A fitness trend with military roots is gaining popularity, and local resident Karen Drew wanted to learn more about it. Rucking, a low-impact exercise where you walk with weight on your back, has been around for years but gained attention recently.
Karen caught up with Jason Lioy, a 52-year-old rucker who uses the workout to raise money for veterans and honor their sacrifices. Lioy lost 70 pounds and reduced his waistline by six inches after taking up rucking. He also participated in a 33-mile ruck across Normandy.
When done with a weighted backpack, rucking can burn up to three times as many calories as regular walking. For Lioy, it’s not just about physical benefits but also about giving back. “Every time I put on the rucksack, I’m carrying the weight of what our veterans and active-duty military are carrying for us,” he said.
Lioy and fellow ruckers will be participating in the Folds of Honor Firecracker 5K in Ann Arbor on July 4th, offering runners, walkers, and rucking enthusiasts a chance to join them.
Source: https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2025/06/26/rucking-how-a-workout-trend-with-a-military-origin-is-being-used-for-a-good-cause