Search Weight Loss Topics:

Page 193«..1020..192193194195..200210..»

Home » Fitness » Page 193

ClassPass is launching a free app with audio workouts.

Source: ClassPass

ClassPass told employees Thursday it was laying off or furloughing just over half of its staff as social distancing measures slashed its revenue, the company confirmed to CNBC.

The changes impact 53% of the staff, with 22% laid off and 31% furloughed.

The staffing changes will affect hundreds of employees. The company previously had about 700 workers, according to LinkedIn data. ClassPass has offices in New York City, San Francisco, London, Sydney and Missoula, Mont., according to its website.

Senior leadership at ClassPass relayed information of the cuts in separate Zoom calls with employees: those whose jobs were safe, and those whose jobs were permanently or temporarily cut, the spokesperson confirmed, saying in an email the company had "no choice other than Zoom to connect with our team." Senior leaders were notified one-on-one by their direct managers, the spokesperson said, and larger teams were informed by "functional leaders" in their groups followed by one-on-one calls.

Later, on a company-wide call with remaining staff, CEO Fritz Lanman got emotional speaking about the measures, the spokesperson said. All employees were offered mental health services, outplacement coaching and severance.

The privately held fitness platform, valued over $1 billion earlier this year, has seen 95% of its revenue dry up, the company confirmed in a statement. ClassPass' app serves as a marketplace for fitness studio owners and consumers, allowing them to search through workout and wellness offerings and book them through the platform, usually at a discount. With governments around the world ordering or instructing citizens to stay at home and avoid gathering, attendance at gyms dropped dramatically before many shuttered.

ClassPass had been facing backlash from some studio owners prior to the crisis. While the company says its platform helps surface new studio options to consumers, some studio owners told Vice that ClassPass financially squeezes its fitness partners through an algorithm that drives down prices for its classes. Studio owners who spoke to Vice complained they couldn't compete with ClassPass' low prices even if they got off the app. A ClassPass spokesperson told Vice it supports its partners and its "system is designed not to compete with partners' direct businesses."

As studios around the world were forced to close shop in to adhere to public health guidelines, ClassPass saw an opportunity to help out and perhaps gain back some goodwill. The company announced a program that would allow partner studios to offer live-streamed classes through the app, with 100% of proceeds going to the studios through June 1. It also set up a relief fund for partners and said it would match up to $1 million in donations. ClassPass has also offered its own library of pre-recorded fitness classes for free during the crisis.

Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube.

WATCH:How to stay financially sound during the coronavirus pandemic

Follow this link:
ClassPass reduces staff by more than half as social distancing drives fitness home - CNBC

Theragun can become a vital tool when training at home

With gyms and public facilities shut indefinitely amid the global coronavirus pandemic while many millions of people are on enforced lockdown, maintaining your physical health is more essential than ever.

While working out from home provides many challenges, there are key pieces of technology on the market that can make it easier than ever to improve health and fitness in challenging conditions.

From EMS (electrical muscle stimulation) technology, to percussive therapy, here are the key pieces of technology you need:

AVROX OXYGEN DELIVERY TECHNOLOGY

With cycling one of the few activities the U.K. government continue to recommend amid the lockdown, now is the perfect opportunity to improve performance on the bike.

Developed at Oxford University by an AF Harvey Prize-winning Professor of Engineering Science and independently tested at the University of Surrey, Avrox is a new way of delivery oxygen rapidly through hydration.

Its as simple as pouring a sachet into a 200ml water bottle and shaking to activate.

While most performance and wellness drinks contain a blend of vitamins, electrolytes and sugar, Avrox identified the fact that water doesnt naturally hold additional oxygen and set about creating a product to change that.

Researchers at Oxford University spent five years formulating a product that used natural ingredients, capable of capturing, holding and transporting oxygen when added to water.

Its effectiveness has since been validated by cyclists within Surrey Universitys Human Performance Institute.

EI8HT was developed at Oxford University

SIXPAD EMS TRAINING TECHNOLOGY

As pioneers in the field of electrical muscle stimulation technology (EMS), SIXPADsproductsforce muscles to contract and relax just as they would during exercise.

Professor Toshio Moritani researched and studied the training effects of EMS for over 40 years to identify their unique 20Hz, optimum training frequency.

On that, research has validated its ability to maintain muscle tension over time, affording sustained and efficient training as well as proving effective in rehabilitation and strengthening programmes.

