When you think about things that could go wrong with your car, you probably think about your engine, tires or frame. However, one little device could mean big problems for your vehicle — the camshaft position sensor. Is it safe to drive with a bad camshaft sensor? Here’s what you need to know.

What Is a Camshaft Sensor?

A camshaft position sensor is a device that monitors your engine’s inlet and exhaust valves. It sends the information to your car’s main computer — the electric control unit (ECU). The ECU collects data from various sensors across the vehicle to ensure the internal combustion engine gets adequate air, fuel and spark at the right time to work as intended and run efficiently.

Although it’s just one of many eyes the ECU relies on to keep tabs on your vehicle’s performance, the cam sensor plays a more vital role than others. It ensures the camshaft’s position is optimal to support proper intake, compression, combustion and exhaust. One discrepancy can deprive intake and exhaust gases enough room to move freely.

As its name suggests, the camshaft position sensor only keeps an eye on the camshaft, which is at the top of an engine. This sensor reads how well your engine’s cylinders move to synchronize how your engine’s electric coils and fuel injectors activate.

However, the cam sensor is clueless about what’s going on with the bottom half. It works with the crankshaft position sensor to paint the whole picture for the ECU.

The crankshaft controls the movement of pistons. The position of pistons and valves must align to allow air and fuel to flow through correctly.

You can usually find a camshaft sensor in the valve cover at the top of your car’s engine. Sometimes, manufacturers will place it on a cylinder head. Depending on an engine’s complexity, there may be more than one.

Camshaft sensors are hardy. Their circuitry can operate in hostile environments and resist electromagnetic interference or power spokes. Most are magnetic and can generate an alternate current for the electronic control module. Some models do need a separate power source.

What Happens When a Camshaft Sensor Goes Bad?

Your vehicle’s cam sensor can fail due to normal wear and tear. If you get into an accident, the impact can damage this component. Regardless of the nature of its failure, it spells disaster. The ECU will receive low-quality information if it can’t collect and transmit accurate data, defeating the purpose of car engine monitoring for optimum performance.

When this happens, the vehicle can burn more fuel than necessary or less than needed. You may experience a rough engine idle from rest. Your engine may stall and turn your vehicle into a road hazard. You may not be able to start your car at all.

Symptoms of a Bad Camshaft Sensor

Diagnosing a camshaft position sensor failure can be challenging. It manifests itself in various car problems, which also suggest other issues. The most common symptoms include the following.

Illuminated Check Engine Light

A broken camshaft position sensor is one of the reasons this dashboard light comes alive. The other causes for concern include:

• Damaged alternator
• Defective ignition coils
• Dwindling fluid levels
• Dying battery
• Faulty wires
• Inoperative spark plugs
• Malfunctioning mass airflow sensor
• Missing catalytic converter
• Unsound exhaust pipe
• Vacuum leak
• Worn-out timing belt

The list goes on and on. Your car’s internal combustion engine has hundreds of parts, so it could be anything. Hooking a specialized computer into the onboard diagnostics-II port below the steering wheel near the door may aid your search.

Declining Fuel Efficiency

Aren’t you getting the same mileage out of your vehicle as before? Your camshaft position sensor may be shot. Clogged fuel injectors, an old air filter, a dirty oxygen sensor, unsuitable engine oil, deflated tires and misaligned wheels can also explain it.

Dirtier Emissions

Your automobile can’t burn fuel efficiently with a failing cam sensor. Expect the same result when you delay an oil change, there’s excessive fuel in the air/fuel mixture or your gas cap is loose.

Unburned Fuel Smell

If your camshaft sensor has seen better days, it can interfere with combustion. Your engine can’t burn all fuel, causing the unused amount to find its way out of the tailpipe and make its presence known by giving off a distinct gas odor.

Moreover, you can catch a whiff of gas fumes when your vehicle’s evaporative emissions system or fuel lines are leaky.

Transmission Shifting Woes

If your car enters limp mode to reduce the maximum speed it can go, its ECU may have detected something wrong with the cam position sensor, integrity of electrical wires or adequacy of transmission fluid level.

Engine Misfires

Camshaft sensors can have a hand in incorrect internal combustion reactions, and so can fuel mismatches, spark plugs, timing belts and vacuum lines.

Acceleration Hesitation

A compromised cam sensor is one of the reasons your engine may hesitate when stepping on the gas pedal, rendering your vehicle virtually impossible to drive. Other possibilities include issues with fuel delivery, the ignition system, circuits, vacuums and control modules.

While these symptoms could indicate other problems, a combination of these is common with a bad camshaft sensor.

Is It Safe to Drive With a Bad Camshaft Sensor?

The short answer is “no.” Though it might seem small and insignificant, your camshaft sensor sends vital information to the rest of your system, ensuring you can safely control your vehicle. You’ll put yourself and anyone else who drives your car at risk if you don’t remedy the issue as soon as possible.

Though everything could still be normal, you don’t want to take the chance.

How Long Can You Drive With a Bad Camshaft Sensor?

You could continue to drive with a bad cam sensor for as long as the engine doesn’t die. However, staying on the road without replacing your faulty component is ill-advised. The camshaft position sensor serves a critical function. Overlooking its significance endangers you, your fellow car occupants and the other motorists you cross paths with.

How Long Does It Take to Replace a Camshaft Sensor?

The good news is that changing your camshaft sensor is easy, and many car owners choose to do it themselves. Consult your car’s maintenance handbook to find out the camshaft position sensor’s location under the hood and how to detach and reattach it as your vehicle’s manufacturer recommends.

These sensors are available at various price points at automotive stores or online marketplaces. Purchase a new model to ensure the replacement will properly function. 

While vehicles are different, adding a new camshaft sensor is generally straightforward. Once you disconnect the negative battery cable and remove the sensor, you’ll need to replace the O-ring seal and install the new sensor.

Avoid Driving With a Bad Camshaft Sensor

Your camshaft sensor is critical in ensuring your car operates safely and efficiently. If you suspect you have a bad camshaft sensor, it’s best to address it immediately so your vehicle remains safe to drive and knows if there is a potential problem. 

With a little research, replacing your camshaft sensor is fairly easy. Consult with an experienced mechanic if you have any questions about whether you properly replaced it.

Looking to learn more? Check out our complete car maintenance checklist and work your way toward becoming an expert home mechanic.

Originally posted 11/16/2023 – Updated 8/9/2024

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Few things put a damper on a lovely Sunday drive in the countryside like a warning ding and a new visual alert signifying car trouble. What do the dashboard lights mean? Is the situation dangerous? What should you do about it, and do you have time to stop at the store before pulling into the mechanic’s shop? 

Although they may seem intimidating at first, your car dashboard symbols and meanings are no more difficult to understand than your smartphone icons. All it takes is the inside scoop on what they mean. Follow this guide to fix that malfunction with minimum fuss and expense while saving yourself stress. 

What Lights Should You See When You Start Your Car? 

If you’re the mindful sort, you might have observed that all of your lights come on when you first start your vehicle. Others don’t even notice, and that’s perfectly okay. This momentary flick of the lights indicates that your car has performed a self-test to ensure all systems are a go. It’s when a warning light remains lit or begins flashing during transit that you need to worry. 

To diagnose what dashboard lights mean, you must first understand that warning lights come in various colors. Red is the most severe, indicating a problem that warrants immediate attention. 

Yellow lights often refer to specific road conditions that require extra caution, such as your traction control switching on in the rain. White, light blue or green lights signify no trouble at all. They simply let you know that you have employed a certain feature, such as your headlights. 

Do Electric Cars Have the Same Dashboard Lights? 

Dashboard lights are necessarily different in an electric vehicle. For one, there’s no need for a gas gauge unless you’re driving a hybrid. However, manufacturers fill that space with stats on energy consumption, battery charge and anticipated range to ensure you don’t accidentally strand yourself without juice. 

However, some lights remain similar. For example, you’ll still receive various system warnings, such as low tire pressure. You might even get a little bonus in the form of eco-friendly alerts that applaud you for environmentally sound driving behaviors. 

How to Master Your Specific Dashboard 

Your car comes with an owner’s manual regardless of whether it is a traditional gas engine, EV or hybrid. Most folks toss it in their glove box and forget it. Do better — take it out and study that puppy. Better yet, take the time to review it with the sales associate before you buy. They can advise you on what the various symbols mean and what actions to take when they appear. 

