Blog

Jonathan Husker – Communications Coordinator
The spring semester has come and gone, and the summer is just around the corner. For some, this means a much-needed break before another year of college. For others, especially those who are completing their college education this spring, the next chapter in the story of their future lies ahead.
Regardless of whether or not you have more years of college ahead of you, or if you are preparing for life after school, making the most of your summer is important. Here are four ways to make the most of your summer.
Rest: A year of college is never easy, and your body can certainly wear down after months of: wake up, go to class, study, repeat. It is important to give your body the rest it deserves after a long year of school. Proper rest, especially after a particularly tiring period of life is crucial. Experts say that sleep deprivation or lack of rest could lead to poor judgment, slower mental function, or even antisocial behavior. The downsides of lacking an adequate amount of rest is pretty bleak, so use some of that extra time in the summer to give yourself some much-needed rest.
Recharge: Just as your body needs to be rejuvenated over the summer, so too does your mind. One of the best examples of the importance of recharging uses the illustration of the mind as … Read More

McKayla Dyk – Marketing Employee
As the weather starts to warm up you’re probably trying to integrate outdoor activities into your workouts again. You could swim or bike, but these activities require equipment and facilities. You might not always have access to a swimming pool or a bike.
But you can run.
A great goal for a first-time runner is completing a 5k. Although running a 5k requires no equipment, it still requires training. Running with improper form can cause pain and muscle damage. To avoid injury and overexertion, follow these tips as you train before running your first 5k:
1. Give yourself time to improve: You won’t be ready to run a 5k right away. Give yourself some time train. Try a couple months of training before running your first official race. The more time you give yourself to improve, the more prepared you will feel when race day arrives.
2. Set a goal: Goals are motivating. They give you something to reach for. As you plan your 5k training, your goal may be to simply complete the race. Or you may want to run it within 45 minutes. Whatever you choose, create mini goals in your training that will help you reach your ultimate goal.
3. Interval train: When you start out, don’t run the entire time. Warm up with a brisk … Read More

Tim McLaughlin – Marketing Intern and Montview Student Union: Member Services
It’s no secret that bouldering can be tremendously beneficial to the human body in terms of health and stamina.
Bouldering involves climbing on boulders, which are usually up to 35 feet high, without the use of any ropes or harnesses. Crash pads – foam pads that are typically 4 inches thick – are placed at the bottom of the boulder in case the climber falls. Spotters are also positioned at the bottom of the boulder to help break the climber’s fall. Bouldering is the most powerful and dynamic type of rock climbing, which can make it very fun, gymnastic, and dynamic in its movements.
While many invest time, money, and energy into this intense sport, few are able to master the techniques of advanced rock climbing and bouldering. This demanding sport tests your mental and physical strength more than you might think – it is truly a full-body workout.
Not only does it involve muscular strength, endurance, and power, but it also involves a great deal of mental fortitude. While many see the physical aspect as demanding and intimating, it should be viewed as a high-intensity exercise. Contrary to some types of training, this also provides a real-world application.
This extreme sport also involves a good bit of mental strength in completing the challenge that you are trying to overcome. … Read More

Go trout fishing at Hydaway and keep your catch!
Who- These catch-and-keep regulations apply to current Liberty students/faculty/staff and their approved guests (Please check-in with Hydaway staff during operating hours for guest day pass).
What- TWO daily creel limit, no minimum size. This means that each eligible fishermen can take two trout from the lake each day while fishing at Hydaway.  NOTE- only applies to Rainbow Trout located in the lake.
Where- The lake at the Hydaway Outdoor Rec Center.
When- Started on April 1st, 2018, lasting until May 19th, 2018
Why- Because…
LUOR has been excited since last November to provide true game fish in our lake.  We have enjoyed a season of catch-and-release where we have been able to offer a unique outdoor experience at Hydaway.  Typically, this can be a costly fish to angle and often requires a trip to mountain streams.  But, we stocked the lake last November and have enjoyed seeing trout being caught by students, staff, faculty and their families for the last 6 months.
But, Rainbow Trout can only thrive in colder water.  During the spring and summer months the lake will warm to a temperature that will not be able to sustain the trout.  So, we will be offering this one of a kind, catch-and-keep policy to help fish them out.  We hope to provide an opportunity for those anglers who have the desire to eat what they catch.  If cooking up a trout makes … Read More

Written by: Tim Lewis
Fly fishing has been a passion of mine for 5 years now. My first introduction to fly fishing was as a student at Ferrum College where noticed a fly fishing trip posted on the Ferrum Outdoors website. Intrigued, I signed up and the next thing I knew I was fishing with Angler’s Lane at their Rivenridge property on the Piney River. I was so mesmerized by the experience that I returned multiple times during my time at Ferrum. Eventually, I purchased and accumulated my own gear and started fishing on my own. I knew I had found a lifelong hobby and passion. Since coming to Liberty University to pursue my masters and career in outdoor recreation, I have had the privilege to reconnect with Angler’s Lane and the local fly fishing community. This has led to part-time employment with the shop as well as the opportunity to be on the facilitating side of LU’s fly fishing trips as an Assistant Director with Outdoor Recreation. From student participant to full-time employee, it has been a privilege to return to the area and share the same trips and experiences with LU students that first ignited my passion 5 years ago.
What I’ve learned over the years is that fly fishing is growing in popularity, particularly with younger demographics. Younger enthusiasts are catching the bug and finding ways to … Read More

