Backpack Workout vs Rucker, the rucking app
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Backpack Workout
Read full descriptionHide full description
Are you looking for a versatile and convenient way to get fit? Look no further than backpack workouts! With just a simple backpack and a little creativity, you can turn your exercise routine into an exciting and effective workout, whether you're a beginner or a fitness enthusiast. Running with a backpack is a fantastic way to elevate your cardiovascular fitness. It's an easy way to add resistance to your run, making it more challenging and engaging. If you're new to running, start with a lightweight backpack and gradually increase the weight as you build strength and stamina. Make sure the backpack is snug and secure on your back to prevent any discomfort or injury during your run. For those who prefer a slower-paced workout, rucking is an excellent option. Rucking involves walking with a loaded backpack, simulating the experience of hiking or trekking. It's a low-impact exercise that's easy on your joints, making it suitable for beginners or those recovering from injuries. You can ruck in your neighborhood, local parks, or even on trails, enjoying the great outdoors while getting a full-body workout. Backpack workouts are not limited to outdoor activities only. You can also perform them in the comfort of your own home. Bodyweight exercises such as squats, lunges, push-ups, and planks can all be enhanced with a backpack. Simply load up your backpack with books, water bottles, or other heavy items to add resistance to your movements. This makes your workout more challenging and helps to build strength and muscle tone. One of the best things about backpack workouts is that they are adaptable to your fitness level. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced fitness enthusiast, you can customize the weight and intensity of your backpack workout to suit your needs. If you're just starting out, begin with a lighter load and gradually increase the weight as you get stronger. Remember to always listen to your body and avoid overloading your backpack, as it can strain your muscles and joints. In addition to providing a challenging workout, backpack workouts also offer the convenience of being portable and accessible. You can easily take your backpack with you wherever you go, making it a great option for busy individuals or those who prefer to exercise at home. With a backpack, you can transform your living room, backyard, or local park into your very own gym. Backpack workouts are also a cost-effective way to exercise. Unlike expensive gym memberships or fancy equipment, all you need is a backpack and some household items to get started. You can get creative with the items you load into your backpack, such as using canned goods, water bottles, or even sandbags as weights. This makes backpack workouts an affordable option for anyone looking to get fit on a budget. Before you start your backpack workout, it's important to take some safety precautions. Make sure your backpack fits properly and is adjusted to your body, with the weight distributed evenly. Avoid overloading your backpack with too much weight, as it can strain your back and shoulders. Warm up before your workout with some dynamic stretches and start with lighter weights if you're a beginner. Remember to stay hydrated and listen to your body, taking breaks or modifying exercises as needed. In conclusion, backpack workouts are a versatile, convenient, and effective way to get fit. Whether you're a beginner or a fitness enthusiast, you can customize your backpack workout to suit your needs and preferences. With the ability to perform backpack workouts at home or outdoors, you have the flexibility to exercise wherever and whenever you choose. So grab your backpack, load it up with some weight, and start your fitness journey with this fun and challenging workout!
Rucker, the rucking app
This specialized GPS tracker is designed for rucking and weighted fitness. It logs distance, time, and pack weight, providing unique metrics like Rucker Score, Power, and Work Capacity. Visualize your performance with 3D route reviews, adaptive speed zones, and a global heatmap. Share your progress with cinematic replays and instant stat cards.
