Studio Blog

Demand Media and the Lance Armstrong Foundation built LIVESTRONG.COM as the definitive daily health, fitness and lifestyle destination. Each piece of content is produced in effort to "dare" the LIVESTRONG.COM audience to change their lives.

In the past weeks, we at Demand Studios have "dared" you as writers for LIVESTRONG.COM to carry this torch and produce inspiring insider's guides to health, fitness and nutrition activities in the specified destination. As content manager of titling & strategy, I've worked very closely with LIVESTRONG.COM's content manager, Krisserin Canary, to locate and recast travel titles in a way that inspires writers and readers to go beyond the proverbial borders and give a new meaning to such titles as "Things to Do in NYC at Night" on LIVESTRONG.COM.

Sifting through title candidates with Krisserin took me back to my roots as former travel editor for "Shape" magazine. There, I was tasked with producing and editing 1,500-word features we called "Venture Out." It was my opinion that fitness opportunities were lurking behind each map-point. It was our duty as a fitness publication to uncover those hidden opportunities and show that travel was no excuse to let regimes fall to the wayside.

I was delighted to discover similarly inspiring guides on LIVESTRONG.COM, penned by some daring, creative LIVESTRONG.COM writers. The standouts really spoke to the need for a clear explanation of what makes each place worthy of a fit traveler's pursuit, starting from the overview and carrying the message through in each section. This is what separates these insider's guides from your typical travel article and demonstrates why traveling healthy is part of "living strong."

Additionally, these articles showcase a soulful way to heed the LIVESTRONG.COM Lifestyle-specific guidelines. For reference note the following key points:

1) This is an insider's guide to health, fitness and nutrition activities in the specified destination. Your overview must introduce this concept. For example, see Things to Do in Destin Beach by Lisa Florey and Camping in Minnesota State Parks by Troy Thompson.

2) If the title the seems to call for a list of places as subheads, do not list individual businesses. Individual businesses as subheads are prohibited. Instead, focus on regions, concepts, types, groups, ideas, etc. that speak to the title. It's permissible to mention a business or two in the copy under a subhead only if the establishment is a long-standing institution that will not close within a year. Any businesses mentioned must have a healthy lifestyle or educational slant. For example, if the title was "Things to do in Los Angeles," a subhead might be "Local Food." Under the subhead, you may include a venerable establishment, such as the Santa Monica Farmers Market, if necessary.
 
3) Do not include business listings with contact information in the body of the article. Please reserve contact information for the business for the Resources section of the article.


Now that we've reminded you of the ground rules, here, without further ado, are a few favorites cited by editorial!

Things to Do in Las Vegas and Surrounding Areas by Hayley Smith
While this title gave Hayley Smith a little more license than simply things to do in Las Vegas, she still managed to include two creative options right in Las Vegas itself, including one actually on the Strip. Bonus: Instead of simply mentioning a visit to the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay, Hayley added a uniquely LIVESTRONG.COM Lifestyle twist: "If you are a certified diver and a guest at the Mandalay Bay, you can pay to dive in the aquarium."

Fun Things to Do Around Houston by Darren Hunter
This Texas metropolis offers plenty of shopping, dining and entertainment, but thanks to Darren Hunter, we now know it's also home to exciting opportunities to partake in walking tours, bayou kayaking and even ice skating. Bonus: Darren does more than nod to Houston's distinguished performing arts troupes; he challenges readers to "Bring [their] walking shoes because there's a 17-block theater district."

Things to Do in Atlantic City by Alan Kirk
Having lived a year in New Jersey, I know I'm not the only person who has a few stereotypes in mind regarding Atlantic City. Luckily, Alan's article quashes those cliches and promises upfront, "don't worry, Atlantic City's location provides plenty of activities for the health conscious individual." Bonus: Fit traveler tips—such as "Be careful [as you enter the Atlantic Ocean] as the drop-off is steep as you enter and adults will find the water gets up to chest level quickly."—pepper each section, adding service beyond entertainment.

Things to Do Near Wrigley Field in Chicago by Seth Silberman
Seth Silberman isn't going to sugar-coat things. "There is lots to eat inside Wrigley Field, but very little of it is good for you," he writes, following with an explanation of what good, healthful foods do exist just beyond the park. Bonus: Colorful details and factoids add an extra dimension to what could be a bland description of a walk in the park or fishing jaunt.

The Best Things to Do in Miami by Zach Feral 
"Health-conscious visitors flock to the Miami metropolitan area each year to soak up the sun on its famous beaches, enjoy healthy and authentic ethnic dishes and mingle with the city's multicultural inhabitants," writes Zach Feral, neatly summarizing why a LIVESTRONG.COM reader would care to visit Miami (and not for South Beach sunbathing and parties). Bonus: Zach adds a warning for those beach-bound (slather on the sunscreen) and advises readers to steer clear of a sketchier neighborhood, reminding us why safety is important in a healthy vacation.

Things to Do in & Around Cleveland by Erin O'Brien
Here's a lede worth emulating: "Discover a surprising underdog for healthy and fun activities: Cleveland. This historic industrial hub is home to a variety of events for extreme athletes as well as energetic families. From endurance running to sunny beaches, the Cleveland area has the bases covered." Bonus: Ohio-based writer (and Cleveland Scene columnist) Erin O'Brien serves up authentic insider tips to getting your fun fitness fix in urban settings in and around town.


Thanks for the hard work and creativity. Keep them coming, and continue to dare to inspire fit travel activities!


P.S. If you're looking for something fun to do in the Los Angeles-area this weekend, Richard Simmons hosts a fabulous class at his Slimmons Studio.