FitSugar

Jessica Biel Is Looking Toward Everest

FitSugar — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:00:48 -0800

Back in January, actress Jessica Biel endured a six-day journey to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro for the Summit on the Summit cause. The expedition must have left a lasting impression on the actress because she now has Mount Everest in her sight. The actress told Us Magazine at the premiere of Summit on the Summit: Kilimanjaro that she "would love to trek to an Everest base camp" and that it is her "next goal."

The Everest base camp that the actress wants to trek to only stands at 17,000 feet - no biggie, right? She says the climb should be easier this time around since the route is 2,000 feet fewer than her trek up Kilamanjaro: "I feel like I could handle that [Everest] a lot better for a longer period of time, so that’s my next expedition."

Just as she experienced in her trek up Kilimanjaro, Jessica will face harsh changes in weather, altitude, and terrain when climbing Everest. But for the star, it's more of a mental challenge.

"It was really mental," she says of her Kilimanjaro climb. The key, she adds, is "to not let your brain play a trick on you - to keep motivated - to keep inspired even when you're feeling nauseous and your head hurts and you're uncomfortable thinking, 'What am I doing here? This is crazy? This is really, really hard!'"

If you're interested in seeing Jessica's journey up Kilimanjaro, check out the Summit on the Summit documentary, which airs March 14 at 9 p.m. EDT on MTV.

Gear Review: Icebreaker GT260 Rapid Leggings

FitSugar — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:46:32 -0800

When it comes to working out or playing on the weekends, I'm an outdoors girl. Where I live, it never gets too cold during the Winter, but in Tahoe or Yosemite - my weekend getaway spots - it can be downright frigid. That's why I was stoked to try out a new pair of leggings on my Valentine's Day climbing trip.

Rock climbing when you're cold is not fun. It can be really difficult to get through a climb when your joints lock up or you have tight muscles because of chilly weather conditions, but you don't want to weigh yourself down with heavy clothes either. Keeping warm was really important to me since Yosemite was hit with some major snowfall in the last few weeks. As is the case with most Winter sports, layering is key. The GT260 Rapid Leggings ($78) that Icebreaker sent my way looked like they would be exactly what I needed.

To see what I thought of them, read more.

Icebreaker's GT line was designed especially with people like me in mind. It's the most athletic and technical line the company has, and it's geared toward individuals who do a lot of cold-weather exercising or mountain sports like climbing, hiking, mountain biking, skiing, and trail running. Specifically, the 260 line is the warmest and most breathable of the high-performance GT line. Compared to the Helly Hansen leggings I usually wear, I immediately felt the difference when putting on the Icebreaker Rapid Leggings.

They're made from merino wool so they were exceptionally soft and warm from the get-go but not itchy like other wool leggings I've worn. My first experience climbing in them was wearing them under a pair of nylon capris on a pretty chilly Saturday morning. I felt insulated in the leggings but could still move around freely and never felt constricted. I wasn't hot in them either, which is really important to me when I'm exercising. During the times I was sweating from my climbs, the material stayed dry and almost had a cooling effect. I wore the leggings the entire weekend and they kept their shape, never got moist, and didn't smell gross either. (According to the Icebreaker website, the line is made from odor blocking materials, and you can go months without washing them.) I also wore the leggings under jeans and they didn't feel bulky at all. For those of you living in really cold conditions, these leggings would make a great everyday baselayer. There's also reflective branding on the leggings, which is helpful if you want to wear them alone for a run.

My only gripe with the leggings are the sizing. I tend to be a pretty true size medium, but on me, the leggings were way too long. If you do decide to invest in a pair, I would go for a size smaller than what you'd normally buy. Overall, they were great and delivered exactly what I needed. Based on this, I might get myself an Icebreaker hoodie next.

Street Drug Slang or Climbing Term?

FitSugar — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 05:50:11 -0800

All it took was a little nod from BellaSugar for me to realize that the lingo I hear coming out of rock climbers' mouths sounds a bit too much like street drug slang. Yowza! I know that drugs are nothing to laugh at; it's just crazy to me that a dangerous substance can sound so similar to sports talk. Can you tell which of these is a rock climbing term and which is street drug slang?

Take the quiz

Are You Going on a Fitness Date For Valentine's Day?

FitSugar — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 10:00:41 -0800

I am super excited for this weekend to start. Instead of a fancy dinner or a box of chocolates, the mister and I are celebrating Valentine's Day by spending the weekend rock climbing in Yosemite. We're splurging a little though - instead of roughing it in a tent like we normally do, we've got a room booked at a nearby bed and breakfast and a couples massage scheduled for Saturday evening. I'm also excited because one of our friends is coming up on Sunday to go on a hike with us. Compared to past Valentine's Day celebrations, this year's will definitely be my most fitness-inspired.

