Have you ever tried rucking or weighted walking? Share your experiences with us! 🙏

Being fat is wild because I’m basically wearing two of these 24/7

I wear a 45 pound weighted vest twice a week for three miles at a time. It has had profound effects on my posture and balance. I absolutely love it.

I got into rucking last year after listening to The Comfort Crisis(great book), and stuck with it pretty consistently since! 30lbs is A LOT to start out with! I'm up to 35 lbs now but I started with 10. I listen to audiobooks while I do it and it's very easily my most favorite habit that I've built for myself. What I love about it is that it's cardio + weight lifting built into one but it never gets TOO intense. I love it. Goruck makes great equipment as well. Their bags are indestructible and have compartments for the weights so they sit higher up on your back. But if anyone is looking to get into it, just start with a normal backpack and some water bottles, add more each time you go out and you'll be shocked at how good you feel afterwards.

The hikes we did when I was in the military were definitely some of the hardest physical/mental challenges I have done. 25km over hilly terrain with a 100lbs on your back and a 10lb rifle slung around your neck really hits different. I will say though, once I went back to casual hiking with friends and family, a lot of people couldn’t keep up with me. I would breeze through some of the hardest rated hikes in my area

Honestly, it reminds me of how I felt right after I had lost about 40 pounds. When that feeling was new, I remember thinking, "wow, walking is so much easier now" and looking at my little dog who weighs about 18 pounds, thinking, I used to walk around everyday with the equivalent of 2 of her weighing my body down. It's so funny to think of weight like that. So, hearing you say you were huffing and puffing and ravenous after a weighted walk, my thought was, that's what a normal walk feels like for so many people who are overweight. And how light you feel without the vest... that's what weightloss feels like lol

I wear a 60lb vest and go on 5 mile walks. *sometimes* I also carry 30lb kettle bells. So, an additional 120lb. I'm 6'2 and currently 265lb. I used to be 440. This is my favorite workout as it's mind numbingly simple. You just put one foot in front of the other. Once all the weight is off I feel like a king. Despite my size it makes me feel like I weigh absolutely nothing lol. I'm excited for the new year as I spent an absurd amount of money on an industrial grade treadmill and had my first walk this morning right after waking up, right at home. So weather will never get me down now. I tried the gym, and a dozen other fitness plans, just can't get into it. People think I am insane walking with so much extra weight. 5 miles a day. But for me it's the one thing I can do without hating it. I just shut my mind off and walk. Most people force themselves to do a job they don't wanna work. This is way easier lol. No guidelines. No expectations. So split. No reps. It's just walking lol. Love it! Great video ^_^

Wow. I tried this last night adding 10 lbs to my typical 40 min walk and just wow. It really works the whole core! Slept like a log too. Definitely adding this to my rotation.

The tip for putting rice in a backpack to test just to see if weighted walking is for you is so clever! Great addition to the video and awesome video on your experience. Love your honesty ❤😊

This is interesting. I traveled for 2 months with my 1 year old who was around 20 lbs at the time. I used to walk everywhere with him strapped to me. I ate a lot more than I usually do. I was expecting to have gained weight during my travels, but ended up losing 5 lbs! Since then I have been considering a weighted vest, but now I am definitely getting one.

I've been walking with a weighted vest for about 2 months now. Mine weighs 22 lbs which, like you, I was surprised at how much it weighed. I wear it on about half my walks (I do 6-8 miles 5-7 days a week). I haven't noticed as profound of a change as you, but I'm definitely going to continue.

I have lost about 75 lbs on keto with lots more to go. I had an idea to do some exercise using the amount of weight that I have lost so far. But I didn't want to pay a couple hundred dollars for a weighted vest that I could add weight to as I went. So I am using a good travel backpack and adding water bottles filled with dry sand. They weigh 2 lbs each. I walk from my basement to the 2nd floor 10 times a day. Also do 100 squats. It feels like someone is pushing me up the stairs after I take it off. I definitely can't do it with 75 lbs yet. 50 lbs is incredibly difficult. I can't believe a year ago I had 75 lbs more on my body. No wonder I never wanted to go up and down stairs back then. It's a reminder every day how far I've come and how great I'm going to feel when I lose even more weight. Very powerful training!

The best way to do weight walking is usually to distribute the weight around. When I was doing it routinely I had a 20 lb vest, 10 lb ankle weights and 5 lb wrist weights, and that seemed to work great for me.

