Endurance Training
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When 34-year-old Hobie Call lost the Death Race this past August, he also lost his chance to win $100,000 for sweeping the Spartan Races. So why does he keep competing?
By the end of the day, I often feel too tired to exercise. Is it better to skip my workout or trim it down? The Editors Santa Fe, NM
Serving as his own lab rat, an amateur bike racer spent a year taking supplemental testosterone—rumored to be a peloton favorite—to find out if it could transform an average Joe. His conclusion? No doubt about it.
They don't have sponsors, and they're not getting paid to train. But these day-job-holding athletes compete like elites. Follow their lead and you can, too.
An exclusive look inside the cutting-edge Army lab that's pinching, prodding, dunking, bruising, and building the soldiers of tomorrow—and revolutionizing adventure fitness along the way.
Getting fit doesn't have to mean more time training. Just more sweat.
Think you don't have time for a fitness routine? If you can block out a couple of hours during the week and some longer periods on weekends, the results will amaze you.
I've run three marathons in roughly four hours. What can I do to help lower my finish time? The Editors Santa Fe, NM
I'm planning to walk from Sandy, Oregon to Seattle, Washington. How should I train? The Editors Santa Fe, NM
Barefoot-inspired shoes are flying off the shelves, and they're poised to transform the way we run. Here's how to make the most of running with less.
In 2007, molecular biologist Ron Evans flipped a genetic switch on test mice and turned them into super-athletes. Headlines ensued, as did nervous references to human applications and "exercise in a pill." Evans is still toiling away in the lab, and guess what? The day is coming.
Triathlon is one of the most gear-intensive sports there is, so try a few tris before you invest in a top-of-the line wetsuit or bike. In the meantime, here are a few great buys that will shave seconds off your time and get you amped for an Ironman. Specialized Women's…
I tore my MCL playing football. Unfortunately, the only working out I can do is upper body strength training. Please help me out with some sort of aerobic workout not using my lower body. My whole life is outdoors and I want to get back to it as quick as possible. The Editors Santa Fe, NM
Will caveman calisthenics be the next big thing for adventure athletes?
Are your workouts working against you? Why one addictive kind of training might be sabotaging your game.
It's huge. It's nasty. And it's a beast to get up. But guess what: The summit is worth all the hard work it takes to get there.
There's no better way to get in shape than to prepare for a triathlon. Here's your guide to the ultimate first-time experience.
The secret to performing in hot weather? Have a really cold one.
I'm planning to run up the Sears Tower. What's the best way to train? The Editors Santa Fe, NM
An Oklahoma veterinary scientist named Mike Davis says there's no doubt about it: The world's greatest athletes, of any species, are the canines who pull sleds at the Iditarod. Now, in a project funded by the Pentagon's research arm, he's coming up with ways to make us more like them.
Going 26.2 miles is a great way to prove your grit—and there's no greater showcase than the world's biggest. Presenting a simple plan to get anyone off the couch and across the finish line.
I would like to conquer Yosemite's Halfdome in September. How can I train for altitude climbing if I live near sea level? Paul Chesterfield, Michigan
Can doing calisthenics replace strength and cardiovascular exercise? Jumping jacks, mountain climbers, push-ups, pull-ups, and high knee running seem be very effective and time efficient. Jay Liverpool, New York
The latest research can help boost your horsepower—and cut your workouts in half
What is the best way for a non-athlete to get back in shape for a backpacking trip? I want to hike the Wonderland Trail in 5 months, but I have gained weight and lost muscle tone recently. Niki Berkeley, California
I'm working on a ship in crowded conditions for months on end. I want to go hiking and trekking on my time off. What's the best way to maintain endurance without being able to walk or run at sea? Bonus if I can do it in 30 foot swells.
What is the best stretch for cardio and weight-lifting workouts? Brandon Mosul, Iraq
What is the best time of day for aerobic and anaerobic exercise? David Centennial, Colorado
I train very hard in the spring and summer by cycling. I seem to peak in mid-July, and by mid-August my aerobic capacity drops off. I fatigue easily and struggle to keep up with my cycling group. What is going on and how can I prevent this next year?
Most NFL players spend the off-season recovering from injuries or pumping iron. Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Dhani Jones, 31, spent the spring of 2008 traveling from Switzerland to Singapore, trying his hand at the world's most exotic sports, for his new Travel Channel show, Dhani Tackles the Globe, premiering March 16.
