5 FREE iPhone Apps to Download Before your Skiing Holiday

If you’re going away on a skiing holiday this year and you love your iPhone, read on: here are our top six iPhone apps for skiers!  PLUS we selected apps that were ALL FREE!

APPS FOR BEFORE YOU LEAVE:

Got loads of packing to do?  Worried about the weather?  These two apps will help you get prepared for your trip.

• Mammut Packing List App:

Mammut provide this app for outdoors enthusiasts about to embark unpon an adventure.  You can share lists with your friends to ensure everyone has remembered to pack all their gear.   Bonus: This app is perfect if this is your first ski trip and you’re not sure what you need to take. Get an experienced mate to write their packing list and share it with you!

• Ski-Webcams Free:

Wondering what the snow and weather conditions are like at your favorite ski resort?  This app lets you view skiing webcams all across the globe, allowing you to keep your eye on the weather while you’re on the move.

APPS FOR THE JOURNEY:

If you’ve got a long bus or coach ride once you’ve got off the plane, here’s an app that will keep you entertained!

• Ski Jump Lite:

Apple has featured this classic game as their ‘Best Winter Game’ recently.  It’s simple yet very addictive game that will help the odd half hour while you’re waiting around pass a little quicker.  Bonus:  You can even compete with people from all around the world.

APPS FOR WHEN YOU’RE THERE:

These serious apps are great for when you’re at your resort.

• Realski  (Free initially, but additional maps cost more):

This is a serious app for tech enthusiasts.  Use Realski’saugmented reality (AR) application to navigate mountains.  The apputilises the iPhone’s compass, camera and & GPS features:  load it up on the mountain and the app will show you nearby lifts, points of interest, runs and resort facilities in real time.  It also includes maps for well-known resorts and is continually expanding.

• Mammut Safety

Make sure you tell your mother that you’ve downloaded this app, which will help you avoid accidents and ensure quick rescues if you get into bother.  I promise she’ll breathe a sigh of relief!  The app has a ‘risk check’ based on several factors and there’s also an SOS button so you can send the coordinates of your location by SMS.  The app comes with a built-in clinometer to measure the angle of the slope and a compass to determine the slope direction.  It also has a built in altimeter and links to the main avalanche bulletins from all around the world.  This is a must have app for any serious skier!
Let us know which apps take your fancy, and if you’ll be using any on your ski holiday this year in the comments section below!

Author Bio: Written by Carly.  Jetting off on holiday?  After some new ski wear?  Check out Ellis Brigham, who stock everything from ski boots to base layers.

Heli-Skiing This Winter

Looking for something extreme to do this winter?

Heli-skiing is sure to provide any thrill seeker with an experience of a lifetime. The feeling of getting out of a helicopter to shoot down an untouched batch of powder is not something you get everyday.

Image credit: tignes.co.uk

Typically heli-skiing trips can last anywhere from a day to over a week. Some companies offer better values for multiple day trips but this is something you will want to look into before finalizing your plans. Although heli-skiing can be a bit expensive compared to other skiing options, you don’t want to miss out on a skiing adventure like this.

Depending on your skill level, you can pick various routes that will both challenge you and give you something to enjoy.  Don’t worry if you aren’t a world-class skier or snowboarder because many companies offer accessible tracks for all levels. Also, an experienced guide can help you find easier tracks down the mountain.

For those with a lot of skiing experience, heli-skiing can challenge you and push you to new levels. Venturing off to untouched, steep slopes can turn out to be harder than any skiing you have ever done before, making the trip down that much more fulfilling. To make the most of your heli-skiing trip, be sure to challenge yourself with tough runs that are also enjoyable.

One major upside of heli-skiing is no crowds. For those used to skiing at peak season and waiting in line at lifts will be sure to appreciate the freedom of heli-skiing and having a whole mountain to yourself. There is no doubt that the isolation and independence of no big ski crowds is one of the major reasons to give heli-skiing a shot.

