Dec 30 2012

How Trails Help You Meet Your New Years Resolution

Fitness Trails

Most people in the fitness industry are pretty darned fit. Not too surprising, right? But that isn’t necessarily a good thing when it comes to helping average folks get into shape. So rather than focus on hard-core mountain bike trails or bike racing tips, let’s take a look at how trails can help everyone meet their New Year’s resolution of getting in shape and staying in shape.

Trails Help Fitness Motivation

Anybody can make a New Year’s resolution to get in shape. The hard part is actually getting off the couch and exercising. Then the hardest part of all is sticking to your exercise regime. Trails will help you overcome both of those obstacles for the following reasons:

  • Trails are everywhere: I guarantee, you have a trail somewhere nearby.
  • Trails are free (most of the time). No more pesky gym fees.
  • Trails are fun.
  • Trails are scenic.
  • There are trails and trail activities for people of all shapes, sizes and fitness levels.

Trails are Perfect for all Fitness Levels

Don’t worry if you’re out of shape. There’s a trail for you and a trail activity that will meet your needs. Trails are not just for the adventurous or the ultra athletes. On Trailsnet.com and other trail websites, you can often find trails by both location and by trail activity. You don’t have to be a trail runner or mountain biker to enjoy trails. It’s okay if you’re a walker or a beginning bicyclist. The majority of trails out there are perfect for leisurely strolls or scenic cruiser bike rides.  In fact 90% of the trails on Trailsnet.com are perfect for novice bicyclists who just want to ride their bikes for fun rather than competition.

Alternative Trail Vehicles (Personal Transportation Vehicles)

What if you’ve tried walking or bike riding and they just didn’t work for you? Don’t despair. There are many other trail options for you. Let’s take a look at some other ways that you can enjoy the trails:

  • Electric bikes are a great fitness option for those who want to ride a bicycle but don’t feel comfortable on a regular
    Trikke rider on boulder creek path

    Trikke T-12 body-powered carving vehicle

    bike.

  • Discover Trikke trails for a full body workout. You can purchase a beginner Trikke for as low as $120. Or start out with an electric Trikke until you’ve mastered Trikke carving.
  • Stride Ride by StrideCore is a great way to get your heart rate up quickly for those folks who have limited trail time. They work best on paved trails or cement trails that are not too steep.
  • For folks with a sore neck or bad back or just for those of us who enjoy a more comfortable and laid back ride, recumbents make great trail vehicles. The stereotype that recumbents are for old folks is definitely an urban legend that needs to die. They’re great for trail riders of any age and especially great for those who enjoy cycle touring. Ergonomically, they make a lot more sense than a regular bicycle.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/12/30/how-trails-help-you-meet-your-new-years-resolution/

Dec 27 2012

Best Trail Series on Trailsnet

Submit Ideas for Your Favorite Trails

What's your favorite trail?

What’s your favorite trail?

What is your favorite bike trail? How about your favorite running trail, hiking trail, equestrian trail, inline skating trail, snowshoe trail, touring trail, rail-trail, cross-country ski trail, backpacking trail, scenic trail, historical trail, loop trail, Trikke trail…?

For 2013, Trailsnet is featuring our Best Trails series. Some of the articles will be produced in-house and some from guest-bloggers. If you have ideas or opinions, feel free to submit them to the Trailsnet Contact area or in the comments below each blog post.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/12/27/best-trail-series-on-trailsnet/

Dec 19 2012

Trail Links Available on Trailsnet.com

Links to Trail Information

trail signpost

Best trail links here!

Trailsnet is happy to provide helpful trail links to news & information from the world of trails. Trailsnet trail links are available under the ABOUT heading above. Our newest link on the Trailsnet helpful trail links page is for Seattle Backpackers Magazine. It’s one of the many great websites out there for trail lovers and specifically for those who love backpacking trails. Hopefully you’ll enjoy the links we provide. We look forward to adding new links as they become available.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/12/19/trail-links-available-on-trailsnet-com/

Dec 18 2012

Cold Weather Running Tips

Winter Trail Running Suggestions

runner on treadmill

Lose the treadmill & find a trail for running.

The Trailsnet guest post for this week is from Gary. Gary has some great suggestions for you trail runners who forsake the indoor gym treadmills and brave the cold weather to hit the trails all year long.

Today I’d like to talk to you about cold weather running and how you prepare for it. If you’re new to running, it’s always difficult to decide or choose proper gear and what you’re going to wear. If it’s winter then you need to think about is wearing layers.

Technical Running Clothes

You also need to think about wearing technical material. So you go to your local sporting goods store or running shop and they’ll definitely have a lot of advice for you. They’ll have a lot of ideas and different things that you can wear.

I know that, for example, you get a brand like Adidas and they have a series called ClimaWarm, which is kind of warm weather technical gear. Definitely wear some layers. A jacket is necessary.

Running tights, maybe something else over them. You’re often going to want to wear a hat, and you’re also definitely going to want to wear gloves. You’re going to wear running gloves, for sure. And depending where you are and how cold it is, you might even need, like, a balaclava, so it’s something to cover your face.

