Zapponians take their outdoor fun seriously…as you can see from our latest employee photo shoot! From hiking, cycling, swimming and trail running, we love getting out there and enjoying what Mother Nature has to offer.

We asked our four outdoor enthusiasts (and home page models of the week) some questions to get to know them a little bit more:

What’s your favorite outdoor activity to do on the weekends?

I: I love to play soccer on my days off or pretty much any day! I just recently got into cylcing which is very intense.

What three songs are always on rotation in your playlist when you’re out and about?

I:  “Let it Go”-Calvin Harris feat Ne Yo, “Heartbeat” -Childish Gambino, and “Levels”- Avicci 

Finish this sentence: “If I was in the show “Survivor”, I would have the strongest chance of winning because ________”

I: I am very funny and tall.

What three things are on your wishlist for all those outdoor activities?

I: Brooks Pureflow, Adidas Outdoor Terrex Hiking Shoes and Osprey Ariel 75 Backpack

What’s your favorite outdoor activity to do on the weekends?

J: Speeding down the roads on my TT Bike! 

What three songs are always on rotation in your playlist when you’re out and about?

J:  Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson; need I say more??? 

Finish this sentence: “If I was in the show “Survivor”, I would have the strongest chance of winning because ________”

J: I am SUPER competitive! 

What three things are on your wishlist for all those outdoor activities?

J: Columbia Roamin’ Right™ Knit Dress, Patagonia All Weather Dress, and CEP Allsports Sleeve

What’s your favorite outdoor activity to do on the weekends?

D: When the wind isn’t acting up, I LOVE to golf!!!

What three songs are always on rotation in your playlist when you’re out and about?

D: “The Motto” - Drake, “Public Service Announcement” -Jay-Z, “On to the Next One” - Jay-Z 

Finish this sentence: “If I was in the show “Survivor”, I would have the strongest chance of winning because ________”

D: I’m an Ex-Navy Seal! Seal Team 6, Whoo Rah!!! 

What three things are on your wishlist for all those outdoor activities?

D: The North Face Men’s Nimble Jacket, Nike Sunset Volley Boardshorts, and Nike Just Do It Swoosh Tee

What’s your favorite outdoor activity to do on the weekends?

C: Hiking in the mountains. 

What three songs are always on rotation in your playlist when you’re out and about?

C: I actually prefer not to listen to any music when I’m outdoors. Rare quiet time for myself and makes it easier to connect with your hiking buddies and random strangers you run into on the trail!

Finish this sentence: “If I was in the show “Survivor”, I would have the strongest chance of winning because ________”

C: I’ll research and be prepared (I do analytics for living…) 

What three things are on your wishlist for all those outdoor activities?

C: Suunto Vector, MSR Lightnight Axis Snow Shoes, Lowa Renegade GTX

2XU engineers athletic performance apparel for serious athletes. Whether it’s triathlons, cycling, running, fitness or swimming, 2XU apparel provides athletes with technologically-advanced garments to give their performance the competitive edge it needs.

Check out the 2XU line on Zappos.com!

We all know the great benefits of regular cardio workout, but sometimes, the treadmill can be a real drag. A great way to switch up your cardio routine is through swimming. Not only is it a great way to burn some serious calories (up to 400 calories in one 30 minute breaststroke session), but there’s no impact on your joints, so it’s a great workout to supplement more high imapct cardio activities like running.

For swimming laps, we recommend a good one-piece swimsuit , like the ingenious Spanx Chic Deep V Trim One Piece. This not only offers maximum shape control, it offers comfortable style that moves with you.  It offers the tummy control compression that Spanx is known for, so it’s equally as great at the beach or just lounging by the pool.

Check out the rest of the Spanx Swimwear collection on Zappos.com.

Many people each year make a resolution to get fit, and a large number of these people look to some major event as their motivation, with many deciding upon a triathlon. So, books are bought and videos are watched, and then training begins: a light jog, a winded bike ride, and a humbling first swim workout in the pool.

Many who start this way have wonderful intentions, but they have not provided themselves with a real, definable goal. Before training, select a race, register for it, and create a training plan that seeks to peak you for that performance.

Most experts claim that a person wishing to enter the sport of triathlon should do at least one major race per training cycle. Obviously you will place yourself in the best situation to succeed if you match your training to your ultimate competition. Considering this idea, you make your job near impossible if you approach your triathlon experience with no goal. Training just to see offers a million chances to make excuses; however, paying for a race and obligating yourself, telling people about it, is more apt to keep you going.

Once you have locked into a race, you should plan on competing in several other, normally slightly smaller, triathlons during the training cycle. While you can certainly work to excel in these lead-up races, the real goal is still the race at the close of your training cycle. But these events will give you invaluable experience, as running in and out of transitions and competing with others in close proximity cannot truly be replicated in a normal workout.

Also, participating in lead-up races will serve as a barometer upon which you can measure your progress. No other workout you design can match actual competition, so give yourself the chance to gauge your current level. Doing so will allow you to adjust your training to address weaknesses and to have an increased level of confidence when the real race day finally arrives.

Thus, make a concrete commitment that disallows you from creating excuses. Set a schedule to train for this day, and use smaller races to get you ready. In the end, you’ll find yourself in incredible shape with a new found sense of confidence and purpose.

While triathlon, a sport that has its roots planted squarely in the idea of camaraderie, seems on the exterior to be an entirely individual sport, the preparation for one requires the help of others. Searching out those people who have the same passion as you can go a long way in making your training, not to mention the overall experience, rewarding and safe.

However, many new participants actually shy away from groups, primarily out of intimidation and insecurity. They see those who have competed as too good to work with, and they feel inferior because of their lack of experience. Nothing could be further from the truth. No other sport in society is as supportive and welcoming as triathlon, and those who endure have an endless desire to usher in new people to share in the enjoyment and further the popularity of the sport itself.