Fast-twitch muscle fibres fundamental to muscle tone are targeted without the need for heavy loading at 20Hz, making this a useful tool for recovery or for those without full muscle use.

Each product delivers training through a unique 23-minute automatic programme cycle calculated for efficiency, taking the user through warm-up, training and cool down phases.

SIXPAD focuses on maintaining muscle tension over time

THERAGUN

Look no further than Theraguns percussive massage therapy to prime your body for peak performance, spark back into life fatigued muscles and fast track your recovery between training sessions.

Physician calibrated by founder and chiropractor Dr. Jason Wersland, their unique combination of high amplitude (16mm) and low frequency (2400rpm) overrides pain signals sent to the brain,reaching 60% deeper into the muscle than consumer-grade vibration massagers.

Thismuscular relief translates toimproved recovery, reducing tension like no other device of its kind.

Theragun produce a range of percussive massaging devices

HALO SPORT BRAIN STIMULATION TECHNOLOGY

Unusual as it sounds, Halo Sports brain stimulation technology aids the faster development of muscle memory, supported by over 4,000 peer reviews, and over 15+ years of academic research.

Specifically, Halo Sports patented technology is delivered through the application of a small electric current through headphones, to the part of the brain that controls movement.

This increases neuroplasticity (very simply the ability of the brain to adapt and change through strengthening connections between neurons) forcing the brain into a state of hyper learning.

HALO applies a small electric current through headphones

The activated neurons fire more often when training, and when more neurons fire together, faster pathways are built in your brain.

Numerous studies have validated the effectiveness of the technology, independent studies showing a 17% improvement in sprint cycling performance and a 14.8% improvement in running endurance respectively.

If thats not enough, in house tests have found the technology to accelerate strength development by 20%, with the process of learning fine motor skills accelerated by up to 60%.

It takes just 20 minutes for a pre-workout neuro priming session, after which you can take off Halo Sport or keep it on and listen to music the performance benefits are the same.

See the original post:
Four Pieces Of Technology That Can Improve Your Fitness From Home - Forbes

[Editors' Note:5 p.m. EDT, April 2, 2020 - This story has been updated with a statement from LA Fitness about its efforts during the COVID-19 shutdown.3:30 p.m. EDT, April 2, 2020 -This story has been updated with a statement from 24 Hour Fitness related to its status, billing and its online offerings during the COVID-19 crisis.]

Complaints were filed this week seeking class action lawsuits against LA Fitness, Irvine, California, and 24 Hour Fitness, San Ramon, California. A member from each chain alleged that the health clubs continued to charge membership dues despite the clubs being closed due to the coronavirus.

Related: Town Sports Accused of Unjustly Charging Members, Refusing Cancellations During Coronavirus Shutdown

Last week, a similar class action lawsuit was filed against Town Sports International by a member of its New York Sports Clubs brand.

On March 16, LA Fitness announced it would close all its locations until April 1, extending memberships to cover the time the clubs are closed, according to its website. The website now states that the closures are until further notice and that all billings have been suspended until one or more clubs in a members market are open.

Related: Local, State Mandates Cause Some Health Clubs to Close to Slow Spread of Coronavirus

Barnett vs. Fitness International LLC (the parent company of LA Fitness) was filed on March 30 in the Southern District of Florida by Kip Barnett, who had been a member of LA Fitness for 14 years and had paid $32.09 in March for his month-to-month contract.

The complaint alleges that Fitness International is taking advantage of the COVID-19 crisis to enrich itself, stating: Specifically, on or about March 16, 2020, Defendant voluntarily closed its fitness facilities around the country through April 1, 2020, and furloughed most of its employees. Rather than provide a much-needed refund to its members, Defendant kept millions of dollars in unearned membership fees.

Barnett and his attorney corresponded with Fitness International on March 23 asking for a refund of $15.52 for the remainder of the month and asking for a refund for all other members. Fitness International responded on March 27 that it was reviewing the issue, according to the complaint.

On March 30, Fitness International emails members offering extended memberships or a free three-month membership for a friend or family member as an apology for closing its facilities earlier in the month and not refunding its members, the complaint states.

However, the complaint states that the LA Fitness website includes a limitation of liability clause that absolves Fitness International of liability for the unearned membership fees it is attempting to keep for this month.

The complaint seeks a class action lawsuit as well as reimbursement of membership fees collected from March 16-March 31, as well as a guarantee that LA Fitness would not charge membership fees while its clubs are closed. It also requests awarding of damages.

