PetSugar

Grade Your Hikes

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:00:00 -0800

I love hiking in the Fall because of the beautiful scenery and perfect weather - the crisp air never leaves me too hot or too cold. On the weekends I often go on all-day or multi-day hikes in Yosemite valley or the Lake Tahoe region. Some of my friends equate hiking with a leisurely stroll through the woods, but anyone who hikes regularly knows this isn't always the case. Whether it's steep, rocky, or exposed terrain, a hiking trail can be quite difficult.

One way I prepare for an all-day hike is by researching the difficulty of the trail I'm walking. I'll use guidebooks and the Internet as resources, as well as the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS). The YDS is a three-part classification system that rates the difficulty of walks, hikes, and rock climbs based on categories of terrain, length, and level of danger. Not all routes are graded in each category - generally speaking, rock climbs are the only routes that use all three grading systems of the YDS.

To learn how hikes are classified, read more.

Classifying a route's terrain is what's most applicable to hiking trails, especially longer, more intense hikes such as the John Muir trail or Half Dome hike. Here's a general breakdown of the different terrain class types found in the YDS:

Class 1: Walking on a relatively flat trail with little chance of injury. Many backpackers compare a class 1 route to walking on a sidewalk.
Class 2: A simple trail that might have a slight incline. You may have to use your hands to balance while scrambling up rocks.
Class 3: You'll definitely need to use your hands and feet to find balance along parts of the trail while scrambling up rocks. There may be exposed terrain during the hike, though a fall should not prove fatal.
Class 4: This hike will involve climbing up steep terrain, and even though the route will have some natural protection, a fall could prove fatal.
Class 5+: Reserved for rock and aid climbing. Protection and gear recommended for these climbs as a fall will prove fatal.

Keep in mind that the YDS is a somewhat subjective grading system and there can definitely be some overlap and debate over a class assignment. I continue to use it as a guide because I can search for harder or easier trails depending on my mood that day. I'm also finding that more and more backpackers are using the YDS lingo when describing a trail to one another.

You can also keep a journal with details of your favorite trails and try rating them for yourself. If you do assign a class rating to a trail, the class assignment should reflect the hardest part of the hike. (For example, if you went on a hike that was mainly class 1 but had a few elements of a class 3 route, classify the hike as a class 3 route.)

Tell me, what class of hikes do you usually stick to?

I Need Your Help . . . Must Two Dogs Equal Two Leashes?

PetSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:00:27 -0700

Whether it's double trouble or two times the fun, two pups definitely provide twice the tangles when being walked together. I'm a fan of tandem leashes (like this one) in theory, but I've never had to hook North up with another furry friend.

Community Member Kelli Ann asks:

This is our second dog and we want to try out a dual leash. The pups are about 25 lbs each and are both good on a leash. Any insight/tips/recommendations would be much appreciated because two separate leashes can be a little tricky!

All of you multiple pet owners or generous dog walkers share any advice to not get your dogs' signals, and your leashes, crossed. (And, as always, feel free to private message me or post questions in our Pet Peeves group and we'll help you out ASAP.)

Pros and Cons of the Treadmill

FitSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 07:00:36 -0700

If you enjoy walking or running, sometimes exercising outside just isn't an option, so the treadmill is your saving grace. It's one of the most common pieces of gym equipment used, so check out some of its benefits and disadvantages.

Pros	Cons
Rain, sleet, snow, blazing sun, and pitch black can't keep you from using the treadmill, so no matter what the weather or time of day, you can always get in a workout. The terrain is always free of rocks, trash, dog poo, and ice, so you don't have to worry about where you're stepping. You can count on it being smooth and safe, which can help you avoid injury.	If you don't belong to a gym, treadmills aren't cheap and you'll end up spending between $1,500 and $4,000 for a good one. Treadmills require power, so they're not exactly the greenest type of exercise. Running outdoors only burns calories, not electricity.

To see the rest of the pros and cons, read more.

Pros

Cons

The surface of a treadmill is more forgiving than pounding concrete or asphalt, so it's easier on your joints.
It's a safe way to burn calories if you're afraid to exercise outside in your neighborhood.
You can work out using an incline, which burns more calories and effectively tones your legs and booty.
Newer treadmills have a variety of programs so you can do several interval workouts that replicate outdoor terrain even though you're inside.
Since you can control the speed and duration of your workout, you can customize the intensity to meet the needs of your fitness goals. It's great if you're doing speedwork and need to run at a specific pace for a certain distance, but it's also great if you need to do an easy run for muscle recovery the day after a hard run. Just set the speed and hop on, and it'll prevent you from running too fast.
The readout keeps track of your workout data including time, speed, distance, and calories burned, so you can monitor your progress.
You can watch TV or read while on the treadmill, which is especially great for passing the time on long runs or walks.

The moving belt propels your legs, so you're not working as hard as you would running the same speed outside, which translates to fewer calories burned.
If you're training for a race, you'll be missing out on training in extreme temps, wind resistance, blaring sun, precipitation, and on an uneven surface.
The treadmill belt may be too narrow or short for your body, so you'll compensate by running with a shorter stride and not swinging your arms as freely.
The monotony of the treadmill can be so boring that you exercise for less time.
If you're not paying attention, you could misstep, fall, and get propelled backward.
The readout on the machine may not be as accurate as other devices, like specialty heart rate monitors and the Nike+ Sportband.