A Car’s Driver Is It’s Most Important Safety Feature 

According to a recent study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a staggering 94% of automobile accidents result from human error. Although mechanical problems contribute, especially among those with limited income to maintain their vehicles, it pales in comparison to distracted driving or driving while sleepy, enraged or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 

What does this mean for you when your dashboard lights come on? Your first order of business is to remain calm. Panic promotes irrational and impulsive behaviors that increase your accident chances. If a dashboard light appears, take a deep breath, observe the traffic around you and move to the shoulder or another location where it’s safe to pull over and park. 

Know yourself. If you lack mechanical savvy and have little desire to learn, invest in roadside assistance through your insurance carrier or opt for a third-party service like AAA. However, you might be able to troubleshoot what that dashboard light means by referring to this guide. 

13 Dashboard Lights and What They Mean 

Here’s what to do when you see one of these symbols appear on your dashboard. 

1. Check Engine Light 

This little guy may inspire more panic than any other, but it can often result from little more than failing to twist your gas cap all the way after filling up. Other check engine light meanings include: 

• Faulty catalytic converter
• Faulty mass air flow sensor 
• Aging spark plugs
• Faulty oxygen sensor
• Faulty ignition coil 
• Overheating 
• Vacuum leak 
• Oil pressure 
• Ignition system trouble 

It’s quite an extensive list. To pinpoint the precise problem, you’ll need a special computer that hooks to your car’s OBD-II port. You might know where this port is if you use an insurance carrier that rewards you for good driving — it’s typically located below the steering wheel near the driver’s side door. Your mechanic will have one, as do auto parts stores such as O’Reilly and AutoZone. You can purchase one for personal use or borrow theirs to troubleshoot and buy the parts you need for repair. 

2. Oil Light 

Your oil light is a serious signal that should inspire you to take rapid action if you value the life of your motor vehicle. Lack of lubrication causes friction that can seize up your engine, necessitating expensive repairs. It appears when oil pressure gets too low, or the existing oil becomes too broken down and contaminated to function properly. 

Please avoid driving when your oil light comes on. Your quick fix is to add more oil, which is why keeping some in your trunk at all times is a wise idea. Step two is to get your vehicle to the shop for an oil change. 

You can also change your oil at home, and while going to a shop is quicker and easier, it’s worth doing it yourself once or twice to get to know your car. The most dangerous aspect is properly elevating the vehicle to let you climb under it safely. Thin people with lifted rides might skip the jack, but otherwise, ensure you engage the parking brake and use chocks to keep the vehicle stationary while you work. 

When changing your oil at home, ensure you take proper steps to dispose of the used motor oil. While it’s illegal to dump it down the drain or into the wild, bringing it to an approved recycling facility lets manufacturers refine it for new use. Some mechanics shops offer oil recycling, albeit usually to regular customers, but you can also check with your local waste disposal service for disposal alternatives. 

3. Transmission Light 

Your transmission system warning light looks like a gear with an exclamation mark in the center. It may contain the words “at oil temp.” It indicates that your transmission fluid is overheating, which can happen when you have low fluids, high mileage and worn components. Those who have made this mistake when hauling an RV know it can also result from towing a too heavy load. 

When this light appears, pull over as soon as it is safe to do so. You should wait an hour or more before working on overheated engine components. Check your fluid levels, which may correct the problem. However, if damaged parts create the issue, you may have no choice but to repair or rebuild the transmission. It can cost a pretty penny and typically requires more specialized equipment than hobbyist DIYers keep in their home garages. 

4. Indicator Light 

This dashboard light looks super scary, but it’s surprisingly not a sign of immediate danger. However, it does increase your risk of an accident or receiving a ticket if pulled over. Your indicator light signifies that you have a light out somewhere, which can spell trouble if it’s a headlight or taillight that needs attention. 

The solution to this dashboard light is to locate the dead bulb and replace it. Plugging a computer into your car’s OBD-II port facilitates troubleshooting. 

5. Car With Squiggly Lines Light 

You might think that the car with squiggly lines dashboard light signifies a winding road ahead, which may or may not be true. What’s certain is that your car’s stability control system detects wheel slippage, problems or malfunctions. 

In general, the only action you need to take when this dashboard light appears is to slow down and drive more carefully, given wet or slick conditions. However, if it frequently lights up, and you live in Phoenix, AZ, not Seattle, WA, you should consult your mechanic. It may indicate a problem with your car’s traction system or an electrical issue causing the light to malfunction. 

6. Exclamation Point on Dash 

Any time an exclamation point appears within or next to another dashboard light, it indicates a fault in the system. For example, your tires should hold between 32 and 35 psi to perform at their best. An exclamation point inside two curved brackets with a rough bottom indicates that your tire pressure is low and you risk a flat. 

An exclamation point next to a steering wheel indicates a fault with your power steering system. Although you may technically be able to drive your vehicle, turning it transforms from a simple act to one requiring Herculean strength. Your ability to maneuver quickly avoids accidents, so get to the shop for repairs without delay. You may need to call for a tow, depending on how far you must travel. 

7. Part Time Light 

Once upon a time, switching to 4-wheel drive meant physically exiting your vehicle and locking your tires. Now, you can do so from inside your ride, but engaging temporary 4-wheel drive may cause a “part time” light to appear on your dash. It doesn’t mean your vehicle is in need of parts — it’s simply a reminder that you should switch back to 2-wheel drive before getting on the highway to avoid damaging your transmission. 

8. Fog Light 

Here’s a light that shouldn’t evoke any alarm when it appears on your dashboard. While your fog lights can drain your battery if left on when you turn off your car, the worst that can happen is you’ll later turn the key, and nothing will happen — which is bad if you’re running late for an appointment but not inherently dangerous. This dashboard light is simply a reminder to flick that switch before exiting your ride lest you strand your future self. 

9. Coolant Level Light 

If a drowning thermometer lights up on your dashboard, however, it’s time to take serious action. This light indicates that you are getting low on coolant, which puts you at risk of overheating. Your best course of action is to pull over, wait a sufficient time for the engine to cool and add more antifreeze. Water will do in an emergency but may contain impurities that damage your engine. 

Additionally, you should flush and replace your coolant every 30,000 miles or so or per your manufacturer’s instructions. As with changing your oil, it’s generally easier and just as cost-effective to take it to the shop — but getting your DIY groove on a time or two familiarizes you with your vehicle and gives you a sense of confidence in regards to auto mechanics. Go for it. 

10. ABS Sensor Light 

Your brakes are another area of your car you shouldn’t play with, so get to the shop if this light comes on. ABS stands for antilock braking system, which enhances your control on slick surfaces and replaces the old-fashioned need to pump your brakes when going into a skid. 

What’s dangerous about this dashboard light is that some people ignore it if their brakes otherwise work fine. However, many things can cause the system to malfunction, and getting to a shop is the only way to ensure that you can stop your vehicle quickly when necessary to avoid accidents. 

11. Airbag Warning Light 

If a light depicting a seated person with a circle above it appears, it indicates that there is a problem with the supplemental restraint system. Although it isn’t illegal to drive without airbags — they only came into popular use 50 years ago — doing so increases your risk of serious injury in an accident. 

Please note that your airbag warning light may not appear on your dashboard. For example, some models of 4WD vehicles intended for off-road use, like Jeeps, have them near the gear shift box, enabling drivers to manually disengage them when traversing bumpy roads to avoid accidental deployment. 

12. Battery Light 

Your battery light means something slightly different if you drive an electric vehicle. Such models often have various indicators to tell you how much charge remains and how far you can go before you need to plug in. However, on standard gas-powered vehicles, this icon indicates an issue with your battery or charging system. 

While it’s rare to lose power in transit as your engine keeps things moving, you could find yourself in need of a jump if you fail to address the issue. Often, a new battery is all you need, but worn cables, corrosion around the terminals or alternator issues could also prompt this light to appear. 

13. Low Fuel Light 

Here’s a dashboard light that nearly everyone recognizes. You probably also know what to do — get thee to the nearest gas station and fuel up. 