LA Fitness shared this statement about what it is doing during the pandemic:

"We have kept the safety and well-being of our employees and members utmost in our minds during this crisis and have let that be our guide in making decisions.So, when we temporarily closed all of our clubs at the end of the day on March 16, our motivation was to do our part to help curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus.We hoped (like many others) that this would be a short-lived phenomenon. Once we determined that we would need to extend the temporary closure, we made the difficult and unwanted decision to temporarily furlough nearly all of our club employees. Fortunately, despite having closed every club on March 16, we will be able to continue to fully compensate every employee, whether working or not, for the entire month of March, and we will continue to provide health insurance at no cost for all current benefit holders through June 30. Once we resume operations, we plan to create a fund to financially assist eligible employees who return to work so our members can continue to see the same familiar and friendly faces.

"For our members, we have waived 'freeze' fees and suspended all billing.Some members were billed for a short period of time during which our clubs were closed. To address this, we immediately took the following steps. First, we automatically extended the membership time for all of those affected members. This means, for example, that if a member paid dues to use a club through March 31, then that member will have 15 additional days of membership time (corresponding to the 15 day period from March 17 through March 31) after their membership would have otherwise expired.Second, in appreciation of their patience during this confusion, we offered that same group of members the option to (1) take additional free membership time at the end of their membership or (2) receive complimentary three-month memberships they can give to a new member which are redeemable over the next 12 months.We began notifying members with details about these options, and explaining how these options may be selected, over this past weekend.

"Finally, we have a team of employees spread out over our clubs, who continue to field questions from members about cancellations, refunds and credit options.We are being flexible in our resolutions to meet the needs of the members. We encourage members to first check to see if their questions were resolvedin the email we sent with the options explained there. If not, we have Frequently Asked Questions posted on our phone app and website. If they still have questions, they can call or email us but, again, we ask for patience as we do our best to assist everyone.The 'call back'option is recommended as we are returning messages as soon as we can over the course of the week.

"In the meantime, were urging all of our members to continue to take the steps necessary to keep themselves and their loved ones safe and healthy."

Brenda Labib, who has been a member of 24 Hour Fitness since 2019 and pays $46.99 per month on a month-to-month contract, filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court of Northern District of California against 24 Hour Fitness on behalf of herself and other 24 Hour members, claiming the company charged her membership dues despite temporarily closing its doors on March 17, denying her the ability to use her membership without refunding her any portion of her membership dues. She alleges that doing so is a violation of the California Consumer Legal Remedies Act, the Unfair Competition Law, the False Advertising Law and Californias Health Studio Services Contract Law.

24 Hour Fitness notified members on March 16 that its clubs would close on March 17 until further notice. In a letter at that time, CEO Tony Ueber shared that memberships would be extended for the same period the clubs are closed and that members could use the 24GO app to access workouts online for free during the shutdown.

On April 1, Ueber posted a new letter for members, stating that the clubs may need to be closed for an extended time and that, effective April 16, the company would suspend billings for memberships, additional services and fees if clubs are not open by then in a members area.

The letter also states: For the membership billings that were charged from March 17 through April 15, members will receive additional days of access equal to the number of days paid for while the clubs were closed in your area. The extension will apply at the end of the membership. If you have a pre-paid membership, your end date will be extended to cover the amount of time the clubs are closed in your area.

The Labib complaint states that 24 Hour Fitness has made the deliberate decision to bilk its customers out of roughly $120 million per month while its customers do not have access to Defendants gyms.

24 Hour told Club Industry that it does not respond to pending litigation.

However, the company provided this statement about its ongoing efforts:

"As the COVID-19 pandemic has grown in astonishing scale, 24 Hour Fitness has never wavered in its conviction that our top priority is always the health and safety of club members, team members and guests.

"On March 16, we made the difficult decision to close all our clubs, and also indicated that memberships would be extended to cover the time of club closures. Since these announcements, weve appreciated both the support and critical feedback about our actions. And now based on current public health projections, it appears our clubs may need to be closed for an extended period of time.

"Effective April 16, 24 Hour Fitness will suspend all membership billings, including any additional services and fees, if we are unable to reopen clubs by that time. For the membership billings charged from March 17 through April 15, members will receive additional days of club access equal to the number of days paid for while the clubs were closed in their area. That extension will apply at the end of the membership. Members with a pre-paid membership will have their membership end date extended to cover the amount of time the clubs were closed in their area.

