Sports are an integral part of popular culture. We love watching our favorite teams compete, and we get excited about big wins. It is not surprising that cinema has found in sport an inexhaustible source of inspiration to tell stories.

That's why movies and sports are two forms of entertainment that have proven to be an exciting combination. Over the years, numerous sports films have been produced that have captured the excitement, passion, and determination that accompany athletic competition.

These films have inspired us, excited us, and made us feel part of the action on the playing field or in the ring. Today we want to show you some of the best sports movies of all time, which is your favorite?

Goal! The Dream Begins (2005) - IMDb: 6.7

Director: Danny Cannon

"Goal! The Dream Begins" takes us to the exciting world of soccer. The film follows the story of Santiago Munez, a young Mexican soccer player who dreams of playing in the English Premier League. Through his determination and talent, he strives to overcome adversity and pursue his dream of becoming an elite professional player.

Any Given Sunday (1999) - IMDb: 6.9

Director: Oliver Stone

Oliver Stone immerses us in the world of American football in "Any Given Sunday." The film explores the challenges, rivalries and tensions within an NFL team. With an impressive cast that includes Al Pacino and Jamie Foxx, this film shows us the intensity and passion that surrounds America's most popular contact sport.

Foxcatcher (2014) - IMDb: 7.0

Director: Bennett Miller

Based on real events, "Foxcatcher" is a film that follows the story of millionaire John du Pont (played by Steve Carell), who sponsors two Olympic wrestlers, the Schultz brothers. The film explores themes of obsession, power and tragedy in the world of wrestling.

Chariots of Fire (1981) - IMDb: 7.1

Director: Hugh Hudson

"Chariots of Fire" is a British film that focuses on the preparation and participation of two runners in the 1924 Olympic Games. The film addresses themes of competition, faith and determination, and its iconic background music is unforgettable.

Jerry Maguire (1996) - IMDb: 7.3

Director: Cameron Crowe

"Jerry Maguire" is a film that follows the life of a sports agent (played by Tom Cruise) who has an epiphany and decides to change his focus toward integrity and customer service instead of million-dollar contracts. The film is a mix of comedy, drama and romance, and is known for the famous line "Show me the money!".

A League of Their Own (1992) - IMDb: 7.3

Director: Penny Marshall

"A League of Their Own" is a comedy-drama that tells the story of a women's baseball league during World War II. The film celebrates the strength and determination of the women who played in the league and the importance of sport in difficult times.

Field of Dreams (1989) - IMDb: 7.5

Director: Phil Alden Robinson

"Field of Dreams" is a film that combines baseball with fantasy elements. The story follows a man who builds a baseball field on his farm after hearing a mysterious voice telling him, "If you build it, he will come." The film is about the connection between sports and family.

Moneyball (2011) - IMDb: 7.6

Director: Bennett Miller

"Moneyball" is a true story film that follows Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane (played by Brad Pitt) as he uses advanced statistics to build a competitive baseball team on a limited budget. The film sheds light on the data analytics revolution in sports.

The Blind Side (2009) - IMDb: 7.6

Director: John Lee Hancock

"The Blind Side" is based on the real life of Michael Oher, a homeless football player who finds a new beginning with a foster family and becomes an NFL star. The film addresses themes of family, opportunity and the power of unconditional support.

Creed (2015) - IMDb: 7.6

Director: Ryan Coogler

"Creed" is a continuation of the Rocky saga, focusing on Adonis Creed, the son of Apollo Creed, and his desire to follow in his father's footsteps into boxing. The film combines the nostalgia of the original series with an exciting new story and strong performances from Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone.

Remember the Titans (2000) - IMDb: 7.8

Director: Boaz Yakin

"Remember the Titans" is based on the true story of a high school football coach who works to unify a segregated team in the 1970s. The film addresses themes of race, integration and teamwork as the team Fight for victory on the playing field.

The Fighter (2010) - IMDb: 7.8

Director: David O. Russell

The Fighter is a biographical drama that tells the story of Micky Ward and Dicky Eklund, brothers who become professional wrestlers. Ward struggles to get out of his older brother's shadow, while Eklund struggles with his drug addiction.

