Ruck It Challenge

The FIT Outdoors

Improving your fitness shouldn't be limited to controlled, indoor environments. Taking your training outdoors or simply going for a walk in nature has numerous benefits, and if you want to really level-up your conditioning and work capacity then you should try rucking- carrying a load, typically a heavy backpack or weight vest, for time and distance.

Rucking is a great way of building aerobic capacity, building bone density, and solidifying core strength and endurance. Moreover, since it is performed outside you get the added benefit of getting sunlight in your eyes and on your skin while also giving your eyes a chance to focus on things far away and not on a screen. These reasons and many more are why we created the Ruck It Challenge!

The Ruck It Challenge is a life-long commitment to getting outdoors, carrying heavy things, spending meaningful time with others and receiving all of the physical, psychological, and emotional benefits along the way! The Ruck It Challenge begins as a 1-year, 4-stage endeavor where participants receive points that are scaled according to the weight carried and the distance covered. The initial four stages get progressively more challenging and arduous, and participants receive a free shirt for each stage completed! The intent is to prepare and empower each participant for the final "evolution" of The Ruck It Challenge which is much more "free range" and gives participants maximum freedom and responsibility.

The Ruck It Challenge has made a positive and transformational change for many people at The FIT. It's just one more way we are changing lives through fitness!

"Rucking has strengthened my core and given me more overall stability and balance. The rucking challenge encourages you to set goals and progress over time. It has helped me train for incredible adventures like hiking the Grand Canyon. However, the best part of rucking are the mental benefits- getting outside and enjoying nature regularly all year round, time to talk and laugh with friends, or to simply have alone time to think and mentally work through life's challenges. Rucking is one of my favorite ways to destress and clear my mind."

Jenelle Curatolo

"There are so many benefits to rucking that it is difficult to communicate to those who have never experienced it. First, it gets you outside for prolonged periods of time and if you can ruck while in nature it is exponentially better. There is so much value to getting natural sunlight into your eyes and seeing the "fractals" of nature- specifically the grass, bushes, trees, and leaves. Second, bearing a heavy load and CHOOSING to carry it for a longer period of time and distance requires courage and builds a level of resiliency and mental fortitude that many other forms of exercise don't have. Third, rucking forges improved core strength, foot strength, and overall endurance. Fourth, when you ruck with friends it solidifies social connections and renews your emotional well-being. And finally, rucking gives you a more proper perspective on life, challenges, obstacles, and strife. When you endure the relentless burden of the ruck pack and continue to move forward despite the rocks, hills, and valleys while seeing the beauty, intricacies, balance, serenity, peacefulness, and majesty of nature it changes you at a fundamental level."

Jared Schomburg

"Rucking offers another aspect of strengthening and conditioning that is so easy to do. You simply have to put on a weighted pack or vest (light or heavy) and go for a walk anywhere you like! And, it can be done anytime of day or night at your convenience.

Experiencing the camaraderie of other FIT members through rucking has been so enjoyable and enlightening. It has been therapy for our minds as well as our bodies. And often takes us to locations we might not normally take advantage of.

Jared is very creative with all aspects of getting and staying fit. Rucking is an activity that gives us the opportunity to keep fit for our entire life. Longevity is the name of the game."