Hiking is fabulous for health and fitness. It’s also a lot of fun and more interesting than your everyday walk.

Check out some benefits of hiking:

-Hiking on rough, hilly terrain recruits core muscles for an extra abdominal work.

-Gear up with a hiking backpack (with good back support) to add weight to your walk. It adds an extra lower body workout.

-Hills increase the heart rate and place more emphasis on the glutes and quads. It’s a fat burning workout, with a lower body focus.

-Walking downhill strengthens your lower back

-Using hiking poles helps you to walk faster to get a more intense workout

-Being surrounded by nature makes you feel less stressed and more connected with your sense of self. It’s “me” time.

-Hiking is inexpensive and suitable for all fitness levels.

If you want your hike to be a great workout try brisk walking for 20 minutes at a time. Switch it up between flat and hilly terrain. Try throwing in some squats and lunges on walking breaks to increase the intensity. Be sure to wear layers so you can shed some clothes off, when you work up a sweat.

If you are going on a hike to relax, bring a camera and a lunch to enjoy a day out, while the weather is still nice.

Hiking doesn’t have to be in the mountains and conservation areas. Try an urban hike. Pick a place in your city you have not visited. Pack some water and go! Walking is beneficial no matter where it’s done!

Take A Hike!

Any hiker will tell you that the trail makes the experience. Hiking along the most beautiful and challenging trails are the hiking hobbyist’s dream. One of the benefits of hiking is that there are many countries, states, and islands that cater to the hiker through beautifully unique trails. Where do you want to go for your next hiking trip? This guide lists the top five places for hiking that will challenge even the most experienced hiker. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, these hiking trails can bring an appreciation towards nature’s beauty.

Breakneck Ridge Trail

Breakneck Ridge is located in New York along the Hudson River. The mountain trail is part of the Appalachian Mountains, so it’s filled with lush, green forests and rivers. The mountain has several peeks and plateaus to choose for your hiking destination. The highest summit for experienced hikers is 1,260 feet. To begin, most hikers choose the white route up the western side of the mountain. The steep, rocky climb to the summit gives a challenging hike with breathtaking views of the forest and rivers below it.

Glacier Gorge

Glacier Gorge is filled with multiple hiking trails for beginners and experts. Its location in the Rocky Mountains National Park makes it perfect for all kinds of scenery including rivers, lakes, waterfalls, mountains, and animals. Choose from hiking trails from all directions around the scenic gorge. Beginner trails are available at low levels that are relatively short. The trails are perfect for family and small children. If you consider yourself up for the challenge of a more expert level, Glacier Gorge offers demanding hiking trails that require excellent physical fitness and acclimation to high levels.

Appalachian Trail: The Pinnacle

Located in Humberg, Pennsylvania, The Pinnacle trail is also a part of the Appalachian Mountains. The trail gives views of scenic mountains and rivers along the way. Not far from the Pinnacle Trail is the Hamburg Dam for a breathtaking view of mother nature and technology tied into one. Weather can be mostly rainy and humid, which allows a more advanced hike for those who like the challenge of fighting the elements.

Mount Whitney

Hiking the trails at Mount Whitney will bring you to the highest peak in the United States. Located in California, Mount Whitney leaves the hiker with an accomplishment that few are able to make. Great physical condition and the ability to acclimate to high altitudes of approximately 15,000 feet are a must for this trail. The trail is well worth the challenge. Scenic Rocky Mountain views and a visit to Consultation Lake give the hiker an enjoyable and memorable trip.

Conundrum Hot Springs

Nestled in Colorado’s most underdeveloped wilderness, Conundrum Hot Springs is the place for hikers and other visitors to view mother nature’s most unique watery springs. The pools are scattered around the trail and their temperatures vary with the hottest being 102 degrees Fahrenheit. The trail is perfect for photos and awe inspiring memories. The unique hot pools surrounded by winter snow gives the sight seer an impressive view of nature’s characteristic style.

Life is continuously moving. The less we move, the less alive we will become. In order to achieve the highest level of health we must strive to achieve a balance between rest and exercise.
When planning to start an exercise regime or planning to start hiking, if it has been a while since you have participated in any form of exercise, it is very important to have a thorough medical check up with your doctor.

A good exercise routine should address the following:

Cardiovascular fitness

Strength Training

Flexibility

So if you are planning to embark on an intense exercise program with a personal trainer, ensure the above three things are covered.

Not everyone can afford a personal trainer, so the easiest way to start exercising is to start a walking program.

The benefits of walking are:

It strengthens your heart

It lowers your cholesterol

It increases your energy levels

It reduces your blood pressure

It reduces your stress levels

Walkers have less incidence of cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other killer diseases.

Walkers live longer and get mental health and spiritual benefits.

To lose weight and to keep it off, you need to get moving.

