It’s long been known that improving your physical fitness is associated with living a longer life. Studies show that past age 65, your walking speed at your natural pace is a surprisingly reliable predictor of survival. The study looked at the natural gait speed of more than 34,000 participants age 65 and older from nine previous studies. These studies followed outcomes for 12 years or more, in which time almost half of the participants died. They found a consistent effect of how long people lived and whether they had a faster or slower gait speed. Those who walked naturally at 2.2 miles... Read More

The history of rock climbing and bouldering had its genesis with mountaineering and alpinism in the late 18th century, although climbing rocks had been a feat accomplished long before. In the 14th century, a Native American tribe called the Anasazi drilled holes and carved stairs into rock cliffs in Chaco Canyon, but it wasn’t until 1786 with the first ascent of Mont Blanc, that the ‘modern era’ of climbing truly came into being. The history of Boulder’s rock climbing and bouldering history began a little over one hundred years later in 1896 when a group of Boulder Hikers formed the Rocky... Read More

We all know that it’s important to eat well, be physically active and get a good night’s sleep.  In recent years, magazines such as Entrepreneur, Time and Inc. have featured articles about the connection between engaging in the trifecta of health behaviors and professional success. Why? Your success starts with your health – eating healthy, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly. After all, if don’t feel great, how do you expect to sustain the focus and energy needed to get things done? Here’s a closer look at why food, sleep, and exercise can impact your success and what... Read More

Everyone who has worked out in a fitness center or Crossfit class, with a personal trainer or on your own, read an article or even talked with a gym rat – knows about the core. “Strengthen your core,”  “Work on your core,” “Feel it in your core.”  But what does it mean to say you are working your core? The core is usually used interchangeably with your abs, but the core is much more than just your abs. Think of your core muscles as the central link in a chain connecting your upper and lower body.  The muscle groups that make up your core include the rectus abdominis, erector spinae... Read More

One of the most popular hiking trails in Boulder is Mount Sanitas, and like many hiking areas, Mount Sanitas gives hikers options for creating the perfect hike. It also, like many other local hiking trails is only a few minutes out of town, but gives one the illusion that he/she is out in the wilderness far away from city life. Because of the trail’s popularity, one will most likely encounter other hikers, making Sanitas a great option for those new to solo hiking. Here are some options when hiking Sanitas: The Loop – This is the most difficult of the options for it involves a steep ascent... Read More

We’ve all noticed that the sun rises later each day this time of year.  We see the change in the weather and make the accompanying changes in our food and clothing choices.  The autumn season is all about change – the leaves, the weather, our habits. Seasonal mood shifts often include less energy, feeling less social, cravings for carbs and changes in sleep habits, partly due to the change in exposure to daylight.  In the Western world, we talk about our circadian clock. The circadian clock monitors changes in day length and tells us when to feel sleepy and when to wake up and... Read More

Meet Ollie! Ollie recently moved to Boulder to experience the culture and world-class climbing it has to offer. So far he is loving the decision, and is knocking off classic climbs every day. Besides crushing boulder problems, Ollie loves the atmosphere and hanging out with fellow climbers at the crags. If you don’t know who he is, you can tell you’re climbing with Ollie if his beta for any problem includes at least four heel hooks. Thanks Ollie!  Read More

As a Boulderite, there’s no better way to spend a weekend than exploring the wilds of Arapaho National Forest. From its breathtaking mountain peaks to its abundant wildlife, the Arapaho National Forest is a paradise for nature lovers. Join me as I take a tour of this beautiful wilderness from a Boulderite’s perspective, and uncover the secrets of this majestic landscape. Discovering the Untamed Beauty of Arapaho National Forest As the gateway to the Rocky Mountains, Boulder, Colorado, is a great place to explore the stunning Arapaho National Forest. In the Arapaho National Forest,... Read More

The knee is one of the largest and most complex joints in the body and it endures stress on a daily basis. Our knees absorb force equal to 3.5 times our body weight just walking down stairs. For a person weighing 120lbs, that equates to 420 pounds of force! If you exercise, you probably put more stress on your knees, and this can have consequences such joint wear and tear, injury, or osteoarthritis. Overuse will slowly but surely lead to knee injuries. Opt for a range of activities and alternate workouts. If you run, for example, alternate with cycling or swimming to use different muscle groups. ... Read More

There’s a reason that every year, over 50,000 people flock to Boulder, Colorado to run 6.2 miles. It might have something to do with the fact that Boulder is an awesome city or maybe some folks enjoy a bit of fitness every once in a while… But mostly I think it’s because they know that the BolderBoulder 10k is the most fun you’ll have while running all year long! To some of you reading, 6.2 sounds like a daunting number. Others might find the prospect of running non-stop uphills and around bends totally boring; but trust me–it’s not as intimidating as it sounds and it’s... Read More