Once you’ve decided to embrace the art of rucking, it is vital to find the proper environment. Typically, you should pick city centers with plenty of walkable streets. Otherwise, you can ruck your local nature trail. Using certain apps can make the process much easier. These apps will track your progress and help you achieve your goals.
Read the guide below to learn more about the best apps for rucking.
Samsung Health
If you have a Samsung smartphone, you should begin taking advantage of the Samsung Health app. It is usually already installed on Samsung phones, but you may need to download it. The only issue with this app is the fact that it isn’t specifically designed for rucking. Therefore, you won’t find a rucking exercise option.
Instead, you will need to add this information manually. Choose the hiking option and go from there. Regardless, the app provides a lot of information about your workouts. It can track your workouts, sleeping patterns, heart rate, weight, diet, and more. It’ll also chart your path so you’ll know how far you’ve traveled and how long it took.
Using the Samsung Health app is an excellent way to gauge your progress so you can improve your rucking abilities.
Strava
Those looking for a suitable alternative should pick the Strava app. Many people use this app for rucking because it is comprehensive and convenient. Although there is a paid version, you can still benefit greatly from using the free version. Again, you aren’t going to find a rucking option in this app so you’ll have to add the information manually.
Start by picking the hiking option before adding the details. You will not be able to add information about the weight carried. You should use the comment section to keep up with this information. Once you’ve selected the map, you will see your progress. You’ll be able to chart the path you traveled, find out how long you traveled, and determine how long it took.
You can also find the maximum speed, average speed, and elevation. Using Strava will make it easy to determine whether you’re getting faster. It’ll also encourage you to work harder to improve. The elevation feature is great, making Strava one of the best apps to use when rucking.
Apple Health
Many people have switched to Apple iPhones because they’re so beneficial. If you’ve done this, you should be able to access the Apple Health app. It usually comes pre-installed on the phone. Unfortunately, the app does not offer a rucking option. Still, it can be very helpful for tracking your rucking progress. If you’re serious about rucking and want to do it for a long time, consider purchasing an Apple watch to better track your metrics.
The Apple Health app can track various information, including the calories you’ve burned, the distance you’ve traveled, and your average pace. It also measures elevation gain. The Apple Health app is a good option for iPhone users.
Map My Run
Although it is not free, you may want to use the Map My Run app to keep track of your rucking progress. The app is easy to use and comprehensive so you’ll have no trouble keeping up with your progress. It can even provide workout routines that you should be using to improve your overall health. These workouts will likely help make you better at rucking as well.
You will also be given audio cues when you reach certain milestones. For instance, the app can tell you when you’ve reached a certain distance. Map My Run is designed for runners, but it can conveniently be used for rucking too.
Relive
Relive is a great app for people who intend to go rucking. It can be used with other fitness trackers to get the most comprehensive metrics. More importantly, the Relive app is going to encourage you to continue rucking. During your ruck, the app will keep track of your activity. Once you’ve finished, the app can create a story for the day’s ruck. It’ll use photos you’ve taken and captions you want to write.
You can even use the app to create a 3D video of your rucks. Then, the videos can be shared with friends on your favorite social media platform. The app also offers a personalized feed so you can share your videos there. Once you’ve seen the cool videos you’ve created during your rucks, you’ll be motivated to ruck more often.
Runkeeper
ASICS is one of the leaders in running shoes. It only makes sense for the company to get involved in the fitness app business. The company’s Runkeeper app is a good choice for runners, but it works equally well for rucking. With this app, you can set goals for your rucks and create plans to ensure that you achieve those goals. You’ll also be able to keep track of your daily rucks.
The app tracks various information such as duration, calories burned, and your current pace. You will also be provided with audio alerts when you’ve reached certain milestones. The Runkeeper app is compatible with various fitness tracks, including the Apple Watch and Fitbit.
All Trails
It can be difficult to find trails for your rucks. Simplify this issue by taking advantage of the AllTrails app. It is great for rucking even though it doesn’t have a rucking option. Instead, it is primarily designed for hikers. Still, the app provides access to more than 300,000 trails with reviews and pictures. You can easily use this app to find great trails to ruck in your area.
The app will also log your progress, including your duration, distance, and elevation. The maps are available offline for times when you don’t have cellular access.
Summary
Various mobile apps can make your rucks more enjoyable and more convenient. It is wise to experiment with several until you find out which one works best for you. Regardless, they’ll make it easy to track your progress, find new trails, and reach your fitness goals. Consider buying a fitness tracker to make it even easier to log your progress.