"During this critical time for our business, our goal will continue to be focused on surviving this crisis so that we can ultimately emerge and welcome our club members, team members and guests back when it is safe to do so. However, for members who prefer to cancel their membership, visit 24hourfitness.com, click on the link and follow the instructions to submit a request to cancel. We hope members will reconsider prior to taking that step. We take pride in helping people transform their lives through fitness and that bond is even more vital now.

"While our clubs are temporarily closed, we encourage everyone to download and utilize 24GO, our personalized fitness app and visit 24GO Live, our new 24/7 workout experience broadcast on the 24 Hour Fitness YouTube Channel, among other virtual fitness solutions. We will continue to provide updates about our club reopening status, which can also be found at 24hourfitness.com."

LA Fitness ranked No. 1 on the 2019 Club Industry Top 100 Clubs list with $2.09 billion in 2018 revenue. 24 Hour Fitness ranked No. 3 on the list with $1.51 billion in 2018 revenue.

See the rest here:
LA Fitness, 24 Hour Fitness Face Lawsuits Related to COVID-19 Shutdowns - Club Industry

DUBLIN, April 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- ResearchAndMarkets.com has identified Home Fitness as one of the industries seeing a surge in demand as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Home Fitness Equipment Witnesses a Spike in Demand as Gyms Close to Prevent Spread of Coronavirus - ResearchAndMarkets.com (PRNewsfoto/Research and Markets)

Regular exercise has many health benefits including relieving stress and is an important part of many people's routine. With most gyms closed and the virus keeping everyone indoors, consumers are turning to home equipment, exercise bikes, weights, personal fitness trackers and other gear to stay fit while confined.

Personal trainers have responded to this new trend by offering e-fitness courses to give guidance and encourage people to stay motivated. Some online retailers have reported running out of exercise equipment due to the increased demand.

ResearchAndMarkets.com offers a variety of research reports covering Home Fitnessand related topics such as Exercise Bikes and Smart Watches.

Latest available reports on this sector include:

Home Fitness is just one area seeing an unexpected rise in demand. ResearchAndMarkets.com have identified the leading trends in the following article: 30 industries seeing a surge in demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact

Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

Research and Markets Logo. (PRNewsFoto/Research and Markets) (PRNewsfoto/Research and Markets)

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/home-fitness-equipment-witnesses-a-spike-in-demand-as-gyms-close-to-prevent-spread-of-coronavirus---researchandmarketscom-301034227.html

SOURCE Research and Markets

Go here to read the rest:
Home Fitness Equipment Witnesses a Spike in Demand as Gyms Close to Prevent Spread of Coronavirus - ResearchAndMarkets.com - Yahoo Finance

The boom in home equipment sales comes as gyms and other nonessential businesses across the country close to curb the spread of thepandemic. The virus has killed more than 4,300 Americans.

Gold's Gym, a fitness center chain with hundreds of locations across the country, in mid-Marchsaidit was closing company-owned facilities, while leaving the decision of whether to follow suit up to the individual franchise owners.

SoulCycle, which has closed its 99 studios in the U.S., Canada and the U.K., in nowpitchingits newest studio, dubbed "your home," on its website. In addition to leggings and other workout apparel, the company is taking pre-orders for its "at-home bike," which costs $2,500 and comes with a digital screen and technology for streaming fitness classes.

In Texas, Fighting Fit Boot Camp, a kickboxing studio in North Austin has reportedly switched to offering classes online through video chat and is selling members the freestanding punching bags used in the workouts, as well as renting them out on a platform called Ruckify.

"We've been having to adapt very quickly," Forrest Caudill, the studio's owner, told a local newsoutlet.

In Southampton, New York, one fitness facility had a novel approach to keeping members equipped, telling a localnewspaperthat those with unlimited memberships could request to have one of their 40 rowing machines delivered to their homes.

Visit link:
Coronavirus Inspires Fitness Buying Binge That Tops New Year's - news9.com KWTV

Gyms and fitness centers across the U.S. are closed amidst the coronavirus outbreak, but there are many exercises that can be done at home to help people who are sheltering and maintain their fitness goals. Some gyms are even offering free live-streaming classes.

Exercise is an excellent way to combat anxiety and stress, and maintain good mental and physical health, including a strong immune system. Kyle Grondin, a personal trainer and coach at Colossus Fitness in Canada, recommends body-weight exercises that focus on primal movements such as pushing, pulling, hinging, squatting and carrying. Exercises that can be done at home include squats, lunges, glute bridges, supermans, push-ups, planks and firemans-carrying heavy objects.

You can use a water jug, water bottles, Grondin says. I have a number of clients getting creative doing overhead presses, rows, and deadlifts with random things they can find around the house. Going out for walks is super underrated as long as you maintain your social distance. Not only will it be great on your cardiovascular system but also for your mental sanity during these tough times.

Grondin says now is the time to focus on your health and body more than ever, and not to give up. He suggests creating a positive atmosphere in your home with motivational quotes and photos.

Remember, your goals dont stop just because the world is slowing down. Use this time to focus on yourself, he says. Your immune system will be functioning fully with exercise. Having a healthy and proper functioning immune system could not be more important at this moment.

For people who need that extra push or enjoy fitness classes, many gyms are offering live streaming classes and options that many places offer. Colossus Fitness offers online help and coaching that to fit peoples schedules and needs, regardless of where they live.

Everyone is holding virtual classes these days, Grondin says. Head to the Instagram page of most trainers and look for links to their live videos, YouTube videos or website.

Free live-streaming are available at the following:

Live Workout Sessions: Backstage.com

Fly Girl Dance: Facebook.com/groups/flygirldance

Planet Fitness: Facebook.com/planetfitness/

YMCA: YouTube.com/channel/UCOGt_IpceP_xQhhCMCrut_A

Bar Method: Barmethod.com/bar-online/

Live Pilates: Pilatestogo.live/

Live Yoga: Youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene

For more information on Colussus Fitness visit Colossusfitness.com.

Continued here:
Home is where the gym is | Nutrition and Fitness | iosconews.com - Iosco County News Herald

Fitness gadgets are having a big moment recently, for obvious reasons. Are you spending more time at home? Over-eating and not getting enough exercise, but determined to do something about it? Hey, us too, small world! For motivation and help on getting in shape, fitness tech can be a great replacement for gyms and personal trainers.

And so we have rounded up five of the best fitness gadgets for home workouts. They can help with your summer weight loss plan, whether you are building a full-scale home gym or are currently using bodyweight exercises to keep in shape. Or even if you're currently doing no workout at all, but are raring to get started on a home workout program.

(Image credit: Fitbit)

This has long been widely considered the best Fitbit, despite its lack of built-in GPS. And guess what? If you are tracking activity and exercise at home, you don't need GPS. The Versa has everything you need to track sleep and normal activity.

As well as counting steps, it will detect and log any longer walks you take and can also give you regular reminders to get moving if you remain sedentary too long. This latter feature can be quite annoying under normal circumstances but in a lockdown type situation it becomes genuinely useful.

Versa is far more than a mere pedometer, however. Its surprisingly good heart-rate monitor means it can track your effort during workouts from gentle to vigorous; from yoga to HIIT. It can also give you an overall fitness score, and show you how you compare to other people of your age and gender.

Finally, the Versa is a competent smartwatch, with notifications, reminders and a smattering of apps. Get the most recent Fitbit Versa 2 and you'll find a really stunning OLED screen, and Alexa built in as well. Battery life is excellent at about 5 days per charge, on average.

If you want a Fitbit that does have GPS, the new Charge 4 fits the bill nicely.

Today's best Fitbit prices in your location

Fitbit FB507BKBK Versa 2,...

Fitbit Versa Special Edition...

Fitbit FB507RGNV Versa 2 SE,...

Fitbit Charge 3 Advanced...

Fitbit Inspire Heart Rate...

Fitbit Inspire Fitness...

(Image credit: FIIT)

Shop the FIIT store a 14-day free trial is available, Premium membership costs from 10 per month

You can use FIIT as a free home workout app, and it's got a wealth of workouts from top PTs to get your teeth into But it really comes into its own when you add a heart-rate sensor and buy a subscription.

FIIT's own tracker a heart-rate strap rather than a watch is very good. Movement sensors mean it can count reps during many of the FIIT video workouts, and pulse information seems accurate. This is used to calculate your 'FIIT points' a measure of the effort your putting in.

The genius of FIIT points is that those with a higher level of base fitness must put in more effort to gain the same number of points. As a result, FIIT is motivational for everyone from beginners to advanced workout warriors, although it does skew moer towards the latter.

The package also includes a simple adaptor so you can plug most phones or tablets in to your TV for big-screen motivation.