Special Note on Clearing Dashboard Lights 

Here’s another reason to invest in a computer for your OBD-II ports if you prefer to DIY rather than take your car to the shop. In general, dashboard lights disappear once you address the underlying cause that made them appear in the first place. However, it isn’t always automatic. Some models require you to clear the issue via this port manually — the check engine light is a notorious example. 

Clearing the issue should extinguish any remaining unwanted dashboard lights. However, pay attention if they reappear and seek help from a professional mechanic who specializes in your model to determine what further repairs you need. 

What Your Dashboard Lights Mean 

Seeing a new alert on your car isn’t fun. However, it’s cause for alarm, not panic. Understanding what your dashboard lights mean gives you peace of mind on the road. 

Print out this copy of car dashboard symbols and meanings to keep in your glove box. Let it be your handy guide to what to do when a strange, new dashboard light appears. 

Icons courtesy of Vecteezy.com

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Weight training offers many benefits. It helps you build muscle, relieve stress and keep your mind and body healthy. If you’re dedicated enough to your nutrition, you could even sport the fabled six-pack on the beach this summer. However, you should be aware of the disadvantages of weight training as much as you are of its advantages to stay in good health while working out to be in better shape.

What Is Weight Training?

Weight training is a workout using weights as resistance to strengthen your muscles and improve their tone. It may enhance your balance and flexibility, allowing you to live more independently as you age. This activity may also reduce blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels, increase bone density, accelerate metabolism and contribute to brain health.

If you experience chronic pain, live with a heart condition and struggle with weight management, this training may be beneficial. Aside from aiding physical health, this workout may also help you be more mentally fit. Weight training may alleviate symptoms of depression, boost your self-confidence and sharpen your cognitive skills — like thinking and learning.

This workout generally involves free weights, including:

• Fixed-weight barbells with bumper, metal or fractional plates
• Olympic barbells
• Specialty bars — such as axle, cambered bench press, EZ curl, hex weight, open trap, safety squat and strongman log bars
• Adjustable, rubber hex and urethane dumbbells
• Adjustable, cast iron, and competition kettlebells
• Medicine and slam balls
• Steel clubs
• Heavy hammers and maces
• Weighted vests
• Farmer’s walk handles
• Yokes
• Sandbags

You can also do various exercises with weight machines. Examples include:

• Seated arm extension, curl or arm row
• Seated press, overhead press, leg curl or lat pulldown
• Lying leg curl
• Assisted close-grip pull-up
• Rear leg extension
• Hanging leg raise

The suitable exercise and equipment depend on your health goals, fitness level and experience. Regardless of what you aim for, how fit you are and how many times you’ve done weight training before, you should observe some of these best practices to notice gains more quickly and protect yourself:

• Take your time.
• Mind your breathing.
• Switch to a heavier weight slowly.
• Finish at least one set of every exercise.
• Put a premium on variety.
• Get plenty of rest.

Cons of Lifting Weights

As with any other physical activity, proper techniques and planning are essential to obtaining the desired results. Otherwise, things could go terribly awry — it’s rare, but it happens. Here’s what you should know about the negative effects of heavy weight lifting and how to minimize the risks.

1. Acute Injuries

Hitting the gym isn’t inherently dangerous, but the injury statistics bear a grim warning. A study of 4,785 male and 542 female members of a U.S. Army Division revealed that 4.5% of men and 0.6% of women got hurt throughout one year of weight training. These figures translate to 0.31 and 0.05 injury incidents per 1,000 hours between the two genders. What lurks behind these fitness foibles?

The most significant weight training downside is that anyone can do it. The gym’s accessibility should be a huge benefit, but people vary widely in their fitness expertise and don’t always get their information from reliable sources. Beginners usually don’t realize their mistakes until it’s too late, which results in a sudden and often severe injury. This vicious cycle is one of the main cons of weightlifting that turns skeptics away.

As a result, far too many gym-goers use improper — even downright dangerous — techniques they see online or witness other people doing. For example, it’s not uncommon for folks doing Romanian deadlifts to strain their lower back and cause chronic back pain, which is one of the leading causes of disability.

Back strains are statistically the most common weight-training injuries, but there are many others. Shoulders, knees and elbows are also injury-prone areas because of the pressure they have to endure. These disadvantages of lifting heavy weights often scare people away from specific exercises. 

What’s your best bet for avoiding injury? Hire a personal trainer — even if only for a session or two. You might even get this service for free. Many fitness facilities help new members learn proper weight-lifting techniques as part of the package. Please take advantage of this benefit if offered.

You might also consider sticking with strength training machines instead of heading to the free weights — especially if you’re a novice. The fixed nature of these devices reduces your injury risk by operating in a fixed range of motion to guide weights up and down. You won’t work as many complementary and opposing muscle groups, but you’ll prevent unnecessary strain. 

Another pro-tip: go light. Far too many injuries occur when people bite off more than they can chew — a classic example involves getting pinned under a bench press bar. It also helps to have a spotter, even if they aren’t a professional trainer. They can help you with those heavy lifts and critique your form. Plus, working out with a buddy motivates you to stick with the program.

2. Overtraining

Most people understand the “weekend warrior” syndrome: you remain relatively sedentary all week, then hit the gym hard on the weekends. Come Monday, you hobble back into the office with every part of your body screaming.

Overtraining — which happens to be one of the disadvantages of powerlifting — is a significant risk of weight training. It can occur when you work out at an intensity level that is too high for too long without a break while ignoring the subtle signs that you should slow down. Ironically, training too hard or too frequently can derail your progress because it can result in injuries or performance plateaus. 

How can you recognize when you’ve pushed past your limits? Look for the following signs:

• Persistent soreness: While many people experience delayed-onset muscle soreness when starting an unfamiliar strenuous exercise, you shouldn’t always feel sore. If your muscles continuously ache throughout your training or randomly experience spasms during the day, you should take things down a notch.
• “Heavy” muscles: No, we’re not referring to your bulk. Rather, this heaviness is a subjective feeling — you might find it challenging to do basic physical activities throughout the day, such as walking up a flight of stairs, sitting on the toilet or doing household chores.
• Increase in tension, anger or confusion: One of the overlooked cons of weight training is how physical exercise can negatively impact your mental state. Overtraining can increase the stress hormone cortisol, aggravating your mood and making you anxious.
• Inability to relax and poor quality sleep: Going too hard also keeps your central nervous system in a constant “high alert” state. As a result, you may feel perpetually restless and find it impossible to stay asleep even though you’re exhausted.

There is a common misconception among fitness beginners that you need to train two or three hours a day. This idea could not be further from the truth. Generally, most of your workouts should take at most one hour to maximize the benefits. After one hour, the benefits plateau. After two hours, you’re doing more harm than good.

Aside from the above disadvantages of weight training, too frequent longer workouts can lead to burnout and more likely to quit your program. You must train in moderation for the good of your physical and mental state.

3. Joint Damage

Lifting something heavy can result in joint strains and sprains, which is ironic because exercising can ease your pain if you have arthritis. It builds the muscle around your joints so your cartilage doesn’t have to do all the work. Whether you benefit from healthier joints depends on your form and the resistance level you select. 

You can avoid or minimize joint pain by following these tips: 

• Warm-up: Your warm-up is the place for dynamic stretching. Moves like lunges and squats without weights prepare your lower body, while tai chi twists and shoulder rolls prepare your upper body for action. 
• Stay light: Treat weight training like the tortoise and the hare. You’re in this for the long haul. Therefore, stay on the lighter side with your weight selection, gradually increasing as it feels safe. You’ll never become one of the hulking behemoths you admire if you spend half your time on the disabled list. 
• Maintain proper posture: Focusing on your form when working out is more important than transitioning to a heavier weight. Good posture protects your muscles as you build them and removes unnecessary stress on your joints. You can get better results when you can concentrate on your form and maximize your full range of motion even if you lift lighter weights.
• Perform various exercises: Mixing things up enables the joints you frequently use when doing your favorite activities to recuperate. Target a different body part in every lifting session to avoid overworking your joints and experience less pain.
• Cool down: You should stretch — and rest. Taking adequate time allows your body to repair the microscopic tears that lead to strength gains.
• Stick to your program: It may take 6-8 weeks for your joints to get used to your training. The more you commit to it, the more your body becomes accustomed to your level of activity.
• Listen to your body: Every day in the gym is different. Minor changes in hormonal or hydration levels can impact performance. You could even have a mild infection without knowing it — you may only feel more tired than usual. Honor your body’s cues and take it easy when need be.
• Use a trainer: A credentialed exercise coach can point out what you do wrong and teach you safe workout habits. Comparing notes with fellow gymgoers helps, but no opinion matters more than professional advice. Listening to average fitness enthusiasts may endanger your joint health and sabotage your strength goals.
• Seek physical therapy: If your joint problems are ongoing, consider visiting a physical therapist. Massage therapy or chiropractic therapy could be the solution you’re looking for.
• Wear supportive equipment: You can wear a weight lifting belt along with sleeves or wraps on your elbows, knees and wrists to increase stability and safety during heavy lifts.

