20 Comments
User's avatar
Chris Fehr's avatar

Just playing with it a little, comparing 15% to 0%, ie no weight, gives me an extra 20% in calorie burn.

My pack is still in the mail on it's way but it might be interesting to see the estimated calories Garmin gives me for the same route walking vs rucking. I'm assuming a higher HR rucking will up the calories estimated.

Michael Easter's avatar

That sounds about right.

You'll likely get higher HR plus a few things the Garmin can't account for. More strength stimulus, etc.

Jandro S's avatar

Thanks Michael! My inputs gave me 562 calories (slightly heavier load and faster pace than defaults). My Apple Watch calculates just over 270 when I do my 3 mile route. Super interesting. Thanks again

Heather Hausenblas, PhD's avatar

This is really helpful. I will pass this along to my rucking friends.

Courtenay Fisher's avatar

Love this ! Thanks for the formula.

Dan Wise's avatar

This is eye-opening to see how many more calories this shows then my applewatch or heart rate monitor.

How do we handle if we do intervals or walking/jogging? I assume we just enter the average mph for the duration but not sure if we should enter each (walk, jog) separately.

Joe B's avatar

This is fantastic! I love it. Thank you.

Christine's avatar

Thank you!

Ryker's avatar

Pretty nifty! Thanks!

Tanner's avatar

You are one very helpful dude.

Griff's avatar

Very cool. I just used the calculator for a one hour ruck I did today. I was using my Garmin in tandem with an app called "Rucking for Everyone." Input 195 lbs bodyweight, 11.8% pack (23 lbs), 18:03m/mile (3.32 mph), 1% (hilly road but it was a loop), pavement and got around 370 calories. The Garmin app came it at 388 calories, 97 resting and 291 active. That's pretty close. There was some stopping of course and pickup duty given the 8 month old Golden Retriever puppy.

The Garmin Tactix 8 (mine is a 7) includes a rucking app, and I find it disappointing that it isn't just provided to any Garmin that can run it (I would bet the Tactix 7, Fenix, and Epix and others could all run it.

I am going to pre-order the book and I am looking forward to it. I am trying to resist moving to a "Founders Membership" just to get the workout now. Strong temptation. :-)

cory's avatar

As you are all things Walking with Weight- any thoughts on carrying the poundage rather than rucking/packing it? Ya know, suitcase and farmer's carries of a kb, dumbbell or rock. IME, carrying seems to give a bigger work out.

Christopher Radley's avatar

Hoping I can use this to leverage Whoop to fix the rucking activity. It doesn’t account for weight and the result of a heavy ruck on the same course as a walk is little different even though one is tough and the other relatively easy.

Joe Leyba's avatar

Ooooh, I missed the plans. Might need your help, Michael. I'm a founding member (my subscription plan says it), but Substack still displays a prominent button labeled "Upgrade to founding" on every page, and I don't have access to the bonus. The help documents haven't been helpful in reaching out to fix it. Thanks.

Brandon Sallee's avatar

Awesome Michael! As an aside, I’ve been rucking for years but only recently started paying attention to my heart rate zones. It’s eye-opening how fast you actually have to walk to hit zone 2—but it enables a solid progressive overload path. Going from 3 to 4mph over distance is very different for the body and mind.

Jordan's avatar

Stronger by Science just posted an article about weighted vest, I would love your take on their review.

Gavin's avatar

I have a question that is related to rucking, but it's not about calories: What information is available regarding rucking and potential increase in joint injuries?

My mother is interested in walking with weight but doesn't want to cause extra injuries - any advice would be appreciated