Laudably, FIIT does not operate a walled garden, and you can also pair a large number of third-party fitness bands, watches and straps with the app.

Read more about FIIT

(Image credit: Wattbike)

Home cardio machines are in big demand right now, and no wonder. Their appeal has spread beyond those who are in training for competitive running, riding and, er, rowing and, um, cross-country skiing and are selling out fast due to demand from people who need a way to workout at home.

For most people, a bike is the best option, as it is lower impact than a treadmill and demands less effort in terms of form than a rowing machine. And Elliptical trainers, while giving a great workout, are just too silly.

At this time, Wattbike Atom has two huge advantages over the competition: it is arguably the best home trainer you can buy, and a T3 Award winner, and it is also still available to buy and get delivered, as Wattbike handles its own retail and distribution.

One of our best Zwift setups, Wattbike Atom can give an intense workout with detailed feedback on how you're performing, so you can really ace fitness goals. It's also got a small footprint so won't get in the way.

Today's best Wattbike Atom deals

(Image credit: Tanita)

If you want to get a deeper insight into how your body is changing as a result of exercise, weight is not a particularly useful metric. That's also true if you're looking to lose belly fat. Tanita's body monitor scales will accurately tell you your weight, but they also offer more interesting insights. These include your muscle mass, visceral fat level, and even an estimate of your 'cardio age' ideally what comes up here is lower than your actual age.

The RD 953 is also quite attractive as bathroom scales go, and has Bluetooth so it can be connected to the Tanita app on your phone, funnelling your body data into Apple Health or Google Health.

Today's best Tanita RD 953 deals

Tanita RD-953 Wireless...

Tanita RD-953 Wireless...

Tanita RD-953 Wireless...

Tanita RD-953 InnerScan...

(Image credit: Beats by Dr. Dre)

Music during a workout can be incredibly motivating, so long as it's not some dirge by Sam Smith. Powerbeats Pro remain the ultimate headphones for running and gym, but there is now a more affordable option from the house of Dr Dre, which is ideal for using when working out in your house. The only trade-off with their more spendy sibling is that they are conjoined by a wire, rather than being true wireless.

Powerbeats offers an almost literally unshakeable fit believe us, we've tried without compromising comfort, and deliver a sound that is suitably rousing for soundtracking intense workouts. The battery lasts for 15 hours, so if you are thinking of doing a marathon on your balcony, these will see you through it. Do think of your downstairs neighbours, though.

Today's best Beats Powerbeats deals

Today's best Beats Powerbeats Pro deals

Beats Powerbeats Pro Totally...

Beats Powerbeats Pro Totally...

Brand New Powerbeats Pro -...

Beats MV702PA/A Powerbeats...

VR headsets have really got lighter and more comfortable these days, to the point where the idea of working out whilst wearing one is not at all silly. Our favourite current virtual workout is BoxVR, which is compatible with Vive, PSVR and Oculus headsets.

A bit like Wii boxing crossed with Dance Dance Revolution, BoxVR requires you to jab, hook and uppercut targets that race towards you in waves, as well as floating like a butterfly and crouching like a, er, bee to avoid larger obstacles.

It's hypnotic, and a lot of fun, and surprisingly effective as a workout. You don't need a huge amount of space, either, although we recommend not standing directly under light fittings. Boy did we find that out the hard way.

(Image credit: Wattbike)

T3 created this content as part of a paid partnership with Wattbike. The contents of this article are entirely independent and solely reflect the editorial opinion of T3. Read more about Wattbike here.

Read the original here:
The 6 best fitness gadgets to help you stay in shape at home - T3

Fears of COVID-19 led to the suspension of the U.S. Army's transition to the new Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), a program that was developed to improve soldier and unit readiness, transform the army's fitness culture and reduce preventable injuries and attrition. The program was also aimed at enhancing mental toughness and stamina.

The implementation period for the program had begun in October 2018 and the goal was to have it become the Army physical test of record by this October. In January the Army began to distribute ACFT gear to more than one million active duty, Reserve and National Guard soldiers.

However, Army leaders made the decision last week to suspend the ACFT start date due to widespread gym closures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. It remains unclear when soldiers will once again have access to the fitness equipment needed to prepare for the more challenging fitness test.

This would include training with weights and other gym equipment. Some soldiers had already complained that the new equipment rollout left little time to train to the new standards. Soldiers taking the ACFT would need hexagon bars and bumper plates for dead lifts as well as weighted sleds, medicine balls, kettlebells and measuring tape.

However, due to the coronavirus outbreak, the official start date has been officially "suspended until further notice." For now the existing three-event Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) will remain the standard. The ACFT was intended to better measure the physical fitness attributes soldiers would need for combat. The six-event test required far more equipment than the older APFT. ACFT would include deadlifts, a standing power throw, pushups, the sprint-drag-carry, leg tuck and a two-mile run.

"In order for people to be in compliance with promotion boards and the fact that training is limited, they've extended the APFT," said Lt. Col. Robin Ochoa, U.S. Army spokesperson as reported by the Miltiary.com. "So if I took the APFT this past October ... then my scores are valid until further notice.

The APFT was first introduced in 1980, and it includes two minutes of pushups, two minutes of sit-ups and a two-mile run. Military leaders have said that the test has failed to adequately predict which soldiers could accomplish specific physical tasks that may be necessary in wartime.

The older test did not require much equipment either. It required only repetition counters, a stopwatch and a running path.

The closure of the gym, along with delays in receiving the necessary equipment, has resulted in the suspension of the new program.

"We don't know what this virus is going to do ... we don't know what the impact is going to be on our ability to get those gyms back open," said Ochoa. "As things start to improve and we see things slowly become available, then we are going to have to figure out the timeline based off of how long service members have not had access to the gym and what's it going to look like for them to retrain and get back to previous fitness levels."

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer who has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers and website. He is the author of several books on military headgear including A Gallery of Military Headdress, which is available on Amazon.com.

Image: Reuters.

Read more from the original source:
The U.S. Army Has Suspended Its New Combat Fitness Test Due To Coronavirus - The National Interest

When the walls feel as though theyre closing in, exercise can liberate. That may be a bit trickier than normal during these unusual times because of the unavailability of a gym or workout equipment, but its still doable, a pair of local personal trainers emphasized this week.

Group get-togethers could violate social-distancing guidelines. No prohibition applies to going at it alone, or with a partner whos exercising at least six feet away, inside or outside.

Ericka Jackson, who operates Ericka J. Fitness in Richmond (erickajfitness.com), recommends HIT: high-intensity interval training. Pick a few simple exercises, such as squats, push-ups, jumping jacks and sit-ups. Perform each 15 times, take a short break between sets, and then repeat the sequence three or four times.

Just to get the heart going, said Jackson. This is not the time to go beyond your skill set.

Jackson provides online, donation-based instruction, an approach many other personal trainers are using, to provide more structured, involved workouts for clients. That enables them just to stay active right in your living room with your family, she said.

Another Richmond-based trainer, Jordan Rowe, also believes uncomplicated movements effectively address the fitness job.

When we think about workouts, we think, Oh, Ive got to have dumbbells, and all this stuff, but playing hopscotch with your kids, thats a workout, said Rowe (jordanrowerva.com). Do activity in the yard, gardening and things like that. We dont have to have all this fancy equipment, you know?

Rowe has been advising clients to get out of their residences, while staying safe during the coronavirus pandemic, and engage in some physical endeavor while changing the scenery.

You dont want to just add another thing to do in the house, she said. Im telling everybody, Play with your kids outside. Take the dog on an extra-long walk. Whatever it is, it doesnt have to be this full-body blast. The number of people who would be surprised at how out of breath they would get if they just chased their kids in the yard

When the repetition of a basic set of exercises becomes tedious over an extended period of time, Rowe recommends concentrating on perfecting form on push-ups, or squats, to avoid boredom.

Those are two very simple exercises that you need hardly any background with, she said. And then run around the block. Thats all you really need. Just stay moving, and it keeps your sanity.

Excerpt from:
Walls closing in? Richmond fitness trainers offer exercise tips that don't involve equipment. - Richmond.com

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Brandon Morrison used to spend about 30 hours per week in the gym lifting weights and training his clients as a fitness and nutrition coach.

That was before Michigans response to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic closed his office and nearly put him out of work. Now the former amateur strongman is hoping his newfound passion -- baking -- can not only stop the financial bleeding, but maybe even open a new career path.

My life has changed in almost every way," said Morrison, who moved from Grand Rapids to Hesperia earlier this year.

Ive been the bread winner, ironically, for the last two years while my wife has been in nursing school. We depended on that coaching income to make ends meet. Its really hard to know what life will be like after this but Id love to be the bread man in this town."

Morrison, 32, is still pretty new to baking. But he said he goes through phases of obsessions" where he studies and spends hour upon hour consumed by the desire to know more about a given topic.

Right now, its baking.

The Seattle native made his first bread sale on March 10. Three weeks later, he had pushed his home production capacity to 16 loaves of bread, 65 biscuits and 96 cookies in one day.

Working with one oven and no mixer, he has begun filling orders and making deliveries to nearby cities like Grand Rapids and Muskegon. He has aspirations of opening a bread truck, but time will tell if his new brand -- Forest and Flame -- can take off.

Forest and Flame encompasses everything from nature to the stove top and everything in between, Morrison said. Following the concept of closing the loop, I want to eventually make my own wheat, get my own cow, feed the cow scraps of food I create on the land and sort of create my own ecosystem as much as I can.

I wanted to get big

Before baking, Morrisons obsession was fitness.

In college he started getting into CrossFit -- a strength and conditioning type of exercise that consists of aerobics, calisthenics and Olympic weightlifting. Then he transitioned to more heavyweight lifting.

I remember sitting in a nutrition class in college and looking at photos of old-time strongmen," Morrison said. They were all huge, with big beards. I wanted to look like them. That moment stands out to me on my timeline."

The 6-foot-5, 165-pound Morrison bulked up. He increased his diet, including drinking a gallon of milk a day. As a result, his weight climbed to 287 pounds.

Over the next six years, his passions were powerlifting and strongman competitions, which include a variety of strength events like vehicle pulls, tire flips and keg toss.

Morrison hired Alanna Casey, a three-time winner of the title Strongest Woman in the World, to be his coach. He took part in more than a dozen competitions, fairing best in atlas stones, farmer walks and deadlifts.

At its peak, his fitness brand, Lift Big Eat Big, had sponsored athletes and assistant coaches working with him. He sold apparel and fitness plans for his clients.

In addition to taking on the physical feats himself, he got into coaching along the way. He coached Olympic weightlifting at his alma mater, Seattle University, and has spent the last decade coaching strength and fitness in gyms and online.

You dont have to be a great athlete to be a great coach, he said. "I have a really good eye for small technique errors, combined with a compassionate way about correcting them.

While he says he might look like a drill sergeant with his size and grizzly beard, thats not the case.

Im really a quiet and reserved person," he said. Im into getting people to lift more weight in a way thats safe and so they can do it the rest of their lives.

Most recently, Morrison has coached clients at a gym in East Grand Rapids. He estimates that he had around 30 clients before the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown gyms across the state. Now hes seen most of his business wash up, at least temporarily.

He still offers at-home fitness programming. But with limited revenue there and his wife, Kara, finishing up nursing school, he needed to shift gears in an uncertain time.

Baking

Much like fitness coaching, baking requires careful timing, calculation and minor tweaks in technique to get the ideal end product. Both take time and energy to perfect.

In recent years, Morrison has grown more interested in experimenting in the kitchen. That too has evolved, from cooking to baking.

I never really baked much before this, he said. I go through these phases where I become obsessed with something. I get tunnel vision and Im all about it. For a while now its been baking.

Out of bed long before the sunrise, Morrison has found baking helps combat his very active brain and difficulty relaxing. Nowadays, he begins his process around 3 a.m., and with no cable television and limited internet on his Hesperia ranch, work in the kitchen consumes much of his day.

He likes to tweak recipes to take them to the next level." That means things like toasting his flour or browning his butter and running it through a smoker before baking his cookies.

I try to create more flavor with the same ingredients, he said. I love the chemistry of cooking and baking.

Forest and Flame offers bread (sourdough, white, wheat and rye), brown butter cookies and buttermilk biscuits. His bread sells for $10 a loaf, cookies are $15 for six, and biscuits are $12 for six.

Morrison hopes to begin growing food on his Hesperia ranch. His goal is to eventually bake with all of his own ingredients.

To place an order or follow Morrisons new business venture, visit the Forest and Flame Facebook account, here.

Read more on MLive:

National Guard to assist new drive-thru food pantry at Woodland Mall

Map of Kent County emergency food assistance locations

GVSU students share virtual Lean On Me performance to uplift amid coronavirus crisis

Excerpt from:
Fitness coach turns to baking bread as coronavirus changes life in almost every way - MLive.com

Page 193«..1020..192193194195..200210..»

Home » Fitness » Page 193