Busting common myths about stretching, caffeine, and more. 1. Myth: If you aren’t sweating, you aren’t working hard enough. Let’s be honest, you can work up a sweat just lounging around on a hot summer day. You don’t even have to be moving. That’s because your body produces sweat to cool itself down. According to…
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An expert personal trainer shares tips on a post-hike recovery regimen that’ll keep your trail legs strong. Recover today, hike stronger tomorrow. photo: Image Catalog / Flickr1. Coast into camp to reduce cramps Recovery should start before you reach camp. When you are within 5 to 10 minutes of camp, slow your pace to a lower intensity. This…
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[Sponsored] The steeper the climb, the higher the peak, the more accomplished you feel. You take your trail fitness seriously, eat right, and plan carefully for every trip in the backcountry. You wear your high points like a badge – and when you’re not on the trail, you’re busy plotting your next adventure. The steeper…
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Get fit for your next adventure even while you’re stuck in town with these tips from a pro trainer. Train in the city properly to improve your experience in the mountains. (Photo by The U.S. Army / Flickr)A version of this post originally appeared on the Mountain Athlete training center blog. 1) Get Sport-Specific I learned…
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Yes, there’s a better way to put one foot in front of the other. Improve your stride, trek farther, and end leg and back pain with our guide to the new science of healthy hiking. Alone, a healthy foot strike and proper stride do not guarantee pain-free hiking. Weakness, instability, and tightness in the legs…
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Humans did it for thousands of years. But is barefoot walking right for you? The experts sound off. Yes, no, maybe. The experts debate the controversial craze. Proponents of barefoot running and hiking—booming in popularity since the 2009 publication of Born to Run—claim that training shoeless builds foot strength and reduces injuries. One outfit, Barefoot…
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Fight the sedentary lifestyle and get a move on with these exercises and essential skills. Your Body Aging alone does not a weaker person make. A sedentary lifestyle is what really puts the skids on health and well-being. Starting at about age 50, the fight for fitness has one front that you can’t control (age-related muscle…
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Get in touch with your inner hunter-gatherer and have the best backcountry dinner that’s entirely from nature. It’s the ultimate survival test. Fish can be a decadent treat in the backcountry—if you can catch one. Photo by Ano Lobb/ FlickrPrep Work Planning isn’t always fun, but if you are foraging edible plants it’s a necessity.…
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Go way beyond Slim Jims with these flavorful, make-ahead snacks. Jerky is tasty, and easy to make. (Photo by Alpha/Flickr) “I didn’t grow up with jerky,” says Pamela Braun, author of Jerky Everything. “But my love for great cuts of meat combined with my near obsession with my dehydrator allowed me to discover that jerky could not…
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Build your fitness foundation with this essential physiological info, tips on eating right and exercises for staying in prime hiking shape. Your Body At this age, you’re at your physical peak: fast, strong, and quick to recover. That lets you play hard–but without training, you won’t reach your potential or lay a solid foundation for…
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