…What To Do W/ What It Do: GORUCK Packing List…

The packing list is just as important as preparing and training for a event you want to do.

Here are the things that I typically pack in my ruck when doing a GORUCK TOUGH event (12+ hours and 20+ miles).  You can also find the official GORUCK packing list here:

  • ID (drivers license or government issued identification)
  • $20 (for can fare or to use to purchase food/snacks)
  • Headlamp and extra pair of batteries
  • Water bladder (I will usually pack two and leave one bladder empty or other water sources)
  • PT/Reflective belt
  • Weight (bricks, sand bag, iron plate, etc. Anything that will help to reach the required weight for my ruck)
  • Gloves
  • First aid Kit/foot repair kit
  • Food/snacks
  • Tylenol & caffeine pills
  • electrolytes (tabs or powder that can be added to the water bladder)
  • straps and carabiners
  • Dry bag
  • extra layers of clothing
  • Duct tape, multi use tool, sharpie
  •  sunglasses and hat

Like I stated in the video you want to make sure to not pack too much! This can be a hindrance to you during any event that you do.  You will want to pack only the things that you will need.  Simplicity is key!!!

The weight that you choose for your ruck for the event is also important.  You want to make sure that the weight will be durable and withstand the whole event.  There are various things that can be used (sand, rocks, weight plates, steel plates, diving weights, etc).  YOU have to find what will be comfortable to you. AND TRAIN WITH IT so you will know if it will work for you.  You want to limit the amount of malfunctions you have for your event via working with and training with all of the things you plan to have during the event.  It will also allow you to figure out what you will/will not need. Each person will prefer different things in their ruck.  You will have to just figure out what will work the best for you.

Each event will have a different packing list:

GORUCK Light 

GORUCK Tough

GORUCK Heavy

SPARTAN Hurricane Heat

Again, simplicity is key! Only pack what you will need.  You will be grateful to have the limited amount of clutter and the light ruck for your event.

…The Female Guide To Supplements…

The Female Guide To Supplements – Why ‘For Her’ Products Aren’t All That

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When you go shopping for supplements, do you immediately seek out the ‘For Her’ options? You have a very specific look that you want to attain with your physique.

You want lean, toned muscles that give a look of strength yet femininity. The last thing you want to do is end up looking bulky or like a man. As such, you figure the normal supplements designed for men are not where you should be looking.

The fact is, you may want to reconsider. You’ll often pay a premium to purchase the ‘For Her’ products when you really don’t need to be.

Here’s why.

Protein Is Protein

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The first thing you need to realize is that many supplements are very basic.  For instance, protein powder is essentially just protein.  Just like men don’t need different chicken breasts than you need to eat, the same applies for many products.

For instance a product such as whey protein can help both men and women meet their everyday protein requirements. Because both genders use protein in the same manner, there does not need to be any difference between the two varieties.

The same applies to other like supplements such as BCAA’s as well as glutamine.

Women Have A Different Hormonal Profile

Now, you might still be wondering though – isn’t your body different than his? It is, and that’s precisely why you don’t need different products.

Men have a high amount of the hormone testosterone in their body, which is something you don’t have. It is because of that hormone that he is able to build up the significant level of muscle bulk.

Even if you used all the same products as he did, you would still not be able to develop this level of muscle size. Your body simply isn’t designed for it.

Creatine for instance, which many women stay away from for fear it will make them look manly, could actually help you lose body fat.  If you are able to work harder in the gym because of it and build a few more pounds of lean muscle mass, that will increase your resting metabolic rate, making it easier to burn fat faster.

If you remain scared to use these basic, well-researched supplements, you’ll never reap these benefits.

Where Differences Do Matter

Now, all of this said, there are two key supplements where you do want to be more careful of.

The main ones?

First are multivitamins. You can find specific multivitamins that are designed for women and these may be worth buying. The reason being that they have increased levels of iron, which is a key mineral you need since you lose iron each month with your menstrual cycle.