I have the same vest in 12 lbs. which is 10% of my body weight. I was diagnosed with osteoporosis at 50 and bought it to build bone density. In my research the recommendation was to wear 8-12% of body weight in the vest. Even 12 lbs for me was challenging enough to walk with but I didn’t have the shoulder pain at all. Seems 30lbs for your size may be overkill but I admire your ambition! I also wear my vest at home when strength training for the added weight. Thanks for the video, I enjoyed your insights.

Love how honest and valuable your content is! Such clever hacks! Great to learn ways to maximize walking. Happy Holidays, Robin! Great video!

I ran into your channel by "accident" (not really since I'm into living a healthy life) and I'm really enjoying it! Not only the content itself is good but the way you speak is so soothing and relaxing.

I started what they call rucking about ten years ago, training for Tramping missions here in good ol Aotearoa NZ. Being regularly doing it on/offf for the last 11 years. Just started to bump the weight up to about 16kg mark. I have used many weighted materials over the years from coke bottles (1/5 and 2.225l filled with water) is the absolute cheapest way to put in weight to a rucksack , rice bags (1kg bags) ankle weights, 2l water bladders filled heck i even used reams of paper (a ream for ref is about 1.7-2.2 kgs depends on ream stack and paperweight) . My tips are for starting off are: 1) Do not buy a dedicated rucking pack with weights, you may not like it after a while, and you blew a ton of money for nought. 2) invest in a decent pack if you do not have a spare around , most used school bag type of packs will only hold 9 kgs before the wight digs into shoulders unbearably too much. A inexpensive hiking backpack can be used and is ideal, with adjustable torso, load lifters and shoulder harness with a hipbelt that is padded. Secondarily a milsurp pack will be overkill but inexpensive way to do it as well,. Posture will round out and uphills you will get the trampers stoop, all hunched back like. Hence why a school bag is okay but a inexpensive pack is the way too go to prevent posture and back issues 3) take smaller steps to start off with whatever weight you decide to start with, do not take a usual gait until your quads and calves adjust which might be a few walks later or a week or two into a routine 4) trying different inhale and exhale techniques used in high altitude trekking on hills, you will see benefits and helpt to build cardio endurance on hills, which are known without weight to screw peeps cadence or rhythmic walking patterns 4) trying to pack with different types of weight.Hold up. What do You mean? Generally from experience there is two types of weight, static or dead weight (water bottles, sand bags, rice bags, iron plates) and volumetric weight, which is how you would typically pack a backpack for a backpacking trip, using real life objects that have weight to them such as tents, sleeping bags etcetera that you can take along with you rucking. Hiking backpacks typically are setup more for volumetric packing meaning, spreading the weight within the dimensions versus dead weight which takes minimal amount of space. Increase the weight incrementally over a month period, do not try chuck in too much or you will exhaust your quads, calves, neck and shoulders if the pack does not sit right.

❤ Being a Civil Engineer I usually take stairs up to 20 storeys thrice a day and it works for me.... I feel like walking as a " really cake walk". I suggest taking a hill road path once in a week will serve as equivalent to the weighted walk for a common people. Happy to see your post again. I would really applaud you for a post on self-care on skin and hair protection from dust.. I feel that until we know how to protect them we can't take more remedial measures... Thanks Robin.. 🎄 Merry Christmas ⛄..

I’m in my 60’s and had the same issue with the weight on my shoulders. I couldn’t seem to get comfortable so my walks became unpleasant. I’m going to try it around my hips. Thanks for sharing your lifestyle and advice… it even works for an older broad like me! In kindness. 🙏🏼

I've rucked with 20lbs and from that I can say that a 30lb vest is super impressive. I started because I was getting less out of the exercise walks that I was doing. Rucking was a way I was able to continue doing something that I enjoyed but still reap exercise benefits. Eventually I would like to up to 30lbs, but I will likely need to shorten the distance and build back up. A use a Kelty backpack with a waist support belt. FYI- water is 8lbs per gallon, and easy to ditch if I need to, I use water bottles duct taped in rows to evenly distribute the load.

I have been walking daily for 7 years with weights. I used them semi regular prior to 7 years ago. I wear a back pack with 25# and alternate this with 8# on each ankle and 5# on each wrist. That said, for the last few years I’ve worn about 15# in the pack and the 8# each leg and 5# on the wrists. I never considered a weighted vest. Actually did not know they existed. As a youth for training we carried weighted “Rucks” through the mountains. (Ski training for leg strength and endurance). In my 70’s, I had to cut my leg weights back to 8# each. I don’t really need more strength, but it really helps me in the mountains. My boots feel like sneakers. I enjoyed your video and found it educational and well done. Your approach was sensible and your report articulate. Thank you.

Thank you for this, I walk every day for 3-4 hours and never thought about optimizing my walks with this....... going to purchase one today in the new year, happy new year to you.