Rush (2013) - IMDb: 8.1

Director: Ron Howard

"Rush" is a film that is based on the real rivalry between Formula 1 drivers James Hunt and Niki Lauda. The film is set in the 1970s and offers exciting racing scenes and an in-depth exploration of the personalities and competition in the world of motorsport.

Raging Bull (1980) - IMDb: 8.1

Director: Martin Scorsese

"Raging Bull" is a masterpiece directed by Martin Scorsese that focuses on the life of the famous boxer Jake LaMotta, masterfully interpreted by Robert De Niro. The film is known for its unique visual style and psychological depth, exploring struggles both inside and outside the ring.

Warrior (2011) - IMDb: 8.1

Director: Gavin O'Connor

"Warrior" is a film that combines family drama and mixed martial arts (MMA). The story follows two brothers, played by Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton, who face off in an MMA tournament while wrestling with their own personal and family demons. The film is an emotional and physical journey that shows the strength of the human spirit.

3. Million Dollar Baby (2004) - IMDb: 8.1

Director: Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood directs and stars in "Million Dollar Baby," a touching movie about relationship between a retired boxing trainer (played by Eastwood) and an aspiring boxer (played by Hilary Swank). The film addresses themes of sacrifice, determination, and love through a raw and realistic approach.

2. Rocky (1976) - IMDb: 8.1

Director: John G. Avildsen

"Rocky" is an iconic film that continues to be a benchmark in the sports movie genre. Directed by John G. Avildsen and written by Sylvester Stallone (who also stars in the film), the story follows Rocky Balboa, a Philadelphia boxer with a heart of gold and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take on world champion Apollo Creed. The film captures Rocky's quest for greatness and his journey toward self-discovery.

1. Ford v Ferrari (2019) - IMDb: 8.1

Director: James Mangold

We start our list with "Ford v Ferrari", a film that immerses us in the exciting world of automobile racing in the 1960s. The plot centers on the fierce competition between Ford and Ferrari to dominate the endurance race of Le Mans. Featuring an all-star cast led by Matt Damon and Christian Bale, the film offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the automotive industry and the passion that drives drivers to risk everything on the track.

These films represent the best of sports cinema, each with its own exciting and unique story. Whether you love boxing, car racing, American football, or any other sport, these movies will take you on a thrilling ride filled with action, excitement, and determination. Do not miss it!

Which of these is your favorite sports movie? Tell us in the comments!

Surely several of us have been interested in going for a walk in nature, having closer contact with the forests or the mountains and thus being able to get away from city life for a few hours. Being in contact with the flora and fauna close to us will help us to have a healthier life.

What is hiking?

We can say that hiking is a sporting activity, not competitive, which consists of walking along a path. This trail may or may not be marked, and is generally done along country lanes, greenways, or forest paths.

One of the purposes of hiking is to bring people closer to the natural environment and create awareness through this activity. Anyone can practice hiking, since it adapts to the physical conditions of each person. It has different degrees of technical difficulty and levels of physical effort.

What are the types of hiking that exist?

There are four types of hiking:

• Mountain Hiking

  • It is characterized by being carried out in areas of great unevenness, with narrower paths and on different terrains that offer a certain level of difficulty.

• Hiking in Nature

  • It is carried out on terrain with little unevenness, without large slopes. In general, it is carried out on well-defined paths and with good signage, since its objective is to contemplate the natural panorama of the area.

• Fast hiking

  • Like mountain hiking, but giving more speed to the walk. The trails may or may not be defined, giving it the allure of having to decide your own path.

• Hiking in the Snow

  • It is done on snowy trails, not too complicated

What are the types of trails and their signage?

Local trails

They have a short route, less than 10 km and their level of difficulty is low. That makes them suitable for touring with the family, without the need for sophisticated equipment or physical preparation or previous hiking experience.

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Short-distance trails

Its extension does not exceed 50 km, so they are designed to be traveled generally in a single day.

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Long-distance trails

Any route that exceeds 50 km falls into this category, and they can cross different municipalities or towns. It is usually done over several days.