Moreover, you may feel joint pain due to improper diet. You should eat anti-inflammatory foods — such as beans, berries, fish and green tea. You could also take a collagen protein supplement to improve skin and joint elasticity.

4. Tight Muscles 

Everyone’s flexibility range differs. You could find yourself limited compared to your previous stretching ability. Although you can gradually improve your flexibility with specific activities, your genes, age, height and injury history may limit your range of movement.

Fortunately, you can address this concern more easily than the other items on this list. You will see noticeable benefits to your tight muscles by performing some post-workout flexibility exercises. You can do this simple routine at the gym or home with some resistance bands whenever you can.

Additionally, you should devote your rest day to yoga practice to balance strength with elasticity. Strength training can still be the foundation of your exercise routine, but mixing in other workout styles is always a good idea so you don’t have any significant weaknesses.

5. Arterial Tears

If the thought of tearing open a major blood vessel inside your body scares you, it should. Arterial tears are probably the scariest disadvantage of lifting heavy weights. Although women mainly deal with spontaneous coronary artery dissection, men may sustain it after carrying a heavy object or doing strength training. Occasionally, other blood vessels — like the celiac artery — may also incur damage.

If you want to avoid rupturing a blood vessel at all costs but don’t want to give up strength training, avoid the heaviest exercises — like the bench press, deadlift or squat. Most arterial tears occur in a powerlifting setting when performing these three compound movements. Stick to machines, cables and lighter free weights.

Avoid the Disadvantages of Weight Training 

Strength training is one of the best physical activities you can do. It tones your body while benefiting your mental health. It can even help you meet friends and make meaningful business connections in the gym. 

However, you have to recognize the risks. Now that you know the disadvantages of weight training, you can take adequate measures to make your next sweat session safer and more productive.

Want to learn to weight train safely and effectively? Check out our breakdowns of the best lifting routines for lean muscles and mastering the proper form for lifting.

Originally written 2/5/2023 — Updated 5/13/24

The post Are There Disadvantages of Weight Training? What to Know (Updated for 2024) appeared first on Modded.

As you lace up your hiking boots and step into the great outdoors, the beauty of nature unfolds before you with every step. Moreover, there’s the added thrill of potentially encountering wildlife — including various types of bears — in their natural habitats.

Whether it’s the dense, whispering forests, the vast, open mountains or the tranquil, hidden valleys, each trail offers its unique charm. Keep your senses sharp and your camera ready in these situations. Meeting a bear on the trail can turn an ordinary hike into an extraordinary adventure.

5 Types of Bears Commonly Seen While Hiking

As you embark on your next hiking adventure, it’s fascinating to consider the variety of bear species you might come across in the wild. From the familiar black bear to the formidable grizzly, each type has unique traits and habitats, enriching your outdoor experience with their presence.

1. Black Bears

Black bears — recognized as North America’s most familiar and common bears — are a sight to behold with their sleek, dark fur and robust build. Sometimes, these bears can sport lighter cinnamon shades.

Typically weighing between 200 and 600 pounds, these adaptable creatures roam from the dense forests of Canada and Alaska, stretching south into parts of the U.S. and Mexico. As you explore these regions, you might spot them foraging in the woods or crossing a meadow, a testament to their wide-ranging habitats and ability to thrive in various environments.

2. Grizzly Bears

Grizzly bears, also known as brown bears, are larger and more robust than their black bear cousins, with a distinct muscular hump on their shoulders and longer, curved claws for digging. Their fur can range from a dark brown to a light tan, often with grizzled gray or golden tips, giving them their name.

You’ll typically find them in the northern Rocky Mountains, parts of Alaska and some isolated areas in western Canada, where they roam from coastal areas to mountain forests. As you venture into these wild, less-populated regions, watch for these imposing yet magnificent types of bears in their natural habitats.

3. Polar Bears

While hiking, encountering a polar bear is rare, as these majestic creatures predominantly roam the icy, remote Arctic regions. Suppose your adventures take you to colder climates, especially Alaska. 

You might be among the lucky few who spot one of the estimated 4,000 to 7,000 polar bears residing there. Known for their stark white fur, which helps them blend seamlessly into their snowy surroundings, polar bears are a thrilling sight, embodying the wild spirit of the Arctic’s vast landscapes.

4. Asiatic Bears

Asiatic bears, often called moon bears for the distinctive crescent-shaped white patch on their chest, boast a sleek black coat and a relatively small size compared to other types of bears. These species primarily dwell in the forested areas of Asia. 

They roam through countries like Japan, Korea, China and parts of Russia and India. As you wander through these lush landscapes, watch for these unique creatures. They blend remarkably well into the dense foliage of their woodland habitats.

5. Sloth Bears

Sloth bears stand out among their bear relatives with their shaggy black coats and a distinctive pale, shaggy mane around their faces. Unlike other bears, sloth bears primarily feast on insects. They use their long, curved claws and uniquely adapted lips to extract termites and bees from their nests expertly.

They are native to the Indian subcontinent. However, suppose your travels or visits to wildlife reserves take you around the U.S. You might find it intriguing that there are about 30 sloth bears across 15 facilities in the country. They offer a rare glimpse of these fascinating creatures far from their natural habitats.

Preparing for Bear Encounters

Preparing correctly and staying aware of your surroundings is crucial when hiking in bear country. Before you set out, pack bear-safe food containers to store your snacks securely, reducing the chance of attracting curious types of bears. Additionally, it’s wise to bring high-energy snacks like nuts, trail mix and energy bars to keep your energy levels up during your trek.

If you find yourself face-to-face with a bear, remain calm and avoid running or making sudden movements, as these can trigger a chase response. Speak in a relaxed, firm voice to let the bear know you are human and not prey. Always carry bear spray, a vital tool to deter a bear from approaching. It releases a cloud of pepper spray up to about 10 meters at over 100km per hour.

Suppose the bear does not retreat. Use your bear spray as directed, aiming carefully and allowing the spray to create a barrier between you and the bear. It facilitates your safe withdrawal from the area. Remember, your safety comes first, so educate yourself and be prepared for encounters.

Best Practices for Bear Watching

In 2023, over 61 million Americans embraced the great outdoors through hiking. They connect with nature and often encounter its majestic inhabitants, like various types of bears. When observing and photographing these powerful creatures, it’s essential to maintain a safe distance to ensure your safety and their peace.

Equip yourself with binoculars or a camera with a strong zoom lens to capture stunning images from afar. This method provides remarkable snapshots and protects the bears’ natural behavior and environment.

While enjoying the thrill of bear watching, remember the ethical responsibility to respect and preserve wildlife and their habitats. Avoid disturbing or threatening bears, such as getting too close or trying to feed them.

By acting responsibly, you contribute to conservation efforts and ensure future generations will enjoy the opportunity to witness these incredible animals in their natural settings. Keep in mind that observing from a distance is safer and more respectful to the wildlife you’re admiring.

Where and When to Hike for Optimal Bear Sightings

The best times to see bears in the wild are during the spring when they emerge from hibernation and in early fall as they bulk up for the winter. In North America, prime spots for bear sightings include Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. They are known for their grizzly populations, while the Great Smoky Mountains have black bears.

Consider joining guided wildlife tours or bear-watching hiking groups to enhance your experience and ensure safety. Knowledgeable guides lead these tours and can provide insights into bear behaviors and habitats. It greatly increases your chances of a sighting while maintaining a respectful distance from these magnificent creatures.