Aside from the thrill of bombing down a mountain or carving through some trees, heli-skiing allows you to take in some unbelievable views of winter terrain. Whether you are heli-skiing in the Skeena Mountains in British Columbia or at the Southern Alps in New Zealand, the views from flying above mountain ranges before you head down a pristine slope are unforgettable.  Part of the experience of heli-skiing is getting to take in a panoramic view of mountains that is inaccessible from standard ski resorts.

Before you head out this winter, a word of caution; Heli-skiing can be a highly addictive sport. After your first time out, you may be signing up for your next trip before you know it.

Author Bio: Jack Middlebrook is student at University of California at Santa Barbara and works for FindTheBest, a data-driven comparison website that allows you to compare anything from Heli-Skiing to Exercise Bikes.If you would like to guest post for Extreme Sports Trader, please take a look at our guest post page.

Guest Post – Get Paid to Play

If you’re into extreme sports, and love nothing more than living an outdoor lifestyle then there are ways in which you can earn money at the same time as indulging in your passion. Ok, so it might not make you rich but it’s got to be better than sitting in an office waiting for the weekend and your next adrenaline fix? Fortunately, there are quite a few ways that you can earn money whilst being in close contact with the sport you love. We’ve put together a few ideas that might inspire you to go out and do what you love for a living.

Image Credit: telegraph.co.uk

If you’ve got a few years of decent experience in a particular sport or activity then you could be better placed to work as an instructor. This is probably one of the best jobs to get as you will be directly involved in sport all day long. However, if you don’t have the skills required there are plenty of jobs on the fringe that should allow you to regularly get out and have some fun with the sport of your choice.

Working a Ski Season

There are a huge number of organisations across the world that recruit staff each year to work in ski resorts. Jobs range from looking after chalets, working in hotels right through to lift assistants and instructors. If you love winter sports then this is definitely something you should look into doing. Even the more laborious jobs such as cleaning hotel rooms should allow you some time on the slopes. Most organisations will have benefits for their employees which could include lift passes and other advantages. It’s worth checking out the different companies to see what’s on offer, and checking how much time you get on the slopes.

Summer Activity Centres

Most tourist destinations will have a set of activity companies offering sports on the more extreme side of the fence. From rafting through to rock climbing, most resorts will need people to instruct and help organise excursions. If you have a particular interest and skill set in one sport then this will play in your favour. Most of these companies are independently run, so to find the work your best bet is to identify popular areas for the sport of your choice and then start getting in touch. Even if you don’t have much experience they may need staff to man the desk or answer calls. If you can get some work like this then chances are that you’ll have plenty of opportunities to ‘test out’ the activities on offer.

Setting Up Your Own Business

If you fancy doing something a little bit more crazy, then you could always consider launching your own activity centre. Yes, this will probably be the most stressful option but if you get it right, the lifestyle you’re rewarded with could be fantastic. You will of course need to have some business experience and be willing to market your business and probably live on very little cash whilst things settle. Popular ideas could include rental services, cafes or excursion companies. If you do decide to do this, then make sure you do your research and seek advice from people who have already done it.

Author Bio: Jon Quinton works for Wish.co.uk who provide a range of exhilarating experience days and unique gifts. Take a look at their website to see what’s on offer.If you would like to guest post for Extreme Sports Trader, please take a look at our guest post page.

A Guide to Choosing Eyewear for Some Popular Extreme Sports

Protective eyewear is an important part of extreme sports. When participating in extreme sports such as BMX, skateboarding, mountain biking, or sailing, the basics of protective gear – helmets, knee pads, and elbow pads – are rarely forgotten. While protective eyewear is just as important, however, it is often overlooked or discarded due to comfort or aesthetic concerns.

Image Credit: seaspecs.com

The good news is that protective eyewear doesn’t have to be uncomfortable or unfashionable. Here are a few tips to help you tailor your protective eyewear to the extreme sport you engage in to ensure the best in comfort, style, and protection.

BMX Racing

Motocross biking, more informally known as BMX racing, presents a number of hazards to the eyes. Besides the hazards presented by bright sunlight, mud from the track is often thrown up into the eyes. This can not only obscure the vision but even cause serious injury to the eyes.

