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19 Fitness Products That Made People Want To Work Out – BuzzFeed
Kangoo Jumps is a small business founded in 2017. There are official Kangoo Jumps classes in some areas, which you can Google to see if there are any near you or find a class on YouTube.
Promising reviews:"Tired of boring runs on the treadmill? Try those shoes. They are absolutely amazing. Ilookforwardto doing my cardio now. You can run, skip, and do high knees or butt kickers." Lilly
"These are so muchfun! What a great andfunwork out. You cant help but jog when you wear them. There are a lot of videos out there if you want to do a Kangoo work out. This is the second pair I bought, I bought them for my daughter-in-law. We Kangoo together. Everyone stops us to ask about them. I wish there was place to go learn and work out near me like there is in other states. Theyre easy on your knees, too. All you need is a little balance and anyone at any age can do this. Its reallyfun. For the people who love to work out, its a great cardio work out!" Girly Girl
Get them from Amazon for $275 (available in unisex sizes XS-L and in two colors).
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19 Fitness Products That Made People Want To Work Out - BuzzFeed
Conservatives say boycott over trans-inclusive policies cost Planet Fitness millions. It’s a lie. – LGBTQ Nation
Chaya Raichik, who goes by Libs of TikTok online, believes Planet Fitness is currently facing the most successful boycott since Bud Light because the gym chain allows trans women to use womens locker rooms.
But while Raichik and right-wing media outlets have claimed that the boycott caused the gym to lose $400 million in value something Raichik called a bloodbath theres no proof, either of the boycott or its alleged financial harm to the gym. In fact, Planet Fitness has stood by its trans-inclusive policies and LGBTQ+ support for years despite right-wing backlash.
Raichik alleges that the boycott started because a Planet Fitness in Alaska banned Patricia Silva, an anti-LGBTQ+ woman who photographed and confronted a transgender woman who was using the womens locker room without harassing anyone. The gym revoked Silvas membership and filed a police report against her for photographing people in the locker room, something that is specifically forbidden by the gyms policies.
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Raichik noted that the hashtag #BoycottPlanetFitness has been trending on X. However, theres no proof that any people using the hashtag are current or former Planet Fitness members. Raichik then claimed that Planet Fitness has a history of making women unsafe in the womens locker rooms because in September 2023, an adult assigned male at birth exposed themself to a 15-year-old girl at a Planet Fitness gym in Georgia.
Its unclear whether the adult claimed to be transgender. Police arrested the adult and Planet Fitness found they had violated the gyms anti-harassment and locker room modesty policies. The gyms policies state that if a member is acting in bad faith and improperly asserts a gender identity, they may be asked to leave and their membership may be terminated.
Raichik also pointed to a 2015 incident in which the gym revoked a cis womans membership after she repeatedly complained to other gym members and staff about a trans woman in the locker room. The trans woman wasnt harassing anyone, and she was a guest of another gym member.
In expressing her concerns about the policy, the member in question exhibited behavior that club management deemed inappropriate and disruptive to other members, which is a violation of the membership agreement and as a result her membership was canceled, Planet Fitness said in a statement about the 2015 incident.
PLANET FITNESS BLOODBATH MEGA THREAD
This might be the most successful boycott since Bud Light.
This is how we will take back our country. These companies need to understand that we will not accept this nonsense anymore. Do not let up! Pass it on!
The Planet Fitness chain is widely known for being a self-professed judgement free zone, a welcoming environment where people of all types can exercise without fear of intimidation and ridicule from other members. Its gender identity nondiscrimination policy states that members and guests may use all gym facilities based on their sincere self-reported gender identity. The gym has consistently stood up to transphobic members who harass and threaten trans patrons, even as red state legislators ban trans people from sports teams and school facilities.
Additionally, the chain has observed Pride Month, writing, We strive to create a community where everyone is included and feels like they belong. Not just this month, but every day. It has also partnered with the It Gets Better Project to help support LGBTQ+ youth.
However, Raichik claimed that the gym chain is now being punished for its progressive policies. She pointed out that, after news spread about the gym banning Silva, the gyms stock price dropped from $5.3 billion on March 14 to $4.9 billion on March 19, constituting a $400 million loss in value. However, the businesss stock price was already declining before March 11, when reports of Silvas revoked membership began spreading online.
In fact, a five-year overview of Planet Fitness stock price shows that it usually peaks in January a time of year when many people usually begin new gym memberships to fulfill their New Years resolution to get in shape and lose weight and then declines in the following pre-summer months. Because the businesss overall profitability is determined by monthly memberships (and this alleged boycott started barely two weeks ago), theres no concrete proof that the loss of the gyms stock value is connected to member outrage over its trans-inclusive policies.
Raichik claims that Planet Fitness is covering up membership cancellations by members upset over its trans-inclusive policies. As proof, she pointed to a single video of a man who said that gym employees refused to note his disagreement with its trans policies on his official cancellation form. Raichik also posted a recording of a Planet Fitness customer service representative allegedly claiming that Silvas photo of the trans gym member wasnt taken at a Planet Fitness gym.
This man canceled his Planet Fitness membership and told the manager its because they allow and defend men in womens locker rooms. The manager said he cant put that as the reason.