Walking fights the aging process. Women spend hundreds of dollars each year on cosmetics trying to look younger, but the best anti-aging formula doesn’t come in a bottle and it’s free.

Walking at a moderate pace for 30-60 minutes burns stored fat and can build muscle to speed up your metabolism.

Walking an hour a day is also associated with cutting your risk of heart disease, breast cancer, colon cancer, diabetes and stroke.

Why should you use hiking poles is perhaps the first question that may strike in your mind especially when you are a beginner. To get the right answer for this question you need to consider two things i.e. Safety and Comfort. Hiking poles are just balancing sticks which help you maintain good balance that is closely related to your overall safety and comfort. When you use two poles you move as you have four legs which allow you better comfort and safety. Experts say that by using hiking poles you switch to 4×4 mode of driving, using your two legs and two hands.

As far as safety is concerned, a pair of hiking poles helps you prevent frequent fall downs on uncertain tracks, avoiding aches in ankle or knee or even back; and here comfort is pointing towards the convenience in walking such as maintaining right walking posture and pacing using two extra legs.

Although it is personal preference and an individual decision to use hiking poles but they can prove to be very helpful for you during your hiking. You must use hiking poles especially when you are on your first hike. And, I think next time you will yourself carry these sticks with you by seeing their countless benefits.

Thousands of people who have already used (or still using!) hiking poles for years could not be wrong and this is the reason that poles are considered the traditional way to move on uncertain tracks while maintaining good stability. Although, hiking poles have countless benefits but below given are some significant benefits which enforce us to use them every time we go on hiking and trekking:

Safety- Safety is the main reason of using hiking poles. Hiking poles, in reality allow you the extra pair of legs to maintain good stability on the uncertain trails and when crossing fast streams or difficult terrains. Without having hiking poles you may fall down that may end up in injuries and accidents, and if you don’t fall even then ache in knees or ankles is a common mishappening you may face. When you have hiking poles with you, they keep you safe by preventing fall downs, bad steps which may cause of sprained ankle or knee.

Indeed, safety and convenience are the main reasons of using these hiking and trekking poles. Let’s see some other benefits/advantages of using them.

Weight Distribution- Hiking poles or staffs help us to reduce weight on our feet and legs. The modern design of the hiking pole distributes the weight evenly on the whole body instead of legs. According to one estimate poles can reduce 15% of weight from your legs by spreading it on the arms and other parts of body. As they act like your legs so they also bear some of the weight. Especially when you are climbing on a steep hill, the poles bear much weight than in normal walking so the percentage of weight may rise even further.

Pacing- When climbing on a steep hill, you will find your hiking poles more helpful for pacing yourself. I have personally seen their advantages to pace my steps. No doubt, hiking poles can easily speed you up by acquiring your weight and by allowing you to maintain good stability. You can maintain your speed without having so much huff and puff (needless to say more sweat!). And finally you will find that you have won over the trail without so much effort that really hurts. Certainly you will not feel pain in your back because poles allow you to walk in your natural position.

Comfort- Hiking with poles feels comfortable because you can walk in your natural posture while climbing on a hill or coming down. Your hands also remain in comfortable position; another better thing is that your hands remain above the heart which is also comfortable and beneficial as it improves the blood circulation that ensure less stressed body after the hiking. Many research studies and findings have clearly shown their cardiovascular, orthopaedic and other health benefits, as a result they advocate that not only circulation is improved but heart rate is also said to be reduced. A landmark study in this regard was published by Dr. G. Neureuther in 1981. Therefore, almost every seasoned and experienced hiker or trekker actually uses them and advises others to use them.

At last but not least using hiking poles for trail riding is not a wrong decision at all as they have countless benefits and uses, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t have any disadvantages. Experts believe that using poles may increase your total energy expenditure as your hands are no longer hands but will become two extra legs when you use them. Basically, your arms are not designed to prop up your body, nor to distribute weight, but to do certain other things that are expected to use your hands such as to open up the map, carry your drinks, eat a snack, wipe off your sweat, to grab branches of a tree to pull yourself ahead, to take a photograph, or occasionally to carry the hand of your partner. Undoubtedly, these things are not possible or comfortable when you have hiking poles in your hands and it will become relatively clumsy, time consuming, and sometimes even frustrating to carry them.

Well these were certain limitations of using hiking poles, but only an experienced hiker knows that these limitations in themselves are very limited. Of course these can be easily overcome as you grow and matured with them. However, most of the time it is generally seen that many people don’t actually know how to use them correctly and how to carry them properly. When they buy these hiking poles, they go for most stylish, fashionable and feature filled poles, but failed to recognize how to use them properly to reap their true benefits. For example, they buy adjustable hiking poles with compass fitted and with a camera mount, but don’t even know how to adjust them to a right length. As a result the majority of the people get little or no benefit from them except adding few extra pound of weight in their backpack to put more weight on their back.