For this extreme sport, the best kind of protective eyewear is wrap-around glasses with lenses that are quite large. This kind of eyewear will not only protect your eyes from anything that might fly up from your wheels but will also help to prevent your peripheral vision from being obscured.

Skateboarding

Because the majority of skateboarding is done in urban locations with many types of dangerous obstacles, eye injuries are, unfortunately, a common occurrence. For this extreme sport, protective eyewear may be as important as the obligatory helmet itself. It’s important that the eyewear you choose is extremely resistant to impact as it may take quite a beating. Polycarbonate lenses will usually do the trick.

Make sure that the glasses you choose will fit well onto your frame and will not fall off your face easily. Wrap-around lenses will help to ensure that your peripheral vision is not blocked.

Mountain Biking

Many of the same dangers to the eyes found in BMX racing are also present in mountain biking, but mountain biking comes with its own set of challenges. There are two sides of mountain biking, the descent, and the ascent. For your ascent up the mountain, it’s important that your glasses are properly vented and have plenty of airflow. Glasses tend to fog up during periods of strenuous work that are coupled with little forward progress.

For the descent, however, goggles may be imperative. Because of the great speed involved in the descent, it’s important that the eyewear you use offers maximum protection against bugs, wind, and grit. In extremely muddy mountain biking conditions, you may want to consider eyewear that comes with a number of sticky transparent plastic layers that can be ripped off one at a time when your face is repeatedly splattered by mud.

Sailing

One of the primary dangers to the eyes when sailing comes from the bacteria-infested sand or water that is often splashed into them when navigating open waters. The glare from the sun’s rays bouncing off the surface of the water can also pose an irritating and annoying problem.

Vented goggles with clear lenses can help to protect you from the first danger and are an essential part of any sailor’s gear, especially when sailing in harsh conditions. Sunglasses featuring polarised lenses can help to ward off headaches caused by sunlight glare and should be kept close at hand for those times of day when the sun throws its worst at you.

Author Bio: Matt writes on behalf of designer-glasses.co.uk, the internet’s premier destination for all top brands of designer eyewear including Oakley, Gucci, Prada and Ray Ban glasses. If you would like to guest post for Extreme Sports Trader, please take a look at our guest post page.

5 Android Apps No Extreme Sportsperson Should Be Without

Technology and innovation are two of the major reasons so many more people participate in extreme and outdoor sports today than they did say 20 years ago. From advancements in thermal clothing & nutritionally balanced snacks to the lightweight tents we all take for granted; each has made it easier to get involved.

However with an increased reliance on technology comes increased risk of complacency; as we place too much trust in gadgets and maybe don’t spend an adequate amount of time in preparation. This issue is one which is on the rise and effects sportsmen and women across multiple sports and pastimes at all levels.

Smartphones and mobile devices have often been placed at the forefront of this debate. So many of us use them in our everyday lives and subsequently have started adding them to our outdoor and extreme sporting kit.

There is of course an argument for and against the introduction of smartphones into the outdoor kit bag. We obviously acknowledge the dangers and promote responsible use; but cannot help but promote some of the applications found on Google’s Android operating system. If you have an android phone and partake in extreme and outdoor sports then the following apps should not be overlooked. They in reality could even save your life. Not to be over relied upon, but to potentially help in an emergency or used in tandem with core skills. Here are our top 5:

1. Compass

No outdoors person should be without their compass and neither should they be totally reliant on this digital variation. But if something should happen to your original one or should it get lost, this version is a great backup. It will also sync with geolocation data, allowing you to plot your course and find your location – cheating to some, lifesaving to others.

2. SOS

The knowledge within and functionality of this SOS app really could prove the difference between life and death. Developed by the American Red Cross & Dr. Oz if you have an Android phone then this should be one of the first apps you install. Not just targeted at extreme sportsmen & women, the lifesaving information will prove valuable to anyone in an emergency situation. It provides emergency protocol for 50+ situations, 3D animations, voice over and GPS location data for when you are speaking to emergency services.

