Tag: training

  • Endurance vs Strength

    Endurance vs Strength

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    by

    Kristen Bramante

    Endurance vs Strength: What’s Most Important for the Trail? You want to get in shape for hiking, but you’re wondering, “What’s most important for the trail… exercises to build endurance or strength?” When training for a specific sport or activity it’s common to think… “What exercise is most important?”“Where should my primary focus be?”“How should…

  • How to build & maintain muscle at any age

    How to build & maintain muscle at any age

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    by

    Kristen Bramante

    Why is muscle important? Maintaining muscle as we age has less to do with the “beach-bodies” we desired in our 20s and more about the implications it has on our health, function, abilities, and independence as we get older. Muscles power ALL your activities from daily tasks of living to hiking your favorite trails. Less…

  • Food: The fuel and recovery tool for exercise

    Food: The fuel and recovery tool for exercise

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    by

    Kristen Bramante

    Nutrition plays such an important role in how our bodies feel and function. Not only do our food choices contribute to our overall health, but they also affect our physical performance during activities and our ability to recover. In this article I’ll provide guidelines for structuring your food choices, discuss essential nutrients found in food,…

  • I think I can, I know I can…

    I think I can, I know I can…

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    by

    Kristen Bramante

    Stay motivated & consistent with exercise Having the right mental space for working out is equally important as the right physical space. You can have all the specialized tools, equipment, and professional guidance, but if you don’t cultivate the right head-space for working out it’s likely you won’t follow through, or worse yet, you won’t…

  • 6 tips to create a home gym space— that works for YOU

    6 tips to create a home gym space— that works for YOU

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    by

    Kristen Bramante

    Whether you’re new to working out or you’re a long-time fitness fanatic, you’ve probably contemplated the pros and cons of a home gym. In this article I’ll explain how to determine if setting up a home gym is right for you, and I’ll share valuable tips on how to create the right space and what…

  • Avoid This Common Exercise Mistake — Your Knees Will Thank You!

    Avoid This Common Exercise Mistake — Your Knees Will Thank You!

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    by

    Kristen Bramante

    Are YOU making this common exercise mistake? You might not even realize that you are!It may seem insignificant, however the positioning of your knee actually has a HUGE significance on your knee health and function; additionally it can be an indication of muscle weakness in the hip girdle. Knee awareness It’s important to pay attention…

  • The “The Goldilocks Approach” to Hiking Training

    The “The Goldilocks Approach” to Hiking Training

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    by

    Kristen Bramante

    Finding an optimal amount of training that will safely and effectively support your hiking and fitness related goals.

  • PAIN… a “Four-letter Word” that Doesn’t Belong on the Trail.

    PAIN… a “Four-letter Word” that Doesn’t Belong on the Trail.

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    by

    Kristen Bramante

    PAIN… We’ve all experienced it to some degree, whether an all-out debilitating pain that sidelines you, or a nagging day-to-day discomfort that just keeps showing up. Needless to say it’s not desirable, and it definitely doesn’t enhance one’s experience on the trail.  Do you suffer with knee pain or back discomfort on the trail? You…

  • “Spring” into Training

    “Spring” into Training

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    by

    Kristen Bramante

    While the winter snowpack has yet to give way to dirt trails, green grass, or wildflowers (at least in NW Montana), springtime is still a wonderful time to get out and put some training miles and elevation on your legs. If you have summer plans that involve hiking, I’d encourage you to harness the excitement…