Planet Fitness is now covering up membership cancelations! pic.twitter.com/CtbqtIQPjb
Raichik also claimed that Planet Fitness is trying to groom kids by giving them queer books to confuse them about their identity and introduce them to the extremely harmful radical gender ideology. In actuality, the gym previously partnered with the It Gets Better Project to provide LGBTQ+-themed books to gay-straight alliances in schools. Raichik and other right-wingers constantly claim that any mention of LGBTQ+ issues to kids is an attempt to groom them.
She also blamed Planet Fitness for allowing a registered sex offender, Adam Yindana, to join one of their gyms. However, she didnt mention that Yindana joined the gym using an alias, that he isnt trans and never said he was, and that he wasnt harassing anyone in the womens locker room. The gym canceled his membership and assisted police with their investigation when a gym member accused Yindana of following her around the facility and recording her with his smartphone.
LGBTQ Nation reached out to Planet Fitness for a comment regarding Raichiks claims.
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Conservatives say boycott over trans-inclusive policies cost Planet Fitness millions. It's a lie. - LGBTQ Nation
Average Joe vs the Tour of Flanders: How much fitness has Cillian Kelly gained with help of Wahoo SYSTM – Global Cycling Network
GCNs resident stat man Cillian Kelly isnt afraid of a challenge. His previous exploits have included conquering the 2022 LEtape du Tour, along with its 4,700m climbing, and he recently decided it was time to take on his next challenge. Only, this one would be his toughest yet: the Tour of Flanders.
For those unfamiliar, the Tour of Flanders, or Ronde van Vlaanderen, is one of the hardest and most prestigious races in professional cycling. The distance alone, which stretches beyond 250km, would be tough enough, except packed within that distance are numerous stretches of cobblestones. Even more cruelly, they all point uphill.
Cillian of course isnt a WorldTour pro and our calls for a wildcard entry into the pro race went unheard, but luckily there is a sportive the day before the race where amateurs like Cillian can briefly sample and emulate their idols. Mercifully for Cillian, its also much shorter.
That event is on Saturday and our Irishman has been working hard towards it with the help of a seven-week Wahoo SYSTM training plan. Those seven weeks are now over so, on the eve of the event, it was time to find out how much fitness Cillian has gained through his training.
You can watch Cillians final fitness test at the top of this page, or check out these three tips our stat man picked up during his training.
Cyclists tend to ignore any form of exercise that doesnt include pedalling their bike. This wasnt possible for Cillian as the Wahoo SYSTM training platform includes a mix of cycling and off-the-bike exercises. These workouts cover yoga, strength, plus mental training too.
Many cyclists will baulk at the idea of completing these but, as Cillian discovered, theyre actually a great way to freshen up your training plan.
It meant there was more variety on the menu each week, Cillian said. I think, because of that, it has been more interesting. It wasnt just about smashing out watts.
Even the best-laid training plans will hit roadblocks as everyday life gets in the way. Family holidays, work - like Cillians stat attacks which can be found on the GCN website - and, unfortunately, a couple of family grievances all disrupted Cillians training at some point.
While the latter is obviously mentally tough, other more minor hiccups during a training plan can sometimes be tough to deal with too. So much so that they can derail your progress and motivation.
Thats why its important to take time to consider your mental health - something that is included in the Wahoo SYSTM app. This is good for your mental health in general, but will also help to keep you motivated for the challenge ahead.
This meant that the mental exercises were much more relevant, Cillian reflected. Stopping myself to ask why am I doing this and whats it all really for.
Cillian is a huge cycling fan and nerd, so the idea of racing on some of the most famous roads in cycling helped top up the motivation, but for other riders this motivation may be different.
Missing workouts isnt just frustrating, it will also reduce your physical gains. Dont beat yourself up too much, though, as this is often out of our hands. As long as you complete as many sessions as possible, youll still see your fitness improve - unless youre already in tip-top shape.
A great case in point, Cillian only managed to complete half of the sessions in his training plan, but that was enough to see improvements. We wont provide any more spoilers here and to find out just how much he improved, watch the video at the top of this page.
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Average Joe vs the Tour of Flanders: How much fitness has Cillian Kelly gained with help of Wahoo SYSTM - Global Cycling Network
Leave your drama outside: Owner of Wheaton fitness and boxing gym aims to improve young peoples lives – WTOP
Dave Kennedy operates the Rec-Mode Fitness and Boxing gym in Wheaton, Maryland, with an emphasis on improving young peoples' lives.
Dave Kennedy, who operates the Rec-Mode Fitness and Boxing gym in Wheaton, Maryland, tells his clients to get comfortable being uncomfortable, and is firm about how everyone is to be treated in the space hes created with his wife, Maxine.
This is a safe, welcoming and positive space, Kennedy said.
Flags from 39 nations ring the gym, and Kennedy said hed like to have a flag from every country represented one day.
Kennedy said one client pointed out there was no pride flag representing the LGBTQ community.
I said, Bring it in and thats the big flag that you see back there.
Kennedys been very active in a variety of youth-oriented programs and his space will be hosting workshops on opioid awareness and anti-violence. While crime in the area is a concern, Kennedy said his business is not affected directly.
We dont see it, he said.
But Kennedy is aware of some of the challenges faced by kids who come to Rec-Mode. He rejects the term at-risk, and emphasizes positivity to the young people who come to his gym.
We have a quiet saying that says Leave your devils outside, leave your drama outside, he told WTOP.
The number of girls who come in for fitness and training has increased, which has become a point of pride for Kennedy.
We actually have a lot of girls now, he said. We started with one.
Now there are 22 enrolled in activities at the gym. He credits social media with that growth.
