Must-Have Camping Gear for Beginners: A Shortlist to Get Started
Ready to get outdoors, but don’t know what gear you need? This no-frills list has everything you need and nothing you don’t.
Amanda is the founder of Smarter Sweat and a content writer and journalist with extensive experience in the health and fitness industries. She is also a certified personal trainer, certified sports nutrition coach, and certified functional training specialist. She specializes in training mountain athletes for outdoor pursuits.
A graduate of Louisiana State University's Manship School of Mass Communication, Amanda’s work has appeared in major national and global outlets, including BarBend, Territory Supply, Health Magazine, Shape Magazine, Lonely Planet, Matador Network, Personal Trainer Pioneer, Garage Gym Reviews, Reader’s Digest, CNET, LIVESTRONG, Health Journal, CleanPlates, Verywell Fit, Verywell Mind, and more.
Amanda has also served as an expert resource and content reviewer for brands such as World Gym, Reebok, and Prevention.
Ready to get outdoors, but don’t know what gear you need? This no-frills list has everything you need and nothing you don’t.
Over the last decade, our team has taste-tested and carefully analyzed the ingredients of more than 200 energy bars, gels, and chews. In this guide, we’ll share our favorites that have fueled over 20,000 miles of hiking for the CleverHiker team.
Hydration mixes can help replenish salts and provide energy-boosting nutrients to keep you going strong. From Southern California to humid Louisiana to arid Baja California, we’ve been sipping on hydration powders for hiking and backpacking for more than 50,000 miles. In this guide, we evaluate them for taste, solubility, performance, and side effects.
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Forget slogging on the elliptical.
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Learn from my mistakes for a successful and enjoyable Grand Canyon backpacking trip.
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Top cycling coaches say to stop fearing weight gain from muscle.
Sports dietitians push back against this dated nutrition advice and encourage hearty carb consumption instead.
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With the right training plan—and serious dedication—you can make measurable gains in as little as a month.
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Knowing your heart rate max can optimize your training.
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We taste-tested nearly a dozen collagen supplements and reviewed their formulas to help you find the best option for your needs.
So does walking “count” as exercise?
Taking creatine is a well-supported tactic for muscle gain. But does it help with weight loss?
It’s all over your feed. But should it take over your kitchen?
Save some money with three super greens powders approved by a dietitian and sports nutrition coach.
Before you smash that triple cheeseburger, there are a few factors you may want to consider if you're looking to get lean.
Learn how much weight fluctuation is normal, and how to minimize it.
This tried-and-true tactic is a foundational principle in any exercise program.
Find out if this resistance band system lives up to the claim that it’s more effective than lifting weights.
We put camping storage boxes from the best brands to the test to find out which ones are worth your dime.
This nearly indestructible storage box is a staple in my life as a full-time traveler. Here's how I put the Yeti Loadout GoBox to the test.
The Altra Lone Peak Hiker mid hiking boots quickly became my go-to kicks for hikes of almost every type, length and difficulty.
Is it pricey? Yes, but I wish I would've paid the $630 for it sooner.
Outdoor enthusiasts will love this 500-watt portable power station that extends the life of their appliances on short trips.
This versatile gear box is collapsible, stackable, water-resistant and durable—what more could you ask for?
Is the Garmin inReach Mini 2 the best locator beacon for the backcountry? A distance hiker and satellite experts explain.
I'm a full-time van-lifer and outdoor enthusiast. Here are the best freeze-dried meals for backcountry adventures.
I bought the Coleman Cascade 3-in-1 Camp Stove before moving into a converted van, and I use it almost daily.
I hike several times a week, and I'm sharing the best hiking gear in my closet.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are connected by Generals Hwy
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A road trip to California’s national parks will show you the best of the state’s stunningly diverse landscapes.
Lifting weights but no longer building muscle? Here's why you may have hit a plateau.
Drop the dumbbells and pick up an Atlas stone if you want to lift like a strongman.
Trainer Sarah Louise Rector shares a fast-paced workout for all fitness levels.
Still having problems with pushups? Here’s why and what to do about it.
Learn some of the truths behind "shocking your muscles" in the weightroom.
Increase power and explosive strength with these tips from the pros.
Not only is exercise good for your health overall, but it also helps you sleep.
Summer is the perfect time to try a fun new outdoor workout routine.
Being bendy is more than a cool party trick. Maintaining flexibility can improve your mobility and help your joints.
Erythritol research from this summer supports the idea that foods with "low calorie" and "artificial sweetener" tags aren't necessarily better for you.
Tracking your macronutrients could be the key to achieving your health goals.
As long as you prepare accordingly, you can enjoy outdoor workouts this winter.
Avoid bug bites with the best insect repellents -- all tested and approved by our experts.
You don’t need expensive fitness classes or trendy workouts to create healthy change in your life. These are the only exercise moves you need to get started.
You still need to drink plenty of water, even if temperatures are coming down.
If you don't have a lot of time to dedicate to working out, make sure you optimize the time you do have in the gym.
Access clean water everywhere you go with one of the best filtered water bottles we’ve tested.
Get a head start on your New Year's fitness goals with this health trick.
If your goal in the new year is to get enough protein, then this is the guide you'll want to follow.
Ready to embark on your muscle-building journey? It’ll take hard work, consistency and patience. Here's everything you need to know.
Get your nutrients through your diet with these vitamin-heavy options.
This is what research suggests about the best time of day for getting in a workout.
You can do some of the best hip-strengthening exercises anywhere with the help of a mini resistance band.
Don't get caught unprepared and hungry on your next hike with these expert-approved snack ideas.
Get a full lower-body workout with a push-pull approach to leg day.
You don't become a marathoner overnight — you can start with run-walk workouts.
Isometric exercises require your muscles to contract without actually moving. Hold these surprisingly challenging positions for your next core workout.
Hiking offers an opportunity to spend time in nature while strengthening your muscles and cardio fitness.
This essential hiking gear will help you stay comfortable and keep you safe during emergencies.
Single-leg glute bridges hit your legs and butt (and unilateral strength and balance) just like a Bulgarian split squat would.
Exercise is important for adults over age 50 because it helps prevent chronic disease and injury.
Having one shoulder stronger than the other is a common muscle imbalance.
This low-impact cardio workout is easy on your joints but will get your heart rate up.
Getting off the floor requires strength, coordination and mobility.
Health experts explain body composition and how it can affect health and performance.
While similar to massage, this ancient practice focuses more on relaxation and pressure points. Here’s what to know about adding it to your training plan.
These are the best coolers for camping for any size group and any type of campsite.
Find the best hiking socks that are right for you based on an avid hiker's years of outdoor experience.
After years of camping and trying different solutions, I've found the best camping sleeping pad options for a good night's rest.
I've suffered through years of blisters and foot cramps so you don't have to. Here are the best hiking boots for women, as told by an experienced hiker and runner.
More stamina means greater efficiency in exercise and daily activities
Build a strong, flexible lower body with these hip exercises
Illegal Supplement Is Used for Weight Gain
To increase longevity and their odds of remaining competitive for longer, pro and elite athletes track not just fitness metrics like HRV and VO2 max but metabolic, inflammatory, and hormonal biomarkers, too. Could you benefit from tracking, too?
Top coaches reveal how not to lose your hard-earned gains.
A new medical measurement called the body roundness index (BRI) might predict longevity more accurately than long-held measures like BMI.