Yet finding training partners can be a true challenge. So, consider the following list when trying to discover valuable people to help you on your way to meeting your goals, whatever those may be.

Health Clubs and Gyms: Naturally, social environments and community places such as gyms are destined to have traithletes walking around. Spin classes can be a great resource for meeting people, and, if your club has a pool, then you may find a few floating about.

Group Swim Workouts: Normally held at local YMCAs, health clubs, community pools, or in the open water at area beaches, these groups want people to belong, so all you have to do is ask. While some may be less formal, most have a Masters swim program that offer formal instruction.

Group Riding and Running Clubs: Every community has small packs of people who meet in local parks in the evening to run or ride, so take a ride and find some of these groups.

Formal Triathlon Clubs: Most towns and counties have an established group that organizes and sponsors the sport. Find these people, as they will have access to endless resources.

In the end, working with others will not only give you confidence and a chance to learn, but also it will keep you committed to the sport and your goals.

So many budding triathletes dive into training without thinking about what they actually wish to accomplish. Sure they know they want to finish, but without concrete goals that are attainable, the physical training they invest in will not take the direction necessary for success. Pay attention to the mental side of the sport, especially to the thoughts you need to have before even beginning. Thus, before you embark on your training season, take the time to honestly reflect on your vision for what you want to achieve.

To start, assess where you are right now, and then consider where you want to go. Once you have established those, set a series of smaller steps that you can logically and efficiently follow to achieve that success. Finally, before putting anything into play, evaluate the current state of your life. Can you incorporate the training and the goals into your lifestyle? If you can, then get to work as soon as possible. If you cannot, then revisit your goals, revise them to suit your life, and then begin. Remember that half the battle is actually starting.

Now you can get down to defining your goals, which should always be exact and attainable. For example, set specific dates or distances that you can possibly reach, and make sure that you involve yourself personally—this is very important for you. For example, sign up for the race, don’t just talk about it. The reality of it will push you to train. Never give yourself the option to quit.

Then, once a plan has been determined, write it all down in clear steps, and make sure to record your progress along the way. Utilizing a training journal will let you reflect each day on what worked, what hurt, and what needs revision. Make any required adjustments as your training goes, and, in the end, you will see that a defined plan will provide you with a true sense of accomplishment, especially when you run across that finish line.

The weekend is finally here, which means it’s time to kick back, relax and enjoy some well-deserved rest and relaxation. If you’re trying to get in shape this season, weekends are also opportune times for squeezing in a great workout. Those two days off can be well spent at the gym or undertaking a high-energy routine, but you probably won’t feel like pushing yourself too hard on your vacation from the office.

Here are some fun and easy exercises you can do that are not only enjoyable, but will also blast off several hundred calories per hour and the best part is, you can squeeze them into your weekend schedule with ease:

1. Rollerblading. Rollerblading is a great total body workout, a challenging routine that will get your hamstrings, thighs and glutes in great shape! Just strap on a pair of rollerblades and a helmet, and head out to an area skate park or biking trail for a fun calorie-burning activity.

2. Boating. If you’re the outdoorsy type, hit the lake on a canoe or kayak for a great upper body workout. Not only will you be giving your core muscles and abdominals a wake-up call, but you’ll also get a killer adrenaline rush that will keep you pumped all weekend long.

3. Cross-country skiing. Head out to the nearest ski park for a fun cross-country skiing adventure across the trails. You don’t need real snow to make the most of this adventure that will give your upper and lower body a serious challenge. This activity also burns several hundred calories per hour.

4. Running. If you’re used to hitting the treadmill all week, take your activity outdoors and go for a long run at an area park or down a biking trail. The change of scenery will do your body – and mind – some good, and you can team up with a friend or group of runners for a fun, calorie-burning adventure.

5. Swimming. Hit the pool for an energizing and fun workout that will get your body in tip-top shape. Swimming is a great way to give large and small muscle groups a vigorous workout, and it’s also a fun routine to look forward to each week.

Just a few years ago, Forks, Washington, of the Olympic Peninsula, was just your average tiny American town, a hub for fishing and logging but otherwise unnoticed by the rest of the world. Then, in 2005, a writer named Stephenie Meyer published the first of four books in the Twilight series, each of which takes place in Forks.

Suddenly, little Forks, Washington, became the object of much scrutiny and fascination. Although it is still a small town with a relatively tiny population, the tourism in this city has grown exponentially, along with the outdoorsy activities offered to visitors.

Fishing, for example, is no longer simply a commercial pursuit. Thousands of fishermen travel to Forks every year to try their hand at catching as many steelhead trout and king salmon as possible. Guided fishing expeditions are available for the Quillayute river system, which encompasses four major rivers.

There are also activities for Twilight fans who want to see the Forks depicted in Meyer’s quadrilogy. You might want to visit La Push, where Bella Swan meets her Quillayute friend Jacob Black, or the Forks hospital, where a parking space is reserved for Dr. Cullen , Edward’s “father” in the series.

Also on the Twilight tour are stand-ins for Edward’s and Bella’s homes, restaurants, the Forks High School and other notable institutions in the quadrilogy.

Of course, the outdoorsy vacation isn’t complete without some fun in the sun, which is why many people visit La Push. Here, swimming, water-skiing, surfing and other oceanic activities are all part-and-parcel of the Forks experience.

If you’re going to visit Forks, you should know that rainfall is more common here than in any other area of the United States. Make sure to bring an umbrella and a trusty waterproof jacket.

Even with the rain, however, Forks can be a fun outdoorsy adventure, particularly if you enjoy the weather in the Olympic Peninsula and are a fan of the Twilight series.