Because they went and told their friends, and then they looked on Instagram, he said with a smile.
Kennedy runs the gym along with his wife, Maxine Bravo-Kennedy, and his mother works there as well.
Its a family business, he said.
Kennedy, a veteran and retired Montgomery County firefighter, said its great when a student decides to go on to box competitively, but thats not his sole goal for the young people who come to his gym.
Instead, he said, watching young people grow and focus on school and their future is the most rewarding thing. Recently, several students brought in report cards showing improved grades at school.
Thats better than them becoming amateur champions or anything. Thats success, he said.
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Leave your drama outside: Owner of Wheaton fitness and boxing gym aims to improve young peoples lives - WTOP
SOCOTEC Offers Quality Assurance for the Safety of Aging Infrastructure through Fitness-for-Service Evaluations – Morningstar
SOCOTEC Offers Quality Assurance for the Safety of Aging Infrastructure through Fitness-for-Service Evaluations
PR Newswire
NEW YORK, March 29, 2024
NEW YORK, March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --SOCOTEC USA, a leading provider of TIC (Testing, Inspection, and Certification), consulting, and advisory services with a strategic focus on buildings and infrastructure, announces its collaboration with Bisnow to discuss the critical importance of fitness-for-service evaluations in safeguarding lives and ensuring the longevity of vital infrastructure assets.
Recent tragedies, including the collapse of a parking garage in Lower Manhattan and the Champlain Towers South collapse in Surfside, Florida, underscore the dire importance for proactive maintenance and evaluation of aging infrastructure. With an estimated over 45,000 bridges and 20% of roads deemed to be in poor condition, the need for thorough assessments has never been more pressing.
To protect lives, it is imperative to prioritize the maintenance and regular inspection of any built asset with the potential to cause harm. Recognizing the significance of assessing asset integrity and determining the asset's remaining lifespan, owners increasingly rely on SOCOTEC.
Evan Schickel, Director of Advanced Analysis at SOCOTEC, stated, "Fitness-for-service evaluations revolve around structural integrity, which boils down to life safety. As our infrastructure grows older, it becomes more susceptible to failures. It's always better to preemptively assess your structure and prepare for potential outcomes than to be surprised by a more serious issue."
SOCOTEC specializes in assessing both the strength and fatigue of structures, utilizing advanced methodologies and state-of-the-art technology to identify potential vulnerabilities. From brittle fractures to fatigue-induced cracks, SOCOTEC's multidisciplinary approach ensures a comprehensive evaluation of each asset's condition.
With a team comprised of civil, structural, mechanical, and metallurgical/materials engineers, SOCOTEC offers a one-stop solution for all aspects of structural integrity assessment, including having a facility dedicated to testing and inspection, which allows for detailed analysis of damaged or failed components, enabling clients to make informed decisions regarding repairs and replacements.
"It's very rewarding and exciting to always have a different problem, a different asset and a different project type to work on," Schickel said. "It is most rewarding, however, to know that we are actively helping to prevent failures, prevent loss of life and limb, while helping our clients to either save money by extending the life of their structures or helping them plan for replacements at a time of their choosing."
As the nation grapples with the challenges of aging infrastructure, SOCOTEC remains at the forefront of driving innovation and excellence in the field of structural engineering. By leveraging its expertise and resources, SOCOTEC is helping to build a safer and more resilient and sustainable world for generations to come.
To read the full article, go toBisnow.com.
The full article was produced in collaboration between SOCOTEC, Bisnow, and Studio B staff. Studio B is Bisnow's in-house content and design studio. To learn more about how Studio B can help your team, reach out to studio@bisnow.com. Contact Studio B Writer Emily DeNardo at emily.denardo@bisnow.com.
About SOCOTEC
The SOCOTEC Group, headed by Herv Montjotin, has built its reputation as an independent, trusted partner assisting companies in the areas of quality, sustainability and safety, and the environment.
Today a leading $1.3 billion EUR company that more than doubled in size in 6 years, SOCOTEC's mission is to ensure the integrity and performance of building and infrastructure assets and people's safety. Through its inspection and measurement, assistance and consultancy, training, and certification services, SOCOTEC helps to optimize the performance of companies in every sector by managing the risks inherent in their activities. Drawing on its expertise and positioning itself as a long-term partner, SOCOTEC supports its clients throughout their project's lifecycle.
As a major player in TIC for the building and infrastructure sectors, the SOCOTEC Group has 200,000 clients with operations in 26 countries, 11,500 employees and over 250 external recognitions.
SOCOTEC, an industry leader in the building and infrastructure sectors, offers the combined highly technical expertise of an expansive and holistic network of experts across six service lines: (i) Building Envelope; (ii) Energy & Sustainability; (iii) Code & Planning; (iv) Life Safety; (v) Project Advisory; (vi) Dispute Resolution; and (vii) Specialty Engineering. In the USA, SOCOTEC employs approximately 550 professionals in more than 25 offices.
Visit http://www.socotec.us for more information.
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SOCOTEC Offers Quality Assurance for the Safety of Aging Infrastructure through Fitness-for-Service Evaluations - Morningstar
Clinicians questioning Trump’s mental fitness reveal their bias – Baltimore Sun
How old is too old to be president of the United States?
This singular question is on the minds of millions of likely voters as Americans brace themselves for another matchup between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. It is frequently stated that it is ageist to discuss a persons age, but I would beg to differ.