It looks like I'm not the only one who likes to get closer to my beau by going on a fitness date. Anna Paquin spent some quality time with her costar and fiancé Stephen Moyer at the gym this week. (It looks like they're also on the celeb-lovin' Vita Coco kick!)

How about you?

Gear Review: Petzl Tikka Plus 2 LED Headlamp

FitSugar — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:00:32 -0800

Saying that I camp a lot is an understatement - for me, camping is something I do year-round, which is why it's really important to have a good headlamp. This is especially true during the Winter months. The last thing I want is to be stuck out somewhere without being able to see where I am going.

In the past, I've only really used my headlamp on the actual campsite, but on a recent climbing trip I found myself descending a trail right around dusk. It was pretty rocky and steep, making it dangerous in low-light conditions. Fortunately, I had my Petzl Tikka Plus 2 LED headlamp ($40) with me and strapped it on just as the last ray of sunlight dropped below the horizon.

To see how it performed, read more.

The Petzl Tikka Plus 2 is pretty typical looking and has all the features you'd expect from a good headlamp - 1" adjustable elastic headband, AAA battery power source, a rubber-coated function button, and an adjustable lamp. What sets it apart from other headlamps is its unusual LED configuration - there's one large white LED light and one small red light. There are five different lighting settings - three white lighting modes (high, low, and flashing) and two red lighting modes (continuous and blinking) - and the push-button switch changes easily between them.

The large white LED light is blindingly bright and was powerful enough to illuminate the small boulders dozens of feet down the hillside. The red LED was less impressive, although it did illuminate the immediate area with a bright red glow. This feature would be useful in situations where you need brief illumination but don't want to ruin your nighttime vision.

The other highlight of the lamp is the battery-level warning light, a feature that I have never seen before on an LED headlamp. My experience with most headlamps is that once the battery level drops, it slowly gets dimmer, often so slowly that it becomes hard to tell that it's not as bright as it used to be. The battery charge indicator light comes on when the beam distance diminishes to 5m or when there's only 50 percent battery life remaining for proximity lighting. In terms of battery life, you can get about 140 hours when it's on the low white setting or 55 hours when it's on the highest beam setting.

The Tikka Plus 2 is slightly higher priced than similar LED headlamps, but with all the extra features, I think it's totally worth it. I've used this headlamp when I wasn't camping and could see it being a great accessory for a biker or runner too.

Rock Climbing For the First Time on My Birthday!

Fit Community — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 09:00:24 -0800

In our Women That Rock (Climb) community group, FitSugar member Beaner shared with us how she spent her birthday this year - indoor rock climbing for the first time ever! She's going to go again but wants to know if there's any way she can avoid having sore forearms after climbing. Can you offer her any advice on how to avoid feeling so sore? I'm sure she'd love to hear from you.

For years - yes years - I've wanted to try rock climbing, and finally on my birthday this past Saturday, my husband took me to this indoor climbing gym near our house. We got harnesses and shoes (are they supposed to be uncomfortable?), and I clipped myself to the rope that was hanging from the ceiling. The other end was attached to my hubby, who had done this before, so I felt safe and taken care of (he couldn't drop his wife, right?!). I looked up at the wall in front of me and just started going for it. About three quarters of the way up, I looked over my shoulder to see my husband belaying down below, and I freaked a little. My fear of heights kicked in and I gripped the little hand holds tightly and said as calmly as possible, "I think I'm ready to come down now." He tried to encourage me to go a little higher but I said, "Nah, how do I get down?" For some reason I thought I'd have to jump and free-fall, but he showed me how to repel and that part was really fun. It didn't take long to feel more comfortable and confident climbing higher and on my second time up, I even reached the little bell on the ceiling (I think it's for kids, but I was so psyched to make it to the top, I had to ding it!). I had a lot of fun and plan on bringing some other friends next time we go. The only thing that stinks is my forearms are so sore. Any way to help prevent that?

Are you a climber or want to know more about the sport? Share your own climbing tales in the Women That Rock (Climb) group. Not a climber? Be sure to take a look at our other community groups - there's something for everyone!

Share Your Awesome Climbing Pics and Stories With Us

FitSugar — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 03:00:17 -0800

Hey climbers! Do you have any pics or stories that you'd like to share about a climbing trip you've taken? If so, get on over to the Women That Rock (Climb) group and start posting. I don't know about you, but there's nothing more inspiring for me than seeing other people's photos of a day spent on the rocks.

If you haven't checked out the group yet, take a look - there's some pretty great content being shared by our members now, like Spacekagal and her husband Spacekatdude telling us why they think indoor rock climbing makes the perfect date. There's also some great climbing photos being shared in the group from micheleanne, who recently went to Joshua Tree and Red Rock Canyon.

