There was once a time when backpacking was a male-dominated sport. However, this is no longer the case. In the past decade, women have been active participants in hiking, camping and backpacking. As such, they are discovering that they have some specific health, safety and fitness needs. read more
Trekking poles have some great health benefits. They add another dimension to a hiking workout. Invest in a pair with an adjustable-length feature to maximize the benefits you can achieve. read more
Hiking out into the wild backcountry with nothing but what you carry on your back is a wonderful pastime, but when back pain creeps into the picture, backpacking can become a forced march. read more
Jumping may seem like it's done with the legs, but a strong vertical jump actually requires the entire body. Your body's jumping muscles can come in handy in a variety of different applications, including snowboarding, adventure running, cycling and organized sports. Improving your vertical jump requires, among other things, muscle-specific training to stren… read more
Between each vertebra on the spinal column is a disc, acting as a cushion for your spine. A fall or accident can cause the disc to rupture, creating a herniated disc. Resuming heavy activities, such as surfing, before the hernia heals can cause additional pain and damage. read more
Kayaking is an excellent form of exercise and is particularly notable for helping to build upper-body strength. Muscles found in the arm, shoulders and back are all used during a typical day of paddling. Additionally, you don't have to… read more
Whether an avid snowboarder or someone interested in learning to board, it is important to know and understand the primary muscles used for snowboarding. Once you know this, you can use this knowledge to train, to help prevent injury a… read more
Overhang climbs are ones that are angled at more than 90 degrees (like angled or vertical roofs). They often seem intimidating to the uninitiated, but there are some neat techniques that make this process much easier. There are also so… read more
Since mountain biking is an exercise in itself, many people forget weight lifting is an important part. Weight training is particularly important in mountain biking as riding on trails can jar the body, and put stress on joints and mus… read more
A sleeping pad is the one luxury that even the most lightweight backpacker is likely to have in his pack. Sleeping pads are not just about comfort, but also warmth and health. Elevating you from the ground, a sleeping pad can help keep… read more
Many people prefer cross-country skiing, not only as a means of enjoying the outdoors but also for a full body workout. Depending on individual form, a cross-country skier may use slightly different muscles, but there are at least thre… read more
Tree climbing is a relatively new sport that is closely related to rock climbing. Tree climbing involves specialized equipment that's used by the climber to scale the side of large trees and then rappel. In much the same way that a roc… read more
The purpose of any swimming injury program is to maintain strength and stamina while decreasing the odds of further injury. A broken tailbone, or coccyx, primarily affects sitting and horizontal-to-vertical body movement. You can maint… read more
You may know from experience that a tight lower back can ruin a good hike or sideline you from your favorite sport. Prevention is key: To support your lower back, strengthen your core muscles. Plan an exercise and stretching routine to… read more
Everybody should begin their day with a series of stretches. A short series of stretches will get the blood flowing through your body. Circulation is important immediately upon waking up because lying down and sleeping slows down the c… read more
Ankle weights are one way to increase the difficulty of basic body weight exercises. Using these weights is not necessary until the exercises by themselves have become too easy and do not present a challenge anymore. Aim to perform eig… read more
Transverse abdominal muscles are the deepest muscles in the abdominal wall. This muscle helps stabilize the spine. The Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma reports that weak transverse abdominal muscles have been f… read more
It is no fun to try skiing when you get that stabbing sensation in your lower back each time you lift up the pole. Others may experience something more like a constant dull throb in their lower back rather the fiery pain, but trying to… read more
An attack of lower back pain can shorten your backpacking trip or make a visit to the slopes a waste of time. Exercising the lower back can mean everything from using weights to a series of stretches. Strong, flexible back muscles come… read more
Muscular endurance is defined as the ability to perform repeated contractions over an extended period of time. It is required for long-distance running, hiking, backpacking, cycling and cross-country skiing. Endurance activities use th… read more
You've already tried car and RV camping. You've camped at commercial campsites that had a convenient restroom and water supply. Now, you want to explore the road less traveled. Backcountry camping, also known as primitive camping, is a wonderful way to explore the remote...
Pismo State Beach, California, has many attractions and activities including camping, swimming, hiking and wildlife viewing. Birdwatching is one of the primary activities in the area. The park also has the largest over-wintering colony of monarch butterflies in the natio...
The first and most fundamental thing is never hike alone. There are too many situations, especially as an unexperienced hiker, where you may find yourself without anyone to help you. So the buddy system works and applies very much in hiking.
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