Understanding Bear Behavior and Safety on the Trail

Before setting out on your next hiking adventure, take the time to educate yourself about bears and other wildlife you may encounter. Knowledge of their behaviors and habitats enriches your experience. It ensures a safer journey for you and the animals you observe.

The post 5 Types of Bears You Might Encounter on Your Next Hiking Trip appeared first on Modded.

The fitness industry can be split into two categories — 10% of knowledgeable people who genuinely help others reach their health and wellness goals, and 90% con artists. People have lost thousands of dollars — not to mention feeling ashamed and embarrassed — by falling victim to fitness scams.

Here are seven of the most prominent fitness scams you should look out for as you browse the online fitness community.

1. Diet Fads

Diet fads are the oldest and most dangerous fitness scams known to mankind. They long predate the modern fitness industry, but they have become much more prevalent during the social media age. A great example is the paleolithic or “paleo” diet, which basically means you have to adopt a caveman’s diet from 10,000 years ago.

While it’s true that paleo, keto, vegetarian, vegan and other diets can benefit certain individuals, most people don’t need them. These diet fads are largely money-making schemes promoted by fitness influencers with no scientific evidence of their benefits. Instead of hopping on the latest dietary trends, stick to a balanced muscle-building diet with whole foods.

2. Scam Supplements

One of the most prevalent fitness scams in 2024 is the “supplement” trend. It seems like every fitness influencer and celebrity these days is putting out their own line of “supplements” with crappy ingredients and unknown side effects with no federal regulation. This might be a difficult pill to swallow, but a vast majority of supplements do absolutely nothing to improve your health. 

Here’s a complete list of supplements you DON’T NEED:

• BCAA’s
• CLA
• HMB
• Turkesterone
• Testosterone boosters
• Growth hormone releasers
• “Advanced” forms of creatine
• L-Glutamine
• Myostatin blockers
• Nitric oxide boosters
• Methoxy
• Ecdysterone
• Green coffee bean
• Raspberry ketones
• Garcinia Cambogia

Assuming you don’t have any major dietary restrictions or meticulous food preferences, you only need to be taking five supplements at most — protein powder, creatine, pre-workout, multivitamins and fish oil. Even these products are completely optional. Don’t feel pressured to take a bunch of scam supplements just because some snake oil salesman on TikTok told you to.

3. Useless Equipment

Aside from the diet-related fitness scams, the most common scam you will encounter is useless or dysfunctional workout equipment. While the equipment often looks cool, it serves no functional purpose except to sucker people into spending their hard-earned money. Here are some pieces of equipment that you should avoid:

• Shake weight
• Free Flexor ab machine
• Ab circle
• Thigh master
• Vibrating platforms
• Ab-toning belts
• Shape-up shoes

4. “Get Shredded Fast” Workout Programs

If there was a quick and easy way to build muscle, it wouldn’t be a secret. All of those “get shredded fast” workout programs peddled by fitness influencers on social media are full of disinformation. They usually mislead people into buying the program through half-truths with exaggerations mixed in, but sometimes they tell boldfaced lies.

Perhaps the most notorious fitness industry scammer today is the influencer “V-Shred”. His program advertisements claim to include scientific breakthroughs that nobody else has discovered. They also claim to give users results that are impossible to achieve within the prescribed time frame. If your favorite influencer starts acting like V-Shred, it’s time to find a new fitness role model.

5. Social Media Manipulation

Have you ever noticed that fitness influencers have perfect bodies in all of their pictures on social media? Don’t let this distorted version of reality fool you. These people heavily edit all of their content to make themselves look like supermodels 24/7. Social media has manipulated people with average physiques into chasing unrealistic standards.

This fitness scam is more harmful than you might think. It can lead to feelings of body dysmorphia in many people because they feel inadequate. This problem is just one reason why you should take regular breaks from social media and stay grounded in reality. Stop comparing yourself to people who photoshop all of their pictures and focus on your own goals.

7. Natural vs. Unnatural

The natural vs. unnatural debate is raging in the fitness community right now. Every influencer is under a microscope as fans try to figure out if they’re taking steroids. The worst type of influencer is the guy who claims to be natural but is secretly enhanced and lies to his audience. This scam further perpetuates unrealistic body standards that hurt people’s self esteem. 

Fortunately, many of these dishonest characters are being exposed. The most famous recent example is the public figure Brian Johnson or  “Liver King,” who got caught paying $11,000 a month for steroids while claiming to be natural. His physique is clearly enhanced but it took people years to realize he wasn’t natural, which is a testament to how distorted the average person’s understanding of fitness has become.

7. Uncertified Personal Trainers

In most cases the scammy equipment will advertise a specific benefit. For example, the aforementioned ab machines promise to “burn your belly fat” and give you a six pack in a few weeks. These claims are always BS. Stick to the equipment at your local gym or do bodyweight exercises instead.

The final scam you need to be aware of is uncertified personal trainers. The personal trainer profession has many qualified people, but most of them fly under the radar on social media because they aren’t flashy and don’t clickbait their audiences. Many famous fitness influencers claim to be personal trainers but actually have no formal training or certifications.

Nowadays, people can gain a few thousand followers on instagram posting workout videos, put “certified personal trainer” in their bio and scam people into buying their programs. Thousands of people have fallen for this exact scam. As a general rule, don’t take fitness advice from people until you learn more about their backgrounds.

Don’t Fall for Common Fitness Scams

These fitness scams are just seven of the most common occurrences. For the most part, the fitness industry is no longer about health and wellness. It has become another extension of the entertainment and beauty industries, misleading people into consuming useless and sometimes unhealthy products.

The post 7 Fitness Scams Plaguing the Industry Right Now appeared first on Modded.

Millions of Americans suffer from lower back pain. While this condition results from multiple causes, including some of the worst exercises in your workout routine only increases your agony. 

Your lumbar spine is one of your body’s most delicate areas because of the lack of support. It does the hard work of holding you upright without a single prop to help it carry the load. 

Straining this region can make going about your daily activities excruciating. Avoid these eight worst exercises for your lower back to keep yourself standing tall and pain-free. 

Is Exercise Good for a Bad Lower Back? 

In general, exercise benefits lower back pain. Doctors often caution against remaining sedentary as it increases pain. A sedentary lifestyle can worsen ankylosing spondylitis and degenerative disc disease by increasing stiffness. 

However, not all moves are approved for folks with bad lower backs. In general, you should avoid contact sports or anything with excessive impact that could cause your discs to grind together. Furthermore, pass on moves that can tear surrounding soft tissues. While they may not cause permanent damage, they can alter your posture, affecting your spine. 

8 of the Worst Exercises for Your Lower Back

Give the following eight moves a pass if you have lower back pain, as they’re among the worst exercises for kicking up trouble in this region. 

1. Off-Road Biking 

If you have lumbar issues, you could find biking, in general, too painful outside of the recumbent models at the gym. Leaning over your handlebars can cause agony. However, even folks who do fine on pavement can find the rock-hopping and sudden jerkiness of off-road biking damaging to their spine. Instead, stick to a Pelaton or a similar device with a big screen that sends you on a virtual pedal adventure. 

2. Contact Sports 

Contact sports increase the risk of nearly any type of injury, and your back is particularly vulnerable. Reflect on your physiology for a moment — there’s nothing from your ribcage to your hips except your spine that can absorb a tackle besides soft tissue. Stick to sparring with the heavy bag and perform speed drills to maintain your ability to float like a bee, but stay away from actual punches. 

3. Double-Leg Lift

Double-leg lifts came into vogue as a move to blast your lower abs. However, it often fails to meet that goal, instead putting excess strain on your lumbar spine. When you lie supine and elevate your legs, it presses your lower back into the floor. However, dropping your legs restores that curve and strains your muscles. 

What should you do instead? The following moves blast your lower abs without straining your back:

• Dead bug: Lie on your back with your arms extended straight up toward the sky and your legs lifted to 90 degrees, bent at the knee. Extend one leg while reaching the opposite arm overhead, then switch. 
• Mountain climbers: Begin from a pushup position. Alternate bringing each knee toward your chest. You can also add a twist to work deeper into the sides of the waistline. 

4. Back Squats 

Placing a bar across your shoulders as you squat puts undue pressure on your lower back. Even if you use a belt, a slight misjudgment in form can result in a strain or sprain that lays you up for a week, stymying your progress. 