The reality is that as we progress in age, it is not merely a conceptual fabrication that some age poorly with noticeable mental and physical decline, it is a harsh reality of life. It is a reality that has tangible consequences on a persons ability to perform complex tasks, particularly in the realm of employment, and it becomes more acute the more demanding those tasks are such as being president of the United States.
At 81, Biden is an octogenarian, and Trump, being only four years younger at age 77, is a septuagenarian, and it is within this context that its fair to question the natural decline of typical faculties such as memory, agility, physical vigor and even openness to new ideas. Consequently, we all would be derelict in our duties as responsible citizens not to partake in this examination as both men seek the most demanding job in the world.
However, some have chosen to partake in this discussion with blatant political bias and partisanship because of their clear dislike of Donald Trump.
A group that is humorously calling themselves Duty to Warn, organized by Baltimore-based psychologist John Gartner, has garnered more than 400 signatures from licensed medical professionals in an online petition on change.org. The signers cite what they deem are their expert observations of Trumps memory and language use, along with his motor skills and overall behavior.
One of their cited experts is one Dr. Lance Dodes, a former psychiatry professor at Harvard Medical School, who claims the evidence for dementia in Donald Trump has become overwhelming. Upon researching Dodes, youll quickly discover he has long held a bias against Donald Trump. Dodes appeared on MSNBC, known for its liberal bent, in 2017, saying Trump has sociopathic tendencies and a loose grip on reality. John Gartner appeared on the same show,comparing Trump to a Frankenstein monster, and saying Trump is paranoid, psychopathic and divorced from reality.
Now, seven years later, these two men are still letting their blatant bias cloud their judgment, despite their accolades and pedigree. Not once do they analyze Biden with the same vigor they give Trump.
The health professionals under the banner Duty to Warn only mention Biden in their online statement by writing that forgetting names and dates is normal for people who are aging (like Joe Biden). The blatant bias is contemptible, and it is beyond me as to why any objective and methodical person would take their statements and warnings seriously. Anyone who approaches this type of analysis and assessment with this level of obvious partisanship is worthy of only one thing: harsh skepticism.
Regardless of their obvious dislike of Trump, and favoritism of Biden, it is Biden whom voters believe is too old. It is Biden whose job approval ratings on important issues such as the economy, immigration and the Middle East are low. Meanwhile, voters give Trump an advantage on the economy and his ability to resolve the current immigration crisis.
According to a New York Times/Siena College poll released this month, 73% of registered voters harbor a predilection toward the belief that President Biden is too old to be an effective president, compared with only 42% for former President Trump. Voters have seen videos of Biden falling on stage, falling on Air Force One. Bidens aides were so worried about his age, he now takes shorter stairs to get on the plane. Bidens memory issues have garnered far more attention than Trumps casual slip-ups at rowdy campaign rallies because they have been so persistent, such as when Biden mistakenly called the Egyptian leader president of Mexico.
In his recorded interview with special counsel Robert Hur, President Biden exhibited serious lapses in memory regarding critical junctures in his political career, illuminating a serious decline in memory and mental agility. But the Duty to Warn experts didnt critique nor offer their expert analysis about this the way they did for former President Trump, further displaying their blatant bias and partisan bend. Biden couldnt remember when he announced he was running for president, asking, When did I announce for president? He couldnt remember when he stopped being vice president: If it was 2013 when did I stop being vice president? He asked, in 2009, am I still vice president? He couldnt remember when Trump was president, asking Trump gets elected in November in 2017? before someone noted it was 2016.
Despite these examples, which are but a fraction of numerous examples concerning President Bidens cognitive faculties that invite a profound inquiry into his ability to lead the country for another four years, those associated with Duty to Warn are eerily quiet. Their inability to constrain their personal biases and partisan interests undermines any trust anyone should have in them and the validity of their declarations about Trump.
The data paints a clear picture of whose mental fitness voters question, coupled with his inability to address important issues, and thats President Joe Biden regardless of what the licensed medical and mental health professionals may wish upon them.
Shermichael Singleton (X: @MrShermichael) is a Republican political consultant, CNN commentator and the host of The Shermichael Singleton Show on SiriusXM Radio.
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Clinicians questioning Trump's mental fitness reveal their bias - Baltimore Sun
Planet Fitness Loses $400M After Revoking Membership of Woman Worried About Man in Locker Room – CBN.com
A major national fitness chain's stock value plummeted after Americans took issue with how it handled its transgender locker room policy.
Planet Fitness saw a $400 million dive in valuation from $5.3 billion to $4.9 billion just days after a Fairbanks, Alaska branch revoked a woman's membership for taking photo evidence of a male using the women's locker room.
Patricia Silva posted a video on Facebook to "bring awareness to her community" because she was shocked to find a man in the women's bathroom at Planet Fitness.
"I just came out of Planet Fitness. There is a man shaving in the women's bathroom," Silva shares in the video.
She contends in the video that there was "a little girl sitting in the corner. She could have been [12 years old] in a towel kind of freaked out."
"I felt intimidated," Silva shared in an interview with Libs of TikTok on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Silva did confront the man who said he was "queer" and took a picture of him.
"I love him in Christ," she makes clear in the video. "He is a spiritual being having a human experience. He doesn't like his gender so he wants to be a woman, but I'm not comfortable with him shaving in my bathroom. I just thought I'd say it out loud."
