trekkers looking for activity specific training.

To start rucking, grab a sturdy backpack, load it with 10–20 lbs (use something like towels, sheets or clothes to start with, then add heavier objects such as books, water bottles, sand bags, or weight plates) and walk 20–30 minutes on flat terrain 2–3 times a week. Wear supportive shoes, keep good posture (shoulders back, chest up, hips forward), and gradually increase weight or distance. Walk at a brisk but comfortable pace, and avoid overloading or upping the pace too soon to prevent injury. (Pro tip: For extra benefit, use trekking poles and check out Nordic walking.)

Rucking is a neologism. A neologism is a newly coined word or phrase that has recently come into use or has been created to describe a new concept, idea, or phenomenon. Neologisms can be created in any language and can take different forms, such as: