Fit for Reading

Tired of reading overall fitness magazines? Wondering what it would be like to join a subculture of skateboarders, walkers, runners or rock climbers? Try zooming in on the hundreds of specialty sports publications that cover such topics in depth. Many magazines don’t have the dollars for wide distribution and may be found only regionally, in specialty sport shops or by subscription.

Here are our best bets. (Magazines that focus on ball sports and water sports will appear on future Body Watch pages.)

Cycling

* Bicycling

Number of issues a year: 11

Established: 1961

Circulation: 330,000

This 35-year-old Rodale publication is billed as the world’s No. 1 road and mountain bike magazine, with a circulation more than double that of most others in this category. The staff of contributors includes Olympic bicyclist writers.

Recently featured: “The Amazing Vanishing Velodrome” (controversy and the Olympic track).

* Bike

Number of issues a year: 10

Established: 1994

Circulation: 75,000

This good-looking San Juan Capistrano-based magazine, with its crisp photography and on-the-edge writing style, is staffed by mountain bikers with a sense of humor and adventure. It is geared toward experienced enthusiasts rather than gear heads or novices.

Recently featured: “Tires-a-Go-Go,” a spoof of bicycle tire tests.

Running

* Runner’s World

Number of issues a year: 12

Established: 1966

Circulation: 430,000

This 30-year-old Rodale publication was one of the first running magazines and is billed as the world’s leading one. With a good mix of race coverage, columns, departments and features, it does a good job of covering the sport and general health issues.

Recently featured: “Olympic Interview: Lynn Jennings”; “Runner’s Guide to Home Remedies.”

* Running Times

Number of issues a year: 10

Established: 1977

Circulation: 70,000

Billed as the magazine for the serious runner, this newly redesigned magazine soon will be distributed free to 15,000 high school coaches and runners, thanks to Pepsi’s All Sport Body Quencher.

In addition to good overall coverage of races, products, health and running, it includes regular editorial focus for the high school running population, including high school athletes of the month.

Recently featured: “The Doomsday Scenario” (why long-distance running isn’t making it as a sport in the United States).

Walking

* Walking

Number of issues a year: 6

Established: 1987; relaunched 1990

Circulation: 575,000

This attractive magazine covers the whole spectrum of walking and healthy lifestyle issues, with an emphasis on feeling good rather than just achieving a hard body.

Recently featured: “Complete Guide to Treadmills.”

Martial Arts

* Black Belt

Number of issues a year: 12

Established: 1961

Circulation: 100,000

This 35-year-old Santa Clarita-based magazine was the pioneer of all martial arts publications. With articles on everything from little-known fighting styles of Micronesia to the wildly popular jujitsu, it ambitiously aims to cover all 150 martial arts styles in this country.

Recently featured: “Hsing-I Kung Fu Baton Tactics: Police Find That Chinese Art Bolsters PR-24 Baton Tactics.”

* Inside Karate

Number of issues a year: 12

Established: 1980

Circulation: 100,000

Covering all the gi arts from Japan and Okinawa and the Koreas, this Burbank-based magazine will expand this month by incorporating three of its publisher’s other martial arts titles: Inside Tae Kwon Do, Inside Martial Arts and Martial Arts Masters.

Recently featured: “Teaching Children the Martial Arts.”

Skateboarding

* Thrasher

Number of issues a year: 12

Established: 1981

Circulation: 200,000

From the publisher of Slap, another skateboarding title, this hard-core skating publication is called the “skateboarders’ bible.” You’ll learn a lot about how this subculture thinks and talks--may be especially useful for parents.

Recently featured: “Rocket From the Crypt” (read about Speedo, lead singer of this band).

In-Line Skating

* Inline

Number of issues a year: 9

Established: 1991

Circulation: 90,000

The original skating magazine started by skaters, its circulation has almost quadrupled in just two years. Last year it went from a low-budget tabloid to standard four-color glossy.

Recently featured: “Six,” a profile of six great skaters.

Climbing

* Climbing

Number of issues a year: 8

Established: 1970

Circulation: 45,000

Started by climbers, this tasteful magazine with its beautiful photography and good mix of editorial content covers all forms of climbing--from local to international--with a focus on technical climbing (that done with a rope).

Recently featured: “The Lotus Eaters” (exploration, infatuation and inebriation on a new crack climb in Northwest Territories).

* Rock & Ice

Number of issues a year: 6

Established: 1984

Circulation: 48,500

Billed as America’s No. 1 climbing magazine, this gorgeous publication started by a climber covers trekking, mountaineering, ice climbing and rock climbing.

Recently featured: “A Hard Crack Is Good to Find,” a treatise on crack climbing.

Backpacking

* Backpacker

Number of issues a year: 9

Established: 1973

Circulation: 240,000

One of the fastest-growing magazines in the country, this publication covers any activity that involves a backpack, including bicycling, canoeing, kayaking and adventure traveling.

Recently featured: “Paradise With Goats” (Kaui’s Na Pali State Park: a modern-day Garden of Eden).

Triathlon

* Triathlete

Number of issues a year: 12

Established: 1982

Circulation: 55,000

With editions in France and Germany and plans for Italy and South America, this magazine does a fine job of covering swimming, biking and running plus ways to cross-train. It also covers major events, nutrition and products.