I’ve been doing this for many years now. I used to have a vest in a similar form to yours I recommend a more military style vest like a flak jacket. They bounce around less, the weight feels more evenly spread about and are generally more comfortable. Good vid. Spread the word. 👍

Great video, thank you for your work. I've been meaning to reintroduce my weighted pack to my walks and kept postponing it. Your video gave the nudge I needed.

Interesting timing for me! I began backpacking about 6.5 years ago now, so when training for that, I sometimes walk with a loaded pack. However, it's not great to leave down compressed, so I have sometimes loaded my pack with a blanket in the bottom, then two 12 lb bags of dried beans atop that. By the time I add water bottles and a snack, the weight is pretty close to what I'd carry for a trip (usually 22-30 lbs, depending on weather and length). You're right that backpacking packs are designed to distribute weight better, and I hope you can find something that works well for you. After listening to the Comfort Crisis a few weeks ago, I've been thinking of leaving a pack packed with some blankets and weight plates full-time and walking with that at least a few times per week in addition to my regular walks and weight training. Turned 50 this past week so feeling the need to step up my game a bit! Thanks for the interesting and relevant content!

Love this one! Thank you so much.

I'm glad I saw your video because I was considering that type of vest, thank you for the tip.

Nice video! You have inspired me to try this. The 5:11 backpacks are fantastic! Strong, reliable and comfortable and great for carrying weight.

I bought the 25lb version of this type of vest. I was unfit and could not walk 3 miles without muscle ache around my glutes. After using the vest for a week it became much easier to walk. No more glute pain. You're right about the shoulders. Now I use it once a week but i have noticed it doesn't feel as heavy as in the beginning.

Love this… I’m going to try rucking with a lower weight to begin with. Thanks for the inspiration!!

Thank you for sharing. I used m weighted vest for working out (strength training). Different vest, but now also having shoulder issues from all of the movement. I stopped using it, but think I'm just going to wear it on my stationary bike (spinning) from now on. Thanks again, I thought it was just me.

This came up randomly in my feed, and I gave it a try. One week in and my legs hurt so bad, but I feel like it is working really well. Going to keep going. Thank you

Another cool fitness video. Thanks! Rice is a good, inexpensive way to add weight to anything. I use it in sock poi for wrist/arm/shoulder work.

30 lbs is impressive! most of the articles i read said to start with a lower weight. i've been actually searching amazon for the past few weeks for a vest, ill definitely avoid the one you had in the video

I wear a 41 lb. weighted vest when in the gym, mostly for step-ups, squats, and lunges. If left on for the duration of the workout it bothers my back, so I remove it between sets. Twice per week I walk three miles wearing a small backpack with 18 lbs. of weight, and I do 20 squats after completing each mile. At 18 lbs. it doesn't bother my shoulders or back in the slightest, and the squats add a nice pump.

Strength training is critical and at this point on a self care journey it unlocks so many benefits and fits in the channel. We don't like having to go to a gym so my gf likes the caroline girvan youtube videos the most but apple fitness plus is solid for starting with just dumbells

Its not a belt but I've been using the Hyper Vest Elite for about 6 months. Its pricier but I think it could solve your weight distribution concerns as they use little weighted bars distributed evenly throughout the front and back on the vest. It also has bungie strap adjustments on the sides to keep the vest locked in. You will definitely have that "hugged, secured, weighted" feeling with this vest. I've stuck with the 10 pound version but you can always buy little weights from them to increase the weight of the vest over time to I think 20 pounds. They also have a sale right now if it helps :P I was looking into weighted vest for awhile since i really enjoy walking and wanted to up my game with some weights. Wrist and ankels were nice but the distribution and strain for the length of my walks really restricted how long i could wear the items. The hyper vest elite was my first "fancy purchase" but It really solved that "i just want to take this thing off" kind of feeling. Now I just take it off cause i get sweaty. I would even wear it for 2-3 hours just walking around the house when I would do chores. Its surprisingly versatile. I'd be curious on your thoughts about weighted belts. The style is personal. My fiance doesn't like the way it looks. I don't mind it as I find the benefits outweigh the looks. I've read that people actually wear a fitted workout top, then the vest over it, and then a loose jacket as the third layer. Thanks for reading my long comment, hope it helps! Great vid!

You're right...30 pounds is a lot to carry around. I sometimes ruck, but my favorite is to suitcase carry a 35 pound kettlebell on 2 mile walks. The last quater mile, I'm literally growling.

Great video, I worked my way up to 30 lbs from walking about a mile each day (un-weighed), to 15 lbs, up to 2 miles 3x a week, now with 30 lbs. Now want to up the weight and make it a daily habit.

Thanks for the informative video! Thinking about this for a long time now, now I'll definitely try it out. Just filling my hiking backpack with bottles of water or some tools, backpack with a hip belt is a must for people with back pain. Greetings from Germany! ✌❤

I gotta tell you. I look ridiculous during my walks because I use weighted gloves and I pump my arms like a freak. Lost 76lbs over the corse of last year, learned the front and middle splits, and went from no pull-ups to enough pull-ups to work with. I'm at my original target weight, which all of this for a newbie 33 year old is just great. Anyway, I just found your channel, and I subscribed. I actually have a dead weekend, so imma watch your content all up. My fitness journey has essentially been taking a little something from everybody I watch and choosing who I listen to wisely. I bet this weekend of watching your videos will give me a new goal to chase.

I have the same vest in the 15 pound version. It’s much smaller and fits a small frame. Im petite and 110 pounds and it fits tight, so no issues with shoulder. Started wearing over a year ago, really increases your strength and stamina.

I definitely want to add a weighted vest to my walking routine and I love the reminder of Atomic Habits!

Thank you for dharing your experience. I've done weighted (60lb) workouts for 1.5years now, so about 2hrs, 4-5 days a week. It does truly changes your body and mind super fast, way faster than just raw weight lifting. Lower for longer time made a bigger different than higher for lesser time. It honestly feels like a hyperbolic time chamber, progress comes in faster. I did notice initially that it puts pressure on your feet. So walking becomes more efficient compensate the weight. However, after week 2-3, your feet will start to grow. They will get wider. So I would start investing barefoot stype shoes (wide toebox) from the begging. Otherwise, you will run into a problem that you can't get out off, regardless or the weight or shoes. That's what happened to me, and I had to use Cros for another 2 weeks to heal. I did this for a few months, until I figured it out.

I recommend the Brute Force weight vest 3.0. It more ergonomic, designed for rucking or while doing body workouts, and you can adjust weight by adding or removing the sand pouches. It sits securely to the body that you can run and do burpees with it. Been using it for over a year now.

I waited in line to buy donuts. I always enjoy your videos. tHank you. Have a wonderful New Year! (everyone)

This is the first video I've seen from her and she's just so wow. How? She's so heartwarming. How is she so rucking amazing?

Wow... I will definitely try this now. I love walking, but find it too easy compared to running, but i find running doesn't let me enjoy the scenery as much. This is a perfect comlromise that's challenging and sounds fun, plus progressing the difficulty by increasing the weight is pretty easy with the right vest. Definitely trying this out

Many moons ago I bought ALICE system load bearing equipment. These are a belt and suspenders setup that allowed soldiers to carry various pouches around there waist. It was mostly ammo, water and the contents of a buttpack. These were supplanted by load bearing vests in the 1990s and beyond. However, Load Bearing Equipment (LBE) has made something of a comeback. Using LBE has some advantages are pertinent to what you're doing. Firstly, it puts the weight around your waist. You have to make sure it doesn't interfere with how your legs move. Secondly, by leaving your back uncovered you can vent a LOT of heat. This is a huge deal in the summer time. You are still carrying most of the weight on your shoulders but the shoulder straps are usually padded pretty well. The camo patterns and such on a lot of sets will make you stand out and look like a dork. If you live in an intolerant area that can cause you some issues. Battle Belts were a fad for a while. These were equipment belts people would wear until they realized how much the belts sucked and sagged down under weight. So they started buying suspenders for the belts. The idiots reinvented LBE and nobody learned a thing. On the plus side you can get these battle belts with suspenders and the belts often have some nice padding. They are even sold in solid colors like tan or green so look a little more normal.

Thank you for testing this! I tried walking with a 10kg vest. My legs handle it fine but not my shoulders, so instead I put it on for extra weight when doing push-ups.

Thanks for inspiring video. I'm 74, 150 lbs and ruck the hills every morn with an extra 70 to 120 pounds. Shoulder pain is big problem with either weighted vest or back pack. Three solutions. 1. Use horizonal straps to transfer weight carry to your torso. 2. Pad your shoulders. I use shoulder brace with gel inserts duct-taped in, which works but I wish I knew of better shoulder cushions. 3. Carry some weight on a belt (I used W8Fit) and arms. (I have wrist weights and 2 ankles I carry on arms because it feels better than feets) If can do it, so can you. Hope this helps.

