Rucking Good News

Welcome to the RUKSAK blog, your go-to source for good health news, tips, and inspiration on rucking and fitness! Explore our articles to discover how to enhance your rucking workouts, stay motivated, and make the most of your rucking journey.

Osteopenia vs Osteoporosis: Why Your Weighted Vest Strategy Changes

Osteopenia vs Osteoporosis: Why Your Weighted Vest Strategy Changes

You've had your bone density scan. The results say "osteopenia." You google it. You panic. Then you see "osteoporosis" mentioned and get even more confused. They sound like the same thing. They're not. And the difference matters - especially when you're deciding whether a weighted vest is the right move.

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Weighted vest for perimenopause and post menopause

Perimenopause vs Postmenopause: Why Timing Matters for Bone Loading

Bone loss doesn’t wait until menopause — it starts years earlier. During perimenopause, falling estrogen accelerates bone density decline, making this the most important time to start bone-loading exercise. Weighted movement, like walking with a comfortable vest, helps strengthen bones, improve posture, and maintain long-term mobility.

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How to Get the Most Out of Your Weighted Vest Workouts

How to Get the Most Out of Your Weighted Vest Workouts

Learn how to get the most out of your weighted vest workouts with these simple tips. Discover how to train safely, build strength, and make every movement count.

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Choosing the Right Weighted Vest Filling (and Why to Avoid Granular Iron Sand)

Choosing the Right Weighted Vest Filling (and Why to Avoid Granular Iron Sand)

When it comes to weighted vests, not all fillers are created equal. Many cheaper options use granular iron sand, which shifts, leaks, and breaks down over time. At RUKVEST, we use weighted gel technology (iron sand encased within a stabilising gel), keeping the weight evenly balanced and securely sealed. Here’s why this small design difference makes a big impact on comfort, performance, and durability.

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Stronger Bones for Life: How Weighted Vests + Small Jumps Can Boost Bone Density

Stronger Bones for Life: How Weighted Vests + Small Jumps Can Boost Bone Density

After about age 35, our bone density naturally starts to decline, and that process speeds up after menopause. The great news? You don’t need to become a gym junkie or start leaping onto boxes to support your bones. Small, intentional impact movements (yes, even light jumping!) and a simple tool like a weighted vest can make a difference.

Let’s break down how this works, and how to do it safely, even if you’re not super sporty.

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Cheap Weighted Vest? Why Quality Matters More Than You Think

Cheap Weighted Vest? Why Quality Matters More Than You Think

We get it, a “cheap weighted vest” sounds tempting. When you’re just starting out or scrolling online, it’s easy to think they’re all the same. But not all vests are created equal, and the difference between a quality weighted vest and a cheap one can be the difference between progress and pain.

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Weighted Walking for Thyroid Health

Weighted Walking for Thyroid Health

Gentle, adaptable, and highly effective, weighted walking offers a thyroid-friendly approach that can support energy, hormone balance, and long-term health without overtaxing the body.

 

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WASHING YOUR RUK GEAR

Keep Your RUK Gear Fresh and Clean

Rucking is tough on your gear, but cleaning your RUKVEST or RUKSAK doesn’t have to be. Key Takeaways Soak your RUKVEST or RUKSAK for 5–10 minutes in mild detergent for a deep clean. Air dry flat or over a sturdy...

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How Many Calories Does Walking With Weight Actually Burn?

How Many Calories Does Walking With Weight Actually Burn?

Key Takeaways Rucking and weighted walking increase calorie burn by about 10–20%, not 200–300% as old military data suggests. Added weight boosts muscle activation, oxygen demand, and cardiovascular effort for greater energy use. Walking with 5–10% of bodyweight raises calorie...

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Plate Rucksacks vs. RUKSAK: Which One’s Better for Everyday Rucking?

Plate Rucksacks vs. RUKSAK: Which One’s Better for Everyday Rucking?

Original ruck brands like GoRuck have built their brand serving elite military and Crossfit Games athletes and offer plate-based systems designed to carry heavy loads, and new start ups like Australian brands RuckAway and Ruck Australia are following suit. Are they the best option for rucking beginners, everyday walkers looking to comfortably add weight or those focused on controlled progression and comfort?