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• Continuity

  • It consists of a white line above and another of the color corresponding to the trail below. If two trails meet at the sign, the one with the highest rank is marked first. In other words, a section common to a GR path and a PR path is marked with a white, red and yellow stripe.

• Abrupt change of direction

  • Same as the Continuity sign, with an inverted L below in white.

• Turn

  • Se emplea cuando se deja el camino para tomar otro. Se marca con dos líneas paralelas que simulan la dirección del cambio.

• Wrong direction

  • It is placed at the beginning of a path that should not be taken. The colors of the path type are used in the form of a cross, with the stripe running from the lower left to the upper right.

What items do I need?

• Backpack
  • It should be between 18 and 32 liters in capacity, preferably lightweight and can be strapped across the chest or hip for comfort.
• Footwear
  • The sole must be with very good grip and specialized for hiking. Preferably use those that are half boot or full boot. The socks we suggest you use those that are non-slip.
• Outfit
  • quick dry pants
  • Long-sleeved shirt to protect you from the sun and winds
  • Depending on the destination, a sweatshirt and a windbreaker should be added, in the case of cold places it would be best to bring something suitable for low temperatures.
• Accessories
  • Light gloves, scarf and hat
• Canes
• Sunscreen
• Class 3 sunglasses, these filter up to 92% of the light, they are used for areas with high luminosity.
• First aid kit
• Water, about two liters per person.
• Food in small portions
• Bag to carry all your garbage

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Is it good to take my dog?

Taking your dog with you on a day of hiking is not a bad idea. In fact, hiking with dogs is an activity that strengthens the bond with your pet and with which, without a doubt, you will make them very happy. If your dog loves to go for a walk, imagine how he would like to go on a nature trail for hours. Hiking is a very good exercise for the mind and body, both for you and your furry friend.

To take your best friend for a day of hiking, here are some recommendations:

• Plan the route

  • You should know in advance the total duration of the trip, the kilometers and everything related to the terrain. You must choose depending on your physical capacity and that of your dog.

• Take into account the weather

  • It is not advisable to go out on a hot or very rainy day. The best time to go out with your dog is in Autumn.

• Choose a route according to the abilities of your dog

  • You must take into account the breed, age, physical condition, stamina and health of your canine companion. Do not force him to make a physical effort that could bring negative consequences.

• Avoid dangerous areas

  • Cliffs, climbing or suspension bridges could be problematic for your dog. Also the asphalt in summer could cause burns on your dog's legs.

• Protect your dog's pads

  • Use protective cream before and after each route, so you will prevent them from cracking and the dog from getting hurt. It is also advisable to check from time to time, during the tour, that the legs are fine, without cuts or any buried object.

• Start small

  • Your first routes with your dog should be short and as they get used to it, the difficulty and duration increase.

• Bring enough water for both of you

  • This way you will avoid dehydration, take a portable drinker or a collapsible silicone feeder to offer water or food from time to time to your faithful companion.

• Remember to take short breaks to replenish energy.

What are the best places for hiking in Mexico?

In Mexico there are many hiking trails so it is very difficult to define which would be the best but we will give you a list of some places that are excellent for hiking in various parts of the country.

Guadalupe Canyon in Baja California

It is located 60 kilometers south of the Mexicali-Tijuana highway in the state of Baja California, and in it you can find incredible natural wonders hidden in the desert.

You can find hot springs, in addition, it is a perfect place to camp and sleep under the stars, which shine more intensely thanks to the absence of artificial light. 

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Desert of the Lions in CDMX

The Desierto de los Leones National Park, is one of the most popular and attractive places for hiking, it is very close to CDMX and a large number of hikers, hikers, cyclists and families gather there to explore the steep trails of this beautiful park.

It has trails that vary from moderate to difficult, however they are all easy to follow. The most challenging excursion is the one that heads towards Cerro San Miguel, the highest peak in the park, which is 12,400 feet above sea level.

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Nevado de Toluca

The Nevado de Toluca is the fourth largest mountain in Mexico, it is ideal for beginners as well as enthusiastic hikers because its walks are adapted to different levels.

