GoRuck has launched its Black Friday Sale with plenty of great deals for anyone who, like me, wants to work out without the need for a gym. I’ve never liked going to the gym. I work from home, and I work out at home, mostly bodyweight exercises and calisthenics, with some extra weight in the form of GoRuck sandbags and kettlebells.
This book of bodyweight exercises has been my workout bible for years, but I also love hiking, or as the cool kids call it, rucking. Rucking is hiking, with some extra weight on your back. You don’t need any special gear to ruck; just a backpack and some sand will get you going. But put 20 pounds in your average day pack, and you’ll quickly discover it’s not very well made. When you wear through what you’ve got, get a GoRuck. They’re nigh on indestructible, have a lifetime warranty, and they’re purpose-built for rucking (but make a great daypack as well).
Luckily, GoRuck has launched its Black Friday sale, with the company’s Basic Rucker pack available for nearly half off, just $79 ($76 off).
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Photograph: Scott Gilbertson
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Photograph: Scott Gilbertson
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Photograph: Scott Gilbertson
This is a phenomenal deal on a pack that’s going to last you a lifetime. The smaller volume of the Basic Rucker keeps the weight high and tight on your back, which makes it more stable and less prone to shifting when you’re off balance.
Grab yourself a weight plate too. They aren’t on sale, and you can, as noted above, get by with sandbags or anything else heavy, but the ruck plates are nice to have. I suggest starting at 10 pounds if you’re brand new to rucking, 20 pounds if you’re in reasonable shape, and 30 pounds if you already work out regularly and are just looking to try something new.
I should note that I also have a USA-made GoRuck GR1, and it is a far, far nicer pack overall than the Basic Rucker, but I like the GR1 less for rucking. The Basic Rucker is actually what I ruck/hike in on a daily basis, and it’s really all you need. (I reserve the GR1 for day hikes and travel.)
If you do feel like splashing out, though, there’s an even better deal going right now at GoRuck: Spend $300, and you get a 14L Basic Rucker free. So you can grab yourself a USA-made GoRuck GR1 for $395 (sorry, not on sale) and get the Basic Rucker free.