But in actual sense, you must educate and familiarize yourself with your hiking poles and right techniques to use them. Then you will find that it only adds few extra pounds of weight to your packing but helps you in many ways. Actually pole less hiking is great for the slack packers who walks very short and come back their home in sunlight. But the hikers those who walk very long on the trails in day light as well in the night must use hiking poles. They are perhaps your best companions while climbing or walking on relatively difficult, snowy or muddy terrains. Specially when walking in after hours you should use poles to discover holes, stones and bushes in the absence of light.

I sincerely believe, by now, you may have understood yourself that why should we use hiking poles.

All the best!!

Last minute travel plans are mostly the outcome of some unforeseen emergency. People make such sudden traveling plans due to unavoidable circumstances. Even though emergency is generally considered the root cause of last minute travel, it is not always the case. The two important requirements taken into consideration while traveling last minute are transport and accommodation. Many travelers prefer to plan last minute trips as they turn out to be extremely affordable and well within their budget. There are various discounts available on airfares, hotel rooms, cruises and rental cars within innumerable last minute special travel packages. These help to make the trip amazingly economical and enjoyable.

Most of the airlines as well as hotels have certain “blocked” reservations. At times there are also sudden cancellations on account of which many hotel rooms and airline seats remain vacant. In order to sell these vacant slots, hotels and airlines reduce their rates for people who book their air tickets and hotel rooms at the last minute. These exceptional rates can be available if the booking is done from six weeks to 3 hours before the departure date. The reduced rates together form special “packages.” At times, last minute travel plans also require a good amount of research in order to avail of the best possible special packages to some of the most exotic locations around the world.

Last minute travel plans often result in enjoyable trips well within the budget planned by the traveler. They help the traveler to save hundreds of dollars and yet enjoy services and amenities worth thousands. The best part about last minute travel plans is that the booking need not be done well in advance. A traveler can get the best of the facilities at discounted rates by doing the booking at the last minute.

One of the advantages of last minute travel bargains is obviously the money you will save. But there are so many other advantages that it’s easy to see why so many people are taking advantage of some of the fabulous places you can go on the spur of the moment.

Search Internet travel sites and you will find great deals to some of the worlds most luxurious romantic places like Montego Bay - warm, exciting - the perfect getaway. You?ll also find great deals traveling to major cities like San Francisco or New York. You’ll stay at three-star hotels and dine at the best restaurants. Or head for Los Angeles and splurge on the travel money you saved on the famous Rodeo Drive. Try an infamous burger at In-and-Out Burger. Although it is easier to find deals if you’re traveling as a couple or single, there are sites that offer “family deals,” so don’t be afraid to explore sites like Orbitz that offer family specials including trips to Disney, San Diego’s famous zoo and fun-filled aquatic park. Your entire family will reap the benefits of these last minute family travel bargains.

If living the nightlife is your thing, you’ll find special deals to Las Vegas, where you’ll stay at the four-star MGM Grand Hotel. The money you save will go a long way in one of the many casinos. You can save as much as 50% when you book a last minute travel deal. If you find a trip you like, don’t delay - these trips don’t last long. You have to be impulsive and just do it. You won’t be sorry.

Last minute travel deals can save you hundreds of dollars. You just have to be flexible, willing to travel at odd hours and be willing to stay wherever and whenever accommodations are made.

The Internet offers last minute travelers many sites to browse through for some fabulous travel deals. The best way to go is to book an airline, hotel, cruise or vacation together as a package that comes under the heading of “last minute travel deals,” or something very similar. You can literally save hundreds of dollars on these deals, because often time, travel agencies are searching for last minute travelers to fill empty or cancelled seats and rooms.

Last minute cruises are one of the best ways to travel because cruise lines want to fill their ships. Again, you have to be willing to go to the location being offered and stay in any room that is available. But if you’re not a fussy traveler, these deals are fantastic.

As an example, www.expedia.com has several last minute cruise deals on five major cruise sips. A four-night western Caribbean cruise on Carnivals Fascination departing from Miami can cost a mere $299. For $649, you can cruise to Bermuda for seven days aboard Norwegian’s Norwegian Crown that departs from Philadelphia. Keep in mind, these are last minute deals and they be unavailable when you check the website. However, there are always deals to be found on any given day. When you see a deal you like, book it immediately. It could be gone before you know it.

The increased use of computers in business requires traveling to places and has led to a boost in the travel industry. This includes travel agencies and online booking, which provides information to potential clients. If a family decides to go on a vacation suddenly, travel agents and online reservations come into the picture. At first the destination needs to be decided upon, after it is necessary to get information about the place. The customers visit travel agencies to get an idea of the package deals available. It should be kept in mind that the travel agencies charge a fee for booking and also take time to confirm reservations, which delays the customer. Booking online is one of the easiest ways of getting the proper vacation package and the details are just a click away.