Instead, place the bar in front of you, just below your collarbones. You can also do a Zercher squat, which involves holding the bars with bent elbows instead of your hands. Grabbing a kettlebell to keep in front of you is an alternative to a barbell, as are using machines like the leg sled. 

5. Planks 

Hoorah! You finally have the perfect excuse to skip planks. While they’re fine for most people, a slight shift in positioning can cause a flare of agony in those with degenerative discs in their lumbar spine. It doesn’t take much to squeeze the jelly out of those donuts, and your spinal cord is exquisitely sensitive. 

Alternatives include side planks, which still work the transverse abdominal muscles without straining your lower back. Dead bug and standing crunches are additional options. 

6. Superman Lifts 

It sounds like a great way to strengthen your lower back — lie on your belly and extend your arms and legs. However, the classic Superman move puts undue strain on the lumbar spine. 

Instead, stick to good mornings for your wakeup back strengthening, standing with your feet hips width apart, knees soft. Keeping your spine long and straight, hinge your hips to 45° before rising to stand. Dumbbells and Romanian deadlifts are alternative back strengtheners. 

7. Traditional Situps 

Many trainers also advise staying away from traditional situps. They also rank as one of the worst exercises for other reasons, as they work your hip flexors rather than carving a 6-pack. 

Hanging leg raises are a great alternative, especially for those targeting the tough lower belly area. Bicycles are great for all-over abdominal toning. 

8. Rounded Hamstring Stretches 

Can you bend over and touch your toes? If doing so causes you to round your lower back, don’t try it. Rounded hamstring stretches can strain your back. Your best bet is to keep a straight spine, using yoga blocks to support your upper body weight if your fingertips or palms don’t reach the floor. Another alternative? Do a seated forward fold, keeping your spine straight and using a strap or a towel around your feet to increase muscle lengthening without rounding. 

Mythbusting: Is Yoga Always Good for Back Pain? 

A common myth is that everyone with chronic back pain should do yoga. Guess what? While that advice has merit, choosing the wrong style of yoga can do more harm than good. For example, the Ashtanga primary series is extremely tough on people with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, as excessive forward flexion and extension create serious strain. 

That said, millions of people have successfully used yoga to alleviate back pain, sometimes for good. The key is to choose the right format. Stay away from more intense styles and look for soothing Hatha or restorative classes to get your fix. 

More Mythbusting: Is High-Intensity Exercise Always Bad for Back Pain? 

Likewise, many trainers advise clients with back issues to stay away from high-intensity exercises like running. In some cases, that advice holds. 

However, other people find greater relief from running than walking, as it burns calories more quickly, letting you get in your workout before the compression on your spine from remaining upright becomes too much to bear. Experiment and work with your doctor if you have an existing injury to determine what’s best for you. 

Worst Exercises for Your Lower Back

You work out to feel your best, not cause further pain. While the right moves ease aches, you should stay away from the worst exercises for your lower back if you’re one of the many with trouble in that area. 

You can still get your fitness fix. Simply replace the worst exercises above with healthier versions and enjoy a healthier, more pain-free you. 

The post 8 of the Worst Exercises for Your Lower Back  appeared first on Modded.

While #earwax has become trendy for oddly satisfying content in the last few years, how safe is it to do a DIY cleaning with an ear wax removal kit? Here’s everything you need to know about ear wax removal, from the safest ear wax removal kits to tell-tale signs that it’s time to go to an ear doctor. 

An Inside Look into The Earwax Removal Market

Over the past decade, the earwax removal market has grown in leaps and bounds. The market was valued at $193 million in 2022 and is set to hit $301 million in 2033. Geriatric patients make up 48% of the market share because of a prevalence in hearing disorders and earwax impaction. 

People prefer to take care of ear wax issues at home since some ear wax buildup conditions require a removal appointment every three to six months. 

Ear Wax removal is also popular partly because of the fads and trends of healthcare TikTok, like the #earwax hashtag with thousands of videos that have amassed about 8 billion views collectively. 

The #earwax content ranges from diy earwax removal to videos of ear doctors performing in-office extractions. Among them is Dr. Earwax, an Owings Mills audiologist with over a million followers on the social media platform. Her job is to test hearing, adjust hearing aids and mold custom earplugs. She’s become somewhat of an influencer with her oddly satisfying earwax extraction content. 

You Don’t Need Ear Wax Removal 

As oddly satisfying as it is to watch (and remove) your own earwax, most ear, nose and throat doctors recommend you leave your ears alone. Unless you’re part of the 5% of American adults with impacted earwax, let your ears be.  

The amount of earwax in your ear is nothing to worry about for a healthy person without impacted earwax or hearing issues. 

In fact, earwax has several important purposes: 

• Your earwax has antimicrobial properties and protects your eardrums from germs.
• The lubricating effect of earwax protects from ear infections.
• Earwax prevents dry skin by keeping the ear canal moisturized. 
• It prevents and you from getting dust or harmful small objects in your ear. 

In addition to protecting your ears from infections, dust and other objects, the body has a natural ear wax regulation function. The shape of your ears makes it easy for earwax to vacate your ears using gravity. Regular jaw movements and chewing also remove any wax that needs to come out. When cleaning your ears as part of your grooming routine, put a few drops of mineral oil in your ear and let it wash out in the shower. 

You only need to act if there’s hardened wax or if your hearing changes, which oftentimes requires medical attention. 

Risks Associated With Earwax Removal

Using a DIY ear wax removal kit without medical supervision or following instructions can result in hearing loss, eardrum perforation and infection if done haphazardly. Some of the most popular methods present risks to the integrity of your ear drum and ear canal:

Q-Tips 

And while using Q-tips is a common thing, they can be dangerous because they push earwax deeper into your ear instead of getting it out. Frequent use can also result in micro scratches in your ear canal, which is the perfect breeding ground for infection. 

Ear Candling 

It seems quite magical that placing a candle or cone on your ear to draw ear wax out with a flame, it’s risky for your ears and face overall. If not held properly, you could drop hot ear wax into your ear or face, which can result in third-degree burns. 

Steer clear of ear wax removal trends, and always take precautions to protect your ears. 

When To Get Ear Wax Removed

For the average person, simply cleaning the visible parts of your ear now and then is enough. However, some people experience an overproduction of wax or impacted wax from hearing aids or other in-ear audio devices. In addition, if you experience these symptoms, get help: 

• Changes in hearing like muffled sounds. 
• Ringing or sensitivity.
• Pain or itchiness.  
• Fullness in the ear

Your first port of call should be an ear, nose and throat doctor. They will know what to do, whether that’s a professional ear cleaning or medication for infection. Two of the most common methods they use are irrigation and micro suctioning. 

Irrigation

With irrigation, the physician will insert warm water into the ear canal with an irrigation device to clear wax and rinse out your ear. They will then use a forceps to remove any leftover wax particles. 

Micro suctioning

This method uses a small vacuum to suck up any ear wax buildup from your ear. The downside is that you may feel some discomfort like dizziness or struggle to hear. However, this only lasts a short time before you experience the relief. 

Top 4 Safest Ear Wax Removal Kits 

While doctors recommend you visit a physician for cleaning, regular ear-cleaning appointments aren’t feasible for everyone. This list contains the safest ear wax removal kits, from FDA-approved to good reviews. However, you should still exercise caution. The most important thing is to be careful and attentive. 

1. Safkan Health OtoSet

This is the only FDA-approved at-home ear wax removal kit. It combines irrigation and suctioning to remove ear wax in minutes. It looks like headphones, which you place over your ears and click a button to run the motor. 

2. Smart Bud

For Q-tip users, this is an alternative that let’s see you see what you’re doing so you can remove ear wax effectively. The Smart Bud is a pencil-like contraption with a small scoop at the end you can use to gently scrape out ear wax. It has a camera on the end and you can connect it to your phone, and take pictures or screenshots if you need to seek medical advice. 

3. Ear Vacuum Wax Remover

This ear wax vacuum has five different suction levels to absorb and remove excess ear wax. The head is made of silicone, which prevents any scratching or discomfort. Buyers praise it for its ability to clear buildup and clean their eardrums to make way for ear infection antibiotics and treatments. 