Tim McLaughlin – Marketing Intern and Montview Student Union: Member Services
As someone who personally uses music with my workout routine, I believe there are many ways to integrate music into a workout. LaHaye Recreation and Fitness Center’s group exercise instructors use music with their cardio dance classes to help achieve a certain level of intensity. These classes boost participants’ energy levels and help them train better.
It’s no surprise that humans like to move to music, but how can you integrate this into your personal workout routine effectively?
Well for starters, when I go running, I generally play music that has a beat that I can clearly hear, and I try to match it with my steps. Every song that has ever been recorded has something called “beats per minute” or BPMs. This is the rate at which the song plays, which you can actually mirror in your workout.
One easy way to do this is by finding your strides per minute. It may sound complicated but its very simple and can be done very quickly. All you have to do is run for a minute, and in that minute you count how many steps you take (at a comfortable rate). Do this several times to get a reasonable average.
After you find your strides per minute, locate songs with the … Read More

Written by: Danielle Ledgerwood
Virginia has a total of 37 state parks, each individual in their own way, with a diverse range of activities, habitats, and accommodations. Their website boasts that “There is something for everyone!”
If you live in Lynchburg, you’re only an hour away from two of the commonwealth’s nicest parks: Smith Mountain Lake State Park and James River State Park.
The next time you want to take your friends on a weekend getaway, consider visiting one of these great parks.
Smith Mountain Lake State Park—Huddleston, Virginia (45 minutes)

Nestled along the north end of the second largest freshwater lake in Virginia, this 1,148-acre park offers opportunities for a variety of outdoor people.
As far as camping amenities go, the park has 50 campsites that range from primitive (for tents and hammocks) to electricity and water equipped sites.
The park boasts a 500-foot beach for swimming, one of two total public beaches on Smith Mountain Lake (SML). During the summer, these beaches overflow with vacationers and families trying to escape the heat.
If you’re coming to take advantage of absolutely everything SML has to offer, there’s a boat launch in the park to accommodate any sized boat.
The park has plenty of fishing opportunities: there are several docks and a pier to … Read More

Elisa Palumbo – Montview Student Union: Member Services
Even though I do not work at the LaHaye Recreation and Fitness Center, you will find me there six days of the week. Since college life involves a lot of sitting, whether in class or at the library, I consider the gym a non-negotiable part of my day. Not only do I enjoy the physical benefits, but I also find that working out helps reduce my mental stress by giving me a break from school. Though last semester I struggled with organization in my workouts, this spring I made a few “new semester’s resolutions” that have kept me on track while working out.
Three times of the week I work out first thing in the morning. I don’t like working out on an empty stomach, especially since I wake up with quite an appetite. My research in health and fitness has taught me the importance of starting out with a good breakfast. That being the case, I enjoy making collagen coffee or matcha green tea lattes. I warm-up and froth some nut milk to get my healthy fats, then mix it with the coffee or matcha and top it off with collagen powder. Though minimal, it has all the nutrients needed to give me energy and keep me full until my bigger … Read More

McKayla Dyk – Marketing Employee
According to the Better Health Channel, there are multiple benefits to swimming. Whether it be for recreation or competition, swimming can improve your heart health, muscle tone, and mood.
When you swim, you have the opportunity to exercise every part of your body through five main strokes. These main strokes are the backstroke, breaststroke, sidestroke, freestyle, and butterfly. The butterfly stroke will give you the most effective workout, using several different muscles at once, but all of them have different health benefits.
1. Backstroke: Great workout for your arms and your core. Can especially benefit runners and weight lifters.
2. Breaststroke: Not the best workout if you’re looking to burn calories, but it’s great for strengthening your heart and lungs while toning your chest.
3. Sidestroke: Not as straining as other strokes, the sidestroke is great for long-distance swimming and building endurance.
4. Freestyle: Similar to the sidestroke, the freestyle stroke allows for speed and distance. It is a full-body workout that will really tone your back and chest. But unlike the sidestroke, this stroke requires more coordination and effort in breathing properly.
5. Butterfly: Allowing you to burn more calories than the other strokes, this stroke requires coordination of the arms and legs. This is a full-body workout but focuses mostly on shoulder and arm strength.
Along with the muscle toning benefits, swimming can reduce stress. Although swimming … Read More

Written by: Jordan Tatro
Our cold Virginia winters don’t have to limit the fun you can have in the outdoors! The same beautiful picturesque landscapes you have enjoyed in the warm months are just as alluring in the winter, especially when snow is involved. Not only is it still beautiful, but some of your favorite spots will be void of people and bugs.
If you are an experienced camper, or new to the game, winter camping can be a rewarding and fun experience. All you have to do is plan and prepare properly, and you will be set for a great adventure.
Here are some tips and tricks to make your winter excursions enjoyable and safe!
DO NOT GO ALONE

Go with a group of friends, preferably someone who has experience with winter camping.

LET PEOPLE KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING

Share exact locations, and contact times with a responsible friend.

RESEARCH AREA AND ROUTE

Study the area and the route you will be taking, come talk to us if you want advice!

PACK WARM CLOTHING, AND EXTRA

Think wool, synthetic, down, and Gore-Tex fabrics! Make sure your outer layer is not flammable so you can stand near the fire.

GEAR NEEDS

Bring a sleeping bag that is rated 10 degrees lower than the coldest temperature you will face
It is wise to use two sleeping pads during the winter, the higher the “R” value of sleeping pad, the better it … Read More