You can get specific running balaclavas made out of, like, a kind of technical material. Again, go to your local running shop, ask some questions about that, they’ll know. Also, if you get a magazine like Runners’ World or Canadian Running, they often have winter gear guides that can really help you out. And be careful guys, remember. Icy roads, like I’m dealing with now. I’m having trouble walking on this. If it’s too icy, you might even get something.

In conclusion

It’s often difficult to know what to wear when you do winter running, but there’s a few ideas for you. And be safe, of course. And remember too, in the winter time, you know, you’ve got a good chance of slipping and falling, which is something that doesn’t happen in the summer time so again, be careful.

So there you go guys. Running in the winter. With a little bit of preparation and having the right running clothes running in the winter isn’t really as difficult as it seems. The hardest part is usually getting up out of your warm bed in the mornings when it’s freezing cold outside! But I always find once you are outside and running at a good pace you soon warm up, and the adrenaline rush is always worth it!

Gary has been a personal trainer and fitness instructor for the last five years and has recently open podplus-shop.co.uk a technical running clothing and shoe store by runners, for runners.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/12/18/cold-weather-running-tips/

Dec 16 2012

What You Should Know About Resistance Training

 Trails Provide Aerobic Training, But is That Enough?

Plenty of people out there want to get healthy, and there’s so many methods which people can use to do so. As you know, Trailsnet.com is a big proponent of getting out on trails and riding bikes, hiking, riding Trikkes, inline skating, snowshoeing & more. Even though trails are probably the best and most cost-effective gym out there, the aerobic exercise provided by trails is only part of the overall fitness picture and even the role that exercise plays in our overall fitness. Resistance training is one of the methods that people use for exercise and strength building purposes.

A Definition

barbells for weight training

Lifting weights is one form of resistance training.

So what exactly is this resistance training of which we speak? Well, according to the Vancouver Physiotherapy and Sports Clinic, the definition of resistance training is as follows: “…the use of external force to build up the body’s ability to exert muscular force. Also known as weight or strength training.” What does that mean in layman’s terms? Well, it means that the person uses an outside element such as weights or a resistance band to build his or her strength.

Resistance Training Exercises

United States News presents an article entitled “10 Forms of Resistance Training That Strengthen Your Muscles” written by the U.S. News Staff to let people know what types of exercises actually count as resistance training. The article lists the following exercises: arm raises, internal and external rotation, leg abduction, leg adduction, side plank, plank, short arc squats/wall slides, wall shin raises, straight leg raises and heel step downs. Not sure how to do some of these exercises? Your best bet would be to consult with a personal trainer so you make sure that you’re not hurting yourself as you learn.

The Importance

Now that you know how to go about a resistance training program properly, you probably want to know why such a program is important. Well, according to the U.S. News Staff, there’s quite a few benefits. The article says that when you build up your muscles, your metabolism is improved and, of course, you have more strength in your body. Other listed benefits include the prevention of falling and injuries. As with many exercises, your mood can also be lifted from engaging in resistance training. Therefore, in general, you will feel better all around from the muscles in your body to the emotions in your soul.

Preventing Injury

As in any exercise program, resistance training poses injuries if the movements are not done properly. The U.S. News Staff actually states that your back is one area that can really be hurt if you don’t heed caution and advice. To see how to properly engage in the exercises, you can check out some videos from reputable trainers on YouTube or purchase videos for your home. Additionally, you can usually start working with a local trainer at your gym. Often, this is the best option since the trainer will get to know you and what you’re able to handle, thereby allowing him or her to tailor programs that are custom made for your body.

Resistance training is one more of the ways in which people can help themselves to get into better shape, to lose weight and to tone up. Having better physical and mental health doesn’t sound too bad now, does it? Well, get on your sneakers, head out to the gym and start working your way to a better you today!

Karmy Byler writes about fitness, finance & more at www.homeinsurance.org.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/12/16/what-you-should-know-about-resistance-training/

Dec 14 2012

Trailsnet Blog Guest Post Policy

Trail Blog Posts Welcome

trail sign

Trail Information Welcome

Just like Trailsnet welcomes guests to post trail information, we also accept guest blog posts. However, Trailsnet has blog guest post guidelines, so please have a look at these guest post requirements:

  • conveys quality, practical information about trails or trail-related topics
  • is able to be used exclusively on Trailsnet.com
  • may include up to two photos/graphics that are related to the post content but please keep graphic size as condensed as possible. If you aren’t able to condense your photo/illustration, then only use one graphic
  • infringes no copyright laws
  • includes a headline, body text, and your byline (preferably w/ a wee bit of information about yourself or your qualifications

If you would like to submit a guest post to the Trailsnet blog, please utilize the Trailsnet contact link located above. You can either send a query or the entire proposed post. Your expertise, opinions and information are welcome but subject to approval.

We realize that many people write guest posts to drive traffic to their website. So links to your website are fine, but any links must be related to trail information and/or one of the following topics:

  • trail/outdoor fitness
  • trail travel
  • trail etiquette
  • trail rules
  • trail legislation
  • trail vehicles
  • trail products
  • trail adventures
  • trail lifestyles
  • human interest stories that relate to trails
  • animals on trails (wildlife or domesticated animals)
  • trails in nature

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/12/14/trailsnet-blog-guest-post-policy/