GORUCK Light – Our Experience

GORUCK sells a lot of bags, plenty of boots, and a bunch of shoes.

(to that last bit, I guess it helps that they’re now the Official Apparel and Footwear Sponsor of CrossFit…)

You know something else GORUCK “sells” a lot of?

Events

Man…if you look at the company’s Events page (especially at the beginning of the year when all of the year’s events are posted), there are darn near 5-10 events going on every weekend.

While some of these sound somewhat intimidating (ironically, completing a “Tough” will only garner a middle-tier GORUCK patch) to downright technical (“Tactical Decision Making” sounds interesting) one of the most common and beloved of these events is the GORUCK Light.

As the name implies, these events aren’t the most physically strenuous and don’t involve a lot of overly complicated or difficult-to-perform movements. The cadres (GORUCK event leaders) involved are also a bit more…calm.

That latter point though doesn’t necessarily apply to all cadres, though. The GORUCK Light I recently attended was a late addition to the events calendar and had the special distinction of being the “Cadre Dan Light Frankfurt”. This name may not mean anything to many people, but if you know anything about GORUCK, you know how much of a treat you’re getting when Cadre Dan comes to town.

I admit that my Light experience was somewhat of a special occasion, but think it can extrapolated pretty well to what these events are generally like. If you’re into rucking and have and are thinking about participating (heck, even if you’re not into rucking), read on; I’m gonna tell you all about my experience with it.

Rucking

Something that is important to remember about any type of fitness event is that they’re all relative. You shouldn’t expect an event that is marketed as lasting 2-3 hours to involve as much rucking as a 50-mile ruck event. You really shouldn’t expect some absurd amount of rucking when considering that an event like a GORUCK Light also involves stretching, calisthenics, and other general PT elements.

Regardless of this, I would say that the total distance covered was actually pretty decent. We probably didn’t actually get started moving until ~5:15 and we were finished a little before 8. In the roughly 2-and-a-half hours of the event, we covered close to 4-and-a-half miles.

Of course, if you were just rucking and had any conviction, you’d be close to covering this distance in an hour. If you’re expecting to move at that 4-mile-per-hour pace during your ruck events, the Light ain’t for you.

Something else to consider is that the official Light weight requirement is pretty low, both in comparison to other GORUCK events (20 pounds for those over 150 pounds, 10 pounds for those under 150 pounds during Light vs. 30 pounds and 20 pounds, respectively for most other GORUCK events) and to the weights I think most people are using during their ruck outings.

However, miles are miles and I can attest that still was a little sore the next morning, even at the slower-than-average pace that we maintained throughout the duration of the event. I also felt pretty satisfied with my overall exertion; the stimulus was certainly sufficient enough for me to feel like I got some work in.

It should also be noted that walking in a (pretty well-organized) group made the rucking portions a lot more enjoyable. As much as I love the quietness and being alone with my thoughts during solo works, the camaraderie and general companionship of our group made the weight feel lighter and the pace easier to maintain.

Pro Tip: 20 (or 10) pounds isn’t going to break the bank for most people and at this weight and distance, you could get away with using just about any ruck for a Light. After going with the somewhat unwieldy (and functionally superfluous) Rucker – Long Range for last March’s GORUCK Ingress events, I opted to use my wife’s Rucker 4.0 for this event. Being more compact, more lightweight, and just plain easier to manage…it was the right tool for the job.

Rucking: 85

“Dynamic” Rucking

After being equal parts surprised and let down by the amount of dynamic rucking involved during the GORUCK Ingress events I participated in, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from the Light. It doesn’t help that there are reports online with widely varying anecdotes regarding the level of intensity, volume, and overall complexity of the Light exercise selection.

My experience leaned more towards the “easier” assessments with some classic bodyweight movements (pull-ups and parallel bar dips) being the more challenging exercises. In addition to these, we did a few rounds of ruck swings, presses, squats, and deadlifts, a bunch of (unweighted) step-ups, and some “ruck cone” agility drills (if you ever played football…think of those drills for reference).

Considering that the classic bodyweight exercises were performed without rucks, I would say that the PT portions of the event were totally accessible to all comers. With loads capped out at 20 pounds for the weighted portions and the volume being rather light (ha!) I only broke a minor sweat through the duration of the events.

This is where it is important to add a bit reference, though. I do CrossFit and Olympic weightlifting 6 days per week for ~1:30 a clip and ruck another 2-3 days per week. For those with less experience and lower levels of overall fitness, these activities would likely present a bit more of a true challenge.