Hi! So after watching this video I got super inspired to try this - I have recently moved to the US from Europe and the amount of exercise/movement I get went way down. Rucking seems like the perfect solution to my problem (and so obvious I don't understand I haven't thought of doing it sooner), so thank you! After some research I got the Hyperwear weight vest, the 20lbs option. Although more expensive, it is amazing, I have been really happy with it so far. Not sponsored at all or anything like that, I cried a little at the 300USD price tag, but this vest is the perfect fit for me. I didn't want to get a backpack for a couple of reasons and all the "rucking" vests looked like a bulletproof vest, which would be a problem wearing it at work (I work at a college lol). This one looks more like a piece of clothing, I can wear it underneath a sweatshirt, or fold it in my gym bag if I want to bring it with and it is easily adjustable, so I can wear it as snug as possible (if I want to) or loosen it up if I'm getting too sweaty. It is super comfy as well, haven't experienced any shoulder/neck pain, although I have yet to take it out for a long walk. So I can definitely recommend this one, although I can't offer a long term review just yet.

I just found your vidoes and you have a new subscriber and Wow you jumped into the deep end of the pool starting with 30 lbs... Good on you ,

My degenerative disc disease is starting to get worse as is the arthritis in my spine. I have been considering a weighted vest so this was really helpful for me in my planning - I am now looking at a belt rather than a vest.

Robin, if I were to start rucking on a long term basis, I would go for a pretty expensive backpack, an expense I might be able to justify by wanting it in my collection as an overnight pack anyway. I can not call this a recommendation as I don't own this pack. However, I do own a bigger Six Moon Design ultra light backpack and I think very highly of it and the SMD ideas that go into their packs. If you would consider forking for it, you might drop SMD an email running your idea by them for feedback. The Flight 30 Ultralight Running Backpack incorporates a vest harness, instead of just shoulder straps, which brings your torso into the stabilization of the pack. (SMD calls harnesses and shoulder straps the suspension). Also, it is adjustable to different length torsos. I recommend the optional hip belt for the reason you mentioned. SMD hip belts are exceptional; they are very wide and stiff and glom onto the top of your hip bones with a double buckle system that distributes the weight remarkably. I would pack it with a folded blanket at the bottom, holding water bottles at midpack, close to your back; a small folded blanket between water bottles and the inside front of pack--the front being the part of the pack facing behind you--to hold the bottles against your back; and a small folded blanket on top. This will bulk out the pack so it carries well and weight can be adjusted in bottles @ 8.34lbs/gal of water. If you get into trouble 7 miles from home, you can empty bottles. There is also room on front of vest for water bottles, which I find a nice place to put some weight once the bulk is supported on the hip because it counterbalances the weight of the pack some. And there are in-use access pockets on the side and snack sized pockets. It does have a max weight of 25lbs. That is generally a comfort measure. Most hikers are going to go over the max weight often. But a backpack with a good suspension is generally still more comfortable when a little overweight than a less comfortable pack is when a little underweight. So that is my idea. Hope it doesn't get you in trouble! :) www.sixmoondesigns.com/products/flight-30-ultralight-backpack And an earlier version in closeout sale: www.sixmoondesigns.com/products/flight-30-ultra-running-backpack-closeout

I have the Rogue weighted vest and it distributes the weight well along the rib cage and back, and barely any weight on the shoulders.

I'm definitely going to add some weights to my walks, but I think I'll start out carrying one of my kettlebells. Also, wanted to let you know that a backpacking back pack does not put the weight on your torso or stomach. The belt is low and puts the weight on your hips. The shoulder straps do not touch or only lightly touch, the tops of your shoulders, ie. no weight on the shoulders. The chest strap plus shoulder straps are there to keep the pack from falling off, the weight is carried on the hips. This makes it much easier to carry a heavy load. Can't wait to check out your other videos! Thanks!

Look into a 5-point harness or even a well-padded rock-climbing harness. For an old job, I'd frequently a 5-point body harness with added gear (steel carabiners, safety hook lanyards, tools, etc), which weighed at least 20lbs. I'd be walking and also climbing 45' metal ladders, amongst other things. I forgot about all of the advantages of it and I quite like how a lot of the weight would be around my waist, rather than solely on my shoulders -- yeah, you just mentioned that!

I've been rucking and backpacking for years. I have tried many different techniques and systems for carrying weight while walking. When I'm just doing my daily exercise walk (rucking), I wear a small/medium daypack that has a light frame and it comfortable carries up to twenty pounds. I usually carry some water, rain jacket, first aid kit and then add small sandbags and extra water to get to the twenty-pound load. I add a removable padded backpack waist belt (I can't remember which company I got my current one from but many of the ultralight backpack manufactures sale replacement backpacking waist belts). In the pockets of that belt, I carry four two-and-a-half-pound weight plates to add an extra ten pounds to my load, so I carry a total of thirty pounds more evenly distributed on my body in a fairly small compact package. If I'm going out to the woods or mountains to hike a trail, I wear my full backpacking load as if I was going on a weeklong backpacking trip fully loaded even though the hike is just a ten-mile hike for one afternoon. This is usually a loaded weight of about thirty to thirty-five pounds with all my gear and a week's worth of food and a couple liters of water. This helps me stay conditioned and used to carrying my full backpacking load even if it's just on a day hike.