4. Ear Irrigation Flushing System

This device is similar to what a physician would use in-office. It has ear wash spray, a bottle to put enough water for irrigation, a bulb syringe and a basin to catch excess water during irrigation. One of the safest methods to remove ear wax is to flush it out with hydrogen peroxide. This flushing system works perfectly for that. 

Safe Ear Wax Removal 

Seek medical help if you notice ear issues or hard buildup that won’t come out naturally. When it comes to safe ear wax removal, the best rule to follow is to keep it out of your ears if it’s smaller than your elbow. Your best bet is a few drops of mineral oil in your ear to soften wax before a hot shower. It will come out naturally as you bathe. Also, ensure that you regularly clean your listening devices to prevent buildup when you use them. 

The post Are Ear Wax Removal Kits Safe to Use? appeared first on Modded.

Are you looking to chase new thrills? As long as you’re not afraid of the cold — or heights — ice climbing could become your next adventure. This extreme sport is for the bold. Learn more about ice climbing, its history as a sport and how you can make your first ascent with this guide. 

What Is Ice Climbing?

Ice climbing is just what it sounds like — the sport of climbing frozen water to reach new heights. There are two primary types of ice climbing — water and alpine.

Water ice climbing is what many people picture when they imagine ice climbers scaling perilous icicles hanging from cliffsides. Climbers seek out glaciers, frozen waterfalls or other flowing water sources that have frozen over. Since the water must be frozen, water ice climbing typically takes place in sub-zero temperatures. Most climbers focus on technique over destination.

Alpine ice climbing is more about the destination. It’s one part of mountaineering — in certain climates, mixed climbing includes ice. Climbers must traverse icy sections amid rock and other surfaces while summiting a mountain. 

Both water and alpine ice climbing are typically considered extreme sports due to the physical demands, risks and frequently sub-zero temperatures.

The History of Climbing Ice

Ice climbing has been part of mountaineering for as long as people have scaled frozen peaks. However, it became established as its own unique form of climbing in the 20th century. Rather than learning ice-climbing skills simply to get across frozen sections of mixed routes, some climbers began focusing on ice intentionally.

In the 1960s, Yvon Chouinard designed the modern ice axe, which made ice climbing a safer, more accessible possibility for climbers. Over the last several decades, ice climbing has grown in popularity among climbers looking for the extra thrill of scaling frozen rivers cascading down mountainsides.

The Basics of Ice Climbing

If you want to try your hand at ice climbing, you should familiarize yourself with the what, where, when, why and how of this extreme sport. Learn more about the gear you’ll need, the best seasons and locations to explore the ice, and the top techniques in the business.

Necessary Equipment for Ice Climbing

While some forms of climbing require almost no gear, like bouldering or free soloing, ice climbing isn’t quite so minimalist. You’ll need the proper equipment to stay safe and secure on your adventures, including:

• Insulated climbing boots
• Crampons
• Ice axe(s)
• Dry-treated climbing rope
• Carabiners
• Belay devices
• Climbing harness
• Gloves
• Eye protection
• Helmet
• Ice screws

While rock climbers may have much of the necessary equipment already, some gear is unique to ice climbing — and essential. For example, crampons are a necessity to get traction on snow and ice. They’re metal spikes that attach to the bottom and edges of your boots, allowing you to gain purchase on slippery or hard surfaces.

When Can You Go Climbing?

Many people assume ice climbing is a winter sport because it obviously requires freezing temperatures. However, there are many places you can ice climb year-round. Certain climates and high altitudes remain cold enough all year long for the ice to remain thick and stable.

Whether you’re water ice climbing a glacier in the summer months or taking advantage of your alpine ice climbing skills to summit a high peak, you’ll always be able to find ice routes with a little travel.

While there are always options available somewhere in the world, many ice climbers use warmer months to hone their rock climbing skills. It’s a great way to cross-train and prepare for your next season on the ice.

Where Can You Ice Climb?

Some climbers are lucky enough to have excellent ice climbing spots in their local area, while others in search of the perfect frozen waterfall or snowcapped summit may have to make an adventure of it.

Here are some of the top destinations around the world for enthusiasts:

• Ouray Ice Park, Colorado, U.S.
• Rjukan, Norway
• Cogne, Italy
• The Eiger, Switzerland
• Canmore, Alberta, Canada
• Sandstone Ice Park, Minnesota, U.S.
• Kandersteg, Switzerland
• Hokkaido, Japan
• Frankenstein, New Hampshire, U.S.
• Helmcken Falls, British Columbia, Canada
• Sólheimajökull, Iceland

The Essentials of Ice Climbing Techniques

Most ice climbers alternate between two types of ice climbing styles, depending on the particular terrain — the French and German techniques:

• French technique: This style is also known as flat-footing. As the name suggests, it’s best for flat or moderately steep pitches. The climber keeps almost all crampon points in contact with the ice. At a certain steepness, the climber must sidestep to continue up the slope.
• German technique: This technique is necessary for steeper grades. The climber kicks into the slope, digging the front crampons into the ice for purchase. It’s also called front-pointing for this reason. 

How to Get Started Ice Climbing

If you’ve never been ice climbing, it can seem intimidating. However, you can get started with the right preparation. Keep these tips in mind before you head to the glacier:

• Hire a guide: What better way to learn everything about ice climbing than to hear it directly from an expert? Many ice parks and mountains have experienced guides who can teach you the ropes and help you safely navigate the frozen pitches. 
• Start small: While this may seem like a no-brainer, it can be easy to get caught up in the thrill of ice climbing. Don’t overexert yourself early on. Start with flatter, shorter pitches to develop your strength and technique before moving on to bigger mountains. 
• Follow a cross-training routine: You can build your strength before you even pick up an ice axe. While general physical fitness will benefit you on the ice, developing your grip and arm strength are particularly useful focuses.
• Practice useful techniques: If you’ve never swung an ice pick before, it might not come naturally to you. Give your technique some practice before you find yourself on a frozen waterfall.

Start Your Next Adventure on the Ice

Ice climbing is an increasingly popular sport, attracting professional athletes and enthusiastic hobbyists alike. Layer up and head to the mountain to get a taste of the thrill today.

The post Get a Hang of Ice Climbing: Everything You Need to Know appeared first on Modded.

If you realize you put diesel in your gas tank, your first step is to stop and call a repair shop. Mixing diesel and gasoline can cause problems with the engine and fuel system of your car. Below you’ll learn more about the symptoms of diesel in a gas engine and the best course of action. 

Symptoms of Diesel in a Gas Engine

The symptoms you see depend on the amount of fuel and how long you drove with the diesel. You will only start seeing these effects once the correct fuel has run out of the tank and your engine has started processing the diesel. When the two fuels mix— they cannot fully combine so you will have globules of diesel floating around. This can cause cause several issues: 

• Error code on the dashboard: You may see error codes and the engine light will switch on. 

• Knocking or Pinging in the engine: When the fuel ignites too quickly, it’s a sign of the wrong fuel in your tank. 

• Engine misfires: You may notice your engine sputtering or jolting. In severe cases, it may stall completely. The spark plugs will fail to ignite the fuel properly since diesel has a heavier viscosity and density. 

• Rough idling: Your engine may vibrate and shake. When an engine struggles to run smoothly, it’s a sign that there is diesel in the gas tank. 

• Difficulty starting: While this could be a sign of something else, a refuel mistake coil make it difficult to start the engine. The engine may turn over slowly or struggle to start at all.

• Reduced power and performance: When you press the accelerator pedal, your car may feel sluggish or slow to respond. Diesel fuel does not burn as efficiently as gasoline, so you may notice reduced power and performance. Especially if your car’s engine is running on a mixture of gasoline and diesel fuel. 

• Fuel System Problems: Diesel fuel can clog fuel injectors and fuel lines, leading to poor fuel delivery and engine performance issues. It can also corrode fuel system components which leads to leaks and potential safety hazards. 

• Engine Failure: In extreme cases, running a gasoline engine on diesel fuel can cause catastrophic failure, requiring costly repairs or even engine replacement.

While engine problems and difficulty starting or reduced power and performance may be symptoms of diesel in a gas engine, other factors can also cause these same symptoms. So it’s essential to have your car checked by a professional mechanic if you suspect it has been contaminated with diesel fuel.