3. Scary Campfire Stories

We have all been in that situation, sitting around a campfire or huddled together in the mess tent trying to think of a good ghost story. The scary campfire stories app will make you the head of all things story telling (as long as you don’t give your secret away). Packed with hundreds of ghost stories, old and new; all of which giving you something to talk about and hopefully something for your friends to lose sleep over.

4. Knots Guide

Whether you are teaching a group of scouts or halfway up a mountain; knowing how to tie knots is a fundamental skill for extreme sports enthusiasts and outdoors people alike. The difference between some knots in certain situations could mean the difference between life and death. The knots Guide android app contains detailed information on how to tie 92 knots broken down into 10 categories (from binding to climbing).

5. Juice Defender

Not a strange ‘angry birds’ type game, but a very useful and potentially lifesaving application. Unlike those mentioned above juice defender is not a reactive app, but one that works passively in the background ensuring your phone has enough battery life in it to make emergency operations. A very powerful app that is very easy to configure, allowing you to customise settings depending on the situation. A must have app for times when one phone call, text or GPS request could mean life or death.

Author Bio: Nick Williams works for myphonedeals.co.uk, who are focused on giving you the best android phones. If you live in the UK and need help deciding on the best mobile phone deals look no further than My Phone Deals. If you would like to guest post for Extreme Sports Trader, please take a look at our guest post page.

Why Coasteering is Essential for Those Addicted to Extreme Sports

If you’re an adrenaline junkie, then you’ve likely participated in extreme sports and activities like sky diving, white water rafting, surfing, rock climbing, cliff jumping, motocross and parkour, just to name a few. Have you ever gone coasteering though? Coasteering is essential for those who are addicted to extreme sports, but not many people know much about it. Here’s an overview of how it works and what you can expect:

• It’s an innovative activity – Coasteering is a relatively new outdoor sport teaches you to explore a shoreline without using traditional paths and methods. In other words, you make your way along a coast line at sea level no matter what obstacle is in your way. Think parkour, only on a coast.

• It tests your athletic prowess – Coasteering is a fusion of swimming, rock climbing, cliff jumping, scrambling and walking. There are no ropes or harnesses involved. Aside from wearing basic safety gear – helmet, wetsuit, life vest and strong and sturdy footwear – you have total freedom to maneuver as you choose.

• Anyone can participate – There are no age or fitness requirements to go on a coasteering adventure. As long as you are relatively healthy and are able to swim capably, you should not have a problem. It’s a sport that calls for a lot of energy, but you’re allowed to go at your own pace.

• It’s safe – What usually happens is you sign up with a group. Before you go out, you’re given a safety briefing by trained and qualified instructors who have knowledge of local tides, weather conditions and other hazards. Then you’re led to an area where you’ll warm up with your team and get acclimated to the environment. You’ll begin with low level cliff traversing, small jump exercises and demonstrations on how to enter the water without injuring yourself. Once the instructors feel that you’re ready, you’ll move on to rock scrambling, bigger jumps, swims through rock pools, around rugged masses and the like. For those groaning that there will be supervision, bear in mind that coasteering can be highly dangerous if the proper precautions aren’t taken.

• It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience – Just like other extreme sports, coasteering is a cool and thrilling way to test your limits. It also allows you to travel coastlines in a way you wouldn’t think possible, often taking in views you would otherwise miss going the pedestrian route.

• It builds self-confidence – If you love to challenge yourself or if you force yourself to face your fears, then coasteering helps you do that and then some. There’s nothing more satisfying and character building than seeing something like this through to the end. After all, consider all the stories you’ll be able to tell!

If you’re addicted to extreme sports, then coasteering is definitely for you. It’s an excellent way to bond with others while doing something outside the box. Most importantly, it gives you a whole new appreciation for nature while getting your heart pumping.

Author Bio: Sarah writes on behalf of Campers In Cornwall who can help you with Volkswagen camper van hire. If your looking for VW camper van hire check Campers In Cornwall for great deals. If you would like to guest post for Extreme Sports Trader, please take a look at our guest post page.