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Silvia told management about the incident and 24 hours later she learned her membership was revoked for violating the rules against photographing other gym users.
"They have chosen to cancel my membership rather than protect girls and women that enter the women's locker room from men with a penis. Despicable," she expressed.
Planet Fitness chief corporate affairs officer McCall Gosselin told Fox News members can use the locker room that corresponds with their gender identity.
"As the home of the Judgement Free Zone, Planet Fitness is committed to creating an inclusive environment," he said in the statement.
"Our gender identity non-discrimination policy, states that members and guests may use the gym facilities that best align with their sincere, self-reported gender identity. The member who posted on social media violated our mobile device policy that prohibits taking photos of individuals in the locker room, which resulted in their membership being terminated," Gosselin added.
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Prominent individuals have criticized Planet Fitness on social media for how they handled the situation.
Elon Musk called the chain out for caring more about transgender ideology than keeping women safe.
"Planet Fitness sounds like a creepy place," he wrote on X.
Robby Starbuck, a producer and political commentator wrote, "It looks like letting men into the women's locker room where they can spy on them while they change (including underage girls) is NOT super popular!"
"This pain will continue until you stop letting men into women's spaces," Starbuck added. "#BoycottPlanetFitness."
Meanwhile, a Planet Fitness employee sent an internal email to Libs of TikTok revealing that the company's bathroom policy does not "require any form of ID for men to enter the women's bathroom and anyone can use whichever bathroom they wish."
According to Newsweek, a man allegedly exposed himself in 2023 to a 15-year-old in a women's locker room at Planet Fitness in Monroe, Georgia.
He was later arrested and faced "multiple warrants for public indecency by exposing himself in the female locker room," the local police department stated.
In another incident, a woman in New Jersey claims she was banned from Planet Fitness in 2022 for refusing to call a trans-identifying woman by the correct pronoun.
RELATED - 'Go Woke, Go Broke': Target's LGBT Agenda Leads to Sales Drop; Execs Pivot but Say, 'We'll Continue to Celebrate Pride'
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Planet Fitness Loses $400M After Revoking Membership of Woman Worried About Man in Locker Room - CBN.com
Why naked running (without a smartwatch) is actually good for you – TechRadar
You get home from a run and automatically press save on your best smartwatch or best running watch. Before jumping in the shower you check the run has uploaded to Strava and pool over the stats. What was my average pace? Have I bagged a segment course record? What was my maximum cadence and heart rate? How much did I slow down on the hill?
The performance self-analysis begins in earnest and before you know it, youve forgotten to stretch, eat something, or reflect on how you actually feel. Instead, you are busy planning how to better your stats on your next run.
Whilst fitness watches are a great way to track your progress and stay motivated, there are also lots of benefits to running naked. Leaving your watch at home can have mental health advantages and enable you to tap into how your body is coping with the physical stress of running.
Running to feel is a very important skill, and it can mean you don't overtrain when you are tired or in need of a recovery run, says James Rodgers, an expert coach and competitive runner for 20 years. Usually, if your body is tired, easing off and listening to it is the best way to go. Pushing through and trying to hit a certain pace when feeling that way puts you at risk of overtraining and picking up an injury.
And yet we are increasingly slaves to our smart watches, heart rate monitors and fitness trackers. According to global data published by ACSM Health & Fitness Journal, wearable technology is the top 2024 fitness trend. Smartwatches (and other wearables such as running pods and the best smart rings) can record movement, speed, distance, and heart rate.
Wearables can estimate calories burned, advise us when to ease off and recover, and monitor the quality of our sleep. Premium models are also capable of navigating via GPS technology, storing music, and receiving calls and texts: not a distraction you always want on runs.
But as with all technology there is also a darker side, with studies suggesting that people with predispositions to eating disorders and obsessive-compulsive exercise may be more drawn to fitness trackers which could potentially fuel or exacerbate their disordered behavior.
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There is also a wealth of evidence that technology anxiety is continuing to rise in younger people. When were not glued to our phones, our watches and wearables are pinging us with notifications instead.
With so much connection in our lives, perhaps there is a time and a place to uncouple and try some naked running. Doing at least some runs without a watch can lead to a more social experience to run at a conversational pace and catch up with friends. It also alleviates the social pressure of having to publicly perform on platforms like Strava, or having to round up a run to the nearest mile or kilometre.
Taking the pressure off can also help to increase enjoyment in running, says endurance coach Stephanie Holbrook. It can be a rewarding challenge to set aside your ego and embrace device-free running. It allows you to focus on enjoying running without being distracted by technology. It also alleviates the need to consistently meet precise performance goals, fostering a more laid-back and pleasurable running session.
Simon James is the founder of Run the Wild, an organization with the mantra exploring places not running races. He believes running without tech leads to a more meditative state.
It helps you to really escape from whats going on in other parts of your world, and stresses, and brings you into the present moment. Tech detracts us from the moment and takes us away.
He advocates running on the trails without a smartwatch, headphones, or phone (or phone switched off, if you have to take it) to immerse yourself in your surroundings.
Literally be silent and put everything away, turn everything off, and just have that moment of being in nature. We just don't do that in our society anymore. We live in a society where every moment has to be filled with either music or a podcast or something on your phone. Something to distract you. But studies show immersion in green spaces is beneficial for our mental health, he adds.
