Let’s be real: most celebrity fitness “secrets” are either expensive, impractical, or require a personal chef and a life with no emails. But weighted walking (rucking with a weighted backpack or a weighted vest) is one of the rare ones that’s within reach of most of us. It’s just walking, but with a little extra load so you can get more from your everyday movement.
Why Weighted Walking Is Having a Moment
1) More work, same time
Add load and your usual pace suddenly costs more. Vogue puts it plainly: a weighted vest can increase the intensity of your walk without changing your pace or the length of the walk.
2) Strength + cardio in one hit
Harvard Health notes that walking with a weighted vest or backpack can help build muscle strength and bone health, improve heart and lung function, and burn more calories than unweighted walking.
3) It’s scalable
You don’t need to go full “military ruck mode.” You can start light, keep it easy, and increase intensity as you improve.
4) It’s hands-free
No dumbbells. No sleds. No awkward farmer’s carry through the local park, just tack it on to your regular activity.
The Celebrity “Ruck Yeah” List
Oprah Winfrey:
Oprah – “I’m actually putting on a damn weighted vest" - has talked about hiking being a go-to and wearing a 10lb weighted vest on longer hikes.
Source: People (Oprah)
https://people.com/oprah-winfrey-s-new-approach-to-working-out-exclusive-1187771
Guy Fieri:
People reporte Guy Fieri used weighted-vest training/rucking as part of a broader routine and reportedly lost 30 lbs over four years.
Sources:
https://people.com/guy-fieri-lost-30-lbs-intermittent-fasting-weighted-vest-8652310
https://www.businessinsider.com/guy-fieri-weight-loss-healthy-aging-fat-burning-rucking-workouts-2024-5
https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/guy-fieri-shares-lost-30-pounds-including-weight-110415089
Ricki Lake:
Ricki Lake has been linked with a routine that includes daily outdoor hikes with a weighted vest, along with Pilates and a keto-style approach. A bunch of coverage references around 40 lbs lost tied to the overall routine, with the vest hikes called out as part of it.
Sources:
https://www.businessinsider.com/ricki-lake-facelift-plastic-surgery-stigma-hollywood-celebrities-2025-6
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/ricki-lake-facelift-weight-loss-b2769735.html
Tom Hardy (via Austin Butler):
Men’s Health reports Austin Butler saying Tom Hardy would do box jumps in a weighted vest after night shoots..
Source: Men’s Health (Tom Hardy via Austin Butler)
https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a65808219/austin-butler-tom-hardy-advice
Other Endorsements:
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Andrew Huberman + Michael Easter have a whole rucking chat/clip that’s basically why it works and how to start.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XQgkA_H7z4 -
Dr. Mary Claire Haver has talked weighted vests in a “bone/strength” context too.
https://www.womanandhome.com/health-wellbeing/weighted-vest-for-walking/
Rucking is for everyone
These people have access to every fitness gadget on earth, and they’re still choosing something hilariously simple. Weighted walking is low-friction, high return, and you can do it by simply popping on a vest and stepping outside.
Before we go, a quick reality check...
People.com (quoting a Cleveland Clinic sports medicine doctor) flags that beginners should progress gradually, and that overdoing it can lead to issues like tendonitis/stress injuries, and that people with certain conditions should check in with a clinician first.
UCLA Health also notes that if you’ve got arthritis or joint pain, adding load can increase strain — so be sensible and get guidance if needed.
Weighted walking is amazing, but it’s still load. So start smart.
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