The Load Trainer by Innovative Performance
Road marching with weights instead of gear in your ruck isn’t new, but a North Carolina-based company is now producing a pack frame specifically designed to carry steel weights from the gym. Just think of it — miles and miles of convenient, self-torture.
Before you make a judgement, please read this review of the Load Trainer by Stew Smith, former Navy SEAL and Associate Fitness Editor at Military.com.
Check it out:
During the NSCA Tactical Strength and Conditioning Conference this year, I met a special operator who created what he calls the Load Trainer. It’s basically an ALICE pack frame specially designed to be an Olympic plate holder. It makes it simple to get the weight perfectly right for a long ruck march.
Yes – now someone has invented a gift for the masochist in your life. At a cost of $45, this souped-up pack frame is a convenient and cost-effective solution for training for ruck marches.
The Load Trainer allows the user to train with a weighted 
ruck without having to pack and unpack his gear prior to going into the field or going on a long ruck march with his unit. I personally have my pack loaded with all my necessities and it only weighs 45 lbs. With this completely separate device, I can use as much weight as I want without having to reconfigure my kit.
I have been using this Load Trainer for over a year now and it makes for a very easy change of weight. It never bounces, and it’s perfectly placed on my back.
The Load Trainer allows the user to logically progress with systematic weight increases to acclimate to any mission requirement.
The folks at Innovative Performance Inc are now mass producing these very useful backpacks. Check them out, especially if you are preparing for any training program that requires miles and miles of rucking.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
The position and direction of the loading exerted by the frame is different from that encountered with an actual pack loaded with gear. To better approximate the loading, the loading pin angle needs to be changed from it’s current 45 degrees.
Hey – if you say so! I know I have been using it for over 6 months now and do not share that opinion. I also use a standard backpack and cannot tell the difference. If you want pure weight a weight vest is the best option in my opinion BUT to get the feel of a ruck – you have to ruck with a back pack.
I tried running with a weight vest once because someone claimed it would be easier on my back than an interceptor vest, the da mn thing would not tighten at all which left the front swinging loose when i ran which hurt my back more than the armor ever did. Moral of the story, if it aint broke don’t fix it
I’d bet you tried running with one of the CHEAP weight vests available at the big box sporting goods stores.
I use a V-Force(actually fits like a Plate Carrier), my unit has a couple loaner MIRs.
But yeah, Interceptors SUCK to train in…
I’m not sure of the brand i got it for free fom one of the guys on my flight who got it courtessy of AAFES and, well, you get what you pay for
What seems to be missing is padding for the top of the ALICE frame. In the photos above, it seems the user has used the ever-practical duct tape to fashion some padding. If I was the manufacturer of a system, I’d feel pretty stupid if the users had to jury-rig it, just to use it as intended. Does seem like it would be that hard to produce a padded sleeve to go over the top of the frame.
Damn typos. Should read:
“Doesn’t seem like it would be that hard to produce a padded sleeve to go over the top of the frame.”
HSGI Ali-Pad is what you’re talking about.
The utility of this approach is that you’re actually training with an ALICE setup, which for no good reason is mandated by a shrinking list of cool schools.
No, I wasn’t talking about the HSGI Ali-Pad. I was picturing something much simpler, more akin to the padded envelope portion the ALICE rucksack.
I just went to the website and the product they sell is just the plate holder…you have to buy your own Alice frame and straps. So, that seems to be why the user in the photo has something jury rigged for extra padding.
Yea, I thought the price ($50 plus $15 shipping) seemed too good for the whole thing. Still, this seems like a slighly more convienient/”comfortable” (if even possible) way to train for rucking. I’m intrigued.
I’m surprised its taking this long for something like this. I’m gonna trust Stew on this one
I was curious if anyone knows of a butt pack type of system that could be loaded with some type of weighted system? I’ve got a ruptured along with some degenerative discs in my lower back and would like to give my legs some strength training without shock on the back. Gee, thanks U.S. Army.