Thanks for the video. I have a ten pound weight vest that I often wear for walking in the winter. I have one of those conditions that they don't know what it is. They call it chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, or post-infectious neurological syndrome. All of those are insurance codes that mean, "We don't know what's wrong and aren't really going to help." There have also been suggestions of PTSD. This vest puts the weight on my shoulders, and sometimes, that's not comfortable. One reason that I wear it only in the winter is that I can put sweatshirts underneath for additional padding. In the summer, I've used an imitation "camelback" water container with a little bit of weight in a pocket. I'm a big guy, so a ten-pound vest isn't a big deal. Even so, I enjoy walking with a little bit of weight. I don't know whether it's helping me much. Nothing has really worked normally since I became sick in 2015. I still like walking, so I walk. I think a moderate weight like ten pounds is good for my posture. It doesn't pull down my shoulders but does require a little more effort for me to stand straight. I'm not familiar with weight belts. They sound expensive. I might look into getting a cheap web belt at an army surplus store. I could then use bags of sand or ball bearings to add weight.

I have a 10kg weighted vest. Two 5Kg plates - one in the front and one in the back so the weight is evenly distributed. I still feel a bit of pressure on my shoulders, but the vest has a lot of padding there. I tend to use it for uphill treadmill walking after a weight session or for dog walks.

I wasn't thinking about getting a walk in today but this and your 20,000 steps video have me ready to go. I've used an old 8-pound vest a couple of times this week and felt the difference. Unfortunately, my back is a bit sore I think because it doesn't sit well on my frame anymore. But I'm going to try and stick with this one and maybe upgrade to a better vest later. Thanks 😊

North Gym makes a perfect vest with (2) 14 pound plates - one in the front; one in the back for a total vest weight of 30 pounds. On a two mile walk/ruck, it boosted my heart rate from zone 1 to zone 2 with the same traveling speed as walking unweighted. Now, to remain in zone 2, I have to factor in a 100 yard run every 2 minutes. Progressively intense workouts will lead to the law of diminishing returns, so you have to keep ramping over time.

Glad you realistically evaluated that vest. There is a reason military rucks are hundred of dollars. You could consider a tradesman's tool belt with vest/shoulder harness. 30lbs of tools is not unusual. Just a hammer is 1.5lb.

I am thinking about putting four 5 lb disk weights into denim vest pockets to test this out. Thanks for sharing! I tried the wrist and ankle weights after your videos, they felt very uncomfortable and I returned them. I look forward to testing my diy weighted vest.

I've been using a GoRuck bag for about 7 years; they are expensive, but they will last forever, distribute weight well, and serve double duty as excellent travel backpacks. The other advantage of using a backpack instead of a vest is that you can dial your load up or down according to your needs. I started with 20 lbs, and would walk for miles and miles with my dog; she's much older now, and we go on shorter, slower walks, so I've increased the weight to get the same workout. Other recommended equipment: Darn Tough socks (my regular socks started to wear out really fast once I rucked regularly), and a crazy rescue dog that needs constant exercise. Doggo makes every walk better.

I’ve found that starting out with a little weight and increasing it slowly over time can be a great way to increase muscle strength without as much risk of injury. And having proper gear that fits and conforms to your body helps too like Ironwear Fitness vests and belts.

Thank-you for your video 🙏 It reminded me to give rucking another go. I have 2 weighted vests. First bought a Celcius 20kg and it hurt my shoulders (traps mainly) so then bought a Reebok 10kg which looks alot like yours. Both are useful but also disappointing as the weight distribution is all in one place. Do let us know how you go looking for other solutions 💪🏼

I walk around with a ~100lbs weighted vest everyday, I grew it myself.

Interesting, thanks!

I used a 10 kg approx 25lbs weighted jacket. It looked huge and people would see me with odd gaze. It was a good workout and helps me with preparing for long backpack tours and treks where I often carry heavier bag. But in long term it hurts the shoulders and takes me long to recover.

I got my vest a while ago, only to realise that's the one you used! I loved walking with it on at the start, but my lower back really hurts right after a week or so, and I have to take a break. I think I will have to let this one go and get one with more support.

