Sun & Ski Sports

Save Ankle Weights for Strength Workouts

2009-11-15T18:12:03Z

Ankle weights are best used as part of a strength training workout. The question of whether to wear ankle weights while running remains controversial, but most trainers don’t recommend it. Some exercisers think that running with hand weights or ankle weights is a good way to make a workout tougher and burn more calories, but some fitness experts argue that this puts unnecessary strain on muscles and joints that could lead to injury.

Instead, make ankle weights one of your components of fitness power during a strength training workout. Use ankle weights when you do standing leg lifts or lunges to add intensity on your cross training days.

If you want more intensity during your fitness running workouts, add some speed work. After a few easy miles, try increasing your speed to 80% of your maximum for one minute then slow down to an easy pace for one minute. Repeat 4-6 times, and finish with a few more miles at an easy pace.

Enjoy Summer Hiking in Trail Sandals

2009-11-09T04:09:56Z

When it comes to hiking shoes, there is no such thing as one size fits all. Most serious hikers have several types of hiking shoes for different hiking conditions, including trail sandals for summer hiking. Trail sandals can be the ideal choice for summer hiking when the terrain isn’t too challenging. Although trail sandals lack the support of serious hiking books, technical trail sandals can stand up to a moderately challenging day of trail hiking. Alternatively, you can pack your trail sandals in your backpacking equipment and pull them out to cross streams, or to wear around the campsite after a long day in hiking boots.

Select trail sandals with wide, adjustable straps, molded foot beds and good support. Trail sandals such as the Keen Men’s Daytona feature an antimicrobial mesh liner, leather upper and latex and cork foot bed for comfort on trails or city sidewalks. For women, the Keen’s Mystic sandals offer trail-friendly features including an ergonomic design, waterproof leather and toe protection.

Visit your local Sun & Ski Sports store to try on trail sandals and get expert advice on the right style to meet your summer hiking needs.

What You Need for Kneeboarding

2009-11-09T04:08:07Z

If you love waterskiing but you want to try something different, or if you are introducing kids to towed water sports, kneeboarding is a good place to start.

Look for kneeboards with a cushioned knee pad and flexible belt strap to keep you comfortable for a full day of water sports activity. When you are in the water with your kneeboard, you can start two ways:

Belly start: For a belly start, place your belly on the kneeboard and slide your knees into the knee pad after the boat pulls you up.

Low buoyancy start: If you have a thin kneeboard, such as the Ho Sports Proton model, you can adjust your strap, and then get into the water and slide your knees into place after the boat pulls you up.

Visit your local Sun & Ski Sports store to check out a variety of kneeboards and find the one that works for you. Don’t forget life vests, especially if you are buying kneeboards to use with children.

Support Your High Arches with Maximum Cushioning

2009-11-09T04:06:19Z

If you have high arches, you probably know it. Your wet footprint shows only a thin mark along the outer edge of your foot between your heel and your toes. The feet of runners with high arches are likely to roll to the outside, or underpronate, when they run.

The best men’s running shoes and best women’s running shoes for runners with high arches are those with plenty of cushioning. If you have high-arched feet and you run a lot of miles in a motion control shoe, you could be at increased risk for foot injuries such as plantar fasciitis.

For both men and women, the Mizuno Wave Rider has been a popular choice for years among runners with high arches. But other brands, including Brooks running shoes and Asics running shoes, offer models with maximum cushioning for high arches.

To be sure that you know your correct foot type, visit a Sun & Ski Sports store near you for advice from an expert salesperson and a variety of running shoes from which to choose.

Women’s Running Tights: Fashion Meets Function

2009-11-09T04:03:31Z

Finding the right women’s running tights isn’t always easy. But there are many options, and the best running apparel is what works for you.

When shopping for women’s running tights, keep these tips in mind:

Think temperature. What’s the winter weather like where you live? Some types of women’s running tights are made of a moisture-wicking Lycra blend meant mostly for chilly fall days, while others have fleecy linings to protect against bitter cold when the temps are well below freezing.

Think style. Look for the style features that appeal to you in different brands of running tights. If you prefer a less fitted silhouette, look for boot-cut legs and wider or asymmetrical waistbands. Need pockets? Some styles of tights have a pocket in the middle of the back or on one side to hold a key or packet of energy gel.

Try them on. Every brand of running tights is sized a little differently, so the size of running tights that is right for you in one brand may be too big or too small in other brands. Visit your local Sun & Ski Sports store for a wide selection of women’s running tights that you can try on and compare.