I should also note that Cadre Dan lead us through a lot of pre-ruck and post-ruck stretching exercises. I have a mobility routine that I’m…okay at following, but I should be doing a lot more of this kind of stuff. These stretches really helped to activate the body and to cool it down when were all finished. Cadre actually explained the stretches and intended stimuli really well which added a great deal of credibility to what we were doing.

…to that point, Cadre was really good at explaining the purpose, intended stimuli, etc. of everything we did. I have been into fitness for a long time and I took away some new bits of knowledge from the event. For those considering taking part in GORUCK event, don’t hesitate to take some mental (or even physical!) notes of different exercises, movements, and stretches (to include sets, rep counts, and exercise order) to incorporate into your own regular training.

Overall, if you have an even a basic level of fitness, this portion of the Light shouldn’t be a problem for you…and even if you can’t do the most pull-ups…well…let’s hear what Cadre Dan has to say about this very topic:

Pro Tip: When I participated in the GORUCK Ingress events, I opted for the Ballistic Trainers, thinking that they would be more suitable for the dynamic rucking elements (the mid-ups are my current go-to CrossFit shoes). This was a mistake. I learned my lesson and opted for the Mackalls during this excursion…these were a much better choice (although, if we’re sticking with the GORUCK shoe catalogue, the Rough Runners would have been good options, as well).

Dynamic Rucking: 70

Teamwork

This area was probably the biggest surprise to me of the entire GORUCK Light event as there were very few instances where legit teamwork was necessary/encouraged.

During each stretching or PT session we pretty much just got in a big circle and everyone mimicked what Cadre was showing/doing. At one point, we all had to arrange our bags to do the aforementioned “football agility drills”, but this was mostly intuitive. Another time, we had to perform step ups in sync, but once someone started calling the cadence, we were good.

The only, quasi-teamwork activity we did involved pull-ups. Cadre Dan explained how to (and not to) spot people who need assistance during pull-ups (using yours truly as his spotter). We then lined up to knock a few out and would spot the person in front of us if they needed assistance.

During the rucking portions, we pretty much walked in a loose, 2-line formation with everyone being cognizant enough and organized enough (we were in Germany, after all…) to keep things together without having to consciously work together on this.

Overall, there wasn’t much, if any teamwork involved in this Light. I know others have activities that require a bit more coordination with other participants, but this really wasn’t the case during mine. If the guy in front of you was good at pull-ups, you could have gotten through without actually interacting with anyone.

Teamwork: 60

Fun

I have a few training partners (to include my lovely wife) who I enjoy throwing down with, but when you’re working out in a smaller training facility (like your home or garage gym), you start to forget how fun it is to get after it with other people.

The fun of the GORUCK Light event isn’t in the challenge; it’s in the interactions with other people.

Truth be told, as one of the few non-German speakers at my event, there wasn’t a ton of extended conversation with other participants. However, it was a lot of fun listening to some of their stories (one 65-year-old man told me how he used to smoke 40-50 cigarettes a day, was a recovered alcoholic, and had suffered a stroke a few years back…now he does CrossFit 4 times a week and rucks…incredible!) and coordinating together during each activity.

A lot of participants showed up in groups (there were representatives from a few local rucking groups) so these guys had more established cache with each other, which had to have made it even more fun for them.

As always, though, the factors that are either totally out of your control or are at least somewhat out of your control have a yuge impact on this area.

I’m talking the city you’re in, the other participants, and the cadre, in particular.

I’m not the biggest fan of Frankfurt. I think of it more as a giant airport in the middle of Western Europe with a few tall buildings and some banking (sorry, Frankfurters). There are some interesting landmarks and the river is nice, but I would never choose it as a vacation spot…so…minus-1 here.

Although I didn’t interact as much with a lot of the other participants (at least during the event. We had a nice impromptu “tailgate” at Cadre Dan’s rental car after the event that was a lot of fun), everyone was really cool, was in great spirits (especially considering it was a Monday night!), and attacked each ruck and PT session with vigor. Definite plus-1 here.

Finally…the cadre…ohh, man…

If you have an idea in your head of the entity that personifies “GORUCK” (not necessarily as an equipment brand or as a bag, but literally as an “entity”) Cadre Dan is it.

He is the conglomeration of a classic All-American, G.I. Joe, SF (friendly) drill sergeant with a very thoughtful, deliberate, yet understanding and accommodating facilitator with a complete wild man (which, I guess, has now “evolved” into a complete “Florida Man“) topped off with an outstanding storyteller.

