Blog

Written by Nikki Kilian, Group Exercise Manager

Many people view running as something instinctive that anyone can do, and to an extent, they are correct. Even in our toddler stage of life, we have the ability to just go run. However, when it comes to running for fitness, things can get a little more complicated.
According to the Journal of Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy, as many as 79% of all runners will sustain a running-related injury during any given year. Therefore, learning proper form for running is imperative to help prevent injury and also aid in optimal performance. Running with improper form could lead to a slower pace or shorter distances.
To begin critiquing running form, think of proper standing body alignment from head to toe:

Neck—neutral, not jutting forward or sinking back
Shoulders—over the hips
Spine—should not excessively arch (anterior tilt) or come forward (posterior tilt)
Hips—over the ankles
Knees—relaxed and not locked out
Toes—tracking in the same direction as knees

When running, you want similar posture alignment, but less rigid.
Start with Your Head
Again, the head and neck need to be neutral, neither jutting forward nor sinking back. Also, pay attention to your eyes. Keep your gaze forward and not looking down. This will help prevent in any neck soreness.
Shoulders
Make sure your … Read More

Written by Kimberly Counts, Assistant Coach/ Barn Staff

There are so many different activities and things you can do when it comes to riding a horse. Here at Liberty, the two disciplines we focus on are Western and English riding. Let’s take a closer look at the differences between the disciplines and find out what riding event you might like best!
Equipment
The most obvious distinction between English and Western riding is what the horse has on. When looking at the two saddles side by side, the most notable difference is the big horn on the front of the Western saddle. While many people think it’s an area to grab on to if they’re scared or nervous, there’s actually a very functional reason it’s there: ranchers use the horn as something to tie their ropes to, whether it be to pull or secure something. Western saddles are a lot heavier than English saddles and if you’re like me, it can sometimes be a struggle to heave the saddle up onto the taller horses’ backs!
An English saddle is smaller, more compact and not as flashy as a Western saddle. LU has saddles that are what we call forward seat, or close contact saddles. This type of tack … Read More

Written By Danielle Ledgerwood, Intramural Sports Coordinator

Even as states wean off the strict guidelines and adhere to a more relaxed approach to prevent the spread of COVID-19, it may be a while before normal, recreational sports return to the full capacity. If you are in desperate need of some friendly competition (and some exercise), here are a few ideas you can do this summer:
Disc Golf
With relatively no contact nor use of shared equipment, disc golf would be a fun, yet challenging, group activity for you and your roommates to tackle on a Saturday afternoon. The only equipment you need are the discs which can be purchased online or from your local Play It Again Sports.
Lynchburg is home to several disc golf courses—two of which are on Liberty’s campus. One is located at the end of East Campus, the other can be accessed via Camp Hydaway Road. Just look for the trailhead a few hundred yards before the Hydaway Outdoor Center. Peaks View Park also boasts a great course, just be wary of others also enjoying the shared space.
Tennis
As long as it falls within your local and state guidelines and restrictions, you and your roommate/spouse/coworker could play tennis and still be practicing social distance. … Read More

Written By Victoria Dissmore, Marketing Employee

Pack your bags, all you outdoor-adventure lovers out there! Grab your bug-spray, granola bars, and sense of adventure and head down to Liberty’s very own outdoor recreation facility: Hydaway Outdoor Center. There are so many fun, outdoor opportunities at Hydaway, less than 5 miles from campus. If you don’t have a car, you can request an On-Demand Ride through Liberty’s transit system. There really is no excuse—adventure is calling!
Camping
One of the activities Hydaway offers is camping for Liberty students, faculty, and staff. You can reserve a campsite for Friday and Saturday nights during the school year, complete with a fire pit, plenty of tent space, and bear boxes for food storage. Each site is only $5 per night, and with your Flames Pass you can rent camping equipment, including tents and sleeping bags, free of charge.
If you’re looking to go on an off-campus camping adventure, Hydaway can rent out all the camping equipment you need, including a hiking backpack, a camp cook set, and even a flashlight. Check out the website for a complete list of available items at a low cost.
Hydaway Lake
Another feature of Hydaway Outdoor Center is the beautiful Hydaway Lake. During the school year … Read More

Written By Victoria Dissmore, Marketing Employee

LMGC is a full-service shooting facility located just minutes from main campus, offering a number of shooting opportunities for all skill levels. Whether you have never shot a firearm before or you are working toward an Olympic shooting medal, there is something for you. Read on to discover everything the Gun Club has to offer.
Shotgun Range
LMGC is proud to offer one of the nicest shotgun facilities on the east coast. Shooters can try their hand at:

American Skeet
American Trap
Five Stand (at two nine trap 5-stand fields)
International Skeet
International Bunker (International Trap)
Sporting Clay Course

The shotgun range is currently open to students, faculty, and staff Thursday–Sunday.
Rifle Range
With ten bays ranging from 100 to 300 yards, LMGC gives rifle shooters the opportunity to shoot both steel and paper targets at each range. Any .22 caliber rifle will also be able to shoot targets at 50 yards.
Knowledgeable Range Safety Officers (RSOs) will be available to assist and provide safety for all rifle range shooters. The rifle range is currently open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Pistol Range
LMGC offers a broad array of shooting opportunities on our pistol range. With the capability to engage targets from 7 to 50 yards and offering steel and paper targets, the range offers … Read More

