In the video I uploaded, I want to briefly touch on the gear side of things as a lead-up to the article I’m developing on how to progress from walking to hiking to rucking.
Gear can get complicated, but what truly matters in the beginning is laying a solid foundation for starting and progressing.
A common mistake is getting caught up in perfecting your gear or your plan. Whether it’s choosing the right backpack, the best boots, or finding the perfect training plan, focusing too much on these details too early can actually slow you down. Gear and plans alone won’t determine your success, especially when you’re just starting. What matters most is your ability to consistently walk, hike, and ruck.
Right now, the focus should be on movement: WALK! Build the right habits first. Once you have a solid foundation, then you can start paying attention to gear specifics.
That said, here are the three basic pieces of equipment that are most important in my Six-Step Progression:
Shoes/Boots
Vest/Plate Carrier
Backpack for Rucking/Hiking
Beyond these essentials, keep your focus on the fundamentals. Forget about the perfect gear for now. Instead, put your energy into getting outside and doing the work. Whether you’re walking in the forest, on the streets, or anywhere you have space, just start WALKING. This is where your journey truly begins. Consistency will teach you more than any gear could.
For now, enjoy the process, take that first step, and let the journey unfold. I hope this video helps, and I’ll see you in the next update. Keep moving, stay consistent, and remember: progress is built one step at a time.
In the article coming soon, I’ll cover a Six-Step Progression that starts with walking and gradually builds up to rucking. The progression is divided into 6 key phases, each building on the last. But don’t expect a quick fix, this process will take months, if not years, to fully develop. It’s all about steady, consistent effort and ongoing improvement. Your challenge will be to create a sustainable system based on the phases and principles I’ll provide. Success requires listening to your body, recognizing your limits, and gradually pushing those boundaries at a sustainable pace.
Phase 1 – Walking: Foundation of Movement
This phase focuses on building the foundation. Walking develops mechanical integrity, aerobic capacity, and muscle endurance. It’s about gradually increasing time and distance while allowing your body to adapt to load and movement.
Phase 2 – Walking + Load: Building Stability
In this phase, you introduce light loads to walking, focusing on increasing weight while maintaining good posture and movement. The goal is to improve structural integrity, mobility, and endurance under load to prepare your body for more challenging movements.
Phase 3 – Walking + Terrain: Adaptation to Real World
Now you start incorporating varied terrain—hills, uneven surfaces—while continuing to carry weight. This phase enhances balance, stability, and coordination, helping your body adapt to real-world conditions and engage more muscle groups.
Phase 4 – Loaded + Terrain: Real-World Capacity
Combining weight and challenging terrain, this phase tests your endurance, strength, and mental resilience. The goal is to handle fatigue, maintain focus, and preserve form over longer distances and rougher surfaces.
Phase 5 – Hiking: Endurance Movement
Hiking becomes a mission here, focusing on long-duration movement. This phase builds aerobic endurance, muscular strength, and mental toughness as you learn pacing, fueling, and managing discomfort to develop stamina and clarity under strain.
Phase 6 – Rucking: Purpose-Driven Load
Rucking with a significant load over distance pushes your cardiovascular and muscular endurance. This phase demands mental toughness, consistency, and the ability to stay steady under discomfort, preparing you for real-world movements and challenges.
If you have any comments, feel free to share them, I'm happy to include additional ideas before I launch the final article next week.
Have a good one 🤙🚀
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