Bring the Kids: How to Choose a Child Carrier

2009-11-09T04:01:07Z

Active parents who want to take their kids along for the run or bike ride have an increasing array of options.
Some features to consider when choosing a child carrier include:

Number of kids. Do you want a single jogging stroller or bike trailer, or one with room for two?

Wheel type. Most running strollers and bike trailers have approximately 20-inch wheels. Thicker tires may provide additional stability and traction if you like dirt paths or trails.

Storage capacity. Some child carriers have more space than others for things like water bottles or diaper bags. If you want a child carrier that does double duty for workouts and longer outings, look for additional storage. If you want something for workouts only, a more streamlined model may be the better choice.

Dual function. Want to save space in your garage? A child carrier such as the Copilot Model A Trailer can convert from a bike trailer to a jogging stroller.

Backpack Basics: The Elements of Suspension

2009-11-09T03:56:32Z

Some backpacks have more sophisticated suspension systems than others, but the most important thing to know about a suspension system in a backpack is whether it feels comfortable to you.

The basic components of suspension systems in a technical backpack are:

Shoulder harness: The shoulder harness is meant to keep the backpack in place, not to support all the weight of your gear. Curved shoulder harnesses tend to provide the best fit.

Hip belt: The hip belt may be the most essential element of a technical backpack because it helps transfer weight from your shoulders to your hips and legs. Look for a hip belt that is wide and well-padded. But fit is most important, so be sure to try on several styles before buying one.

Lumbar pad: The lumbar pad is the padding on the backpack that sits at the small of your back. A lumbar pad made of high-friction fabric can help keep your hip belt from sliding around as you hike.

Stabilizer straps: These straps provide extra support at the shoulders and hips.

Backpacking equipment such as the Osprey Expos 46 Technical Pack, for example, features a hip belt and harness of mesh-covered foam for comfort and breathability.

Kiteboarding Basics: Get the Right Gear

2009-11-09T03:53:20Z

If you haven’t tried it yet, kiteboarding is a variation on wakeboarding in which the rider is pulled by a kite, rather than a boat. Kiteskiing is the same principle, but the rider wears water skis instead of using a board.

Whether you have already discovered kiteboarding or if you are new to this water sport, it’s important to have the right equipment. You’ll need to choose from the different kiteboards available, and you’ll need water sports gear including swimwear, lines and a kite.

Twin tip or bidirectional kiteboards let you move from forward to backward easily. Some companies have designed kiteboards specifically with women riders in mind. The Liquid Force Aura features lightweight construction with a composite foam core and a “women’s specialized flex profile.”

Once you have found your board, the WakeKite Superfly 5.5 package includes everything else you need for kiteboarding. The kit includes the different lines that you need, as well as an inflatable kite, carbon fiber handle and an instructional DVD with tips for how to get your best ride.

Flat-Footed Runners: Make Motion Control a High Priority

2009-11-09T03:50:39Z

If you have flat feet with low arches, your feet probably tend to roll to the inside, or overpronate, when you run. How can you determine your foot shape? If your wet footprint on the floor shows almost the entire bottom of your foot, you have flat feet.

The best women’s running shoes and the best men’s running shoes for flat feet and low arches are those that provide motion control and stability.

Men: Men with low arches and a small- to medium-build may be comfortable in Mizuno running shoes, such as the Mizuno Wave Alchemy. Larger men may prefer a shoe such as the Brooks Beast, which offers a combination of motion control and cushioning for extra comfort.

Women: Women with low arches may find the right fit with the women’s version of the Mizuno Wave Alchemy. But Asics running shoes offer another option with the cushioned, yet stable Asics Gel 3000.

Men’s Running Pants: How To Look Cool And Stay Warm

2009-11-09T03:49:31Z

The right running pants make the difference between embracing winter running and confining yourself to the treadmill until spring. Fortunately, there are many options for men’s running apparel. You can find running pants that suit any style and weather condition to help keep you comfortable and motivated year-round.

Running pants. Running pants such as the Asics Men’s Myles core running pants offer a loose, but not baggy, fit in a cozy, moisture-wicking fabric. Other features include hand pockets, a reflective logo for safety as the winter days get shorter, and ankle zippers.

Fitted tights. For moderately cold days, wear running tights on their own. For extreme cold weather, try a pair of fitted tights as a base layer underneath a pair of Gore-Tex running pants.

Wind/rain pants. For running in cold and wet conditions, look for men’s running pants made of Gore-Tex. The patented Gore-Tex material combines wind/water resistance with breathability, so you stay dry without getting cold and clammy.

Check out your local Sun & Ski Sports store for expert advice on the best men’s running pants for your winter workouts.