I’ve had very good experiences with GORUCK cadres before, but Dan is at a different level. Just listening to him is fun. Working out with him is great (he does it all, too; “I won’t have you do anything I wouldn’t do!”) and he does an excellent job of accommodating people of all abilities and experience levels.

One man brought his young, elementary school-aged soon to the event. Cadre Dan had him leading a PT session, letting the small rucker give commands and demonstrate all of the exercises. Just awesome.

I can’t guarantee that your city, teammates, and cadre will be cool. However, if you have at least 2 of the 3, you’re in for a really fun time.

Fun: 90* (VERY dependent on cadre, team members, and city)

Training/Prep Required

Aside from the GORUCK Ingress events and, arguably, the shorter “pure” rucking events (ex. 5k, 10k), the Light requires the least amount of training.

For many people (most people?) it probably doesn’t require and training or prep at all (although it is much better for you and for everyone else if you do train/prep ahead of time!)

Considering that the event lasts between 2 and 3 hours, it’s an overly long experience. This time involves periods of standing around and listening to cadre and periods where you’re waiting your turn during dynamic rucking periods.

As mentioned before, when you are actually rucking, the pace is generally rather relaxed and there isn’t too much of a sense of urgency.

The dynamic rucking periods are, by far, the most intense portions of the event and are also the portions that would require the most preparation, mainly due to the rather niche movements/exercises involved. There is definitely an advantage to having performed a sandbag clean, ruck squat, or…any type of suitcase carry at some point prior to the event.

This being said, if you have even a semblance of fitness about you, you probably can make it through pretty easily without any specific prep…

…but it’s more fun if you are prepped, though!

Physical Training/Prep Required: 70

Price

$35 usually (mine was free)

At $35, the GORUCK Light is one of the least expensive events the company hosts (only the 5,10, and 15k rucks are cheaper at $15, $25, $30, respectively). Considering that the organization to put these on is a bit less than what the cadre has to do in leading and supervising the Light…it’s a pretty good deal!

Considering that CrossFit competitions and Hyrox events usually cost a bit more (and require a higher time commitment for a small amount of actual activity), it’s quite an inexpensive fitness activity.

(NOTE: I didn’t pick these disciplines for comparison at random: GORUCK is now in bed with CrossFit and there are GORUCK-vested events in U.S. Hyrox races…so there).

Yeah, rucking by yourself or with a few friends is free, but there are worse things you can spend $35 on!

Price: 95

Sign-up/Logistics

I know that the Sandlot app has been taken behind the woodshed for its overall…not “user friendly” nature over the last few years. However, when I first used it, I didn’t think it was that bad…

Now…nah, man; it sucks.

I still don’t really know if you have to sign up for events via Sandlot or if you can simply go to the much more functional, easy-to-navigate, and organized GORUCK Events page, but if you can just use the latter, do that.

Anyways, because this was a somewhat special event, all I had to do was click a button (in Sandlot), digitally sign a waiver, and I was in. If I was participating in a more traditional Light (or other GORUCK event) there would have been the extra payment step, akin to what you would do any time you purchase something online.

I didn’t have any trouble travelling with my ruck or 20-pound ruck plate, although I didn’t even attempt to take it in my carry-on luggage.

A lot of equipment was listed in the “What to Bring” section of the information page and, admittedly, I didn’t bring most of it (or I brought a “version” of it).

I did bring a small bottle of water, but never drank from it (I hydrate before my own workouts and barely drink during workouts, I figured I would be fine during the Light). Cadre specifically checked to make sure we all had water.

I don’t know what a “Nalgene bottle” is.

Oral rehydration salts and first aid kid…lulz.

I brought my headlamp even though I was pretty sure (I was right…and wrong) that the event would be over before it got dark. Same logic applies to my reflective bands. Cadre did an equipment check before we got started and wanted to see that we had headlamps (maybe for liability purposes or something) so I was glad I had mine.

I don’t do gloves, but I did tape my thumbs a few times (I do this before CrossFit workouts).

I’m not telling you not to bring everything on the list because I’m sure there are cadres who will dump your bag out and inventory it…but I turned out just fine without most of that stuff.

If you do a “normal” Light, there are a few more required items:

Don’t screw around with the weight and flag requirement. You will get smoked for screwing that up.

Ultimately, my layout was pretty manageable, although I didn’t need, like, 75 percent of it:

Sign-up/Logistics Score:90

Who is GORUCK Light really for?