Its not just about the mental and social benefits. Completely relying on data to tell you how you feel when you wake up and how hard you need to train, takes away the human component of knowing how you feel. Your watch might say you had a poor nights sleep and need to rest, but you might actually feel strong. Similarly, there are days when recovery is required but your watch is telling you to push yourself because it doesnt know your legs are aching or that you just received some bad news.
And lets face it, tech can sometimes fail so its important not to be over reliant on it. If it stops working during a race you need to have an idea of how a certain pace feels. This allows you to continue running without becoming stressed or running too fast, even if the GPS is not working properly, says Rodgers.
So how can you run naked? Lewis Moses, former GB international athlete and founder of New Levels Coaching says it means running by rate of perceived effort (RPE). Maximum effort like sprinting is 10/10 whilst an easy effort is more like 4/10, with resting 0/10.
When running an easy effort you should be able to hold down a conversation and your breathing rate wouldn't be too high, simply because you are running easy. Sometimes simple things like this are much better than always looking at your watch and looking for reassurance.
It not onlygives you a mental break from the splits, it also enhances your ability to run to feel, which can be quite liberating for some runners.
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Why naked running (without a smartwatch) is actually good for you - TechRadar
The best personal training apps of 2024 to help you achieve your fitness goals – Fortune
How we test
We put over 30 apps to the test to analyze the quality of their coaches, intuitiveness, accountability features, and more.
Learn more
We consulted with certified personal trainers, Ph.D.s in exercise physiology and health and human sciences, and certified strength and conditioning coaches.
Modern technology has enabled personal trainers and clients to work together without needing to be in the same room, let alone the same time zone. In-person training still has its advantages. But the ability to train virtually makes it easier for more people to build strength, burn fat, and develop better habits while balancing their daily responsibilities. ( 1 )
Personal training apps make it possible for health-conscious folks to have a defined plan to follow. Many platforms offer in-depth progress tracking, customized workouts, and messaging capabilities. How much individualized support you need will determine what type of app and level of investment you should make. To help you find the ideal fit, we researched and tested more than 30 apps on key characteristics such as value, interactive features, ease of use, instruction, and more.
If you want a fitness program tailor-made for you, look no further than Future . Our top overall personal training app offers an incredible level of customization and continuous support from a certified coach. Though expensive, its worth the cost if you need accountability and motivationalong with a dynamic workout routine specifically geared to your goals.
If youre looking for a customizable personal training experience, Future has the tools to help you crush your fitness goals.
Accountability Direct message
Form feedback Video review
Future will match you with a certified personal trainer who will create personalized workout programs and hold you accountable with frequent check-ins.
Pros
No extra equipment needed
Cons
Must log workouts yourself
Price is notably higher than our other picks ($199 per month)
From its intuitive interface to its unparalleled level of personalization, Future checks all the boxes we look for in the best personal training apps. A few of our team members have utilized it for several years to help hold them accountable during their respective fitness journeys. That speaks volumes about the high-quality programming and support you receive from the certified coaches on the platform.
Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, Future customizes your experience every step of the way. The app starts with a short questionnaire about your current workout habits and fitness goals. From there, you can select a coach who you will be able to access via in-app messaging and video calls.
The setup process proved painless for our product tester, who rated it 5 out of 5 stars. That high score can also be attributed to the initial FaceTime call with her coachsomething that added another layer of personalization.
Your coach will utilize all the information you provide to construct a weekly workout plan that includes strength training, cardio sessions, and scheduled rest days. Rest days are important in any well-rounded fitness program because you need time to repair and build muscle tissue, replenish glycogen stores, and recover sufficiently to optimize your performance. ( 2 ) ( 3 ) Plus, your coach will also plan each workout based on what equipment you have.
All three of our reviewers rated the app 4.5 out of 5 stars for ease of use. One particularly enjoyed having audio and visual cues for each exercise. The cues helped keep the workout flowing smoothly. Another user-friendly feature our team enjoyed was the ability to rate and provide feedback about each workout. This information allowed their coaches to make adjustments to their programs.
Most importantly, Future earned 5 out of 5 stars for accountability from two of our reviewers.
My coach is fantastic. She would check in with me almost every day to see how I was feeling, how the workout went, or to ask why I hadnt done the workout yet. This was a big motivator for me.
Kate Meier, Team Product Tester
Exercise physiologist Chris Mohr, Ph.D., RD, adds, Accountability is a big part of the success of any program. It makes sense, as its nice to have someoneor othersto check in with you on your success and progress and to help with any challenges. The success of a social network, or a coach, has also been shown in research to improve outcomes. ( 4 )
In addition, pairing Future with your Apple Watch will allow you to monitor your activity rings and workouts consistently and effortlessly. This is a form of a gamifying app, which has been shown to enhance outcomes and simply make things stick. ( 5 ) For data-driven individuals, the integration with smartwatchesincluding the Google Pixel Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and 5 modelswill certainly be a big plus.
Smartwatches and fitness trackers are known to significantly increase physical activity and improve health, notes Dr. Jen Roper, Ph.D., CSCS, Associate Professor of Health and Human Sciences at Loyola Marymount University. ( 6 )
Perhaps the only significant drawback about Future is its $199 per month price tag. While that may seem expensive, hiring an in-person trainer could cost well over $300 per month, depending on how many sessions you book. And given the level of customization, accountability, and instruction you receive from a certified coach, we believe $199 still represents great value.
Users on the App Store appreciate that their coaches adjust their workout routines based on their travel and work schedules, as well as the equipment they have available. In addition, many enjoy the level of individualized attention and accountability.
