SLIM PACKINGS
The best carryall for a day hike is light, sturdy and adjustable. A favorite of frequent hiker and climber Mark DiMartino, a supervisor at REI, is the company’s Jet UL pack, $55. The slim pack in weather-resistant nylon ripstop weighs only 1 pound, 6 ounces. It has shoulder and torso pads for a comfortable load carry and sternum straps that add stability and help keep shoulder straps positioned. A hipbelt keeps the pack close for added stability. Also useful are bungee cords, and tool attachments for holding trekking poles. At REI stores and REI.com
MAKE A PLAN
If you’ve decided to tackle a triathlon this year, you’ll need a training regimen. Danskin, which sponsors more than 100 races each year and has held its triathlon series for 18 years, is sponsoring training seminars April 23 and 25 to give women an eight-week plan for running, biking, swimming, weight-lifting and flexibility training to get ready for the July 14-15 triathlon at the Aurora Reservoir. Seminars are April 23, 6:30 p.m. at REI, 1416 Platte St., 303-756-3100; and April 25, 6:30 p.m. at Nordstrom Park Meadows, 8465 Park Meadows Center Drive, Littleton; 303-799-3400, ext. 1560. Call to register. Details at dankskin.com/denver.html
ECO EXERCISE
Feel even better about your workout when exercising using earth-friendly materials. Natural Fitness has just added yoga products that
include natural rubber mats ($46-$80), hemp-mat bags ($35), bolsters ($60) and straps ($13); and bamboo blocks ($16)to its line. We also like the company’s soft weighted balls, $16-$20 per pair (depending on weight), which are latex-free.
Details at naturalfitnessinc.com.
