How to stick with your workouts - Get Fit

Shape, April, 2002 by Kathleen Doheny

To prevent injuries, take rest days, vary your workout intensities and cross-train with low-impact as well as other high-impact activities so that your body isn't always subjected to the same types of stresses.

Best new outdoor footwear.

in your zeal to get outside and play, don't neglect your feet. To start you down the right path, outdoor-gear expert Andrea Gabbard sent 40 hardy testers out to trails and rivers to test a variety of new footwear. (Thanks to Fox River, Smartwool and Thorlo for outfitting our testers in women-specific socks.)

Fast Packing/Adventure Racing

1. The breathable, stretch Gore-Tex Montrail Java GTX, $120, fits like an extension of your foot and flexes to let you keep pace comfortably. At the same time, it's also supportive and stable, even on steep slopes.

Also recommended: adidas Extrano

Day Hikers

2. The Vasque Fusion, $95, offers out-of-the-box comfort, plus all-terrain support and traction. Keeps feet dry in soggy spring conditions. The option to purchase a narrow or wide footbed is available.

Also recommended: New Balance W065 1 TN

Trail Runners

3. The Brooks Trespass, $85, eats up rocky trails and loose dirt and keeps its footing on vertical terrain. A waffled upper keeps feet cool. Ideal for neutral feet.

Also recommended: Hi-Tec Perpetua

Sport Sandals

4. The Merrell Kalani, $60, would be Aquawoman's choice. The sticky rubber outsole grips securely in water or on wet rock, yet debris makes a quick exit. Air inserts absorb impact; quick-drying padded straps won't chafe, and anti-microbial treatment repels odor. Also recommended: Teva women's 70's

Tracy Teare

weight training news

Some updates from the American College of Sports Medicine:

* Doing high-intensity strength work (lifting 80 percent of your one-rep max) three times a week won't make you significantly stronger than twice-weekly weight workouts will; the same is true for multiple vs. single sets.

* Superslow lifting can make you stronger, but it won't do anything significant for your cardiovascu jar fitness.

* If you're new to weight training, taking 800 milligrams of vitamin C daily can help prevent and relieve muscle soreness.