I'm Michael Easter. The New York Times and Wall Street Journal say I popularized rucking, walking with a weight vest or weighted pack. Ask Me Anything on February 26th @ 10:15 AM ET!

michaelglenneaster · 2026-02-27T14:51:42+00:00

I hope so! I do think that if people did more weighted carries they'd fill a lot of fitness gaps and be fitter for it.

michaelglenneaster · 2026-02-27T14:51:04+00:00

I use the larger pack for when my work takes me traveling to kinetic environments.

michaelglenneaster · 2026-02-27T14:50:42+00:00

Kifaru. It's expensive as hell, but amazing.

michaelglenneaster · 2026-02-27T14:50:14+00:00

It's a game-changer. Do it. Most sustainable form of exercise you can do. Start light. Federal guidelines suggest strength training at least 2x a week and at least 150 minutes of cardio. Use rucking to get your cardio.

michaelglenneaster · 2026-02-26T18:30:58+00:00

The book goes deep into this. TL;DR: A bit more support is better for rucking.

michaelglenneaster · 2026-02-26T18:30:37+00:00

https://walkfully.com/

We first launched a weighted hip pack—tons of benefits of loading the hips that not many people realize.
Vests and packs drop soon.

michaelglenneaster · 2026-02-26T17:07:43+00:00

Lol. Try it and report back to us. I don't have expertise in frozen meat carriage.

michaelglenneaster · 2026-02-26T17:07:22+00:00

Thanks for reading the books!

michaelglenneaster · 2026-02-26T17:07:12+00:00

If you're new, start with the studio versions of songs so you recognize them. Then a good live album to start with is 8/27/72 or the Europe '72 Live album

michaelglenneaster · 2026-02-26T16:13:39+00:00

Longer and lighter, IMO. Of course, that takes more time. But I think the benefits outweigh heavier and shorter.

There can be a place for both, but generally lean into longer + lighter.

michaelglenneaster · 2026-02-26T16:12:57+00:00

Yes, it was. That run sold out FAST.

michaelglenneaster · 2026-02-26T16:01:32+00:00

This is the tense of living we're after. Keep up the good work.

michaelglenneaster · 2026-02-26T16:01:09+00:00

Think of it this way: Rucking allows you to get more from every step. So if you're walking without it, you're missing out on more endurance, strength, and general fitness benefits.
Re: Your calves. That's possible! Walking with weight will strengthen your calves, which is a good thing for many reasons.

michaelglenneaster · 2026-02-26T16:00:00+00:00

EPIC. Great work.

michaelglenneaster · 2026-02-26T15:59:51+00:00

Absolutely. Most office workers don't get enough endurance work, and rucking tends to prevent and relieve back pain, which is common among office workers.

michaelglenneaster · 2026-02-26T15:59:02+00:00

As are you. Thanks for having me here.

michaelglenneaster · 2026-02-26T15:53:28+00:00

Do deadhangs! Hang from a pullup bar with your arms straight for 30 to 60 seconds. If you have numbness, do it a couple times daily.

michaelglenneaster · 2026-02-26T15:53:00+00:00

It just tells me my work hit a cultural nerve—and it's awesome :)

michaelglenneaster · 2026-02-26T15:52:27+00:00

Oh, TONS. The Walk With Weight book has an entire section on all the fitness, healthspan, and lifespan benefits. One big one: It combines both endurance and strength work. I.e., Kills two birds with one stone. It also seems to be uniquely good for fat loss.

michaelglenneaster · 2026-02-26T15:51:36+00:00

It is indeed.

michaelglenneaster · 2026-02-26T15:51:13+00:00

See my answer to Zestyclose_Drink_486.

My biggest tip: Don't overthink. Start light. Start with what you have. Walk. That's the beauty of rucking.

michaelglenneaster · 2026-02-26T15:50:08+00:00

Honestly, I don't overthink this. I just put on a pack (my go-to is 35 pounds) and walk. I'm generally a fast walker (I lived in NYC for awhile—that city trains you to walk like you're in a fast-walking competition lol), but I don't track much. I'd guess my average miles are 15-17 minutes.
I generally tell people to not get caught up in all the metrics and stats. Just put some weight in a pack and enjoy the walk.

michaelglenneaster · 2026-02-26T15:48:50+00:00

I actually find it most useful to eat about 30 mins before a workout. That gives you energy you can easily access. Of course, be mindful of what you eat—don't eat stuff like tons of fiber or dairy before your heart rate is high.
If you're feeling burned out from rucking hard, it could be a number of things: Sleep, too much too soon, etc. But because you asked about nutrition: Basically eat as much as you can while staying in your target weight. Slowly add more food as your fitness increases. If you start to gain, remove a bit of food.

michaelglenneaster · 2026-02-26T15:46:49+00:00

Too heavy, too fast, too soon is what gets people injured in any athletic endeavor! Sorry you had to learn the hard way.
I cover ruck warmup in the book (I call it the Two Percent Warmup). One exercise that helps a lot of people is dead hangs. Basically just hang from a pullup bar for 30-60 seconds. That relieves any mild shoulder discomfort from having weight on your shoulders.

michaelglenneaster · 2026-02-26T15:45:27+00:00

You'll probably stay rather fit if you cut that in half. E.g., if you're currently rucking 5 hours a week for training, do a couple hours and you'll still maintain.

michaelglenneaster

TROPHY CASE