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What is Rucking? The Complete Beginner's Guide to Weighted Walking

What is Rucking? The Complete Beginner's Guide to Weighted Walking

If you would rather do anything else in this world versus another gym workout, this blog (and rucking) is definitely for you. Rucking is one of the simplest and most effective ways to exercise, and it’s gaining popularity fast, due...

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Rucking Goes Mainstream: Garmin Adds Rucking Activity Tracking to Smartwatches

Rucking Goes Mainstream: Garmin Adds Rucking Activity Tracking to Smartwatches

Big news for the rucking community: Garmin has officially added rucking-specific features to a range of their smartwatches in their May 2025 software update.

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Rucking and Weight Loss

Rucking and Weight Loss

Key Takeaways Weighted walking/vests can aid fat loss partly by reducing appetite via a “gravitostat” response from bone loading. Human trials show meaningful fat loss and better long-term weight maintenance with regular vest use. Start light at 5–10% of body...

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RUKVEST Wins at the 2025 Prevention Health & Fitness Awards

RUKVEST Wins at the 2025 Prevention Health & Fitness Awards

We’re thrilled to announce that the RUKVEST has been named a Winner in the Fitness Equipment category of the 2025 Prevention Health & Fitness Awards. The Prevention team tested hundreds of products designed to improve your health, fitness, and wellbeing and chose the standouts that truly deliver. We’re incredibly proud to be recognised alongside brands making a real difference in the health and wellness space.

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We Showed Up Strong at the Healthy Ageing Summit

We Showed Up Strong at the Healthy Ageing Summit

We had a blast at this year’s Healthy Ageing Summit on the Gold Coast! It was a packed couple of days full of inspiring speakers, hands-on experiences, and real conversations about what it means to live well and live strong as...

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Pre and Post Ruck Mobility

Stretch Smarter: Pre & Post-Ruck Mobility Tips with Glenn Phipps

If you've ever finished a big ruck and felt the telltale tightness in your glutes or hamstrings, you're not alone. In this video, exercise physiologist Glenn Phipps walks us through some powerful (and practical) mobility drills to help you both...

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Rucking Good Fuel: Eating for Stronger Bones

Rucking Good Fuel: Eating for Stronger Bones

If you’ve been following the Rucking Good Podcast, you’ll know we love a good chat about all things movement, recovery, and feeling better in your body. In a recent episode, Adam caught up with Dr. Lisa Vaughan— an Osteo with...

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RUKVEST at ‘So Hot Right Now’: A Huge Hit at the Sydney Opera House!

RUKVEST at ‘So Hot Right Now’: A Huge Hit at the Sydney Opera House!

This past Saturday, we had an incredible time at the So Hot Right Now event at the Sydney Opera House! As silver sponsors, we set up shop with RUKVEST, our weighted vest designed for active recovery, and the response was amazing. So many people stopped by, tried one on, and loved how comfortable it felt.

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Why Rucking is the Ultimate Charity Walk Training Tool

Why Rucking is the Ultimate Charity Walk Training Tool

Some of the longest (and hardest) organised walking events are those that are attached to charity fundraising events. To help you best prepare for the endurance, the joint pain, the fatigue (still want to do one?) we have created a training program using a rucksack or weighted vest to best prepare you for the fun that lies ahead.

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Perimenopause & Rucking: Weighted Vest Walking Guide

Perimenopause & Rucking: Weighted Vest Walking Guide

Walking with a weighted vest can be a powerful way to support your body through perimenopause. Learn how this simple form of resistance training boosts bone strength, metabolism, and emotional balance – helping you feel stronger and more in control every day.

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5 Reasons Why Rucking is the Ultimate Time-Saver for Your Fitness Routine

5 Reasons Why Rucking is the Ultimate Time-Saver for Your Fitness Routine

Key Takeaways Rucking combines walking and strength training, delivering gym-level results with less strain and more enjoyment. It’s beginner-friendly—start light and progress gradually for safe, steady strength gains. Rucking keeps you in Zone 2 cardio, ideal for fat burning and...

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Adding Life to Your Years: 7 Tips for a Healthier, More Fulfilling Life (and how Rucking can help).

Adding Life to Your Years: 7 Tips for a Healthier, More Fulfilling Life (and how Rucking can help).