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Nevado de Colima

The Nevado de Colima is the seventh highest peak in Mexico, it is an old inactive volcano that is located between Colima and Jalisco. It is located around a protected park, so you can find different routes depending on your level.

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Ajusco Summits in CDMX

The Cumbres del Ajusco National Park has well-trodden trails and beautiful landscapes. It is located at an altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level. Several trails converge at the top, so there is no risk of getting lost.

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Matacanes in Nuevo León

One of the most spectacular canyons in Mexico is Matacanes and it is located two hours from Monterrey, Nuevo León. In this beautiful place you can find underground rivers, waterfalls and pools of blue water.

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Bishop's Hill in Jalisco

This hill is part of the pilgrimage that faithful parishioners make every year to Talpa to give thanks to the Virgen del Rosario de Talpa, but it can be visited at any time. It has a height of 2100 meters and there are several routes that you can take depending on the level you have.

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Sierra de San Juan Cosala in Chapala, Jalisco

This mountain range has a beautiful view of Lake Chapala, the largest lake in Mexico. It is located one hour from the city of Guadalajara and has several routes that will allow you to start from the most basic to levels for people with more experience.

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Sierra de Santa Rosa in Guanajuato

Just 15 minutes from the capital of Guanajuato is the Sierra de Santa Rosa, an area characterized by its morning fog, this will make your hiking experience completely different.

These are some of the places that you can find in Mexico to go hiking, other places where you can go hiking are

• Caves and waterfalls of Cuetzalan
• The Lacandon Jungle in Chiapas
• Iztaccihuatl volcano
• Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve
• Copper canyons
• Sierra San Miguelito in San Luis Potosi
• Sierra de Órganos National Park in Zacatecas

How do I find hiking trails near me?

There are two very popular apps that will help you find hiking trails near you.

AllTrails

"Your guide to the outside", is how the AllTrails app defines itself, with a catalog of more than 100,000 hiking trails around the world.

There are routes of different levels of difficulty, so you can choose the one that best suits your experience to do it in complete safety.

This app does not lack the saving of activities carried out, to be able to analyze your performance as the days go by, and the detailed GPS itinerary to guide you.

Wikiloc

One of the most useful apps for hiking is Wikiloc, with millions of trails around the world to choose from.

In addition, you can create your own routes and download those that you have liked the most to access them when you do not have a network connection.

After you've finished a trail, you can save the activity and add the photos you've taken along the trail for other Wikiloc users to see.

These are some of our tips and guides to start hiking, do you have other tips or do you think we missed mentioning something? Leave us your opinion in the comments.​

Exercising is a great way not only to maintain physical health but also mental health, as it helps us relax and get rid of stress, as well as improving memory, our quality of sleep and helps us to have a better state of mind. .

Unfortunately, not all people love being locked up in a gym lifting weights or running on a machine without getting anywhere, this can get boring and that is why they give up doing any exercise. It is also possible that sports are not their thing and that is why they do not practice things as popular as soccer, tennis or basketball.

Fortunately, there is an area of sports called outdoor that allows us to have all the benefits of exercising and more.

What are outdoor sports?

Outdoor sports, or also called outdoor sports, are those sports or activities of a physical nature that are practiced in direct contact with nature. Some of these sports can test our physical and mental abilities, but everything will depend on the level of difficulty you choose when doing them.

What are the most popular outdoor sports?

There are many sports that can be practiced outdoors but we will explain a little about the most popular outdoor sports.

Running

This physical activity is probably one of the oldest in the world, defining it is as easy as saying it is going for a run outdoors. Although there are variants depending on the terrain or the place where it is done, for example trail running.

Trail running is going for a run but in natural areas, that is, like mountains or roads that have rugged relief and unevenness. In trail running the terrain is constantly changing. It runs on trails, stones, mud, grass and even through snow

In order to carry out a good race outdoors, it is necessary to be in good physical health, since some of the constant injuries that can appear from practicing it are knee or muscle discomfort.

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Hiking

Hiking is the physical activity of going for a walk on marked trails and paths, generally in the mountains or in rural areas. The difficulty of this outdoor exercise depends on the routes taken. It is a mixture of sports and tourist activity, which takes place mainly in natural environments.