I have a 100 lb weighted vest (5 lbs to 100 lbs). It's actually a double vest that looks like two bullet proof vests. I think you caught just about everything, pro and con. Weights are best handled on the waist, not on the shoulders. I found that up to about 30 lbs on the shoulders was okay, though I was feeling it in the shoulders. Your best bet will end up being by securing weights to a pack that properly distributes weight to the hips, with the shoulder straps just keeping the pack from falling backwards (i.e. not weight bearing). Using the "rucking" method, I could easily handle much more weight than with a vest. (Unfortunately, 14 months ago I was rendered immobile due to severe pain of osteoarthritis in both knees, both hips, and lower back. About 8 months ago, I became my own doctor/physiotherapist/etc. because there was nothing that helped me. I found my own treatment and developed my own rehab. Before winter set in, I got up to 40K cycling trips, and soon after, started swinging heavy kettlebells around. I lost 38 lbs in 3 months - but not due to exercise. Exercise actually burns few extra calories (for the effort involved). You only have to look at normal calorie burn versus the same daily counts when you exercise. Even for heavy exercise days, I only burn a few hundred extra calories. Best weight loss is through fasting (multi-day) with better nutrition.)

I started rucking (backpack) in november after completing 20k daily steps in october. With all the gear from head to toe it amounts to 15kg. I walked but also jogged a bit once I got used to it. Considering my average resting HR is now 50 I'd say there have been some positive changes. I got better at running, which makes sense to me, even ran 30km for the first time two week ago. And the thing is I spent more time walking than running. Aerobic gains for sure. Probably back gains too thinking about it. But I spend less time walking because I realized 20k takes up too much time long term, so now I go for an easier goal (averaging 15k). And I kind of stopped thinking daily goals, but rather try to hit them weekly or monthly. Some days you'll do less, some days you'll do more, and it will compensate. On a side note I now also need to start taking better care of my feet.

Little late to the game but this activity is what gets me through the winter. 5 days a week. 100lbs. Weighted vest. Worked up to 100lbs over 3 months. It is awesome

I've just come back from holiday where i was wearing my toddler on my back up the hills they couldn't manage. I can testify to how it works out your legs!

I do rucking with a 60lb pack normally for 4 to 5kms at a time. I love it. You're body get's so used to the weight that you barely notice it. I feel stronger, my heart works more and I lose weight when I do it. My suggestion would be to get a good military pack. The distribution of weight on a good military pack means most of it is on your hips but the shoulder straps when set up correctly forces you to maintain a healthy posture and doesn't put excessive load on your shoulders. It's been said that skeletal muscles are the organ of longevity. Human bodies are designed to carry heavy shit over distance. When you do that they respond with health. I recommend it to everyone I meet.

Laura Croft of Tomb Raider weighed her belt down with two Desert Eagle pistols. Stylish and functional. Thank you for the video.

I use a go-ruck pack and plate with additions weight added in. It’s not too bad. I use my arms to ease the weight on my shoulders sometimes.

Go-Ruck, Rucker packs, awesome packs with materials that will not fail. Can add weighted plates, chest strap, as well waist belt to distribute weight around hips and torso 😎👍🏻.

We use to use weight small ankle belts - 1 or 2 kg each. The difference is you are lifting the weight a little bit up every time you do a step as oppose to just carrying the weight. 1kg on each leg might seem very little, but I can guarantee, after a few hundreds steps they feel super heavy. The downside is, if they are not well attached they will be swinging little bit and that can be annoying.

I would recommend trying a backpack with a hip belt. I wear mine with 8-10 lbs almost every time I take a walk or hike. It’s become my standard for the last 2 years. The weight is mostly on my hips which protects my shoulders and spine. It has improved my stamina. And like you I miss it when I’m walking without it.

i got a 12lb one and wore it walking today. i can't believe how much harder it was. and to think i actually lost that much weight shocked me as i felt clumsy and was breathing heavily. once i get used it it, i make sew a bag to it so i can carry my dumb bells on it to make it heavier, or just carry a back pack with some water bottles. 30lbs my gosh!

Rather than sand or rice, I would recommend something that stays close to your back and the body's vertical plane. I use patio blocks in a backpack for stair workouts. For choice of backpack, I use one that has a chest strap and hip strap/harness in order to help alleviate the stress on the shoulders and also tighetening straps so stuff doesn't move around. Really, though, a quality weight vest is probably best.

I love weighted walking! I have the Hyper Vest Fit women weighted vest and I love it, very comfortable.

I have a similar vest and I wear it upside down with the stretchy parts going over my shoulders. It makes a bit of a difference for me when it comes to shoulder pain.

