Outdoor Activities

Cyclists know more than anyone the importance of efficiency. They strive to make their bike an extension of their own body -- and focusing on cadence, or the speed at which you pedal, is an important factor in performance.

By Jane McGrath

If you're an avid biker, chances are you're going to get caught in the rain a couple of times. Despite getting wet and muddy, some cyclists actually like the exhilaration of getting caught in the rain -- but the extra challenges involved call for even more caution.

By Cherise Threewitt

Being injured doesn't mean your fitness routine has to stop. Take your workout to the pool with deep water running. But how can running in water be better for you than the real thing?

By Jill Becker

A picturesque run through the cool, breezy mountaintops, a potential boost in performance -- what's not to like about high altitude training? Along with the inconvenience for a large number of runners who live at sea level, high altitude training isn't for everyone.

By Gerlinda Grimes

First-time and even experienced marathon runners know it all too well: the feeling that hits around mile 20 when your legs begin to give way and you feel as if you would die if you moved another step. What's going on here, and what can you do to avoid it?

By Kevin P. Allen

If you run 15 to 40 miles per week, you're an intermediate runner. If you'd like to increase your speed for your next 5K, how should you train?

By Meredith Bower

Interval training mixes up high- and low-intensity exercises to help boost stamina. How is alternating speeds better for your body than working out at a continuous pace?

By Thorin Klosowski

Changing running styles is not something to be taken lightly. But if you're looking to reduce your risk of injury while emphasizing proper form, consider the benefits of the chi- and pose running techniques.

By Lance Looper

You know the expression "it's like riding a bike?" It means once you've learned how to do something, it's hard to ever forget. Unfortunately, the same goes for bad cycling habits. What's mashing, and why do training coaches frown upon it?

By Jane McGrath

Crossing your lactate threshold during a race can cause you to feel exhausted and decrease your pace. So how do you increase your lactate threshold in training?

By Melissa Sandoval

If you're a runner, that doesn't mean you get out of exercising your legs -- strong leg muscles are especially important for runners. How do leg workouts help improve strength and stamina?

By John Kelly

Athletes in search of an extreme physical challenge need look no further than the Ironman Triathlon. How demanding is this event? Well, a full marathon only makes up one part of the race.

By Marie Willsey

When a race has thousands of participants, how on Earth can anyone keep track of the time of each individual runner? Simple -- with a little device called a timing chip.

By Kevin P. Allen

Most athletes find that massage can help with their performance. Due to thorough, rigorous workouts and a great deal of mental stress, however, triathletes in particular benefit from a good session on the massage table.

By Jane McGrath

Around 1 percent of the world's population has run a marathon. What about people who are physically fit -- but not athletes -- who want to run a longer race than the 10K? These three mini-marathons may be the ticket.

By Brian Boone

If you enter a swimming race, you probably want to give 100 percent the entire time, right? Some coaches don't think so. Negative split swimming involves finishing the second half of a race faster than the first.

By Jane McGrath

Triathlons are becoming more popular by the day. Despite the sport's grueling nature, more than a million people signed up for a traditional triathlon in 2009. But what about triathletes who want something a little different -- or tougher?

By Dave Roos

Humans have been swimming in lakes and oceans far longer than they've been swimming in pools, and there remains a certain primal attraction to open water swimming. A far cry from clean, orderly time trials -- open water swimming is a messy free-for-all of kicking feet and splashing arms.

By Tristin Hopper

Cyclists are only as good as their pedaling, so what's the best pedaling technique for both power and speed? And does the type of pedal you use really make that much difference?

By Brian Boone

Runners normally train by, well, running. You need strong legs and lungs to run well, but what about your back, chest and abs? Pilates strengthens those areas and improves endurance as well. Just one workout a week will make a huge difference.

By Ed Grabianowski

In preparing for triathlons, people often go to great lengths to give themselves a competitive edge. While many tend to overlook aspects such as core body strength and flexibility, the smart triathlete will utilize Pilates to build a powerful core and balance the body.

By Colleen Cancio

If you're looking for an extra edge in your sport, plyometrics may be the answer. But what, exactly, is it and how do you do it?

By Brian Boone

Bagging a workout usually implies that you've avoided or ended an exercise session prematurely. But that's not the case with a Powerbag which makes your typical training even more difficult.

By Victoria Vogt

Running is often a lonely sport, but it doesn't have to be. How do you find the right group of fitness-minded people to make the miles fly by?

By Thorin Klosowski

Whether your goal is to beat your personal best in a local road race or compete with the elites in Boston, running ladders can help you succeed. So what is this strange-sounding workout, and what exactly will it do for you?

By Jeff Harder