As a former special forces member, a survivalist and prepper, right-wing, and slightly paranoid but always prepared for everything life might throw at him, I have always had a passion for physical exercise.
I’m into owning tactical & survivalist gear and keeping a high level of physical fitness and mental toughness. Jogging and rucking have been my preferred exercises due to their numerous benefits.
In this article, I’ll discuss the difference between jogging and rucking, the pros and cons of each form of exercise, and which of the two exercises is better. Stick around to know more.
A Definition of Rucking and Running
Jogging is a form of aerobic exercise (exercising the heart and the lungs). It involves running with a moderately slow and consistent speed in most cases over an extended period.
Regularly jogging can help you lose weight, especially if you also modify your diet.
Rucking is walking with a weighted backpack to build strength and stamina.
It’s the foundation of Special Forces training and is popular with military personnel, survivalists, and those in the “EDC” (Everyday Carry) scene.
Jogging Pros and Cons
Pros of Jogging
- Accessibility – You won’t need any money or special equipment to go for a jog, and you can pretty much do it anywhere in the world.
- It’s Simple to Measure – It is easy to keep track of the distance you’ve covered, along with your pace and the elevation gain, especially with the help of smartwatches, wrist pedometers, and smartphone fitness apps.
- Intensity – Jogging has a high-calorie burn per hour, making it one of the most efficient and effective techniques to get into shape and lose weight quickly.
- Good Competition Structure – Running is a vast sport, so find competitions, fun runs, jogging clubs, or discussion forums where you can share your ambitions. This is a fantastic way to broaden one’s circle of acquaintances and extend one’s family.
Cons of Jogging
- Injuries – The danger of getting hurt is high with any kind of cardiovascular exercise. Joggers’ knees, hips, and lower backs are the body parts that are most likely to sustain an injury as a result of the impact of the activity.
- It is Tedious – Jogging can be hard for many people, especially beginners, who find themselves lacking the enthusiasm to go for a run daily.
- Weather – Outdoor jogging is subject to mother nature. Excessive heat and bad weather can curtail you from going for a jog.
- Traumatizing – Jogging traumatizes the body so much probably because of its stressful nature and the influence that this has on the endorphin system.
Rucking Pros and Cons
Positives about Rucking
- Cheap – In order to get started, there isn’t a lot of stuff you’ll need. A simple backpack will suffice. However, for a comfortable experience, it is best to invest in quality shoes and other rucking gears.
- Low Impact – Rucking is a Low-Intensity Steady State (LISS) physical exercise unlike running, jogging or running. It has minimal impact on the body. This makes it an easy sport to get into.
- Incredible Health Advantages – Even though rucking is a low-intensity steady-state workout, it assists in the reduction of body fat. It also strengthens the muscles in your abdominal region while also improving your cardiovascular endurance. In addition to enhancing one’s physical and emotional health, rucksack training reduces one’s risk of developing chronic diseases, including heart disease and diabetes.
- Improves Your Posture – The added weight of the backpack helps to correct your slouching posture. Regular rucking will help you develop good posture even when you’re not wearing a backpack.
- Staple Military Exercise – If you’re thinking about joining the military, start rucksack as soon as possible. This will prepare you physically and mentally for the rigors of military service.
Negatives about Rucking
- Time-Consuming – It’s possible that rucking will take up a significant amount of your time. Most rucking competitive sessions last for more than 4 hours.
- Injuries – If not done correctly, rucking can cause injuries mainly to the back due to bad posture, bad quality rucking gear, or improper weight. You can also end up experiencing discomfort in the feet, shoulders, hips, ankles, and knees.
- You Won’t See Results Right Away – Rucking is a low-intensity workout, which means it takes longer to notice the benefits. The low impact you put your body through comes at the expense of benefits. However, with patience and consistency, you’ll eventually realize the benefits.
Difference Between Jogging and Rucking and Which is Better
Intensity: Even though jogging is a lower impact sport than running when compared to rucking, jogging is more intensive than rucking.
Time: Jogging roughly takes between 30 minutes to one hour to complete. On the other hand, a rucking session can last up to 4 hours because it is not intensive; hence, one does not tire within a short time.
Even though rucking and jogging are aerobic exercises, rucking focuses more on strengthening the core and bettering the posture. In contrast, jogging focuses more on strengthening the heart, the body’s most important muscle. Rucking is cardio for those that hate cardio.
Time to see results: It takes longer to realize the benefits of rucking than jogging.
There is no clear answer regarding which of the two forms of exercise is better than the other. Both rucking and jogging have their pros and cons.
Your choice of which exercise to perform depends on the time you are willing to dedicate to the workout, what you want to achieve, how long you want to realize the results, and whether you want to do the workout alone or as a group.
Joggings vs Rucking
Jogging is good because it;
- It helps in losing weight
- Can be done anywhere and at anytime
- It’s simple to measure
- Has a good competition structure
Jogging is bad since it;
- Has higher chances of getting injured
- It is tedious
- Subject to weather
- Traumatizes the body
Rucking is good for you because;
- It is cheap to start
- Low impact
- Has incredible health advantages
- Improves your posture
- Is a staple military exercise
It’s bad for you because;
- Possibilities of injuries due to poor posture
- It’s time-consuming
- Takes so much time to see results
