Latest news with #Strava
Tom's Guide
7 hours ago
- Health
- Tom's Guide
I swapped the StairMaster for hill running — here's what it did for my mind and body
The StairMaster is a popular gym machine that offers a hefty lower-body workout. On those revolving steps, you build strength in your quads, glutes, and calves while challenging your cardio and burning calories. That's all fine and well until you get bored three minutes in, staring at the plain white gym wall in front of you, wishing you had downloaded something on Netflix to pass the time as you count down the remaining steps. There are certainly ways to spice up your StairMaster sessions; for example, my colleague Sam tried the 25-7-2 TikTok workout for a week. The challenge involves setting your StairMaster to level seven, stepping for 25 minutes, and completing the workout twice a week. But I'm a sunshine worshipper, and if I can work out outdoors instead of indoors, I will. So, while trying to figure out how I could get benefits similar to those offered by StairMaster, I decided to ditch the StairMaster and the gym altogether and take to my local hills to work out. Here's what happened. I felt a bit like a grandma saying 'technology is great, isn't it,' but it really did help when I started looking for good hill running spots. After moving to my new area, I used Strava's route maps (part of its premium features) and played around with filters like elevation and distance to find hilly routes other local runners were using. For my first session, I didn't follow a set plan. I just wanted to see how I handled the elevation. If you already know your local hills, you could turn them into a short workout, like a set of sprints with jog-back recoveries. It sounds a bit cliché, but I genuinely feel a rush when running up a steep hill, surrounded by greenery with even bigger hills looming in the background. Breathing in fresh air instead of the recycled, sweaty air from the gym is also a huge bonus. Hill running is undeniably hard, but being outdoors helps to distract you from how tough it is. Plus, it's easier to take walking breaks without messing around with machine settings. You can just ease off when you need to and get going again when you're ready. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. I know I'm lucky to live right at the foot of some scenic hills, and not everyone will have easy access to this. But you definitely don't need to live near mountains to give hill running a go. A steeper path in your local park can work just as well, and apps like Strava are great for spotting popular hill routes nearby. If you're heading off-road like I did, I'd highly recommend wearing a pair of the best trail running shoes for adding grip and stability on uneven ground. The Hoka Speedgoat 6 is built for rugged terrain, with grippy soles that keep you stable on uneven trails and a cushioned feel that helps soften steep climbs and descents. They're light, comfortable, and designed to handle hills with confidence. Just like the stairmaster, hill running really puts your glutes to work. It mainly activates the gluteus maximus, which plays a key role in hip extension and powering you forward as you climb. The steeper the gradient, the harder those muscles fire to keep you moving. I usually notice it the day after, not an overwhelming soreness, but a solid, satisfying ache that feels like progress. In short, hill running is a practical way to build glute strength using just your body and the terrain. Hill running is not just a tough workout but one with real benefits. A recent study published in the Journal of Sports Sciences looked at hill runners' fitness, body composition, and performance. It found that better aerobic capacity and lower body fat were linked to stronger hill running performance. The study also noted that hill running pushes you close to your maximum effort, which is a sign of an effective cardiovascular workout. However, it's important to note that another key takeaway from the study was that many hill runners might be burning more energy than they take in, so fueling properly is important if you increase your hill running sessions. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Tour de France 2025: stage 14 sets blockbuster mountain test in Pyrenees
Update: Date: 2025-07-19T09:30:17.000Z Title: Here's the official', 'Tour de France', 'map of today's stage 14. Content: Here's the official Tour de France map of today's stage 14. Update: Date: 2025-07-19T09:30:17.000Z Title: Some Col du Tourmalet data via Strava: Content: Key details Distance: 18.83 km Elevation Gain: +1,398 m Average Gradient: 7.65% KOM (fastest time) Belongs to Thibault Pinot at 51:13 min. This was set on 20th July 2019, and you can view the activity here. Pro v amateur comparison It takes an average amateur 1 hour and 51 minutes to complete this segment, while the average pro takes around 1 hour and 8 minutes. Update: Date: 2025-07-19T09:30:17.000Z Title: Jeremy Whittle on Friday's time-trial triumph. Content: The second time trial in the 2025 Tour was expected to further confirm Pogacar's supremacy over the peloton and so it proved, as the defending champion extended his lead to over four minutes with his fourth stage win in this year's race and the 21st Tour stage of his career. Riding a standard road bike instead of a time trial setup, he was the fastest at every time check on the 10.9km climb, in many ways a carbon copy of Thursday's ascent to Hautacam, where he also triumphed. Update: Date: 2025-07-19T09:30:17.000Z Title: Preamble Content: Le Tour is Pogacar's. That much we know, as Tadej, as his good lady wife calls him, has been devastating as soon as the race reached the mountains, previous rivals unable to live with him. This, let us recall, is a rider who has also competed for the Classics all year; this isn't supposed to happen in the modern age. Though Pogacar is rewriting history and collecting stages at a rate that must have Mark Cavendish twitching. The gap is over four minutes, just a crack on a mountain pass away but can Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel rely on that? Today, the middle Saturday, is another journey into the heart of the Pyrenees. Time for a breakaway? The truth is nobody is strong enough to break away from Pogacar. And as he said himself: 'it's the Tour, you cannot just back off if there's the opportunity for a stage win. You never know when it's your last day on the Tour.' William Fotheringham's verdict is thus: A mountain classic: Cols de Tourmalet, Aspin and Peyresourde, plus the pull up to the ski station, where winners include Federico Bahamontes, Greg LeMond, Hinault and Robert Millar, now known as Philippa York. Four big passes make this a decisive day in the mountains prize with a ton of points on offer; the stage winner will probably be a climber who's not figuring overall. Enric Mas of Spain might fit that bill, or the Austrian Felix Gall.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Amazon slashes price of 'brilliant' fitbit that helps 'improve fitness' to under £60