Why Japan Should Be Your Number One Destination for Snow

The island nation of Japan is one of the world’s top tourist destinations. Most visitors head to Japan for its culture and natural beauty, but a growing number of tourists are heading to the Land of the Rising Sun to take part in snow sports and other snow-related activities, such as visiting the snow monkeys. These tourists come from all over the world, and all have one thing in common: their love of snow.

If you are a fan of snow and snow sports, Japan should be your number one destination. No other place in the world has as much to offer as this island nation. From snow sports resorts and snow monkeys to high culture and great nightlife, Japan has it all.

Japan: Land of Incredible Snow

The Japanese people have loved winter sports for some time. Skiing, snowboarding and the like have been popular for decades. Only recently has the international community discovered Japan’s wonderful ski slopes and other activities, however. The 1998 Winter Olympics were held on the island of Honshu and Japan has become an ever-more popular destination for snow lovers since.

Japan’s Natural Beauty

There are not many places that compare with Japan’s natural beauty. Japan is home to soaring volcanoes, pristine forests and rushing waterfalls. Japan contains some of the most beautiful mountains on Earth, including the well-known Mt. Fuji. Despite the high population a number of places have been set aside as wildlife preserves. And of course there is the sea, which surrounds Japan on all sides.

Snow Activities in Japan

There are almost too many snow-related activities in Japan to list. Honshu and Hokkaido are the two islands with the most snow. The island of Hokkaido is a must visit. It becomes a wonderland every winter as storms sweep down from the arctic and blanket the island in snow. There are over a dozen ski slopes on this one island alone. Snowboarding is also popular. Every February the Snow Festival is held in the city of Sapporo.

Ishiuchi Maruyama is one of the premier snow sports resorts in Japan. It offers courses for all levels of snowboarders and skiers. It also has night skiing. One of the largest resorts in Japan is the Shiga Heights Ski Resort, which is located inside a national park. Another popular ski resort is Appi Kogen.

Other activities are available besides skiing and snowboarding. Visitors often go snowmobiling or snowshoeing. You can also visit the snow monkeys in Jigokudani Monkey Park. Some other popular activities include snow rafting and soaking in the hot springs.

Japan is also home to numerous other tourist destinations, such as temples and museums. Wonderful restaurants are located throughout the country, and the cities have great nightlife.

Japan is clearly the top travel choice for anyone who likes snow. The snow sports and other activities it has to offer make this island country impossible to beat. If you are into snow sports, you should start planning your trip today.

Author Bio: Sarah writes on behalf of The Board Basement an independent snowboard retailer in the UK. Their on-line shop gives you access to the latest boarding gear, clothing and accessories such as Sanuk Sandals and the best Snowboards UK. If you would like to guest post for Extreme Sports Trader, please take a look at our guest post page.

Guest Post: How Extreme are Extreme Sports?

Hardly a week goes by without another Extreme Sport being invented. Extreme Ironing, while parachuting is one interesting example. Personally I’ve always regarded ironing as an extreme measure reserved for emergencies only. So where does the obsession with extreme sports stem from and how extreme are these sports today?

Image Credit: oddee.com

Underground ethics

Extreme sports originate on the fringes of society – in underground and counter-culture movements. Surfing is a good example, starting out as an expression of freedom and making a very definite lifestyle statement; the sort of statement that uses a combination of two fingers when faced with traditional lifestyles and sports. Today, you could be forgiven for thinking that extreme sports are more to do with marketing and mainstream culture than fringe groups. After all, who doesn’t live life “to the max” these days? In the US in 2008 the surf industry published retail sales amounting to £5bn – not all from jobless hippies one suspects!

Dangerous pastimes

Extreme sports have, in fact, become less extreme by the burgeoning retail industry that accompanies them. By definition extreme would suggest that there is an element of danger in the sport but horse riding is more likely to see you killed or injured than many extreme sports. At the heart of these activities is not necessarily extremity or even sport if you go by traditional definitions. The ethos is more to do with testing your own limits and breaking personal barriers – not competing in a team or scoring points.

