Author: Molly Andersen

The best apps for planning your outdoor adventure (and having a great time once you’re there) By Molly Newman Sunscreen…water bottle…first-aid kit…smartphone? Maybe it’s time to update the classic “10 Essentials” list to include the handy GPS device/camera/music player/information source you’ve already got in your pocket or purse. As these apps show, your phone can be your ticket to a better-planned, safer (or crazier), more memorable outdoor experience. Oh, Ranger! ParkFinder Free for iOS and Android Half the fun of any trip is the planning and anticipation ahead of time. Oh, Ranger! lets you search national, state, and local parks…

Trail Adventures for You and Your Four-Legged Friend Bounding along the trail, tail wagging, full of energy, always excited to see (and sniff) around the next corner: Who could ask for a better hiking companion than a dog? Whether your pup is a purebred or a rough-and-ready mutt, hitting the trail is a great way to spend some quality time together and burn some calories while you’re at it. Unfortunately, from a canine point of view, not all hikes are created equal. National parks forbid dogs from even setting foot on a trail, let alone run off-leash. That rules out…

Popular diet philosophies often directly contradict each other. Can any of them back up the benefits they promise with real research? Grains are killing you slowly! Whole grains are the key to weight loss! Meat helps build muscle! Meat is murder! With so much conflicting nutritional advice, it can be a real challenge deciding which suggestions are worth trying and which are nothing but scientific–sounding sales pitches. Here, we take a look at four popular diet philosophies to see what each can—and can’t—offer the nutrition–conscious athlete. Paleo The Diet: Meats, fruits, non–starchy veggies, honey, fish, eggs—basically anything our cave–dwelling ancestors…

Revitalize your workout with these creative fitness options So you started off the New Year full of determination to hit the gym faithfully. Now, just a few weeks after the champagne and confetti have settled, you find it’s more of a slog every day to drag yourself in for the regular routine of stretching, lifting, and treadmill. Sure, you’ve tried livening things up with a class or two… but there’s no denying that the thrill is gone. Industry experts estimate that 80% of people who join gyms in January stop going by the second week of February. Instead of letting…

The Whole-Body Benefits of Strength Training [dropcap style=”square”]T[/dropcap]o stay fit for running, biking, or skiing all year-round, you already know the importance of keeping up regular cardio workouts. But you may be missing out on another core element of a balanced fitness program: weight training (or “resistance training,” as it’s known to fitness researchers). Beyond weight training’s obvious muscle-building power, it offers great—and sometimes surprising—health benefits for your entire body. Plus, you don’t have to be a full-on gym rat to get these benefits; most of them are achievable with as little as two twenty-minute sessions a week. Whether you…

Prevent Common Snowsport Injuries This Season When taking to the slopes this season, you’ll probably start the day with plenty of energy and a smile on your face. But just one misstep can put an end to your great day—or, worse, your whole season. Wrenched shoulders, damaged knees, or broken bones may be serious bummers, but they’re also largely preventable mishaps. Stay safe this year with these tips for preventing the most common ski- and snowboard-related injuries and for treating minor problems when they do occur. Know Your Risk Just how risky are snowsports, anyway? Analysis of injury patterns at…

Pack a Mason jar with a healthy on-the-go meal or snack. With a schedule packed with work, training, races, and friends and family time, it’s tough to fit healthy meals into a busy day. All too often, it’s easier to grab a nutrition bar or (the horror!) stop by the drive-thru for a fast-food fix.

It’s the hottest trend at the gym right now. Is this military-style workout right for you? It will definitely make you sweat, possibly make you collapse in exhaustion, and maybe even make you weep. Its unofficial mascot is “Pukie the Clown,” a projectile-vomiting character crawling away from a discarded barbell. And around the world, more than 7,000 affiliated gyms are packing in determined exercisers to experience the challenge, the pain, and the potential glory of CrossFit. Why is this hardcore training method gaining so many devotees, and what are they gaining from the experience? As an active outdoor athlete, should…

Tastier than a deep-fried Cronut… more nutritious than a bucket of kale… it’s a Superfood! Though many nutritionists disclaim the notion of “superfoods” altogether, there’s no denying that some foods pack an extra nutritional bang for the caloric buck. High in vitamins, minerals, or other essential components, these foods are a great way to boost your overall nutrient intake and liven up your meals.

Great (and Easy) Weekend Trips in Southern Utah As the leaves change color and the air turns crisp, it’s the perfect time of year to rally family and friends for one last camping trip. But with the end of summer’s lazy days, who has time or energy for a prolonged backpacking adventure?