No mountain? No problem. As our man discovered, racing up a skyscraper provides a challenge as daunting as many high peaks.
The 12 most common, performance-defeating fitness mistakes, and how to fix them
A revolutionary—and brutish—new fitness regimen.
It's a lot easier than you think to train for an Olympic-distance triathlon. And if you follow our newbie-friendly plan, it's also a blast.
Spring is here. Time to wipe the cobwebs off your bike, oil your chain, and kick your fitness into a new gear. Here's how.
What's the most efficient way to lower my resting heart rate? Stan Chesterfield, MO
Put that weekly jog to rest and take your training to a new level with our guide to technique, gear, and recovery
What is the best way to train for hills if you do not live in an area where there are hills? Thank you. Martin Indianapolis, Indiana
You skipped breakfast because you overslept because you couldn’t fall asleep because you didn’t have enough time to exercise. Sound familiar? Then turn the page and let us—and Michael Phelps—show you how to recalibrate for your best year ever.
I have poor lung capacity and want to ride the 100-mile El Tour de Tucson. I lose major speed on even the slightest incline or hill and lose my breath. I've had asthma for 18 years. How can I develop better lung capacity ? Brynne Winfield, IL
Sorry, abs: One muscle trumps all others. Keep your ticker in top shape with our complete guide to cardio health.
I met a former endurance athlete who advised that I intentionally limit my fluid intake while training so that I would adapt to a lower fluid requirement for races in hot conditions. Is this a legit strategy?
No time? No equipment? No excuses. Our experts kick your training into overdrive with customized 30-minute workouts for every harried athlete.
Got any suggestions for a good heart-rate monitor that is reasonably priced? Jeanna Princeton, New Jersey
Make skate skiing part of the season's regimen and you'll start the year with fitness to spare
I've been following a training progr for several months, but there are days when I just don't feel like doing my workout. I don't know if my body's trying to tell me something or if I'm just wimping out. Jason Portsmouth, ME
Will you look ridiculous trying a Hollywood workout? Quite possibly. But you'll also tap into America's greatest training resource.
What happens when training goes digital? Your workouts get real.
Can I use my 10k running time to figure out how fast I could run a marathon? Stewart W. Doylestown, Pa.
I just got invited to a four-day hiking trip around Aspen, Colorado, early this fall (while the aspen leaves are bright yellow, I've been told). I'm excited about the trip, but I'm from Missouri so I'm worried about the altitude. Is there anything I can do to prepare for four days of hiking at 9,000+ feet of elevation? Carl T. Missouri
Knees are critical joints, and they can't be traded in like last year's cell phone. Keep your hinges state-of-the-art with our complete guide to strength, conditioning, and injury prevention.
Want a spin bike delivered to your room? Get that and more with our guide to staying fit on the road.
Tackle cycling's ultimate fitness test and learn where your riding really stands
You may never have what it takes to race up steep alpine passes like the best cyclists in the world, but that doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from their training secrets. You’re using the same muscles, pedaling up the same inclines, and maybe even riding the same bike. So the…
Learn Spanish and other languages while you train with this smarter-than-average spinning class
Ready to play your way to total fitness? We thought so. Kick-start your transformation with a visionary six-week approach to bringing body and mind together for strength, stamina, and your best performance ever.
Train right with tips and tricks and of the trade from Chris Carmichael and Carmichael Training Systems.
I used to run consistently but have, well, slacked. Can you give me a good one-month schedule that would help me build up a base? Don Boulder, Colorado
Want real results? A new regimen sheds pounds, builds strength, and shortens your workout time.
Oxygen chambers allow you to simulate the world's altitude extremes. But should you? Depends on what you're after.
Ski all you want with our 21-day late-winter plan for optimizing shoulder-season fitness
Because every second you’re not living life to the fullest is an opportunity missed—and the clock is ticking. To get you going, we’ve handpicked a no-regrets, full-throttle, see-the-world list of 50 things to do before you die—from climbing an 8,000-meter peak to making the perfect martini. Pro surfer Kelly Slater…
I have been participating in duathlons, but I find my biggest problem is that I carry too much upper body muscle. Are long training rides/runs the only way to improve strength to weight ratio for the bike/run? S Boston, Massachusetts
Is it really possible to go from a beginning runner (i.e., comfortable for about a half mile) to someone who can manage 10.8 miles in a mere nine months with proper training, or I kidding myself? y Atlanta, Georgia