Do Tell: Who Does the Most Dog Duty in Your Family?

PetSugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 04:00:10 -0700

Sloooow down there, Bo - I wanna get a good look at you! We've seen both Barack and the girls taking care of the first pooch, and here's Michelle walking (or getting walked by) this cute pup. It's great to have a family of humans to chip in for the dog walking (especially for early morning or late night duties) but who's left holding the leash most often in your household?

Bo's getting so big and sporting a different dog accessory than last time! See for yourself in the gallery when you read more.

View 10 Photos ›

Treadmill Trivia

FitSugar — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 08:00:03 -0700

If you love working out on a treadmill, take this quiz to see how well you know your machine.

Take the quiz

Top 5 Walk Time Distractions For Dogs

PetSugar — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 06:00:49 -0700

Between potty stops and smell breaks, you can end up short on exercise and long on time when walking a pooch! To help us out, I've rounded up the five categories I'd consider the top distractions for dogs. Check out the slideshow to see my tips for dealing with each type. Happy trails to you!

View Slideshow ›

You Asked: 60-Minute Brisk Walk vs. 30-Minute Jog

FitSugar — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 04:35:33 -0700

Dear Fit,
I'm trying to lose weight, so cardio has become a part of my weekly routine. When it was cooler out, I had no problem jogging 30 minutes, about four times a week. I live where the temps are in the 80s and 90s right now with a considerable amount of humidity, and it's been brutal jogging. I've been walking instead for an hour. Am I burning the same amount of calories, or should I stick it out and keep jogging?
- Too Hot to Jog

It's amazing how heat can affect your ability and motivation to move, but I applaud you for continuing your workouts, even if you're moving slower than you were. To find out how a long walk and a short jog compare calorie-wise, continue reading

From Walker to Runner: 8 Week Plan

FitSugar — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0700

So you've always wanted to take up running, but every time you've tried, you were exhausted after one minute. Not everyone is born to be a runner, and for most of us, it takes weeks of building up and training your body to get used to moving this way.

I believe any healthy person can go from being a walker to a runner, and this eight-week plan from Running.about.com can get you there. To take a peek at the weekly schedule read more.

	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Friday	Sat. or Sun.
Week 1	Walk 6 min., run 1 min. Repeat 3 times (total 21 min.)		Repeat Monday's workout		Repeat Monday's workout
Week 2	Walk 5 min., run 2 min. Repeat 4 times (total 28 min.)		Repeat Monday's workout		Repeat Monday's workout
Week 3	Walk 3 min., run 4 min. Repeat 4 times (total 28 min.)		Repeat Monday's workout		Repeat Monday's workout	Repeat Monday's workout
Week 4	Walk 2 min., run 5 min. Repeat 4 times (total 28 min.)		Repeat Monday's workout		Repeat Monday's workout	Repeat Monday's workout
Week 5	Walk 2 min., run 8 min. Repeat 3 times (total 30 min.)		Repeat Monday's workout		Repeat Monday's workout	Repeat Monday's workout
Week 6	Walk 2 min., run 9 min. Repeat 3 times (total 33 min.)		Repeat Monday's workout		Repeat Monday's workout	Repeat Monday's workout
Week 7	Walk 1 min., run 11 min. Repeat 3 times (total 36 min.)		Repeat Monday's workout		Repeat Monday's workout	Repeat Monday's workout
Week 8	Walk 5 min., run 20 min., walk 5 min. (total 30 min.)		Walk 5 min., run 23 min., walk 5 min. (total 33 min.)		Walk 5 min., run 26 min., walk 5 min. (total 36 min.)	Walk 5 min., run 30 min., walk 5 min. (total 40 min.)

Once you're up to running 30 minutes straight, try to stick with this four times a week.

Source

Walking to Stay Trim? Aim For 100 Steps Per Minute

FitSugar — Fri, 22 May 2009 03:00:00 -0700

If you're walking to lose weight, a recent study says you need to walk at a quick pace of at least 100 steps per minute in order for it to be considered moderate intensity. A pedometer is a great tool to use when you're strolling along, since it tells you how many steps you've taken. You can also check it to make sure you're taking enough steps within a certain number of time in order to get your heart rate up. So in a 30-minute workout, you should take at least 3,000 steps. If this rate is too fast at first, start off doing 1,000 steps in 10 minutes before you build up to 30 minutes.

Source

Chip In For Mother's Day!

PetSugar — Sun, 10 May 2009 03:00:11 -0700

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms of kiddies both human and furry! Since I'm no stranger to treating myself to a lil something extra for my year of hard work caring for North, I've got some ways you can treat the pet parenting pals of your own.

Stop by. Most dog owners would love to pass the leash off to a friend for QT walktime, so just ask - even if they say no, you can be the pet's indoor BFF for a couple hours instead.

Get two more ideas when you read more.

Pitch in. If you've got a sig-o who usually does the early a.m. or late p.m. doodie duty, offer to take it over for the day (or the whole week if you're generous).

Bring snacks. The way to any tummy and many hearts is through the mouth - save mom's time and bake up snacks for a furry friend (and maybe for the humans, too).

Now chime in with your own ideas in the comments below.

Source