Challenging yourself

Perhaps it is these two factors that attract more and more people to the sports each year. While traditional sports involve direct competition to prove you are better than someone else, extreme sports offer the chance to prove that you can be better than yourself. This attitude perhaps is one of the key aspects of all extreme sports that it retains from the early days. The desire to challenge and win over the self, which many would argue is harder than beating someone else. The commercialised versions of many extreme sports – bungee jumping for example – take this element away. Safety first in that case – and the only thing that participants illustrate about themselves is that are “Wacky”. Anybody out to prove that, well, just isn’t.

Extreme sports have come a long way and no doubt more will be around next week – for somebody to market – but for those serious devotees, whatever form extreme sports take, the challenge will still be more important than the thrill.

Author Bio: Guest post written by carloan4u.co.uk – offering car finance loans throughout the UK to buy any car from any dealer. If you would like to guest post for Extreme Sports Trader, please take a look at our guest post page.

Guest Post: Cover Your ____ (fill in the blank) for Your Next Event

The Importance of Insurance

When you take your free time to the extreme, it’s important to be prepared for the worst-case-scenarios. It doesn’t matter how skilled of a skater you are; even Tony Hawk has broken some bones. He, however, has the money to fix them; while many of us do not.

Insurance is a necessity of life, especially when you live it to the fullest. If you don’t have the right insurance, you may end up paying for all of your injuries out of your own wallet, which would most likely postpone whatever new wheels you were saving up for.

Know your Coverage

Just because you have medical insurance doesn’t mean you are safe. Insurance companies, like all businesses, are out to make money, so if they can get away with not paying you, they won’t.

Fighting an insurance company after an accident can be a frustrating situation, so it’s best to be knowledgeable about your coverage before anything happens. Even if you believe you are covered, confirm it with your insurance company. Check through yourself to see what circumstances are insured.

Shop Around

You should also check with other companies to make sure that your current insurance gives you the best bang for your buck. Some companies claim to have policies only costing about $20 a month. Whether or not that is sufficient for you is something best taken up with the insurance company and through your own research, but you can be confident that by taking the time to check, you’ll find insurance that’s right for you.

What do you look for in insurance though? If you’re just an occasional skier for example, odds are you won’t need anything special. Basic insurance should be fine for you. Your average policy should cover run of the mill situations.

For the Serious Athletes

If you are a more serious athlete, such as one who travels the world snowboarding different mountains, then you will need better insurance that covers more than just the basics. If you participate in several different sports, you’ll need to get a wide range of coverage. If you are a one-sport kind of person, then you can look into insurance policies specifically for your sport of choice, and save money.

If you perform internationally, you’ll also need specific coverage. Just because you’re employer’s insurance means you’re covered in Chicago, it doesn’t mean you are covered in Tokyo. Insurance companies call this a traveling policy, and this is a must for any one who participates in international sporting events. Losing an event because you broke your arm, and then having to pay for everything out-of pocket would be quite a downer.

Due Diligence

Be sure to do your due diligence on all insurance companies you consider. Do not just sign up with the first site to pop up on a Google search. The Better Business Bureau is a great tool to use, as is word of mouth on the company. An insurance agent should be able to find you what you need if you are a serious rider.

An accident is bad enough; you won’t be able to do what you love to do, possibly for an extended period if time. Having to pay for it would just be salt in the wound. Do the smart thing, and get covered before you get stuck in a bad situation.

Author Bio: Cyndi Peterson is an extreme sports enthusiast, a personal finance and insurance consultant. She helps people, including small business owners and those living off their sport talents, to get bad credit credit cards if they need them. If you would like to guest post for Extreme Sports Trader, please take a look at our guest post page.

Guest Post: Extreme Sports – Dare to Compare

What comes to mind when you think of action? Danger perhaps? What about risk? The adrenaline that passes through your body in a rush, while pushing your bodies limit of speed, height and physical exhaustion. Though they may sound crazy, dangerous and risky, extreme sports are actually one of the best possible ways to build health and fitness and keep active. The high level of inherent danger may frighten off any new comer, but embracing the physical strength that comes from these sports is one that everyone should experience for themselves. It may seem like only crazy X Gamers can tackle these sports, when in reality…anyone can do it.