Men and women will differ slightly in certain micronutrients and a targeted multi-vitamin can address this.

The second product you won’t want to use as a woman is any sort of products designed to boost testosterone levels. Here again, since you do not have that much of this hormone (and you aren’t meant to), you don’t want to use a supplement that is specifically intended to increase it.

If it states clearly on it that it’s a testosterone booster, walk away. That one would be a male-only product.

Beyond that, feel free to use all the same products he uses. This includes protein powders, creatine, glutamine, BCAA’s, pre-workout supplements, as well as any fat burners on the market as well.

You don’t need a special Hers formula in order to use them. The regular formula will work just fine – and save you money over the long term.

…What To Do W/ What It Do: Gear Check…

GEAR IS A VITAL COMPONENT TO TRAINING FOR ANY EVENT.

If you know that you need to use gear for a event, you want to make sure to trouble shoot it and also figure out what will work best for YOU! There are so many options out there.  I am simply sharing my opinion and view point on products that I have personally used over the years.

You will want to use it as much as possible so you can see if you have any issues with the gear that you will use during your event.

DO NOT BE THAT PERSON who has gear that is too large, too heavy, or just not functional for the event.  Simplicity is key during any event and you want to make sure that your gear is function, easy to access, and can withstand the tortures that your event will throw at you. Some events are team events, so you can use your team as a resource to help you just in case something does happen.  BUT if you are doing an individual event, you want to do your best to be ready and to make sure that your gear is ready to complete the event with you.

Bag Reviews:

Tactical Back Pack:

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Detailed Description:

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  • Capacity:30L
  • Constructed with waterproof 600D Nylon material, the backpack is wearable and durable.
  • 1.5 Inch Waist Belt, 1 Inch Sternum Strap, padded and adjustable shoulder straps help relieve pressure on shoulders while carrying heavy loads.
  • Two large compartments with small pouches inside and two front pockets.  

Product Overview:

  • Great bag for the cost for those who are just starting.
  • It has a lot of pockets for storage and easy organization for placing things where they can be easily be found.
  • Waist and chest straps are very helpful and easy to use and manipulate.
  • MUST MAKE MODIFICATION (shown and mentioned in the above video) to ensure the bag will perform with minimal flaws.
  • The shoulder straps do lose “cushion” after a while and become uncomfortable (and at times painful) when used for long periods of time.
  • This bag is NOT waterproof (in comparison to water not seeping into the bag).  If it is raining lightly you are OK but a downpour did cause water to leak into the bag.  Also being submerged in water the bag did retain quite a bit of water.

GORUCK Bag:

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Detailed Description:

GORUCK Bags_2_watermark

Product Overview:

  • All products on the GORUCK website are made in the U.S.A.
  • The “GR0” (which I talk about in the above video is now called the “GR1” and you can get it in the 21 L size
  • All products on the GORUCK website come with a SCARS lifetime Guarantee
  • There are various sizes to accommodate any persons bag size preference.
  • If you get an item and do not like it, you can send it back and get your money back (as long as it has not been used).
  • Bags have a lot of padding on the shoulder straps and provide comfort when bags have additional weight in them.
  • Bags have several internal pockets for storing/organizing items you may need during your event.
  • MOLLE provides the opportunity for you to attach other add ons/carabiners/webbing
  • All bags have 2″x3″ velcro section on the bag so you can attach a patch (which can be earned via completing events OR you can purchase novelty patches).

Questions? Comments? Concerns? PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE THEM!

E-Mail me at: [email protected]

In a later video I will go over some suggestions for your Packing list (things to carry in your bag during endurance events).

Please note that all products discussed in this video were purchased by me.  I have used them for an extended period of time to create my OWN opinion and views about how well they can perform.  I have participated in over 40 events over the past two years.  I am just sharing my own personal suggestions, opinions, and views about these products. 

 

…What To Do w/ What It Do: Introduction…

This series is to help those who need suggestions or tips to help them get ready for fitness activities and endurance events. Questions, comments, concerns? Shoot me a email at: [email protected]