This isnt just a generic workout app. My coach, Laura-Lynn, creates new workouts for me every week that target my specific needs. We have video check-ins, and we message every week and after every workout to make sure my goals are being met. I have some injuries and some changes to my body after pregnancy, but shes able to work around them and help me get my strength back.
Mashka Lubov, App Store reviewer
While some people dont mind paying $199 per month for the app, others consider the price a drawback. One of the only other consistent criticisms of Future is the lack of nutrition coaching and meal plans, which is a large part of well-being and a healthy lifestyle.
Between meal planning and customized workouts, your CoPilot coach can help you lose weight, build muscle, and develop healthy habits.
Live feedback Pacing and form
Training plan Personalized
CoPilot offers a well-rounded approach to weight loss by combining personal training with nutrition coaching. Live feedback on your form and regular check-ins with your coach are other standout features.
Pros
Ample communication with coach
Can switch coaches at any time
Cons
Interface issues on Android
Rep tracking may not be accurate with Apple Watch
No built-in app on Garmin or Fitbit smartwatches
An all-in-one app that supports your weight loss journey, CoPilot allows you to choose a certified personal trainer who aligns with your fitness goals and preferred training style. Besides getting expert-driven workouts that include live feedback on your form, you also receive assistance with creating meal plans that will help you trim extra pounds, if thats your goal.
To get started, you must take a brief assessment that will allow you to find a trainer who suits your needs. Once you select a coach, you can look forward to consistent communication through messaging and video calls. That helps you stay accountable, which is one of the biggest keys to achieving a specific weight-loss goal. ( 7 )
One of the best interactive features of CoPilot includes live feedback on your pacing and form. This is especially useful for beginners who may not be familiar with more technical exercises. One of our product testers who used CoPilot on his iPhone and Apple Watch also enjoyed that the workouts included videos to follow along with.
I was very impressed with the overall design and simplicity of the app and integration of the iPhone and Apple Watch.
Team Product Tester
However, he was disappointed by the lack of an online community for additional support and accountability outside of his coach. Still, at $99 per month, CoPilot is a cost-effective option if youre looking for an online training platform that offers more than just new workouts every week.
Coaches who are also certified nutritionists can help you put together macro-friendly meal plans. Because they arent registered dietitians, though, they legally cant tell you exactly what to eat, tell you to take specific supplements, or treat medical conditions.
Still, these plans will allow you to stay on track with your fitness and weight goals. In addition, the app allows you to work on four daily routines (or habits) at a time, which can help you build a well-rounded lifestyle that focuses on your physical and mental health.
This is a very unique offering and a great feature, says exercise physiologist Chris Mohr, Ph.D., RD. Many apps focus simply on fitness and/or nutrition.
Users on the Apple App Store consistently praise the ability to have workouts tailored to their needs.
On the other end of this appis an actual human being, who can work around my schedule and equipment to develop a plan, wrote a reviewer with the screen name brchaplin. I can do the workouts any time. I think this system would work for anyone, ranging from the not-so-fit like me to people who already do gym workouts.
I can do the workouts any time. I think this system would work for anyone, ranging from the not-so-fit like me to people who already do gym workouts.
brchaplin, Apple App Store reviewer
In addition, CoPilots seamless integration with Apple Watches has helped many users stay accountable.
Several negative reviews pointed out issues with the app not functioning properly. Besides technical glitches, a few customers found their CoPilot experience disappointing due to trainers who did not deliver high-quality programming.
Available in three tiers, Caliber is a fitness coaching program that delivers science-backed strength training and nutrition plans.
Food tracking Cronometer app
Accountability Weekly review
In addition to customized workout programming, Caliber also offers nutrition guidance from certified nutrition coaches. Your personal trainer will also provide regular feedback and update your plan as you progress.
Pros
Nutrition coaching available
Multiple communication channels
In-app performance metrics tracking
Cons
Personalized macros only available with paid versions
Limited fitness tracker integration
Has more of an emphasis on strength training and less of a focus on cardio
As one of the top-rated personal training platforms weve tested, Caliber stands out for its personalized workout plans and excellent nutrition programming. Available in three tiers, the platform uses scientific principles and data-driven programming to help you achieve your fitness goals.
The free-forever version allows you to create your own workout plan, but you dont get access to a coach. Our product tester selected the Caliber Premium Coaching package, which starts at $200 a month. After an easy setup process that earned 5 out of 5 stars, she connected with a coach who created a customized training plan. All paid versions of the Caliber app include coaching across nutrition and healthy habits in addition to strength and conditioning.
Although the price tag may seem high, our reviewer found Caliber to be worth the cost for several reasons. Primarily, she appreciated the excellent level of accountability, rating it 5 out of 5 stars.
It doesnt get better than this except for being with a trainer in person. This style of personal training kind of forces you to be held accountable because the trainer can really see what youre doing all the time.
Team Product Tester
Our reviewer also appreciated her trainers routine check-ins that included video reviews of the previous weeks workouts. Her coach also outlined incremental goals for the coming week. Plus, the app has a feature that lets you record right from within so you can send videos directly to your trainer for feedback.
Besides having a customized weightlifting and cardio routine to follow, Caliber also helps guide your nutrition. Our tester said her coach provided sound advice and helped her improve her relationship with food.
