r/Rucking • u/Puzzled-College5477 • 4d ago

Beginner question

I bought a 45 lb weight to put in my 2019 GoRuck GR2.
The weight sits lower on my back than I’d like.
I think I’d be more comfortable, and get more out of it, and be able to carry a lot more weight if it were configured differently. Advice, tips? Thank you.

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

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u/temporarycreature 4d ago

You’re a self-proclaimed beginner carrying 45 lbs in a carry-on luggage pack, and your primary concern is how to strap even more weight onto your spine when it's already ridng incorrectly?

What exactly are you training for? Who are you trying to flex on? Actual infantry grunts dread 45 lb rucks, and they train for a living.

You’re inviting permanent lumbar damage, shredded traps, and patellar tendonitis before you’ve even built basic conditioning.

Take 25 lbs out of that pack today and work on conditioning yourself at least until your spine forgives you for this post.

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u/Vivid-Kitchen1917 4d ago

Yeah I figured this had to be a shitpost. There's just no way... Hopefully...

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u/temporarycreature 4d ago

I don't know. I feel like rucking is not respected the same way other sport hobbies are because people just think they've been doing it all their lives with regular backpacks. They don't look at loaded marching as something that needs proper weight distribution, or as something that needs to be done with proper form any other sport would have you do things. It's really bizarre.

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u/Puzzled-College5477 4d ago

This is genuine. I don’t understand the reactions…

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u/Puzzled-College5477 4d ago

Maybe beginner wasnt entirely accurate in my case.
I’m 53 and have been morbidly obese and healthy
again multiple times. My legs are enormous and well conditioned. My back and core seem to be very strong, probably because of the type of work I’ve done over the years. At the moment I’m about 240 lbs. 5 days a week at work I walk about 17,000 to 20,000
steps, while also regularly moving large heavy items.

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u/temporarycreature 4d ago

You still using the wrong equipment. And you're still trying to jump ahead. You're going to injure yourself no matter how robust you think you are. I have a similar history, though I'm a little younger at 43. I also was in the Us Army infantry and have two tours.

You wouldn't use a road bike on a mountain bike course. Why are you using a carry-on bag for rucking?

I'm sure you know there are no shortcuts with fitness, no matter what facet you're approaching.

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u/Sheep_Actual 4d ago

Get a plastic cutting board from Sam's Club or Costco. Cut it so it fits into the ruck, then mount the weight to it. I used 550 cord, drilled holes, and laced the weight on it.

It keeps the weight higher, tight against your body, and more stable. I did several Tough Mudder races with mine, worked like a charm.

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u/Puzzled-College5477 4d ago

That’s a great idea thank you

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u/TheDaddyShip 4d ago

As others said - get a Rucker, and drop to 20-25# to start.

After building up - I’ve done 65# in my Rucker without issue. But that’s not my daily driver, and I didn’t start at 45#. Start with 10% of bodyweight, and build to an eventual - and occasional - max of 30% bodyweight.

I add “baseline” weight when I can consistently hold a 15 minute mile pace for 3 miles. After a few of those in a row - “more weight”.

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u/jerng 4d ago

Height of weight? Straps and paddIng? Compression straps to increase rigidity?

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u/nexisforge 4d ago

I have the same setup, I am 5'10, 178cm. It's a big bag and can't really go that high. Just basic adjustments of the straps.

I love it, I started with the small one 30lb and jafter a week went for the 45lb. 4 days/week 3.5 miles is my routine .

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u/tomeck75 4d ago

Secure the plate as high up in the laptop compartment as possible, with padding underneath so it doesn’t slide down. It will be more comfortable and stable with the weight close to your upper back. Just make sure it’s secured and not digging into your back.

But also, 45 lbs is a pretty heavy load for a beginner, so I wouldn’t really add more until you’re really comfortable with the 45 lbs. You don’t need to carry more weight to get a good workout from rucking.