11 Things Every Hiker Should Know About Fitness
Learn these key hiking fitness principles to get the most out of your time on the trail.
Backpacking Fitness
Backpacking Fitness
Yes, hiking is a great way to get trail-ready, but it’s not enough. Follow these backpacking fitness tips and routines to hike stronger, longer and healthier.
Yes, hiking is a great way to get trail-ready, but it’s not enough. Follow these backpacking fitness tips and routines to hike stronger, longer and healthier.
How To Hike Barefoot
Follow these 3 rules for the best walk of your life.
Hike Like a Pro
How do you get good at hiking? Hike a lot. And we haven't met anyone who's logged more miles than Cam Honan.
Master Class: The Gym Free Fitness Plan
Use this no-cost, do-anywhere training program to enhance hiking strength and speed this spring.
Static Hiking Stretches
Hold these poses post-workout to elongate muscles and flush lactic acid.
Dynamic Hiking Stretches
Use these controlled movements to warm up pre-hike and -workout.
Back Strengthener: Lower Back Complex
Strengthen your lower back for a more comfort on the trail.
Back Strengthener: Loaded Step-Ups
Build a strong core for better injury prevention.
Back Strengthener: Kneeling Halfmoon
Build your pack-hefting back and core.
What's Your Foot Type?
Shopping for boots becomes a whole lot easier if you know whether you're an overpronator, have a high arch, or a "normal" foot. Try this wet test to determine your foot type.
How to Hike 30 Miles in a Day
See a week's worth of terrain on an epic dawn-to-dusk hike.
Build Backpacking Muscles
Strengthen three key areas - shoulders, ankles, and core - this winter so you can tackle tougher trails next spring.
Yoga for Backpackers
Ease post-hike pain and prep muscles for the next day.
How To Improvise An Ankle Brace
Sprained or broken ankles are the most common injury for hikers and backpackers. Here's how to deal.
How To Build A Backcountry Knee Splint
Your hiking buddy torqued their knee? This simple splint can prevent further injury and let you both limp home.
How to Do Everything – Become a Mileage Monster
Hike farther, faster, and pain-free with these training tips and exercise.
Hiking Exercises: Beef Up Your Lower Back with the Superman Exercise
Try this exercise to give your lower back the strength you need.
Hiking Exercises: Cure Outer-Knee Pain
Nothing's worse on the trail than knee pain. Prevent and cure it with this exercise.
Hiking Exercises: Get Explosive Strength with Squats
Tackle big miles with this essential exercise.
Hiking Exercises: Sculpt 3D Legs
Want legs that handle any terrain. This is the exercise.
Hiking Exercises: Iron Out Your Core
Get core strength with this key exercise.
Spring Training: Exercises for Strong Knees and Hamstrings
Want strong knees when hiking season starts? Work your hamstrings now.
Build a Thru-Hiker Body at Home
Here's what 2,000-plus miles does to your system–and how to get the same results at home.
The Winter Workout
Follow this winter workout and conquer the steeps come spring.
Start 2009 with an Epic
Get over the hangover and go big this year. Then make it a tradition
Got a Cold? Keep Exercising
Study shows that a head cold doesn't reduce performance or recovery
We have proof: warm-ups reduce injuries by almost half
20 minutes to get the blood and body parts moving will keep you in the game
The Easiest Diet on Earth
Slim your way through the holidays with this simple diet
Low-carb diets make you stupid
Study shows that depriving the brain of carbs leads to memory loss
America's Healthiest Supermarkets
Where to go when you want to shop right
My 'Duh' Moment
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
DNA test for your sports gene
A test can now tell you if you have what it takes. It'll also tell you if your kid has it too.
Tips for Living Past 100 from Edna Parker
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Eat to win or for your health?
Depending on how hard you play, a high-quality, whole foods diet may slow you down
20-minute fitness savior
A plan to save the fitness I've got and maybe grow a little stronger
Staying Fit During the 9-5 Grind
A new job requires a new fitness plan
40 Is the New 30
Study on brain-speed points to age 39 as the peak for our motor skills
Exercise is a Crime
Only in L.A. could you get arrested for doing a sit-up in public
Weight Loss Reality Check
Someone needs to get over it
Exercising While Sick
When you can and cannot workout with an illness
Are You Fit to Climb?
Any serious mountaineer will appreciate this updated Bible of climbing-specific training
The Fitness Upside to a Down Economy
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Why You Should Steal Time to Exercise
Or, why putting down the work/family/chores for a run may be the smartest thing you do all day.
Vitamin Water on the Cheap
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
The $30 Water Bottle
The water, however, tastes the same
Trail-Specific Stretches
Stay fit and healthy with these static and dynamic stretches, and secrets from Yosemite National Park wilderness ranger Mark Fincher.
Glucosamine/Chondroitin Doesnt Stop Cartilage Loss
Drat, I was wrong on this one
Soccer: Best Exercise on Earth?
Billions of players worldwide can't be wrong
Why We Hate Gyms
Research uncovers a big difference between outdoor fans and gym rats
Karl Meltzer Won't Stop Running the AT
A successful failure often trumps simple success
Bike to Run
Running again after a year feels great
No-Excuses Fitness Training Tips
Having trouble getting motivated? These soldiers toughen you up with their custom can't-quit tips.
The Big Hike Prep Quiz
Before you hit the trail, take my 5-step quiz to find out if you're primed for action or disaster
Who Goes Outside Anymore?
Only the white, middle-aged, and well-off appear engaged in sports
The Everyman's Taper
Both elite athletes and weekend hikers benefit from a taper
Best Motivation Ever
A winning proposal helps an ultramarathoner finish Leadville
Running Adds 16 Years to Active Life
Study shows that regular jogs push back old-age disabilities
Smart Nutrition for the Trail
Or, how a bike race reminded me that you need to always eat for the future
Living the Life, Act 3
Every year I'm pleasantly reminded that good training plans work
Townies Live Better
More evidence that suburbia blows
What's Your Real Age?
A summer pick-me-up for all
High Gas Prices = Slimmer People
A researcher concludes that $4/gallon gas can help curb America's obesity epidemic
It's a Conspiracy
You won't believe what some people blame for their extra flab
Caffeine Speeds Recovery
Another excuse to drink more coffee has arrived
Hiking is Dangerous?
Survey ranks the activity behind snowboarding and sledding as the most dangerous
Vacation Time
4 Tips for an Active Fourth of July
A Good S*panking
Nothing motivates like a fitness reality check
The Ultimate Grocery List
Stock your kitchen with everything you need to eat like a champ
Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, No Drugs Allowed
Top alpine skiers endure altitude sickness and won't do anything about it
Green Space Equals Less Active Population
A study finds that people with easy access to public parks and lands exercise less
More Evidence that You'll Outlive Everyone
New research unearths more benefits to getting outside
After Exercise, Recover with Real Food
A sports-nutrition trend gets called out
Show of Support
Fitness depends on who you surround yourself with
Living the Life, Act 2
Now I know why I stay in shape
Train Smarter
Get trail-fit in six weeks with this simple exercise plan.
Steppin' Out
I'm on assignment for a week
News Flash: Obesity Contributes to Global Warming
No, I'm not kidding
Vitamins: Good or Bad?
There is no straight answer to the benefits of taking supplements
Barefoot = Injury Free*
Got chronic back pain or knee pain? Try losing your shoes
Scary Stuff Changes LivesFor the Better
Set Goals Just Beyond Your Comfort Level