Note, however, that Calibers nutrition coaches arent registered dietitians. They can provide general nutrition advice about tracking macros, shopping for healthy meals, and the pros and cons of various diets. They cant tell you to follow a specific diet, tell you exactly which foods to eat, or help treat medical conditions.
Caliber is one of the top personal training apps on the App Store. Customers consistently praise the level of individualized attention they receive from their coaches.
My coach listens to me but doesnt allow me to slack off, wrote one reviewer with the screen name FelinatheFox. She educated me as we went through each workout as to which muscles are being worked and the anticipated outcome.
Another user who admitted to previously struggling with consistency has found investing in the Caliber app to be worthwhile, especially when trainers in her area cost about $80 per session. Her trainer has adjusted her workouts based on her busy schedule and conducts multiple weekly check-ins.
While there arent many negative reviews, one customer wrote that her trainer didnt maintain consistent communication or change up the workouts. Another customer pointed out that the app doesnt integrate with many fitness trackers. This makes it more challenging to monitor your health data and performance metrics.
Joggo is a personalized running app that offers customized workouts and meal plans to help you get fit and improve your performance.
Plan update Every two weeks
With Joggo, youll get a personalized plan tailored to your goals, fitness level, and lifestyle. The option to add a strength training plan allows you to follow a more well-rounded workout routine.
Pros
Sturdy and high-quality mattress
Nice option for stomach sleepers
Good option for back sleepers
I also like this for heavier sleepers
Cons
Pretty high motion transfer
Luxury Firm is too firm for side sleepers
Customer service was longer than average
Founded by a former Ironman competitor, Joggo aims to help people reach their running and weight loss goals by providing personalized running and nutritional plans. The app features several tools to support your journey, including GPS locating tracking, distance and speed monitoring, and audio guidance for workouts.
If youre trying to drop a few pounds, theres also a weight tracker to record your progress. Even if you dont need this feature, Joggos other tools can help you get more out of your cardio workouts and improve your speed and endurance.
Our product reviewer found the setup process straightforward, giving Joggo 4 out of 5 stars in this category. Once you answer questions about your current fitness level, diet, health issues, and other relevant information, Joggo presents different running plan options with estimates of how long itll take you to achieve your goal.
While our tester gave Joggo 3 out of 5 stars for instruction, she didnt feel it was necessary to force users to look at or go through a short warm-up before starting their run. That feature may benefit beginners who need ideas on how to prepare for a run. But more experienced runners may find themselves tapping ahead to get to the actual workout.
Our tester also found the voice guidance feature that provides cues like remember to breathe too basic for advanced runners.
Joggo wont cost you nearly as much as some of the other online personal training apps on this list. While the company doesnt publish pricing on its website, you can get a general idea of the prices based on the results of completing an online quiz.
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The best personal training apps of 2024 to help you achieve your fitness goals - Fortune
Fans Lambast Fitness Influencer Over Resurfaced Animal Abuse Video – EssentiallySports
While one might think that their old posts on the internet really dont matter, sometimes it is those that come back to haunt us. Now, a similar incident has occurred with YoungLA-sponsored bodybuilder, Daddy Aioli, with an earlier video of his taking over the internet.
A video from 2022 when the fitness influencer abused his cat, has now gone viral. After it caught the eye of the bodybuilding great Lee Priest, this whole situation escalated. While Priest pressured YoungLA to take action, even fans of Aioli bashed him for what he did. Lets delve deeper into what Priest had to say about the video.
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In the resurfaced video, the bodybuilding enthusiast was seen grabbing his cat by its neck and throwing it to the side. While doing this he even punched and kicked the animal while recording everything. Through their recent post, the official Instagram page of Generation Iron Fitness Network confirmed that YoungLA has suspended Aioli.
Earlier, after coming across the fact that YoungLA was investigating the issue, Lee Priest had much to say. Priest wrote, Lets give @youngla credit for looking into this. Not much to investigate he abused a cat even if a year ago he filmed it. God knows what else he done without filming.
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He further added that guys like these were no role models for our young generation, and he should know the consequences of abusing animals. Priest himself has six cats and two dogs and is very considerate when it comes to pets. Ive never abused an animal. Ive sold off my trophies giving all $ to shelter animals etc. so this behavior is beyond disgusting, he wrote.
Fans and bodybuilding enthusiasts across the globe criticized the YoungLA athletes behavior and bashed him in the comments section of the Generation Iron post.
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Kai Greene, a renowned bodybuilder, commented with a cat gif on the post, showcasing his support for the animal. While another fan had some more detail to add and wrote, Not just YoungLA. Other sponsors have dropped him. Another warned the fitness influencer and commented, Sometimes,internet does NOT forget. A follower highlighted how difficult it is to get sponsored by such a brand, and how the influencer had lost an opportunity because of his actions, commenting, So many people would kill for such opportunities, and then you have folks like this disqualifying themselves. SMH.
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One of the followers advised Aioli to not mess with cats and wrote, Remember the first internet rule Dont F*ck with the cats. An Instagram user thanked Priest for his help in the matter and commented, Great job @leepriestofficial72 for staying on this and keeping the pressure on these sponsors to drop this sc*mbag! A follower simply indicated the never-forgetting nature of the Internet and said, The internet is forever.
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As Aioli faces the consequences of his terrible, albeit past actions, the resurfaced video is a reminder of the immortality of the internet. What are your views on this whole scenario? Let us know in the comments.
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Fans Lambast Fitness Influencer Over Resurfaced Animal Abuse Video - EssentiallySports