Whats your training setup?

[1shotgear]

I run a stone glacier Xcurve Frame with the 6200 bag on it and fill it with pillows so that I get use to the balance against wind. I use a 50 pound bag of rice and I also ducked tap it to keep it form going everywhere and put it on the load shelf. I have run around with a sand bag but one day it started leaking and it took me about a week to get all the sand off my bag.

 

[Gnatboy911]

Why didn't you put the sack on the load shelf? The dense concrete/sand are like a meat quarter load.

Looking back you're exactly right, I should have used the load shelf. I just got the pack late summer so I wadded up some towels in the bottom to raise it up some and threw the weight in and started walking as often as I could.

 

[TravisIN]

60lb bag of mortar mix bagged and tapedon my MR GL. This year I’m just going to leave my mule bag on instead of the metcalf. Ill have my nalgene and a pistol on the frame as well so roughly 70lbs. My metcalf completely loaded for 7 days in a little under 45 lbs so trying to train heavier.


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[Shraggs]

Original nomad, tactical frame and the hanging meat baggie between wings with 40 lbs. that goes up and down the hill. On my long hike with 70 lbs I add weight in the wings.

 

[*zap*]

Right now I am just using my Camelbak Motherload 3 day pack with 50# total weight.
Plan on a night ruck this evening in the rain....should be awesome.

 

[WV Mountaineer]

I used to use sandbags, water jugs, combinations of both, etc... And pack heavy quite a bit when training. However, I figured carrying 80 pounds for three miles and a couple thousand feet of elevation change, at a 2 hour time frame, wasn't improving my cardio nearly as much as a 35 pound pack loaded exactly like I was heading into spike camp for 4 days. on the same three miles at an hours pace.

I've had three ACL repairs, one MCL repair( which is very rare), three meniscus cleanings, and been bone on bone in my left knee for 20 years. Toting all that weight down these steep as heck slopes wasn't helping nearly as bad as it was hurting. Both concerning the pain and, what was best for the long run concerning my knees. So, I now keep the weight down and concentrate on keeping a high intensity pace with more moderate loads for training. And, save the 80-100 pound loads for dead stuff.

Be careful with all that weight repeatedly beating on your knees fellas.

 

[Billy Goat]

I use a 50# sandbag wrapped in a contractor bag and duct tape. Then just throw it in between the wings of a Nomad.
View attachment 99269

You have enough bags laying around you need to label them?

 

[whereisfredbeckey]

60lb bag of mortar mix bagged and tapedon my MR GL. This year I’m just going to leave my mule bag on instead of the metcalf. Ill have my nalgene and a pistol on the frame as well so roughly 70lbs. My metcalf completely loaded for 7 days in a little under 45 lbs so trying to train heavier.


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I run almost the exact same setup.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

I used to use sandbags, water jugs, combinations of both, etc... And pack heavy quite a bit when training. However, I figured carrying 80 pounds for three miles and a couple thousand feet of elevation change, at a 2 hour time frame, wasn't improving my cardio nearly as much as a 35 pound pack loaded exactly like I was heading into spike camp for 4 days. on the same three miles at an hours pace.

I've had three ACL repairs, one MCL repair( which is very rare), three meniscus cleanings, and been bone on bone in my left knee for 20 years. Toting all that weight down these steep as heck slopes wasn't helping nearly as bad as it was hurting. Both concerning the pain and, what was best for the long run concerning my knees. So, I now keep the weight down and concentrate on keeping a high intensity pace with more moderate loads for training. And, save the 80-100 pound loads for dead stuff.

Be careful with all that weight repeatedly beating on your knees fellas.

I don’t do heavy pack work for cardio, I do it to prepare my body to haul a heavy load so all the joints and core are prepared for that dead animal load in mountain terrain. I feel stronger and more stable under load in the mountains as a result. Keep in mind the heavy pack is 2days a week in a ramp up of mileage for 2-3months leading in (on rolling hills also btw), not the only exercise and definitely not primary cardio. More cardio and core work are done also to round out the training. 40lb pack box stepping, running, and full body core work get the ticker pumping.

 

[TravisIN]

Episode 132 “How to hike heavy” of Exos Hunt Backcountry Podcast was a interesting and informative one. They have a military guy on who has studied heavy rucking and the best ways and the most effective ways. It’s worth a listen I’d say. If what you do works for you don’t change but you may get something useful out of it.


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[TravisIN]

I don’t do heavy pack work for cardio, I do it to prepare my body to haul a heavy load so all the joints and core are prepared for that dead animal load in mountain terrain. I feel stronger and more stable under load in the mountains as a result. Keep in mind the heavy pack is 2days a week in a ramp up of mileage for 2-3months leading in (on rolling hills also btw), not the only exercise and definitely not primary cardio. More cardio and core work are done also to round out the training. 40lb pack box stepping, running, and full body core work get the ticker pumping.

I’m on a similar system. I claim that my main purpose of working out is health, but it’s not. It’s the mountains


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[KHNC]

I run a GR-1 with a 30lb ruck plate in addition to a 10lb barbell plate. Ruck plate stays in the laptop compartment. Also, if you arent/havent done a GR event, dont buy the pack. lol.

 

[stump06]

I pull the bag off my Kifaru frame and use a Grab-it to hold duct taped sand bags (like pods8)
35-40 lbs during the week in the gym or on walks with the dogs
60 lbs on weekend long hikes.

Does the grab it hold the load by itself well? Ive been looking at options and am definitely gonna get a grab it but didn't know if I needed to pick up a quarter panel to use for training.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

I’m on a similar system. I claim that my main purpose of working out is health, but it’s not. It’s the mountains

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Same on mountains, that's why I slack off in the winter and then have to kick my arse in gear all spring/summer to get back (and ugh behind this yeah). I need to stop doing that but I seem to loose the head space and then drinking/eating over the holidays...

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Does the grab it hold the load by itself well? Ive been looking at options and am definitely gonna get a grab it but didn't know if I needed to pick up a quarter panel to use for training.

If the bottom is supported well by the grab it a couple straps across it keep the top from falling backwards would do fine. That's basically how the SG frames run with their shelf and straps and no bag.

 

[stump06]

@pods8 Good deal. Thats what I was thinking. Tighten down the top with a couple of K-clips and it should be good

 

[Ironmerganser]

Does the grab it hold the load by itself well? Ive been looking at options and am definitely gonna get a grab it but didn't know if I needed to pick up a quarter panel to use for training.

It does OK depending on the weight. I will also use a spare pack strap to secure it to the frame to keep it from shifting side to side. Then the Grab-it holds it from the bottom and holds it to the frame.

 

[ttucci16]

I also just put a 50 pound bag of sand from Home Depot into my MR Beartooth 80 and hike around until im tired of it. I don't time myself or go for a certain distance. I just walk until i feel like stopping.

 

[tumble]

I load the meat shelf and the frame of my EXO pack with multiple weight plates. Its not ideal, but they do hold tight and close to my back for training.

 

[BeardandMane]

60lb bag of sand Loaded in the Exo 5500 just like if it were meat.