COLUMBUS, Ohio — The concept is simple.
“Rucking is walking with a weighted backpack,” said Amanda Mowry.
And you don’t need much to get started — “A backpack of any kind that you can throw even a book, a brick, a rock in. Anything will work!”
Amanda Mowry is an Army veteran. She served for about four years and then moved to Ohio. She said she found that sense of Army comradery in her civilian life through a local GORUCK club, Buckeye Ruckers.
“The military is a lot of like, ‘Look, we’re going to do this thing and it’s going to suck but we’re going to do it together’ and rucking is very much the same way,” Mowry said.
Rucking began in 2010 but Buckeye Ruckers formed in 2020 as a way to stay active outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mowry rucks with them once per week.
Anchor and reporter Sophia Constantine gives rucking a try.
According to GORUCK.com, their mission is to “strengthen communities through rucking… It’s fun and brings people together… through social fitness.”
For Mowry, every step is a challenge but it’s one she enjoys.
“I’m a runner but I like rucking because I can burn more calories by just putting this backpack on so I can hang out with friends, we can chat and talk. It’s fun and it’s physical,” Mowry said.
Mowry rucks 12 months of the year, despite changing weather conditions.
“We might need a few extra layers. We might need to move a little quicker or slower if it’s icy, but we’ll go out as long as the sidewalks are clear and we can go out,” Mowry said.
Mowry said rucking is for everyone.
“We have people as young as 9 or 10 and up to probably my grandparents age out rucking with us on any week.”
Jess Lewis also rucks with Buckeye Ruckers. She started by just walking.
“I didn’t have any additional weight and as I progressed, I ruck with about 20 pounds now,” said Lewis.
Lewis said rucking helps keep her in shape but it’s also taught her to put herself out there.
“Walking into a group of people that you might not know or don’t have any friends can be a little bit intimidating but I have yet to meet anyone in the rucking community that wasn’t the most friendly, amazing person. They all make you feel super welcome,” said Lewis.
There are more than 500 ruck clubs across the world, including 20 in Ohio. For more information, you can visit GORUCK.com.
