GORUCK Tough Training Plan

A GORUCK Tough event can be very intimidating to train for. They say signing up is the hardest part but as your event gets closer you might be feeling something different. This page should give you the materials you need to train up for and complete your GORUCK Tough event. If you want more general GORUCK Tough training advice we recommend you read our GORUCK Tough Training page.

All Day Ruckoff Training Guide

We call this a “training guide” because that’s exactly what it is… a guide. It is not a plan and it does not tell you exactly what to do. It is, however, exactly how we train for upcoming GORUCK events. Life is chaotic so we prefer guides over plans… plus, they stress us out less if we miss a day.

All Day Ruckoff Training Equipment

You will need the following equipment to make this plan work.

1. Ruck: Doesn’t matter if it’s a GR1, Rucker, Rush 12, TT ROP, whatever. Although we prefer the Rucker we know this is training… bring something solid to an event but don’t put off training because you don’t have your perfect ruck yet.
2. Weight: You will need weight for your pack. We use Ruck Plates but there’s also bricks, dumbbells, weight plates, rocks, etc.
3. Sandbag: We do a ton of sandbag workouts because they’re quick, cheap, and difficult. We recommend both the GORUCK Sandbag (40 lb or 60 lb) and the Brute Force Athlete sandbag. Sub a ruck instead of the sandbag if you need to which works in most cases.
4. Running Shoes: AKA shoes for running because toughen up buttercup we run.
5. Recovery Plan: We use (and pay for) ROMWOD but if you’re cheap or don’t want to pay money then go on the YouTubes and find a yoga or stretching plan. When we Yoga we watch Leslie Fightmaster videos which are free. Or don’t… it’s your body. We just know we feel better and recover much quicker from events when we have a recovery plan in place.

Note: Some people say you need a log or a tire or a whatever-expensive-gadget to train for a GORUCK event. You don’t. While they might be nice they’re 100% not necessary. Many people have trained for events with just a backpack, some bricks, and a pair of shoes. Don’t overthink think this and don’t use not having some piece of equipment as an excuse for not training.

All Day Ruckoff Weekly Regiment

When training for an event we do the following each week.

• 2 x Running: 20 – 30 minute runs at a moderate pace. You should expect the mileage (not time because you’re running quicker) to increase as you become a better runner.
• 1 x Running: 5 minute jog followed by between 6 and 12 quarter mile (aka 400 meter) sprints. Rest between 45 and 90 seconds (stay consistent, choose a time and stick with it for the workout) between each sprint. Finish it up with another 5 minute jog.
• 3-4 x Sandbag Workouts: We use the Brute Force app (Android and iOS) for our sandbag workouts. They always have new and interesting workouts that you’re sure to enjoy.
• 1 x Ruck: 30 – 120 minutes and scale weight & time as necessary. Maybe do a 45 minute loops and pick up a sandbag for the second 45.
• 6 x ROMWOD: We complete ROMWOD stretching routines six times a week and generally take the rest day off.
• 1 x Rest Day: We rest one day and we don’t even think about working out. To make this rest day work you’ll need to double up a moderate running and sandbag day but you’re strong… you can handle it. We guarantee you that day will be easier that your GORUCK Tough event.

We do that every week until the week before our event which looks like the following and assumes as Friday night start.

• Monday: Light sandbag workout. ROMWOD.
• Tuesday: 30 minute moderate jog. ROMWOD.
• Wednesday: 20 minute moderate jog. ROMWOD.
• Thursday: ROMWOD.
• Friday: ROMWOD/Event.
• Saturday: Beer, burgers, food, victory… or GORUCK Light.
• Sunday: ROMWOD.

That’s it. Nothing fancy, nothing special, nothing innovative. Just a lot of hard work and dedication and it has worked so far with great results.

Price: Free

Mettle Forger Training Plan

Mettle Forger offers a training plan which includes more than just workouts to prep you for your GORUCK Tough. Their 75 page guide aims to make you both mentally and physically prepared for the event. This includes workouts, gear prep, food, and much more. Mettle Forger has sold hundreds of their plans and they have received very positive feedback. If you want something that walks you through every step of the process (and is spoon fed to you) then this is a great way to go.

Price: $25.00

GORUCK Tough Training Plan

Count your stars lucky because GORUCK has gone through the trouble of creating a 6 week training program that should prepare you physically for your first GORUCK Light or Tough. GORUCK has constructed an easy to download and print PDF document for their 6 week plan. If you’re training outside then this is perfect for bringing along a copy of the workout!

Necessary GORUCK Tough Training Equipment

If you want on go through this training plan then there’s some equipment you’ll need.

1. A ruck (GR1 or Rucker is preferable)
2. Weight for the ruck (wrapped bricks or Ruck Plates will work)
3. Sandbag (Buy from GORUCK, Buy from Brute Force, or make your own)
4. Track (for completing the runs)
5. Pull-Up bar
6. Dip bars
7. Jump Rope
8. Weights
9. Stationary bike or pool for cross-training

A gym should be able to satisfy items 5 through 9 (and item 4 if you want to use a treadmill.) If you don’t have a gym you can find a school and use their jungle gym for both dips and pull-ups. The ITS Tactical guide on how to make a sandbag is great and will give you a high quality training item.

Price: Free

Conclusion

Hopefully you’re able to find a plan in here that you like. We’ve got the ADR Do It Yourself plan all the way to the Mettle Forger Hand Holding plan… which should include pretty much every style of plan. If you know of other training plans please leave them in a comment and we’ll make sure to check them out. If you’re looking for more GORUCK Tough training information then check out our dedicated GORUCK Tough training page!