Who We Are
We're just living life - family Ruck.
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Hi, I'm Dan. Founder of wild gym.
I was walk-on Division 1 college athlete. I made the team after being cut my freshman year. The summer before my Senior year I worked as a Wilderness Ranger. To stay in shape for athletics, I constructed an all-natural "wild gym" where I squatted logs, lifted rocks, and did pullups from tree branches - think Rocky 4 training montage. I left the wild in the best shape of my life. The following season I earned a starting role as well as a scholarship.
After college I spent 5 seasons as a Wildland Firefighter and Wilderness Ranger. I continued to maintain my athletic training regimen and I also noticed that one exercise in particular was integral to my training - Rucking.
Rucking is the foundation of wild gym. Rucking is inherently done outside and is scalable for all ability levels.
We were made to carry weight - let's honor our wild roots.
Our Mission:
To help you be comfortable being uncomfortable - outside.
Our Vision:
To make Rucking as popular as running and walking and inspire people to live like an athlete.
Our Values:
- Time outside.
- Consistency.
- Action.
- Living the examined life.
- Doing what you can with what you have.
- Expanding the imagination of what is possible.
Join the wild gym League of Wildness. The most positive and encouraging group online.
FAQ
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What is rucking in one sentence?
Rucking is walking a set time or distance while carrying weight in a backpack.
Is rucking just hiking?
It’s related. Hiking is usually trails, terrain, and gear. Rucking is defined by the added weight, and it can be done anywhere, sidewalks included.
Do I need a special rucking backpack?
No. You can start with any backpack. But if you want it to be comfortable and scalable, a ruck with stable weight placement is a game-changer.
How much weight should I start with?
Wild Gym recommends 10–20 lb, with a simple rule: over 150 lb start at 20; under 150 start at 10.
How often should beginners ruck?
Start “a few times per week.” Wild Gym suggests starting with rucking a few times per week and building from there.
How long should a beginner ruck be?
Start with 20–30 minutes. Add time before you add a bunch of weight.
What pace should I ruck?
Brisk but controlled. You should be able to speak in sentences. If you’re redlining, it’s too heavy or too fast.
Does rucking build muscle?
It builds strength endurance and “carry strength.” If you want more muscle and bone stimulus, pair rucking with 2–3 simple strength sessions per week.
Is rucking safe for knees?
For many people it’s lower impact than running, but it’s not immune to overuse if you ramp too fast. Start light, keep the load stable, and avoid steep hills early.
What’s the best way to start if I’m totally out of shape?
Start with walking first. WebMD suggests you should be able to walk about 30 minutes comfortably before adding load. Then add 10 pounds and keep it short.
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