Walking has been all the rage for a while now, but its heavyweight sister activity, rucking, is starting to steal the spotlight. Rucking, the practice of walking (or hiking) with a weighted pack, is named after the military term for backpack: “rucksack,” as carrying the weighted packs is a common military activity and exercise. Rucking has benefits for anyone who does it, and you don’t need to be a member of the military to get started.

If you want to turn your hot girl walk into an even sweatier workout, rucking might be for you. However, note that it’s important to start slow, and with a pack that’s designed to carry weight rather than just any old bag in order to ruck safely and prevent injury. Some people prefer to ruck with a weighted vest, while others use backpacks specifically designed to carry weight plates. What works best for you will be your decision, so to help you get started, PS chatted with trainers to seek out the best rucking pack recommendations.

Experts Featured in This Article:

Katie Knight, CPT, is the founder Knight Time Training

Melissa Urban, is the CEO of Whole30.

D.D. Forrest , is a functional health coach.

Bob Savin, is an ACSM-certified personal trainer and owner of Fitness Together in Ashland, MA.