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What will the fitness tracker of the future look like, and what new features will it offer when strapped around your wrist?

We've already seen some exciting new activity bands this year that hint at things to come. We've had the heavy-duty Polar Grit X and accessible Fitbit Charge 4, plus several new entries in the luxe Garmin MARQ range (including a watch with maps for 4,000 golf courses).

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There are many more on the horizon too, including the Amaxfit X, with its strangely curved screen, and (hopefully) the Garmin Fenix 7. We wouldn't be at all surprised to see some new entries from the likes of Suunto as well.

But what about further in the future? Here are the features we'd most like to see hitting the mainstream over the next couple of years and why we don't think they're a pipe dream.

5G has the potential to revolutionize smartwatches and fitness trackers alike, taking the weight of computing off the device itself and shifting it to the cloud.

For example, it could make a dramatic improvement to voice controls. Previously, when weve used an Alexa-enabled smartwatch (like the Fitbit Versa 2) weve been disappointed by how long it takes to respond to queries as our questions are sent to our phone, then to Amazons servers, and all the way back again. Its the last thing you want when youre on the move. With 5G, responses would be almost instant, making voice controls far more practical and useful.

It would also make music streaming a breeze no need to rely on your fitness trackers on-board storage, or simply use it as a remote to control the music app on your phone.

In fact, 5G connectivity could almost eliminate the need to download and install apps using your phone.

The newly launched Garmin Quatix 6X Solar is specially designed for life at sea, without ready access to an electrical outlet, and boasts remarkable battery life of up to 24 days. Thats achieved thanks to the watchs photovoltaic face, which keeps it topped up when youre off messing about in boats.

Theres only one drawback: the Quatic 6X solar costs $1,149.99 / 999.99 / AU$1,799. Thats not entirely due to the solar charging this is a fitness tracker that can also control a yacht but wed love to see that kind of battery life in fitness trackers that dont cost hundreds of dollars, letting us go weeks without a charge (which would be wireless, naturally).

Weve seen foldable phones and rollable TVs, so a fitness tracker with a bendable display seems like a natural next step. The forthcoming Amazfit X will have a curved display to give you more space for notifications, but a truly flexible display would give you more still.

A wrap-around watch wouldnt have to take the same snapping force of a snap-shut smartphone, which would hopefully make it more robust than devices like the Samsung Galaxy Fold, whose launch was marred by reports of broken screens. Such a smartwatch wouldnt come cheap (the Galaxy Folds launch price was twice that of a typical flagship smartphone), but hopefully the price will drop as the technology matures.

Fall detection is already making its way into higher-end fitness trackers, but we want to see it become mainstream. Not only that, wed like to be able to trigger it manually by holding a single button. Episodes like a hypoglycemic attack or epileptic seizure are often preceded by a specific feeling, but if youre confused and dizzy, you might not have the ability or presence of mind to remember a complicated series of taps and swipes.

Through its running and cycling apps, Zwift lets you join a virtual run or ride on a treadmill or exercise bike but what if you could do the same thing outdoors?

Thered be no need for a separate cadence sensor thanks to your watchs GPS, which would help you keep pace with the pack remotely. With Bluetooth headphones connected to your tracker (forget the phone), you could chat with your friends in real time during a long run, or take part in a HIIT together with audio alerts. You could even get Peloton-style real-time coaching from a professional instructor anywhere in the world.

Most fitness trackers are mainly designed with cardio in mind swimming, running, cycling and walking being the order of the day why stop there?

If your new tracker came with a set of sensors similar to those used by Yoganotch, it could provide interactive classes for not just yoga, but activities like dance and pilates through your headphones, giving you instructions and correcting you if your posture is less than perfect. And what about getting live guidance when using your connected smart dumbbells?

The camera apps on smartwatches like the Apple Watch function as remote controls for your phone, and although some smartwatches with their own built-in cameras do exist, we've yet to see an activity band with a built-in snapper. It looks like that will soon change though, and Fitbit even seems to be preparing a kid's fitness tracker capable of making video calls, but why should they get all the fun?

A fitness tracker with a built-in HD camera (or even 4K if you want to dream big) would not only let you join Zoom chats from your wrist, it would also help show off your most picturesque runs and rides on Strava. Just hold up your hand and capture the scene in its fully glory, or stream live video to your platform of choice. That wrap-around screen mentioned earlier could double as a handy viewfinder so you arent shooting blind.