The GORUCK Light could be viewed as a “gateway” ruck event…but it has a bit more appeal than that…

GORUCK enthusiasts

If you really like everything that GORUCK puts out, participating in a Light event is a no-brainer. Actually getting out there with a GORUCK cadre, some heavy bags, and a bunch of like-minded people lives up to the hype.

I’ve enjoyed all of the cadres I’ve had for my GORUCK experiences, but really appreciated getting to throw down with Cadre Dan for my Light event. If you’re afforded the opportunity to get dressed down by him, don’t hesitate to sign up.

Non-competitive athletes

As you might expect, a GORUCK Light is one of the “easier”, less intense, and definitely less strenuous of the company’s event offerings. This doesn’t inherently translate to the event being “less fun”, though, especially if your style is more “casual” and less “crazy”.

Truth be told, most of the GORUCK events (with some exceptions) are non-competitive, with participants generally working together instead of against each other. However, in more intense events, you don’t want to be the team’s “weak link”.

This potential concern doesn’t really come into play in a Light event. Everybody wants to do well, but overall experience enjoyment is the real name of the game.

Not for athletes looking for an extreme challenge

To somewhat piggyback off the previous point, if you’re really looking for a serious challenge, want to be pushed closer to your limit, and want to actually get smoked (not like the whole “I’m yelling…but you know I’m actually smiling and don’t want you to get upset” kind of disciplining), Light is probably going to be a bit of a letdown for you.

Of course, every cadre is different and some Lights will be more challenging than others, but to be safe, you may want to opt for a GORUCK Heavy or even a Tough event instead. Either of these (especially the Heavy) will be more in line with what you’re looking for.

GORUCK Light Tips

A few quick tips before hitting that “I’m in” button:

Bring an appropriate bag

I know that GORUCK’s bags aren’t the most affordable and if you can make it work with your kid’s backpack…more power to you. However, I can’t imagine having to perform many of the dynamic movements common in GORUCK events with a bag that wasn’t really suited for these types of exercises and activities. Although in a Light, you can get away with this (as mentioned before), some exercises will be more…awkward with less-than-ideal bag.

There may be occasions where you have to handle other participants’ bags as well. Do your fellow teammates a favor and don’t show up with some awkward, overly bulky, or otherwise less-than-ideal ruck for the experience!

Know the standards

GORUCK isn’t Olympic weightlifting…or powerlifting…or, really, any sport/discipline that requires at least semi-strict adherence to established movement standards. People aren’t hitting depth on their squats, aren’t locking out their presses, and, to be honest, oftentimes move pretty poorly in comparison to what you would see in a CrossFit competition…

(…yeah, I know I kinda walked into that one!)

That being said, there is no reason not to have a good grasp on these movements and, more importantly, how to perform them properly. Cadre Dan did an excellent job of discussing movement standards, emphasizing how important it is to move well (and noting that half reps wouldn’t have flown in Special Forces Assessment and Selection…and yes…my left arm was locking out on those pull-ups; the camera angle screwed it up!)

Make a Trip of It

I suggest this with any type of event that involves at least a little bit of travel. I know that most people don’t have the most flexible schedules, but if you’re able to squeeze in an extra day to look around a little bit, it can make the entire experience seem even nicer (especially in hindsight).

I didn’t stay in Frankfurt that long, but I made sure to look around the center of the city for a bit in the hours before the event started and scheduled a later return flight so I could do some more exploring the next day.

Frequently Asked Questions

After all of that, I would think you’d know just about everything you need to know about the GORUCK Light. Let’s take a few more questions, just so you’re really sure of what it’s all about:

GORUCK Light…a good time with like-minded people

Pretty much every workout I did during the week of my GORUCK Light was more physically demanding and strenuous than the event was.

At the same time, I genuinely had more fun at the Light than I did doing any of those other workouts.

Even though a lot of our background were very different, we all knew that we had at least one thing in common: we enjoyed throwing a bag on (or around) and getting after it.

It’s also always nice when a large group of people of different experience and ability levels is able to come together, everyone do the same thing, and everyone to get a lot of personal enjoyment and satisfaction from the experience.

Ultimately, even if you’re on the fence with attending a GORUCK Light event, the “risk/reward” ratio is so much in your favor ($35 and a few hours of your time vs. a potentially really fun experience) that you may as well give it a shot. I enjoyed my experience and will certainly do it again in the future.