Before booking online, the customer has to keep in mind that not all deals are genuine. Only reputed sites that offer the best package deals at low rates should be opted for. Some sites list the same offers, under the banner of discounts.

It is always better to wait till the last minute, as a lot of package deals are available at discounted rates then. The customers can clear their doubts by e-mailing or calling the customer care executives. Traveling during the weekdays is advisable, as better rates are offered, than on weekends.

While traveling, it is important to make sure that all the necessary medication is carried, since a change in climate can affect health. It is good to take precautions and a visit to the doctor prior to leaving is a must. A hat or sunglasses are a must for everybody. The carrying of a huge amount of liquid cash can cause tension, therefore traveler’s checks and credit cards are the safest ways of traveling with money.

Packing your bags for a cruise may seem like a no-brainer but there is travel preparation involved. While forgetting an item or two won’t ruin your vacation, it will create unnecessary headaches and hassles. Here are some things to remember when packing for your trip.

Cruise ships are not required to have doctors or medical facilities. That being said, there is usually a first aid station and a physician or nurse onboard. The ship’s gift shop usually stocks some basic over the counter medication but you’ll pay for the convenience. You can also purchase things at your ports of call but dealing with this hassle can take away from enjoying your trip.

First off, make a list of the things that you usually forget. After you’re done packing consult your list to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything.

Be prepared for the sun. The sun can be the most deceiving in cool weather destinations or when it is overcast. While returning with a nice bronze glow can be ideal, don’t be over anxious. Bring sun block and sunscreen and apply it frequently. Getting a burn early on in your vacation will limit your activities on your cruise ship tour and make for a less enjoyable holiday. Don’t forget a hat, sunglasses, and lip balm as well. Again, you can (and should) buy these onboard the ship but it will be an added hassle and expense. If you’re especially sensitive to the sun then consider bringing loose fitting long sleeve shirts and long pants; linen clothing is perfect for the warm weather.

Sea sickness is a problem for many and if you have a tendency to get sea sick then come prepared. Bring sea sickness pills or other alternative treatments. Remember that the center of the ship sways the least. Your first couple of hours (if not day) will be adjusting to the movement of the ship so don’t plan any big activities.

Pack all of your prescription medication since filling a prescription will be a hassle, if not impossible, at sea. Make a copy of your prescriptions or a copy of the medicine bottle; if you loose your medication then replacing it will be easier. It’s also a good idea to bring an over the counter medicine kit for tummy aches, headaches and allergies. If you’ll be traveling to other countries, your digestive system may not be immune to the bacteria in the food and water. Your doctor can prescribe you anti-diarrhea pills to take just in case you encounter this problem.

With some travel preparation you can have a cruise ship tour that is hassle free. Protect yourself from the sun, prepare for sea sickness and remember your medicine.

Living in the Northern Hemisphere doesn’t mean you have to take a ski vacation or sit at home next to a fire. There are plenty of warm weather options and a cruise may be just what you need to get your fix of sun and fun. Here are some cruise suggestions that are sure to warm you up.

If you’re looking for something closer to home then there are plenty of options. The Caribbean has the best weather in the winter; it’s warm and there is little chance of hurricanes or storms. A popular choice is the Virgin Islands with its fine sand beaches and plentiful water sports. Packages tend to be on the pricey side but many of them include excursions and activities such as diving. Hawaii has warm weather all year round and there are week long cruises with ports of call at most of the Hawaiian islands. Each island has different “must sees” from secluded beaches to rain forests to active volcanoes.

If you’re thinking of traveling further and experiencing new cultures then your options are almost limitless. Travel destinations near the equator are warm all year round and the Southern Hemisphere is enjoying summer weather during our winter. There are small, but unique tours down The Nile with stops at all the sightseeing “musts”. Despite their size, most of the cruise ships have pools and other amenities to keep you occupied in between the sights. The Orient is another cruise destination that has cultural charm and plenty of beach and sun options. A popular choice is a cruise that travels around the Southeastern Thai and Malaysian Islands with stops for lazing on secluded beaches and diving in warm, crystal blue waters.

For those that are more adventurous and want to feel like an explorer there are trips through the Amazon. Boats are usually small but more personalized and your room will have its own shower. You’ll be able to call on Pacific Islands off the coast of Ecuador and visit indigenous tribes along the banks of the Amazon River. Some go as far as the Galapagos Islands where Charles Darwin studied his theories of evolution; there is wildlife that can only be seen on these islands.

If you can’t get enough of the cold weather then consider winter cruises through Scandinavia. These are for the adventurous types and are usually on small ships. You’ll be able to see cold weather aquatic life and visit charming towns.

Winter is no time to sit at home and read a book. Get out of town and take a cruise holiday!