There would be no need to store the resulting snaps or footage locally the data could be sent off to a cloud server instantly (or just cached temporarily if youre out of 5G range) then deleted to conserve internal storage.

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The fitness tracker of tomorrow - TechRadar

Gyms remain closed across New Jersey, with a reopening date expected soon but not yet announced.

In the meantime, you can check out your local gyms and fitness centers to see what kinds of services they are offering as they remain closed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

For example, 24 Hour Fitness has a personalized fitness app with more than 1,500 digital and audio-coached workouts, and Golds Gym streams free on-demand workouts and has a virtual pro shop through which exclusive Golds Gym deals, supplements, equipment, and workout gear can be delivered to peoples home.

Here are details on gyms reopening in New Jersey:

When are gyms and fitness centers reopening in New jersey?

New Jersey gyms and fitness centers have been closed since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The state shifted into Stage 2 of Gov. Phil Murphys multi-phased reopening plan on Monday, for which among other changes restaurants and bars were allowed to reopen for outdoor dining and nonessential retail stores for shopping at 50% capacity. Stage 2 will further progress this coming Monday, upon which date hair salons and other personal care businesses are permitted to resume operations.

Gyms and fitness centers are also expected to reopen in Stage 2, although the governor has not made an announcement on dates or restrictions. He stated during his coronavirus press briefing on Tuesday that reopening indoor spaces is harder especially because a second wave of the coronavirus is likely inevitable.

If you bat 1,000, this virus, by its very nature, is going to come back, Gov. Murphy said.

Individuals should contact or check out the websites of their local gyms to learn how they are preparing for their reopening. Retro Fitness, for example, will have a staff member solely dedicated to cleaning the club during its hours of operation, and maintain reduced occupancy levels to comply with social distancing requirements.

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When will gyms and fitness centers reopen in N.J.? - NJ.com

Health has been on everyones mind lately, according to Justin Stezin, regional director for the 13 Planet Fitness locations in central Pennsylvania.

The COVID pandemic has put fitness at the forefront of a lot of peoples minds, Stezin said. They want to stay healthy, they want to be fit, and be the best version of themselves that they can be. Were trying to balance the ability to provide a safe place for people to reach their fitness goals, while also mitigating any risk to peoples health.

The Planet Fitness locations in Dauphin County, including the one at 480 Port View Drive in Swatara Township, are the latest to open as the county reached the green phase of the states recovery plan on June 19. Attendance was low at 8 a.m., but those who were there were excited to be back, some greeting each other from a distance and beneath masks as they entered.

Planet Fitness locations in State College and Shamokin Dam opened as early as March 30 as Centre and Snyder counties went into the green phase. And as additional counties also went green, Stezin said, it gave management a chance to observe how re-openings at additional locations, with new safety and health guidelines, have gone over the successive weeks.

We can only control what we can control, he said. And what we can control is having a really clean gym. Weve always prided ourselves on our cleanliness, its always been number one on our list of things that are important to us. So what weve done is just doubled that.

In addition to increased cleanings - staff members do walkthroughs of the facility every 20 minutes - the Planet Fitness locations have added sanitation stations, increased distances between cardio and weight training machines, and altered their 24/7 schedule to allow for thorough nightly cleanings after the gyms close. And as always, guests are required to clean the equipment after use.

With all of those guidelines, Stezin said, the Planet Fitness locations are seeing roughly 60 to 70 percent of their usual summer crowds thus far.

The people that are die-hards are definitely coming out, he said, noting that attendance is also generally lower in the summer. I think there is some caution still, and people are curious to see whats going to happen. But for the most part, weve been very pleased with the numbers. Every week you get a little bit more of the members back.

One of the most common questions is about mask use, he said. And while masks are required for entry into the building, they are not required to be used while exercising.

READ MORE: Which Pa. counties will go green next? Here are the 8, including Dauphin, set to reopen next Friday

Thus far, Stezin said, the Planet Fitness plan of social fitnessing has gone fairly smoothly, and that the company has spent time during the shutdown to ensure that they had a good plan in place.

Its been kind of an arduous three months, but were back and ready to serve the community, he said. Weve put a lot of precautions in place to ensure that the facility is as safe as possible for our members and team members.

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Gyms open again in Dauphin County: Heres the first look at Planet Fitness, post-coronavirus shutdown - pennlive.com

Fitbit might be the first thing you think of when it comes to ordinary fitness and sleep tracking, but ask a serious runner or cyclist what they wear, and you'll get a very different answer. Polar is the brand that's virtually synonymous with sports training and fitness wearables for people for whom training is a lifestyle. And this weekend, Polar is offering a discount on a trio of its watches -- 25% off the Vantage M and 30% off on two variations of the Vantage V.

The Polar Vantage M is 25% off when you apply discount code FLASH25 at checkout, dropping the price from $280 to $210.

A good choice for half-marathoners (but also offering a ton for cyclists, swimmers and other athletes), the Vantage M is an all-round multisport GPS watch with an integrated heart rate monitor and a 30-hour battery life.

The Polar Vantage V is 30% off when you apply discount codeFLASH30at checkout, dropping the price from $500 to $350.

Polar targets this watch at folks training for full marathons, multisport athletes and triathlon trainers. This GPS and heart-rate-monitor-equipped wearable has an impressive 40-hour battery life and is waterproof to accommodate swimmers.

The Polar Vantage V Titan is 30% off when you apply discount codeFLASH30at checkout, dropping the price from $600 to $420.

The Tiran is Polar's premium multisport watch. Made of titanium, it's seven grams (a quarter ounce) lighter than the Vantage V, has a more scratch-resistant screen and comes with new strap options.

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STEAMBOAT SPRINGS The newest dance and fitness studio in Steamboat Springs was created by three, longtime instructors who are hoping their businesses have found a new home with a fresh and unique co-op concept.

It is an anti-studio in the sense that its not that were all trying to be a conglomerate together to try to make money for one person, said co-owner Jamie Boeri. Were all sort of making money for ourselves. Its established businesses coming into their own and sharing a space.

Boeri, who operates Bella Movement Dance and Fitness, has partnered with Scott Goodhart, who owns Goodharts Dancin Steamboat, and Meg Southcott, who owns Forty106 Dance Project, to open Steamboat Dance + Fitness at 1955 Bridge Lane in West Steamboat Springs. The three instructors will operate their own businesses under the same roof in the space, which includes two separate dance studios. When space allows, the owners will lease unused space to other local instructors for as long as they need it.

All three of us have a very established business and a strong following, Boeri said. We werent looking to hand that off to just any studio owner. We wanted to make money for ourselves, to build our own brands and, of course, support each other in the process.

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Bella Movement Dance & Fitness

This will be Boeris second attempt to make her business Bella Movement Dance & Fitness work in Steamboat.

I was the very first (barre) instructor here and kind of introduced barre to Steamboat Springs, Boeri said. I started a studio on the west side, Bella Barre. It was maybe a little bit before its time, and it just didnt take off.

It was me by myself, Boeri said of her first studio. This is kind of my second go at it, but this time, I have partners to share the space and to share the overhead.

Boeri said her education and experience are what make the difference in her studio.

She studied kinesiology at California State Polytechnic University and has danced professionally for many years, working for the Disney Corporation, ABC Network, Disneyland California and California Adventure. She also has appeared in music videos, commercials and televised holiday specials prior to moving to Steamboat Springs in 2010.

She has a full apparatus and mat certification with BASI Pilates from Costa Mesa, California, and has gone on to receive several barre method, TRX and personal trainer certifications.

Boeri offers Bella Barre classes a combination of Pilates, ballet and barre-based isometrics and a dance academy inspired by her years of professional dance experience.

Bella Barre fitness classes are based on isometric contractions at the bar really fatiguing the muscle but in a safe and effective way. Its good for all levels, and its no impact, Boeri said. I pride myself on my education. I have my bachelors degree in kinesiology and have really taken a long time to study my craft.

Goodharts Dancin Steamboat

Scott Goodhart has been teaching dance for 11 years with stints at Arthur Murray Dance studios and May I Have This Dance studio in Chicago. His experience working with some of the best dance coaches in the world has given him the skills needed to offer a wide range of partner dancing that includes ballroom, Latin, salsa, swing, ballroom and country.

He continued to teach after moving to Steamboat but always in a studio owned by someone else. This marks the first time he has ventured out on his own.

Ive been teaching in other studios for 11 years or so, Goodhart said. I just wanted to start something on my own where we can have our own space. I have my own idea of how to run a business, and this is sort of the first time venturing out on that.

Goodhart specializes in teaching a wide variety of dance styles to people witha large range of skill levels. He believes Steamboat Dance + Fitness will now allow him to use his experience to offer a unique experience in Steamboat.

Goodhart is currently teaching his clases online, but plans to resume classes in July.

Forty106 Dance Project

When Meg Soutcott started Forty106 Dance Project, she created a contemporary/modern dance company aimed at fostering artistic and personal growth through dance, encouraging performing arts advocacy in the community and helping to establish Steamboat as an arts destination.

Forty106 Dance Project is a performance-based company that also offers adult level classes, and during the summertime, pre-professional level classes to just kind of get people dancing and moving and appreciate dance as an art form, Southcott said. Right now, Im just offering technique classes. Eventually, I will start offering a little more specialized dance electives like choreography classes, dance academy, dance history and down the line more collaborative works with fellow artists, musicians, visual artists and that sort of thing.

Southcott, who has a dance performance degree and a bachelors degree of fine art from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, founded Forty106 in 2018. That June, the company held one live performance, Hurry Up and Wait, at the Depot Arts Center. But due to space and trying survive in Steamboat, the company has not had another performance in Steamboat, but Southcott said one is in the works. She said the new studio space gives the company a place to call home.

It allows people to come into the space to take class to either get back into dancing if they havent done it in a while, or explore something that they have been wanting to try forever and just havent felt comfortable or havent had the opportunity, Southcott said. This space allows that to happen. It will be a house for rehearsals and then open rehearsals and then eventually those rehearsals will lead to the performance.

The studio had planned to hold a grand opening earlier this spring, but COVID-19 postponed that. All three businesses are transitioning back to live classes while following health guidelines protocols.

Were just getting back in there, and were like 75% operating, Boeri said. We are limited to 10 students right now. We definitely still have some room in classes. Some people are deciding to stay with the online service, which has been a huge success for me during this time.

To find out more information about the classes offered, availablity, times and cost go to steamboatdanceandfitness.com for more information.

To reach John F. Russell, call 970-871-4209, email jrussell@SteamboatPilot.com or follow him on Twitter @Framp1966.

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New studio gives longtime dance, fitness instructors a home of their own - Steamboat Pilot and Today

Before fitness trackers were ever a thing, people wouldgasponly have their own bodies to listen to when it came to how they felt. But now, thanks to the super impressive technological advancements in wearables, our bodys health data is front and center, 24/7.

This is a relatively modern way of livingthough I (and you) have lived for decades without knowing what our heart rate variability is at any given moment or how many cycles of REM sleep that we clocked the night before, its interesting to be bombarded with detailed insights at a flick of the wrist. These days, trackers are telling us things like whether we should train hard or recover, go to bed earlier, or skip that early morning workout in order to sleep instead.

With the growing amount of advice coming out of these trackers, it can start to feel like your wearable holds more weight in your workout or recovery decisions than your own common sense (and how you feel). Just how can you keep a balanced relationship with your wearable? We asked experts for some insight.

In the case of Whoop, for example, youre given numbers that tell you just how hard you can push yourself (physically) based on the numbers that your bodys recovery (which takes into account your sleep quality and heart rate variability). Monitoring sleep is fundamentalweve learned that its just as important as exercise, and the more REM and slow wave sleep an individual got, the better they performed in sports, says Will Ahmed, Whoop founder and CEO. In my experience using Whoop, my recovery score is usually spot onits typically high (in the green level) post-eight hours of sleep, which inspires me to go hard at the gym (and vice versa) because I know my body is primed to take on physical stress.

Used like that, having access to personalized advice about your body is certainly helpful. But it can also reach a point where your tracker fully guides your fitness decisionslike making you feel as though you must get a high step count every single dayso theres a fine line between using it to guide your training and pushing yourself too hard because you want your activity numbers to be high. On the flip side, you can start to feel guilty when you ignore everything that your tracker is telling you. You know, like when youve logged a few consecutive days of poor sleep yet you still stay up late binge-watching your favorite show (and feel horrible the next day).

Having all of that data is a catch-22the idea is great, but knowing it isnt going to necessarily initiate a behavior change, says Hillary Cauthen, PsyD, CMPC, certified mental performance consultant with the Association of Applied Sport Psychology. Look at how you think about [your tracker] and what your attitude around it is. Its tricky because you can get major positive feedback, which can egg you on to do more. But you might fall into being overdependent, and shift from a healthy application to this over-attendance and obsessive thoughts on having to do more and to keep maintaining, and people can get fixated on that, which is a problem.

Having all of that data is a catch-22the idea is great, but knowing it isnt going to necessarily initiate a behavior change. Hillary Cauthen, PsyD, CMPC

The other end of the spectrum is if youre not taking your wearables data into account at all, with knowledge that could impact your health. If your tracker is continually telling you that youre not getting enough sleep, you should listen, says Dr. Cauthen. She says to think about it like driving a car with a check engine light on. If you ignore it for too long, it damages your car. If you dont pay attention to these warning signs, eventually something will break down, whether its an injury or not improving your strength. Her tip? Think of the datawhen its telling you that youre run-down or not fully recovered, for instanceas a sign to check in and give yourself what you need.

The key to having a healthy relationship with your tracker, then? Use it as your guru, but not your boss. Sometimes were so fixated on our tracker that we forget to listen to our body, which is our most important advice-giver, says Dr. Cauthen. It can be harder than it sounds, but she suggests to connect with your tracker when you really need itlike when youre judging whether you could use more of a push in a workout, or if your heart rate variability suggests a rest dayand rely on your body first and foremost. You do know that you worked and moved your body. If you didnt track your sleep, you know when you went to bed or woke up, she says. Its freeing to just be in the process of moving and enjoy the moment rather than constantly track and check your stats.

Health and fitness goals are rarely achieved if you dont address them holistically, says Devin VanderMaas, vice president of marketing for iTouch Wearables. As in: Pay attention to sleep, your diet, exercise, mental wellbeing, etc, and not just how many steps you take in a day when figuring out how hard you train or recover. Smartwatches and fitness trackers are great tools, but if the user is still not sleeping enough or enduring too much stress, then receiving key metrics really doesnt matter.

When youre looking to get a tracker, Dr. Cauthen recommends thinking aboutwhat data youre looking to get. What are you going to use the information for? she says. For example, I monitor my running, and I look at data to see if there are patterns that help to explain why I have an off-week. VanderMaas adds that you should also clearly define your goals and how your tracker can assist you with achieving them. We find that if users limit the metrics that theyre focusing on, they actually pay attention to the ones that matter the most and are able to make behavioral changes necessary to meet their goals since theyre not overwhelmed by too much information, she says.

Just make sure your smart device is atool. Smart devices are not the end goal, they are a means to a goal, says VanderMaas. Its important to not lose sight of the purpose for purchasing a tracker, which, at the end of the day, is an accountability tool and should be used as such. It is data, a reminder, a guide, but it isnt the core psychological motivation that will make the user take action. Dont forget that your body is the smartest guide that you have.

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Were in the Era of Peak Fitness TrackingHeres How to Keep That Relationship Healthy - Well+Good

HONOLULU (KHON2) If youre tired of those home workouts, the wait is almost over! Some gyms on Oahu are reopening tomorrow but guests will have to workout with new rules in place.

Planet Fitness gyms on Hawaii Island and Maui reopened earlier this month and Oahu locations are finally opening their doors as well.

So weve been working really hard to make sure we have a very safe and clean environment for everyone to come back to and enjoy the judgement free zone again, said Scott Cook, the General Manager of Planet Fitness Ala Moana.

Staff and guests will be required to follow safety precautions before, during and after their shifts or workouts.

Staff, when they come in, they have to have temperatures checks. Staff are also required to wear masks at all times and then theres a little questionnaire for them to fill out too.

The form staff members are required to fill out before their shifts includes questions about symptoms of COVID-19.

For guests, there will be touch-less sign ins and other new rules in place.

Masks are required to enter in the facility, while they are working out they do not have to wear the masks but sanitation, theres sanitation stations all over the gym.

Planet Fitness is also creating marked off sections in the facility to practice social fitnessing.

Were going to have equipment tagged out for social fitnessing so the members arent too close together. So every other cardio equipment is going to be tagged out just for the safety of our members. Were going to have squares marked all six feet apart so members will have a safe set area for them to workout in.

The gym is operating on a first come, first serve basis but will have a max capacity of 143 people.

Operating days and hours for Planet Fitness Ala Moana will be Monday to Thursday from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. until further notice.