Want to try a vest at work for stair climbs. Trying to train and prep for hiking trips. No hills in FL, so stairs is my elevation training. During my walks, I just use a backpack with weights. Backpacks has hip belts to prevent your shoulders from taking all the weight. It should be more distributed. Also water bottles and half gallon bottles makes good weights. If you’re too tired or get hurt, you can just dump out the water.

I use a 20lb dumbell in my backpack. I works... plus you can throw in MORE stuff (like bags of rocks, etc.) to increase the weight. And the pack is built to take heavy loads, and use.

I prefer the Kensui barbell plate carrying vest. Super comfy, easy to carry any weight from 3lbs (with no plates) to 180 lbs (4x45lbs). Easy to micro-adjust weights. And the vest allows equally balancing the weight in the back and front. Vastly superior to most other vests. Oh ... and inexpensive.

I have this vest in the 16 lb version, I weight 175 and it’s pretty snug and evenly distributed. There’s definitely a correlation between your size and the vest size. Generally, you aren’t supposed to go more than 10% of your body weight, especially for any longer exercises like walking. If you haven’t already, maybe give the 12 lb version a shot. If you want more weight add ankle and wrist weights.

Basically what you do infantry wise. The warrior workout of humping gear. It works. Just be careful to not get blistering and bruising from the shoulder straps cutting into you. You do not need scarring in peacetime. I would do rifle walks too, but that is only 9 pounds max with the heaviest musket I own.

I’m a back country mountain hunter. I wear a pack with 3-4 times a week with 50 lbs in it to prepare for the season. It’s the only way to get your body ready. I use my treadmill for the incline and it still doesn’t prep you for the mountains lol. But a good pack helps carry the weight and it has completely built up my vo2 max. Every year when I start rucking for hunting my cardio while running goes through the roof We will usually be carrying around 80lbs on a 4-5 day hunt. It’s a great challenge and you always feel good about yourself after it’s over.

I have CP, so I have poor balance. My walks have to be on a treadmill that way I can catch myself if I trip. I have a death grip on the handrails while keeping my arms relaxed as much as possible so I can still have my natural swag. Lately, I have been walking with a backpack with weights in it. All of my life, I could never wear a backpack, they just throw me back within few steps. With handrails, I decided to give it a shot. You are right, I feel all of those benefits that you mentioned, right on the mark. Just in few weeks, I noticed I was falling less, felt stronger...sometimes feeling like I can take on the world whatever it wanted to throw at me. I have never felt so strong and "powerful". I haven't noticed a uptick yet with my hungriness, but I am going slow and starting off light. It's amazing what a backpack and some weights will do.

I have that same vest, also 30 lbs, and have the same problems. I used it more for running but found it bounced around way too much, so I ended up tying the front pieces together to make it tighter on my chest. Unfortunately it was not kind on my knees. Now I occasionally use it while working out and during chores.

I switch between an Osprey camping backpack and a 5.11 weighted tactical vest with AR500armor training plates. The backpack puts the weight mostly on my hips and the vest cummerbund is strong elastic so my torso holds the weight instead of my shoulders. This is an expensive setup but it's practical and shoulder surgery is more expensive in the long run hahaha Note: I use the camping backpack so I am prepared to do backpacking trips, otherwise I prefer the tactical vest.

Gonna try it. I still have my old backpack from college and some dumbbells.

To prevent any compression/pain of the spine and shoulder pain and back pain, use a backpack that puts weight on the hips and with river rocks inside the backpack.

Currently my weight vest is built-in. It’s been a rough year due to family priorities. I love my mountaineering but I’m currently carrying the equivalent of my rucksack as “excess baggage”. Just give me a few months with my bike and it’ll be gone. I’ll have the basic fitness back and be able to carry that rucksack. It’s good to have the body strength to carry the rucksack as it definitely makes the whole body stronger, not just the legs. I wouldn’t want to carry it all the time, like I am in a way, as there’s no recovery. Stay healthy-light, stay strong ❤

I wear 20kg (44lbs) for 10-15k of combined step count between walking, running and sprinting 5x a week. I use "armor plate" (or rather - it has pockets to put iron bars in, but it looks similar) type vest. It has a velcro belt, which wraps around lower chest, rather than the waist, but it still does the job. It's still not perfect, and the entire vest rocks a little too much when running, but I'd still highly recommend that type of a vest. Reason being - having weight up high engages core muscles more, which directly translates to better posture and balance.

I use walking for enjoyment, to clear my mind. Previously, when I did a vest, that was not the case. Strength workouts and then walks works best for me.