- Track distance, time, and pack weight
- Specialized rucking metrics and Rucker Score
- Interactive 3D route reviews
- Adaptive speed zones
- Global heatmap of rucked paths
- Cinematic route replay
- K9 tracking mode for dogs
Read full descriptionHide full description
Rucking doesn’t stop when your screen locks, and neither should your route recording. Rucker is built for rucking, weighted walking, ruck marches, and hikes with a backpack, rucksack, weighted vest, or plate carrier. Start a session, lock your iPhone, and move. Background GPS tracking records your route, distance, pace, and elevation while your screen is locked or Rucker is not visible. Tracking stops when you end the ruck. Every mile feels different with weight on your back. Add your pack weight to see load-aware effort, your Rucker Score, and optional calorie estimates based on what you actually carry. KEEP YOUR RUCK VISIBLE • Use a Live Activity to see distance, elapsed time, speed, and pace from the Lock Screen. • On supported iPhone models, follow key metrics in Dynamic Island. • Tap the Live Activity to return to your active session. REVIEW EVERY RUCK IN 3D • Open any completed session on an interactive 3D map. Tilt, rotate, and zoom to see how terrain and elevation shaped your pace. • Analyze speed-colored and altitude-colored paths to reveal fast sections, slow climbs, high points, and low points. • Inspect distance splits, your elevation profile, and markers for the fastest, slowest, highest, and lowest parts of the route. • Replay the entire route with a moving marker. Pause, scrub the timeline, change playback speed, follow the camera, or hide the controls for a clean recording. SAVE WAYPOINTS AND FIELD NOTES • Create saved points without ending your session: water, camp, views, hazards, junctions, checkpoints, or personal memories. • Add a title, field notes, trail-condition tags, photos, and videos. • Save your current GPS position or adjust the waypoint precisely on the map. • Revisit saved points during session review and watch them appear at the right moment during route replay. • Reuse points from previous rucks or import GPX and KML waypoints as route context. TRAIN WITHOUT STARING AT YOUR PHONE • Use the Cadence Coach’s audible cues to settle into a steady rhythm. • Choose manual cadence, minimum-speed, average-speed, or distance-and-time coaching. • Get configurable distance, time, and hydration reminders during your ruck. • Change alerts from your current point without stopping or restarting the session. BUILT FOR THE WEIGHT YOU CARRY • Track distance, time, pace, GPS route, elevation, steps, and pack weight. • Save different pack and weighted-vest load setups for your next ruck. • See how body weight, carried load, speed, grade, and terrain shape your effort and optional active-calorie estimates. • Go beyond pace with the Rucker Score: Power, Work Capacity, and Resilience. • Optionally use body-weight and heart-rate data from Apple Health for session context and post-ruck review. FOLLOW AND SHARE YOUR ROUTES • Follow a previous ruck or import GPX and KML routes for guidance. • Use Team Rucks to share an active session with other Rucker users on the same map. • Create an expiring web link to a complete session review that opens in any browser, no Rucker account required for the viewer. • Protect sensitive locations by hiding the beginning and end of your shared route. • Create route or photo cards with your distance, time, pace, pack weight, and location. SEE YOUR PROGRESS ADD UP • Explore a heatmap of the areas you have covered. • Review weekly, monthly, all-time, or custom-range stats for distance, time, calories, load, and Rucker Score. • Review heart-rate traces and zones, including comparisons with speed or altitude. • Earn milestones tied to distance, speed, and carried weight. • Ruck with your dog and track your companion’s mileage and completed sessions. No social feed. No clutter. Just your route, your training, and the work you put in. Privacy Policy: https://rucker.debloat.us/policy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Rucker, the rucking app at none against Backpack Workout's shown. Backpack Workout's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 16.4). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Backpack Workout sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Rucker, the rucking app sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
| Parameter | Backpack Workout | Rucker, the rucking app |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 4.2 (9 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 80.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 9 — better |
| Update frequency | — | Every 10 days |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 16.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 100 MB | 146 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | powerpunch | Miguel Angel Rojas Cardenas |
In-app purchases
Backpack Workout
- Remove Ads$0.99
- Push Pull Legs Workout Routine$1.99
- Beachbody - Upper Body$1.99
Show 7 moreShow fewer
- Strength & Conditioning$1.99
- Bikini Body: Glutes Legs & Abs$1.99
- Circuit Hiit & Strength$1.99
- Bootcamp & Circuit Split$1.99
- Army: Strength & Running$1.99
- Muscle Growth & Running$1.99
- Full Bundle$6.99
Rucker, the rucking app
- Unlimited Access1 Month trial$4.991 Month
Questions
Is Backpack Workout free?
Is Rucker, the rucking app free?
Do Backpack Workout or Rucker, the rucking app have ads?
Other comparisons