Though it has been debated over the years of what is technically “extreme,” most participants consider anything that pushes an adrenaline rush or an excitement that increases endorphins and dopamine. Some popular extreme sports are:

Air:

• Indoor climbing
• Adventure racing
• Sky diving
• Sky surfing
• Bungee jumping
• Gliding
• Hang gliding
• High wire
• Ski jumping
• Sky flying

Land:

• BMX
• Caving
• Motocross
• Street lunge
• Snowboarding
• Snowmobiling
• Speed biking
• Inline skating
• Mountain biking
• Barefoot water skiing
• Cliff diving
• Free-diving

Water:

• Jet skiing
• Open water swimming
• Powerboat racing,-Round the world yacht racing
• Scuba diving
• Snorkeling
• Speed sailing
• Surfing
• Wake boarding
• Whitewater kayaking
• Windsurfing
• Kitesurfing

These are a mix between three types of classification for extreme sports; air, land and water. The daunting title of “extreme” shouldn’t scare away any new comers. Though these may be intimidating sports…there are easy steps to becoming masters of each. Anyone can do it and the amount of positive that comes from risking yourself as a person to do an activity much beyond what you think you can do is even more worth it.

Mix it Up

Instead of shooting hoops or tossing around a baseball, why not go for indoor rock climbing? You don’t need to skip your exercise workouts, just incorporate extreme sports around your workout plan to get the complete package. While on vacation at the beach, give surfing a try. With all these different sports, the possibilities are endless. Though free diving may not be your thing, snorkeling or scuba diving are both hobbies that can easily be picked up.

These sports require a high level of physical exertion, though that shouldn’t stop anyone from trying it once. The X Games are easily relatable to the extreme factor in these sports. They are able to compete in a more controlled atmosphere for their events. But, don’t let the pro’s steal all the spot light! Take it step by step, conquering the most manageable of the extreme. Letting your body feel the rush of adrenaline while bungee jumping is enough to start an addiction to being free and letting your body truly feel the weightlessness of the sport. The suspension as you’re clearing a huge slope while snowboarding will feel incredible, if the time, training and conditioning are all put into full effect. They may be achievable, but the work and muscle training must be %100 percent.

Don’t be Afraid: Try Something Out of Your Comfort Zone

The danger factor is also a very key element to the idea of extreme. The thought of not really knowing what could come next is terrifying, yet completely satisfying at the same time. This is what drives the human craving of stepping outside of the box. The idea of living in a world where we are unaware of what could happen is intriguing. We live vicariously through the people who break through their comfort zones and into an area of risk, danger and adrenaline. We want that rush, those sweet moments of suspension, the touch of fear that comes with being suspended upside down.

Risking your body and keeping it alive and aware is a perfect way to keep fit. Instead of living in the same familiar routine that your body is used to, extreme sports can wake things up and use muscles that have never been used before. After seeing the many different types of extreme sports, it’s easy to choose one to fit your physical type. Or choose one that is completely opposite to give a personal challenge. The satisfaction that cheerfully comes along with these sports is one to be recognized. They bring out the best in each person, bringing alive the spirit and excitement in a human.

Give it All You Got!

Rather than just living through the X Games, get up, get out and explore the beauty of this craft. Take on an extreme sport yourself and physically challenge your body to boost those endorphins. Endorphins have been said to make you happy, exercising can only benefit you. So, go all out! Risk your body in ways you’d never dreamed of before. There’s only one life we’re given, why not make the most of it? Get out of your comfort zone and push yourself to the extreme with sports that will keep you more fit than jogging on the treadmill for an hour. The gym won’t satisfy that hunger for danger, but sky diving most definitely will as well as keep you much more physically fit. All in all, it’s a win win situation.

Author Bio: Michelle is a freelance writer for a fitness website. She loves keeping active and trying new things. Her favorite thing to do is water ski at the nearby lake. If you would like to guest post for Extreme Sports Trader, please take a look at our guest post page.