Hiking is a non-competitive activity, this means that its purpose is not to compete against time or against other participants. On the contrary, it is a perfect activity to take it easy, enjoy in company, share great moments and experiences, and disconnect from the routine.

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Mountaineering

Mountaineering is the sport of walking and excursions through the mountains, making ascents and descents in them. Although it can be confused with hiking, there are several differences between these two outdoor sports, the main one is that mountaineering takes place in high mountain areas, so its difficulty is greater than that of hiking.

Mountaineering encompasses multiple activities such as:

• Hiking
• Trekking
• Winter mountaineering
• Mountaineering, Andinism and Himalayism
• Climbing, classic, sport and ice
• Mountain races
• Mountain bike routes
• Canyoning
• Ski touring

To carry out this activity it is advisable to do it with someone who knows about the subject and learn technical aspects to avoid accidents.

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Mountain biking

Mountain biking is a type of competitive sport carried out on natural circuits through forests and mountains on narrow paths and with steep slopes. It is also called mountain biking and BTT. It is considered a risk sport that covers a multitude of specialties.

Mountain biking can be practiced individually, but it is recommended to do it in a group since going out on such complicated roads is risky and in an emergency it is best to have someone around you who can help you.

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Surfing

Surfing is a water sport, which is carried out outdoors, in which the aim is to move standing on a board along a wave of the sea. During the tour you can do different maneuvers along the wall of the wave. It is vitally important to be able to maintain balance while moving.

There are several types of surfing apart from the conventional one, some of the best known are:

• Windsurfing. In this variant of surfing, movement in the water is carried out using the board and a sail. In addition to maintaining your balance, you must be aware of the wind at all times to avoid dangerous situations.
• Kitesurfing. The displacement is due to the fact that our table is driven by a kite or kite. Thanks to this you can perform different turns, and even surf the waves, and perform pirouettes through the air. 
• Paddle surfing. We must go standing on a board with an oar, which is used to slide due to the impulse it provides.
• Bodyboard. It is practiced sliding on a board in shallow water, with a board that is shorter and more flexible than a normal surf board.

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Rafting

Rafting is the English term for the descent of rivers. This outdoor sport consists of descending the rivers in the direction of the current with a raft. The occupants aim to steer the raft by using the oars to avoid obstacles that may be encountered during the descent. This activity can be done in groups, individually or in pairs.

To practice Rafting it is necessary to know the areas intended for it. It cannot be practiced anywhere, there are areas of rivers enabled for its descent, safely and in relation to the degree of knowledge and practice that one has.

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Snorkeling

Snorkeling or snorkeling consists of moving along the surface of the water, with suitable material: a pair of fins, a mask and a tube; and observe the seabed. In addition, it is a sport that is also characterized by being able to breathe continuously through the tube that remains on the surface. This practice is also known as tubing.

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Dive

Diving, also known as scuba diving or scuba diving, consists of submerging in the water, be it in a lake, the sea or a river and thus being able to observe what surrounds us under this underwater environment.

There are two types of diving:

• Recreational diving. Its purpose is recreation and enjoyment. It can be practiced in two ways, through free diving or apnea, which is the descent to the depth of the sea with free lung, and autonomous or scuba diving, through which the diver uses a bottle with compressed air. Recreational diving is generally limited to 20-40 meters depth.
• Professional diving. It is considered professional due to the training, studies and licenses that the diver has. It is determined that the use of air rebreathers, also called "recycled respiratory assistance devices" is within this category, due to the risk and the level of preparation required by the diver who uses them. You can descend to depths of more than 100 m.

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Benefits of doing outdoor sports

Performing this type of exercise can bring many benefits such as:

• Improves overall fitness
• Improvement of the cardiovascular system
• Relieve the stress
• Reduces anxiety
• Improved self esteem
• Prevents cognitive diseases
• Improves the immune system
• Strengthens the bones
• Improves coordination and balance skills
• Helps to rest better
• Allows you to meet people
• Connects you with nature and promotes respect for it

What is your favorite outdoor sport? Do you think we did not mention something important? Leave your opinion in the comments.