What To Do When You Realize There’s Diesel in Your Gas Engine

Do not start (or restart in cases where you notice symptoms) the car and call your dealership or a repair shop immediately. They will tow your car to a garage and drain the tank. Then, rinse with fresh gasoline repeatedly to wash out all the diesel. 

They may also flush the fuel lines in your car and replace the fuel filter. In some cases they change the spark plugs depending on the extent of the damage. This will cost from $200 to $500 and depends on how much diesel is in your tank at the time. Repairs from extensive damage can cost up to $2000. 

You must stop driving your car as soon as you realize the mistake. The longer you drive, the more damage to your ride. You may also encounter bigger problems later on like catalytic converter failure, sticking valves or reduced engine lifespan. 

If you caught yourself just before filling your gas tank with diesel, it has to be less than 5% for minimal damage. That’s about 3 gallons in an 80-gallon tank.  

How To Avoid a Diesel in Gas Engine Situation Altogether

The easiest way to tell: The Diesel pump has a green handle and the gasoline pump has a black one. 

Usually, the pumps are clearly labeled, making it easy to see. However, it’s important to be mindful when refueling your car. It’s a good idea to always check twice. Diesel nozzles are also larger in diameter. So if you notice that it fits oddly into your gas tank opening, check it’s the right one . Diesel has a oily kerosene scent and is darker than gas. Gas has a scent similar to paint thinners with a yellowish color to it.  

If you live in New Jersey where it’s illegal for you to pump your own gas, just make sure the service attendant hears you clearly and pumps the correct gas for your engine. Last year Oregon lifted a 72-year ban on self-service, so learning how to pump your own gas is a vital skill. For new drivers, it may take some time to get accustomed to the process, so checking twice will help prevent mishap. 

Why Diesel and Gasoline Should Never Mix 

You should not mix diesel and gasoline as they are different types of fuels with distinct properties. Diesel fuel is a heavier, oil-based fuel designed for use in compression ignition engines. Gasoline is a lighter, spark-ignited fuel used in gasoline engines.

Diesel fuel flows through fuel systems at a higher pressure than gasoline. If you introduce gasoline into a diesel fuel system, it may not be able to handle the increased pressure. This can cause damage to fuel lines, pumps, and injectors. Diesel fuel also has a higher energy density than gasoline, so it can contaminate engine oil more easily. 

If gasoline gets into the crankcase of a diesel engine, it can dilute the lubricating properties of the engine oil. Which can lead to premature wear on moving parts. Gasoline can damage the catalytic converter in a diesel engine, which can lead to reduced fuel efficiency and increased emissions.

Prevent a Dieselene Accident 

Although your car can recover if you accidentally put diesel in a gas tank and you will for sure remember next time, prevention is best. Take preventative measures when you refill your tank. Before you start pumping, ensure you’re filling with the right fuel for your engine. 

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Many animals naturally produce toxins to defend themselves and incapacitate their prey. From fish to birds, poisonous animals come in all shapes, sizes and colors.  

It’s important to highlight the distinction between poisonous and venomous. While both terms are often used interchangeably, they’re not the same. What makes them different is the method of delivery. If you ingest, inhale or absorb the toxin on your skin, it’s poisonous. If the toxin is injected into your system, either by the creature’s fangs or stingers, it’s venomous. 

With that out of the way, here are the seven most lethal animals you definitely don’t want to encounter when exploring the great outdoors.

1. Poison Dart Frog 

Aptly named, this small and brightly patterned frog is considered the most poisonous amphibian on the planet. It secretes an extremely powerful toxin known as Batrachotoxin, which is around 250 times more potent than strychnine. Batrachotoxin attacks the brain and heart, leading to near-immediate paralysis of vital muscles. Around 136 μg is considered lethal — equivalent to about two grains of table salt. 

Endemic to the Amazonian rainforests and the subtropical regions of Central and South America, the poison dart frog is one deadly creature. These frogs use their poison solely for defense, but indigenous tribes long ago learned how to exploit this toxic resource by dipping their arrows in the poison. Hence the name dart frog. The golden poison frog (pictured above) is the most lethal species and contains enough poison to kill 10 people or 20,000 mice. 

2. Puffer Fish

You might recognize this fish as Sykes from the beloved classic Shark Tale. However, the film didn’t mention a key feature of this species — it’s the most poisonous fish in the world. Also known as blowfish, this fascinating marine creature holds a potent poison known as tetrodotoxin (TTX) in its skin, muscle tissue, liver and gonads. 

As little as 0.002 g of TTX  is enough to kill an adult human and there is no known antidote. The toxin attacks the victim’s nerve cells, causing paralysis and often death by suffocation. For some reason, puffer fish are considered a delicacy, especially in Southeast Asia. However, only licensed chefs can prepare the dish, as even the tiniest mistakes in the process can be fatal. The usual symptoms include a tingling sensation in the mouth followed by numbness, nausea, coordination problems, cardiac arrhythmia and ultimately death. 

3. Hooded Pitohui

Poisonous birds are rare, but the ones that exist can be quite deadly. The Hooded Pitohui is one such bird. Its black and orange feathers make it beautiful to look at but nasty to touch. Endemic to Papua New Guinea but may be found in surrounding regions, the Hooded Pitohui harbors homobatrachotoxin in its skin and feathers, similar to the poison secreted by dart frogs. 

Touching the bird with your bare hands can lead to numbness and a burning sensation. Prolonged exposure may be fatal, especially among children and the elderly. Scientists believe the toxin is derived from the pitouhi’s diet, which consists of certain toxic beetles. The females often rub the poison from their feathers onto their eggs to protect against snakes and other predators. 

4. Cane Toad 

These large toad species can grow to be larger than your hand. They have poison glands that produce bufotoxin, a potent milky toxin that can kill smaller animals with just a few milligrams. You’ll want to be careful with cane toads, especially if you have dogs, cats or young kids around. In a 2020 study involving 36 patients, symptoms began manifesting within two hours of ingestion. The most common signs include gastrointestinal issues, profuse salivation and a slower than normal heart rate.

Interestingly, cane toads are native to South and Central America but were introduced to Australia to control pests around sugar cane. However, their numbers quickly exploded into the millions because they lack a good amount of natural predators — in Australia, of all places. Venomous snakes, lizards and even crocodiles will die from consuming these toxic toads, so be sure to wash your hands thoroughly if you ever handle one of these creatures. 

5. Asian Tiger Snake

There are over 3,000 snake species worldwide, with many of them miscategorized as poisonous when they’re actually venomous. However, the Asian Tiger Snake, also known as the tiger keelback, is both. It can deliver venom through its fangs and secrete poison from its necks to protect itself from predators. That’s one hell of a combination as far as poisonous animals are concerned. 

What makes the tiger keelback even more impressive is that it does not make its own poison. Instead, it derives it from eating cane toads — making it one of very few species that can absorb bufotoxin without succumbing to its effects. In fact, in processing the toxin, the poison it secretes becomes even more toxic.

6. Monarch Butterfly

Butterflies are delicate and pretty, but this particular species can be highly toxic. Like most poisonous animals on this list, monarch butterflies derive their toxins from their diet, consisting mainly of milkweed plants, which contain large doses of poison. The females lay eggs on these plants and when hatched, the caterpillars feed on the leaves, taking in the toxin in their wings and abdomen. 

Monarch butterflies don’t present much risk to humans since they’re not part of the food chain. However, they can be highly toxic to birds and rodents, causing them to suffer severe gastrointestinal discomfort and muscle weakness.

7. Spanish Fly

This emerald green beetle is part of a family of blister beetles that produces a potent vesicant and irritant called cantharidin. You know how people say you can eat beetles for sustenance if you’re stranded in the woods? Well, this isn’t one of them, as the cantharidin they produce can cause ulcers, burning pain and severe bleeding in the GI tract, ultimately leading to an excruciating death. 

It can also cause priapism, but unfortunately, this is accompanied by bleeding, intense pain and all-around misery in the area. However, animals that feed on hay are the most at risk. For horses, ingesting as little as eight blistering beetles may be lethal. 

Steer Clear of Poisonous Animals

Whenever you’re outdoors, always remember the first rule of being in the wild — never touch or pick anything. Sticking to this rule will help you avoid contact with most of the animals on this list. If you accidentally come into contact with any of them, get to an emergency center or hospital for treatment immediately, as delay can be fatal.

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