What’s the Difference Between Rucking & Running
| Rucking | Running |
| LISS | HIIT |
| Less prone to injuries | More prone to injuries |
| requires more gear | Does not require much gear |
| Works both cardiovascular system and strength | Only works on cardiovascular |
| More social of a sport | Less social of a sport |
People choose to ruck as opposed to running as it is easier to start. Regardless of your fitness level, as long as you can walk, you can ruck. So, why else do people choose rucking over running?
If the list below is not enough to convince you, here’s a complete list of rucking benefits!
Intensity
Rucking is a Low Intensity Interval Training (LISS) sport. Whereas running is considered to be a High Intensity form of training. Both are intense in different ways. Running is an Anaerobic form of exercise, meaning ‘without air’ and refers to the body producing energy without oxygen.
Rucking is the polar opposite, rucking is an aerobic form of exercise. Meaning you’ll probably have to perform the exercise much longer to get the benefits of it.
Injuries
For beginners, running is more intense than rucking, period. Meaning it comes with its set of challenges. While running is beneficial for you, it does come with its fair share of injuries. “runners knee”, shin splits, and Achilles tendinopathy are some of the common injuries among ruckers.
People of all ages are choosing to ruck as their main workout as other workout styles can make you more prone to injury. Check out my full interview with Jerry, a 65 year old man who specifically chose to ruck as a senior as he was having health issues and rucking was his gateway to sticking to a workout that he can stick to and see results
Whereas with rucking, as long as you monitor the amount of weight you carry, follow a beginners program, and maintain proper posture, you’ll be fine.
Expenses
Rucking in its simplicity only really requires a backpack with any form of weight. But the more your get into it, the more you notice that it does require you to up your gear.
For example, getting boots, upgrading your rucksack, etc. If you’re looking to upgrade your gear, but on your on a budget, check out our rucking on a budget post!
Cardio Vs Strength Training
Rucking involves you carrying a challenging weight for an extended period of time. This alone will build up both your upper and lower body strength while also working on your cardio. Running on the other hand is completely focused on cardio.
Social Life
There are tons of rucking group events out there that get you out and about. Being social and getting out there is a social component that is rooted in the sport. We can’t say the same about running.
How Are Rucking & Running Similar?
| Rucking | Running |
| Burns a high number of calories | Burns a high number of calories |
| Same level of injury risk | Same level of injury risk |
| Great for your health | Great for your health |
| Accessible to everyone | Accessible to everyone |
Calories
Both sports burn a high number of calories. According to Keisan’s running calculator, a 25 year old male (180 lbs & 5’8 inches tall) running at 7mph burns approximately 857 calories.
When it comes to rucking, according to the rucking calorie calculator, rucking on a flat surface for an hour burns up to 700 calories. Keep in mind that every BODY is different and these calculators are just estimates, but you can still see how similar both activities burn calories.
Our advice? Just do what you like the most! Better yet, do both and see which one you like better!
Health Benefits
Both rucking and running heave great health benefits. Whether you’re engaged in HIIT or LISS workouts, both work your cardio vascular system. Learn more about the benefits of rucking and running.
Accessibility
Both sports can be done by anyone. As long as your legs function, you can always just grab a rucksack/backpack and put your shoes on and go outside. Same with running, all you need are your running shoes.
Rucking For Runners
If you’re an experienced runner and looking to join the rucking world, you should manage expectations before you get started. Here are few things to keep in mind:
- You probably wont break a sweat till much later compared to running
- Expect to be sore in different areas of your body (rucking is much more focused on building muscle than running)
- Prepare to work out for much longer, a good ruck typically takes longer than a run since rucking is a LISS style workout
Rucking is focused on both cardio and strength. Whereas running is more focused on cardiovascular training only.
People achieve different goals with both rucking and running. For example, when soldiers train in the military, both rucking and running are used as a form of training. Rucking in the military is done as a means of testing a soldiers endurance to resistance and discipline. Whereas running is more focused on building up stamina.
From personal experience, i started rucking as a mean of getting in shape. I ruck because I honestly do not enjoy running and my previous injuries don’t allow me to run for long distances.
Moreover, I choose to ruck as a way to build up my upper and body strength while building up my stamina. It’s certainly not all about burning calories.
Both sports burn calories and if you’re solely taking part in one of the two sports to lost weight and burn calories, you’re best bet is to do what you truly enjoy because you’ll stick to the sport longer and lose much more weight in the long run.
With all that said, both sports have their difference and similarities that make them truly different.
Can Rucking Improve Your Running?
Rucking can help improve your running as it improves your cardiovascular endurance. Most people will notice a difference if they’ve been out of shape and took up rucking first before starting to run.
How Does Rucking Improve Your Running?
Ruck runs could potentially improve your running. While I have never done it myself, the theory behind it does stand out. Ruck runs can improve you’re running speed, performance, and endurance because you’re essentially performing the same movement except that with a ruck run, you’re adding more weight.
When you add more weight on a ruck run, your body has to do more work to perform the same movement. This is where you’ll start to realize your heart rate increase compared to your regular rucks or runs. This forces more blood to your quads, hamstrings, and calves. Increased blood flow to these muscles should improve your running as these are the primary muscles worked during a run.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends, If your fitness goal is to become a better runner, you should stick with running as opposed to rucking.
If your fitness goal is to use both rucking and running to lose weight, then rucking can make you a better runner because the more weight you lose, the easier running becomes. Therefore, rucking can help you run better.
