Is Rucking the Best Fitness Activity on a Budget?

January 21, 2025 4 min read

I think we can all agree that a lot of us had to tighten the belts last year and it looks like 2025 might be another year of budget and training our frugal muscle, which might mean that we have to find other ways to train our actual muscles…literally. It’s no secret that the cost of gym memberships has risen year on year, with the average monthly cost of a gym membership in the UK in 2024 was £47.24, up from £44.92 in 2023 and while we see the gym market get more and more saturated with the ongoing inflation, we can expect this to continue to rise. This is coupled with the food prices in the UK expected to increase in 2025, with some predicting a rise of 4% or more. This is due to the government's budget, which included increases to the national minimum wage and employer national insurance contributions. So, while some wages will be going up, a lot of brands will have to increase the costs of their goods to keep up.

Where does this leave room for people who love to keep active. Recently we wrote an article showing how the popularity of rucking is increasing, mainly due to the natural rise in popularity and awareness for the activity, but perhaps also because of the rising costs the average UK household is facing year after year.

If we consider the equipment needed to start rucking, this is essentially just a one-off payment for the average gym membership cost in London, except you don’t need to keep paying monthly. Let’s look at some of the things you could get from Force Fitness, which will last you years, rather than having to pay for a monthly gym membership.

Weighted Vests

You can’t officially ruck without either a weighted backpack or weighted vest. At Force Fitness, we have a wide range of vests in various designs, starting from £69.95, which also happens to be the average price for one month of gym membership in London. So that’s near unlimited rucking for one off price, saving you a ton of money than if you went to the gym.

You can then also choose how much weight you put onto your vest or backpack with the individually sold plates, starting from 5kg, going up to 25kg, allowing you to choose the wight and intensity of your rucking session.

Sand Kettlebells

When not rucking, perhaps you’d prefer to have a mini gym set up at home and there’s few pieces of fitness equipment as versatile as the humble kettlebell. The Force Fitness sand kettlebells are a fantastic alternative to traditional metal ones, being more forgiving and quieter on hard surfaces when dropped. Starting from £29.95, these are another great way to stay frugal and fit this year. They provide a unique challenge due to the shifting sand, which enhances stability, grip strength, and core engagement.

1. Full-Body Workouts

Sand Kettlebell Swings:

Target: Glutes, hamstrings, core, and shoulders.
How: Hold the handle with both hands, hinge at the hips, and swing the kettlebell up to shoulder height.

Turkish Get-Up:

Target: Core, shoulders, legs, and overall stability.
How: Lie on your back holding the kettlebell straight up, and perform a controlled transition to standing while keeping the kettlebell overhead.

Clean and Press:

Target: Shoulders, core, and legs.
How: Swing the kettlebell up to shoulder height (clean), then press it overhead.

2. Lower-Body Workouts

Goblet Squats:

Target: Quads, glutes, and hamstrings.
How: Hold the kettlebell at chest level and perform deep squats.

Lunges with Sand Kettlebell:

Target: Quads, hamstrings, and glutes.
How: Hold the kettlebell at chest level or to one side and step forward or backward into a lunge.

Kettlebell Deadlifts:

Target: Glutes, hamstrings, and lower back.
How: With the kettlebell on the floor, hinge at the hips and lift it while keeping your back straight.

3. Upper-Body Workouts

One-Arm Rows:

Target: Upper back and biceps.
How: Place one hand on a bench, grab the kettlebell with the other, and row towards your hip.

Push-Ups with Kettlebell Stability:

Target: Chest, shoulders, and core.
How: Place one hand on the kettlebell while performing push-ups for an added stability challenge.

Overhead Carries:

Target: Shoulders and core.
How: Hold the kettlebell overhead with one hand and walk a set distance.

4. Core Workouts

Russian Twists:

Target: Obliques and core.
How: Sit on the ground, hold the kettlebell with both hands, and twist side-to-side.

Suitcase Carries:

Target: Core and grip strength.
How: Hold the kettlebell in one hand at your side and walk while keeping your torso upright.

Plank Pull-Throughs:

Target: Core and shoulders.
How: Get into a plank position and drag the kettlebell across your body using one hand.

5. Functional and Power Workouts

Sand Kettlebell Snatch:

Target: Shoulders, hips, and core.
How: Swing the kettlebell overhead in one fluid motion, catching it with a straight arm.

Ground-to-Overhead:

Target: Full body.
How: Lift the kettlebell from the ground to overhead in a single motion.

Farmers Walk:

Target: Grip strength, shoulders, and core.
How: Hold kettlebells in both hands and walk for a set distance.

So, if you’re trying to budget this year and were worried about it hitting your fitness goals, don’t worry, Force Fitness has you covered with the alternative. Join the ever-growing community of ruckers, get outdoors and stay fit for less in 2025.