Written By Victoria Dissmore, Marketing Employee

So, you’re probably asking yourself, “What can I do at the Equestrian Center?”, and there are a variety of opportunities for the Liberty and local communities available! Liberty is blessed to have this USHJA Recognized Riding Academy that spans across 380 acres of Liberty Mountain. If you’re looking for a way to enjoy the great outdoors and meet some animal friends, come visit the Equestrian Center!
Facility Tours
Anyone is welcome to visit the Equestrian Center from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. The staff and horses love having visitors to tour the facility and pet their favorite horses. If you’re looking for an educational experience for your children or simply get some fresh air, we highly recommend checking out this fun opportunity!
Trail Rides
Students, faculty, and staff can explore the Liberty Mountain property on horseback on a guided tour around the mountain for free. Come experience the soft rhythmic motion of the saddle as your horse strolls through the shaded trees with a cool breeze blowing by and the sun peeking through the trees.
Trail rides are by appointment only and limited to roughly 2 people at a time based on experience levels. The ride starts with a brief lesson in the outdoor riding … Read More

Written By Victoria Dissmore, Marketing Employee

Most students think of Snowflex as “that place up the mountain super far away that only snowboarders, skiers, and CFAW go to”, but Snowflex is truly the hidden gem of campus! Take an On-Demand Ride or use the sidewalk up the mountain (it’s only a 10 minute walk!), and you’ll discover that there’s something for everyone.
Skiing and Snowboarding
Maybe you’re a seasoned snow-sports athlete, or maybe you’ve never strapped into a snowboard or a pair of skis. Snowflex is here to accommodate you and all your skiing and snowboarding dreams!
For beginners, there is a smaller slope below the lodge and instructors available during all operating hours to teach you everything you need to know for your first successful ride down the slope. Did we mention lessons are entirely free for students as well?
Above the lodge, there is a 550-foot main slope where you can cruise the thirty-second ride down or hit some of the built-in features to practice your tricks.
The Snowflex staff will be happy to assist you with any help you need on either slope or answer any questions you might have. Don’t be afraid to come on up and hit the slopes, whether you’re a beginner, … Read More

Written By Lauren Stinner, Marketing Intern

With Summer approaching, the state of Virginia offers many opportunities for residents and visitors to participate in—whether its hikes on the Blue Ridge Parkway, running and biking on trails, or yoga in the park. Here are a few reasons why you should take advantage of outdoor exercise in Virginia:
There is something to do in all four seasons.
Living in Virginia means the ever-so-changing, yet beautiful seasons. The warmth of the summer sun, crisp fall air, cold and refreshing winter, and blooming spring means that you can cater your outdoor exercise to whatever the weather allows, while taking in the glory of God’s creation.
Adventure to find the best views.
Virginia is no stranger to incredible drives and mountain-top outlooks. Whether it’s the Blue Ridge Parkway, Shenandoah National Park, or Natural Bridge, you won’t be disappointed with what you find. Use the natural beauty of what God has made to move your body!
There are endless hiking spots.

Along with the views come some pretty popular hiking trails. Devil’s Marble Yard, Sharp Top, and Cole Mountain–just to name a few–are great hikes for any time of year. Hiking is a great way to exercise because you get to explore nature while you do it!
Fresh air is good for you.

Especially while we are primarily spending our time indoors, … Read More

Written By Lauren Stinner, Marketing Intern

In today’s society, we are often given a simple fix to a health problem without even considering where the problem could have originated. If you ask any doctor, they would tell you that gut health is the very foundation of how our bodies function. So now you’re probably asking yourself – “How do I get a healthy gut?” Hare some steps you can take to get your body on the right track:
Increase Your Water Intake.
The rule of thumb for how much water a person should consume daily is one-half to one-full ounce for every pound you weigh. For example, if a person weighs 150 lbs., they should be consuming roughly 75-150 oz. of water per day. Water is important for our bodies because it flushes out any toxins that we may be holding in, thus compromising our immune systems. Increasing your water intake is also a great way to stay hydrated in these upcoming summer months.
Consider Taking a Probiotic.
Probiotics are a supplement that aid in the production of “good bacteria” in the gut. Some foods that act as a great probiotic would be Greek yogurt, kombucha, and even cheddar cheese. Not only do probiotics increase the health of your gut, … Read More

Written By Alivia Chenoweth, Marketing Manager

When we take the time to sit back and reflect on our lives, we see the stages of transformation that we have gone through in different seasons in our lives. As we near the end of April and the beginning of May, a time of change is about to happen for all of us. Summer is approaching, seniors are graduating, resumes are being built, and jobs are being sought out. There’s a big looming question over so many of our heads of “What’s next?”.
Change is Hard
There is no denying that changing seasons can bring about fear, anxiety, and self-doubt. Even when we know a change is on the horizon, we never truly know how we are going to respond until we’re in the midst of it. The purpose of this blog is to shed some light on the typical habits that happen in each season and hope that this identification empowers you to understand or define your emotional tendencies.
Change is a natural part in each of our lives and is something that has been physiologically proven to impact each and every one of us. Our needs, desires, and behaviors are constantly changing to the natural ebb and flow of these cycles and seasons of our lives.
The term “Seasons” is commonly used … Read More