The clever Fitbit Inspire 3 is now on sale with 30% off - and it's great for those who want to keep track of their health and metrics, all while staying fit and active Getting fit has never been easier thanks to this "brilliant" Fitbit - that people say helps improve their fitness altogether, and it's now currently on sale. The Fitbit Inspire 3 Fitness Tracker currently has 30% off at just £58.99 down from £84.99 on Amazon. It's the health and fitness tracker that helps to you stay ontop of your fitness, stress and sleep all from your wrist. Allowing you to do what you love, all while feeling your best as you can track health metrics such as skin temperature and blood oxygen, while also getting daily scores to see how ready you are to work out or how well you're managing stress. Coming in three colours - Lilac Bliss, Midnight Zen and Morning Glow, they are perfect for those looking to get a hold of their health, track their steps and feel energised. It also comes with a 27/7 heart rate monitor, and the ability to choose from 20 exercise modes to get real-time stats including pace and calorie burn as it automatically records common exercises for you. It is also water-resistant which means it's ideal for those who enjoy swimming. Amazon shoppers have scored the Inspire 3 an impressive 4.4 out of five rating, with one shopper saying: "I love this fitness tracker. It is small, minimal and has amazing battery life. Lasted me about 2 weeks on one charge which is amazing for a watch of its size. It is very customisable and has very accurate tracking features. For the price it is one of the best fitness trackers you can buy!" Another gushed:"Brilliant - perfect size (width) - doesn't get in the way while working out I find the Fitbit Inspire 3 absolutely perfect - does exactly what I need (and A LOT more), great mobile app for tracking and showing history, comfortable to wear, waterproof for swimming and a long battery life between charges." While a third said: "Works well and comfortable to wear. Needs to improve its pairing with the Strava app though." Alternatively, the Samsung Fit3 Smart Watch offers similar features with a clever activity tracker for over 100 workouts with automatic detection, also allowing valuable insights into your sleep and blood oxygen levels. It also offers users to stay connected with instant notifications, ability to check your messages and control your music. A cheaper option is the Activity Tracker Fitness Trackers Smart Watch currently on sale for £22.79 (originally £23.99). Offering 24 hour health monitoring, blood pressure, blood oxygen, heart rate tracking and sleep monitoring, with all the detailed data recorded in the App. Equipped with a high-precision sleep monitoring sensor, this sleep tracker can monitor sleep quality accurately, including deep sleep, light sleep, awake periods, effectively helping you improve your sleeping habits, improve sleep quality.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Strava's latest update fixes a problem you didn't know you had
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Strava has rolled out a slick new update to its mobile app, revamping the Record experience, the screen athletes use to track their activities. While wearables continue to boom, Strava's own data shows nearly three out of four (!) athletes still hit 'Record' in the app itself to log workouts. And with this latest redesign, the app is giving those users a much better reason to do so. The redesigned interface simplifies the whole pre-workout process, making it easier to pick your sport, add a route, and get moving, all from a clearer, smarter screen. The old clunky layout is gone, and in its place are sleek, dark maps powered by Strava's new Map Rendering Engine, real-time data overlays, and controls. For runners, cyclists and multisport users, one of the most helpful additions is the ability to view your map and live stats on the same screen. Strava now displays pace, time, and distance without requiring you to toggle screens, while keeping your position clearly mapped out in real-time. The update also introduces real-time splits, allowing users to track their performance by distance as they go. Live Segments have been made more accessible, so subscribers can chase KOMs and personal bests with up-to-the-second feedback. Later this summer, Strava will introduce a new feature called Laps, allowing you to track training intervals or lap-based workouts with greater precision within the app. Android users can download the redesigned experience today, while iOS users can expect it to roll out in the coming weeks. For subscribers, the update also unlocks premium features like Winter Map styles, 3D Terrain, and Heatmaps. Find out more (and sign up for free) at Strava.
Tom's Guide
5 days ago
- Sport
- Tom's Guide
Don't own a smartwatch? Strava's app update just made phone tracking way better
If you think you're one of the few people who don't own one of the best fitness trackers, think again. Strava's 2024 Year in Sport Trend Report found that nearly three out of four athletes log their activities directly through the Strava app on their phone instead of using a watch. Now, the app has committed to making tracking with your phone a better, more streamlined experience. The Record feature is the part of the Strava app you use to start and track your workout, whether running, cycling, or hiking. This update gives it a fresh look and makes it much easier to use when recording activities on your phone. With the update, you can see your route on a clearer, more detailed map that updates as you move. You'll also get real-time stats and splits, so you can check your pace and distance without tapping through different screens. For subscribers, it will also be simpler to chase segments and track laps — perfect if you're motivated by beating your personal bests. If you're on Android, you can try the new Record update today, which includes clearer maps, real-time stats, and live splits. For iOS users, the update will arrive in the next few weeks. Later this summer, both Android and iOS users will get an added feature that lets you follow your activity on an easy-to-follow map with stats updating in real time as you move. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