Some of the best stories and sound advice may find their way right here onto the FitSugar homepage, so get posting!

Gifts For the Extreme Sports Enthusiast

FitSugar — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 03:30:01 -0800

Extreme sports are death-defying, adrenaline-pumping activities that leave most of us staring in disbelief. And whether it's rock climbing, snowboarding, or skydiving, you may have someone special in your life who likes to push the limits. Here are my picks for gifts that will keep your action adventure buddy safe, warm, and protected no matter where they are.

Kershaw Carabiner Tool ($35) If MacGyver was a real life dude, I'm pretty sure he'd always have a carabiner on him. A carabiner is a must-have tool when any sort of ropes are involved and it also doubles as a cool keychain. This one gets pumped up on steroids with the addition of a stainless-steel blade, Phillips-head screwdrivers, and a bottle opener.
Petzl Elios Helmet ($56) Extreme sports often equate to extreme falls. The Petzl Elios is an exceptional climbing helmet that can be used for a variety of mountaineering sports. I love that it's durable and lightweight - it doesn't weigh down my backpack and comes in a ton of colors.

To see the other gift ideas

The North Face Crimptastic Hybrid Down Jacket ($229) Conditions can get harsh out there so you better be protected. This jacket will keep the wearer super warm and safe from the elements without looking like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.
Sunto Core Multifunction Watch ($300) Hey world, bring it on! This watch has an altimeter, barometer, and compass that works as high up as 29,000 feet. There's a storm alarm, and for the scuba diver in your life, it gives accurate depth readings to 30 feet.

The Ultimate Date: Indoor Rock Climbing

Fit Community — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:00:32 -0800

Women That Rock (Climb) community members Spacekatgal and her husband Spacekatdude give you their take on why indoor rock climbing makes a perfect fitness-inspired date.

Spacekatdude and I are married, so we're always looking for fun new things to do. Recently, we decided to give indoor rock climbing a shot! We totally loved it! We wanted to post a bit about it for newbies.

We each signed up for a $160 class, which included gym membership for two weeks. We got free equipment rental and a really great instructor named Nate that taught us the basics, focusing on safety. We were taught to tie our own knots and how to "belay" your partner safely, meaning how to catch them if they fall off the wall.

I will be honest and say it's a real trust building exercise. I love my husband dearly, but I also know it's in his nature to be distracted. It was a little hard for me to put my life into his hands and trust him to catch me if I fell. Throwing myself off the wall for the first time was very scary - but I quickly learned that I could count on him for this. Working as a team to guide the other person up the wall is both fun and good for your relationship!

It's also a great workout. Within a few weeks of rock climbing, I've greatly increased my upper body strength. If you have moxie, I would definitely say it's a sport you should try!

To hear Spacekatdude's perspective, read more.

A guy's perspective - Spacekatdude here. Rock climbing is awesome. It's not just a physical thing - it's very mental, as you try to figure out set paths up the wall, only being allowed to touch rock outcroppings of a particular color - very challenging. Whenever we go to the gym there are a lot of women there, and it's great to watch those who love the challenge and love to push themselves, I think that's awesome. Our instructor Nate also told us that it was great for kids - one of the best rock climbers he knew was an eight-year-old girl, who showed him some excellent routes during an outdoor climb.

I mentioned that climbing is a mental exercise. This is because you have to constantly concentrate on what you're doing. If you go in mentally weak or lazy, bad things can happen: I read of some climbers who went to Half Dome at Yosemite, all ready to hammer in their own ropes to descend from the top. But there were ropes already there, embedded in the rock, and they just used those. As they climbed down, the ropes gave way, and they fell to their deaths. So laziness has no place in rock climbing.

Also, as you climb, it's important to remember to use your feet for power, and not to try to pull yourself up by your arms. So the mental challenge is to keep concentrating the entire time you're roping yourself in, climbing, and belaying.

Share your climbing tales in the Women That Rock (Climb) group and spread the love! Not a climber? Be sure to take a look at our other community groups - there's something for everyone!

Source: Flickr User Charlie Brewer

Join the FitSugar Women That Rock (Climb) Group

FitSugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:30:41 -0800

Are you looking for a place to talk to other women who climb or who are involved in mountaineering sports? Are you thinking about giving climbing a try and want to learn more about the sport? Even if you just like hanging out at an indoor climbing gym, FitSugar has created a group just for you - Women That Rock (Climb).

Swap stories, share advice on training and technique, talk about your favorite climbing spots, and give gear advice. It's your place to share all of your thoughts and stories about climbing with other women who get it. Join Women That Rock (Climb) and be a part of the ongoing conversation.

I can't wait to see what you ladies post - some of your most inspiring stories and sound advice may just find its way onto the FitSugar homepage!