Living a longer life is great, but living a healthier, more vibrant life is even better. Here are seven tips to help you add life to your years and make the most of every moment. Rucking can help tick 5 out of the 7 boxes so what are you waiting for?

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12 Tips for getting the most out of Rucking

12 Tips for getting the most out of Rucking

Rucking is a simple and effective way to improve strength and fitness. We share our 12 essential tips to help you get the most out of your rucking gear.

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Rucking safely during and after pregnancy

Rucking safely during and after pregnancy

Rucking during and after pregnancy offers potential health benefits but must be approached cautiously to ensure the safety for both the parent and the baby. Here are some tips if you are considering rucking while pregnant or postpartum. Key Takeaways...

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Taking LISS training to the Next Level with Rucking

Taking LISS training to the Next Level with Rucking

Low-Intensity Steady State training (LISS) is emerging as a popular exercise modality amongst the general population. In this article we explore how Rucking can be used to amplify your LISS workouts and boost overall health and fitness.

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Managing high cortisol levels while exercising for fat loss

Managing high cortisol levels while exercising for fat loss

Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands, which are located above the kidneys. It plays a key role in the body's response to stress, helping regulate a variety of processes including metabolism, immune function, and blood pressure....

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Rucking vs. Running: Which is Best for You?

Rucking vs. Running: Which is Best for You?

With both rucking and running having carved out very distinct and prominent places in today's workout culture. We thought it would be great timing to spill the tea on all things rucking versus running to help everyone be able to make an informed decision on which one will work best for them based on their fitness goals.

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Exercise Snacks

Exercise Snacks

Do you find it difficult to get in the daily 8,000 -10,000 steps that all the health experts recommend we do? If so, you are going to love what I am about to share with you. If you struggle to make regular exercise a thing, try exercise snacking in the form of a few 20 min walks after eating. Not only will it make it easier to stick to a routine of exercise that fits into your busy schedule but it will deliver results over and above the traditional forms of exercise.

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The Superiority of Outdoor Exercise: How Fresh Air and Natural Light Enhance Your Health

The Superiority of Outdoor Exercise: How Fresh Air and Natural Light Enhance Your Health

When considering exercise routines, the choice between working out indoors versus outdoors might seem trivial at first. However, emerging research and anecdotal evidence suggest that exercising outside offers distinct health benefits that go beyond mere physical fitness. From natural light exposure to mental health improvements, outdoor exercise may be superior in several key areas.

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The Benefits of Rucking and Progressive Overload Training

The Benefits of Rucking and Progressive Overload Training

Unlike standard walking, which primarily targets cardiovascular health and calorie burning, rucking incorporates the principles of progressive overload training, making it a robust choice for those seeking functional strength gains and overall fitness improvements.

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The Benefits of Rucking: Improving Posture and Musculoskeletal Health

The Benefits of Rucking: Improving Posture and Musculoskeletal Health

In our modern era of convenience and technology, where sedentary lifestyles dominate, our musculoskeletal health often pays a hefty price. With prolonged hours spent sitting at desks, commuting in cars, or lounging on couches, our bodies suffer from weakened muscles, tightened joints, and compromised posture. However, amidst this sedentary landscape, a simple yet effective solution emerges: rucking.

 

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Maintain Muscle Mass … No Gym Needed

Maintain Muscle Mass … No Gym Needed

In the quest for a longer, healthier life, maintaining muscle mass as we age emerges as a critical factor. When it comes to muscle mass there are many well documented benefits of resistance training, but for some the thought of...

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Boost Bone Health: The Weighty Benefits of Rucking

Boost Bone Health: The Weighty Benefits of Rucking

Key Takeaways Bone density is crucial for preventing osteoporosis and maintaining lifelong strength. Rucking provides weight-bearing resistance that strengthens hips, spine, and leg bones safely. Regular rucking improves posture, resilience, and reduces fracture risk as we age. A low-impact, accessible...

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One Exercise that a Billion Overweight Humans Need to Know About

One Exercise that a Billion Overweight Humans Need to Know About

Rucking not only aids in fat loss but also helps maintain muscle mass. A study on backcountry hunters revealed a loss of 14% body fat over ten days with preserved muscle mass, highlighting rucking’s dual benefit in managing obesity while supporting muscle retention, which has  a long term effect on metabolism.

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