Walk with Weight: The Definitive Guide to Rucking

Humans have been carrying weight on our backs since the earliest stages of evolution. From ancient hunter gatherers hauling animals back to camp, to women carrying children in backpacks, we were literally born to carry. The military has been using rucking, walking or hiking with a weighted backpack, to train soldiers for decades. And, in recent years this effective form of fitness has exploded in popularity due to its multifaceted benefits including improved fitness, strength, and mental well-being

Born to Carry, by bestselling author Michael Easter, the avid rucker the New York Times credits with ushering in the trend, is the definitive guide to weighted walking. You don’t need expensive gear or to be at a peak fitness level to start; in fact, if you can walk, you can ruck. Despite its simplicity, the benefits of walking with weight (via a backpack or weighted vest) are immense, from effectively burning more fat than walking, running, or lifting weights, and building muscle as a risk-free, full-body workout, to improving metabolic health, reducing stress and anxiety, and preventing chronic diseases and depression.

Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned rucker, Born to Carry offers valuable advice at any level. You’ll learn how to start your journey or optimize your current weighted walking regimen, choose the right equipment, enhance your technique, overcome common hurdles, and discover training plans and challenges that will help you optimize your physical and mental wellbeing. The result: You’ll get more from every step—with the easiest and most effective way to boost your strength inside and out.