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Planet Fitness reopening with new safety protocol in place for staff and guests - KHON2

If youre only doing one type of cardio over and over againlike running up and down the stairs in your apartment buildingits time to switch things up. Luckily, there are so many different ways to beat the boredom with these cardio workout videos for every day of the week.

Theres a little something for everyone in this lineup, and each of the cardio workout videos is led by one of your favorite trainers. Theres tabata with Ash Wilking, dance cardio with Amanda Kloots, quickie cardio with Tracy Anderson, and more. Basically, if you follow along with this daily schedule, youll never want to miss your workout again.

This 15-minute tabata workout with Ash Wilking, a Nike trainer and Rumble instructor, requires zero equipment. With that being said, your heart will surely be pumping quickly as you go through the two circuits that have you doing everything from lateral shuffles to star jumps.

Next up comes some dance cardio with Amanda Kloots. During this 9-minute workout, youll be working every part of your body, from your abs and arms to your glutesall while having a whole lot of fun in the process. For a more beginner-friendly version of this workout, try this option.

Ready for a serious full-body burn? In this workout, trainer Charlee Atkins of Le Sweat will take you through a 25-minute session thats low-impact and equipment-free. Get ready for plenty of mountain climbers, plank swimmers, and bodyweight rows.

Running isnt boring when you add some intervals into the mix. In this workout with Nike Running roach Jes Woods, youll be doing a HIIT workout on the treadmill. And if you dont have access to a treadmill at the moment, no worries. You can easily take this run outdoors by skipping the inclines and focusing on the periods of effort and recovery.

Whats more fitting for a Friday workout than this dance cardio party? DanceBodys Katia Pryce will lead you through an 18-minute sweat session thats meant to strengthen and tone your body.

Start your weekend off right with this HIIT workout with Meg Takacs. Theres only six plyometric movements, but theyll certainly leave you sweating as you up your heart rate and strengthen your body at the same time.

For some quick and enjoyable Sunday cardio, press play on this workout from Tracy Anderson. Even though it only takes seven minutes, youll be sweating by the time its over.

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7 Cardio Videos for Your Full Week of Heart-Healthy Workouts - Well+Good

Soon after Partition, a group of Hindi writers Bhisham Sahni, Nirmal Verma, Krishna Baldev Vaid, Manohar Shyam Joshi and others set up the Cultural Forum in Delhi. For four years, writes Sahni in his memoir, Todays Pasts (2015), they met regularly and read their works out to each other. And then cheerfully went home on their bicycles (or on foot). That many of them cycled back was not a reflection of their finances (or lack thereof). It was proof of the popularity and ubiquitousness of this revolutionary mode of transport, invented in early-19th-century Europe.

Earlier this month, Atlass last cycle factory (located in Sahibabad, Uttar Pradesh) shut down, ending a nostalgic journey dating back to 1951, when the company first started manufacturing bicycles.

In his well-researched, illuminating book, Everyday Technology Machines and the Making of Indias Modernity (2013), the historian David Arnold describes how bicycles, initially the preserve of Europeans in India, gradually percolated down to well-off Indians and then, as they became less expensive, to ordinary citizens as well.

The bicycle offered Indians many new freedoms, including the ability to get around (public transport was erratic or non-existent) and to ferry objects, people and occasionally animals (lunchboxes, family, squawking chickens) from place to place. By the 1950s, says Arnold, the nation had entered the cycle age; by the middle of that decade, Hind Cycles and Atlas were together making 400,000 machines a year (and there were bicycles still being imported).

Writer Chitra Mudgals moving Hindi short story, Dashrath ka Vanvas, conveys a sense of how desirable the bicycle was, and how it could be invested with deep emotion: the protagonist Ramanath has longed for a bicycle since he was a boy. But his stern, unyielding father never offered a sliver of love, forget a bicycle. Estranged from his father for years, Ramanath refuses to visit him on his deathbed and does not perform his last rites. Then, a few days later, a huge package is delivered to Ramanaths home. It is a brand new bicycle that his father had bought and kept for him.

Dharamvir Bharatis iconic 1949 Hindi novel, Gunahon ka Devta, is a passionate love story and has nothing to do with bicycles. But it shows us how the cycle imparted freedom and mobility. The books hero, the brilliant young research scholar Chander, is often found pedalling down Allahabads tranquil, tree-lined roads to go to university, to meet his friends or to run important errands.

But it is as a means of romance and pleasure that the humble bicycle lives on in the popular imagination, because thats how it was immortalised on the big screen. The two-wheel contraption came to symbolise a new generation of modern young men and women who cycled for recreation. Romance blossomed when cycles collided in a tangle of wheels and handlebars.

A familiar trope in Hindi films was the gaggle of stylish young women on their bicycles Nutan and her haseenon ki toli (or group of beauties) in Anari (1959); Asha Parekh and friends in Mere Sanam (1965); Saira Banu with her gang of girls in Padosan (1968).

Often, daringly, the cyclists were mixed groups of men and women. In the song Jab Din Haseen Dil Ho Jawan (Adalat, 1958), a bunch of exuberant youngsters in hats and dark glasses head out for a picnic on their bicycles and spend the day dancing and going on boat rides.

But the most interesting and probably one of the earliest associations of bicycles and fashionable young people is in the splendid 1941 film, Khazanchi, recommended to me by Yasir Abbasi, a devoted chronicler of Hindi film history and trivia. The movie opens with two groups of cyclists (led by the hero and heroine) singing and riding on the streets of Lahore. They end up, yes, colliding with each other; later the heros father expresses concern for his sons safety, as though he were riding a particularly fast, dashing vehicle. But our heroines father proudly declares of his daughter, Yeh toh cycle chalaane mein ustad hai!

Today, the bicycle has probably had its middle-class moment. Perhaps its time to celebrate it in its new avatar as an eco-friendly, cool, fitness machine that is also the best socially distanced means of transport in these coronavirus times.

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Cycling in the times of Covid-19: From freedom to fitness to distancing - Hindustan Times

With the summer solstice mere days away, we can finally look in our rearview at one of the weirdest springs on record. When COVID-19 forced us out of gyms and fitness studios, it helped us figure out how to get fit at home, and many of us rediscovered the joys of running and biking.

With the warmer months ahead, well all be exercising a lot more outside anyways. Thankfully theres a slew of new gear to help.Recently, New Balance released its new Pride Month shoe, Rapha revealed innovative bib shorts, Nike made a shoe for riding inside and more. (Oh, and congrats to San Luis Obispo on being named the best city for cycling in the country.)

June is Pride Month, but New Balances celebratory runners will look good all year. The semi-translucent design tops the sneaker brands recently improved FuelCell midsole, which is both bouncy and supportive.

So technically were late to the chase on this one, but Raphas Pro Team Powerweave Bib is too cool to leave out based on a small detail like its release date. Its the most advanced bib short ever from the company thats saying something and its made with the same tech Rapha integrated into its latest shoe.

Just in time for the warm summer months, the Wildcat AT is the lightest running short from the direct-to-consumer brand Path Projects. Its Airtastic fabric is breathable, stretchy and helps it weigh in at a remarkable 2.2 ounces. And even though the Wildcat is running minimalism at its best, it still includes pockets for your phone and keys.

Honey Stingers new batch of energy chews comes with a kick of caffeine and is available in flavors youll actually want to eat, like Stingerita Lime, Lemon Ginger and Mango Melon.

Nuun recently complemented its mid-effort Endurance formula, which is already replacing other energy drinks on marathon race courses, with pre- and post-workout drink mixes. The three types make up the Podium Series and provide a rounded hydration and energy formula made of all-vegan ingredients.

It seems like lore at this point, but Nike did make cycling shoes once upon a time. The SuperRep Cycle, its new indoor spin shoe, might signify that its planning to enter the peloton once again.

Whereas the SuperRep is dedicated to the indoors, this collaboration between Pedaled and Fizik is about getting outside and going off-road. The shoe features the stiff power-return characteristic of performance cycling shoes but also includes features like dual-Velcro for easy adjustments and rubber tread when hiking is necessary.

After a long winter, many mountain bikers dedicate the beginning of summer to knocking the proverbial rust off their riding. Knee pads help in that process, and Pearl iZumis new set expertly balances light weight with real protection. Theyre plenty flexible and breathable, too.

Tanner Bowden is a staff writer at Gear Patrol covering all things outdoors and fitness. He is a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School and a former wilderness educator. He lives in Brooklyn but will always identify as a Vermonter.

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Lightweight Running Shorts Are One of the Best New Pieces of Fitness Gear of June - Gear Patrol

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