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Scientists find a link between male baldness, excessive sex hormones, and COVID – Happy
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Over the past few months, medical professionals have been slowly noticing an overrepresentation of bald men in COVID treatment facilities. A team of Spanish researchers were curious, so did a little bit of digging. They found that from a sample of 122 male COVID-19 patients, 79 percent were bald. Soon after, a report published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology also found that there was a distinct lack of hair amongst COVID hospital admittees.
This leads us to one, resounding conclusion: bald guys mad testosterone levels are the perfect gateway for 2020s title virus.
Photo: Being John Malcovich (1999)
In an article for The Conversation, Professor of Genetics and Vice Chancellors Fellow at Melbournes La Trobe University Jenny Graves theorises that there is a very plausible link between the science behind male pattern hair loss and vulnerability to COVID-19. Considered the primary cause of male hair loss, studies have shown that the high levels of the androgen sex hormones in bald men could help mediate the entry of the virus into cells. Essentially creating the perfect storm for severe infection.
As always, theres light at the end of the tunnel for all the bald men out there. While your risk of infection could be higher, and youll have to tread very carefully as we ease back into normality, its because youve got Chad levels of testosterone.
While Graves notes that a lot more research needs to be done before anything is set in stone, she suggests that there could be a link between anti-androgens and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and future treatment routes for the virus. Who knew that bald men would be the answers to our troubles?
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Scientists find a link between male baldness, excessive sex hormones, and COVID - Happy
Men Should Eat These 11 Foods Every Day To Stay Healthy – The Source Magazine
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Superfoods! More than a trendy buzzword, you need to incorporate these healthy superfoods in your diet every day.
Men especially should curate their refrigerator and try to stick to a healthy diet. However, walking through the grocery store can be confusing and many do not know where to start.
The Source has lined up some healthy food picks for daily consumption. They are based on the very common health issues males face.
May we present these 11 top choices for superfoods men should eat every day of the week.
Spinach is a super source of folate, a known blood flow-booster. Folic acid plays a critical role in male sexual function and a deficiency in folic acid has been linkedTrusted Source to erectile dysfunction.
Cooked spinach contains 66 percent of your daily folic acid requirement per cup, making it one of the most folate-rich foods around. Additionally, spinach contains a fair amount of magnesium, which also helps improve and stimulate blood flow and has been shown as a trusted Source to boost testosterone levels.
Spinach is also good for penile health. It is a good source of folic acid which may help prevent erectile dysfunction. It also contains magnesium which has been shown to boost testosterone.
Almonds contain zinc, selenium, and vitamin E, which are vitamins and minerals that seem to be important for sexual health and reproduction. Selenium can help with infertility issues and, with vitamin E, may help heart health. Zinc is a mineral that helps produce mens sex hormones and can boost libido.
Compared to all other nuts, almonds are the most packed with nutrients and beneficial components. Now all you need to do is to at about 8-10 almonds a day. You can either eat soaked almonds or crush it and add to your morning salad or garnish your dishes, it is beneficial in any way you use it.
Improved digestion. Yogurt contains probiotic bacteria, which are primarily known for their ability to promote digestive health.
According to the Harvard School of Public Health, several of the strains of probiotic bacteria found in yogurt may help prevent or treat digestive difficulties including indigestion, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome and Crohns disease. Yogurts probiotics can also promote regular bowel movements, better immune system functioning and improved vitamin, mineral and nutrient absorption.
According to LiveStrong, if the results of studies conducted on male mice are any indication, yogurt may also have sexual benefits for men. Science suggests that certain dairy products, including yogurt, can help obese men lose weight. Finally, yogurt, and especially Greek yogurt, is a rich source of high-quality, muscle-building protein.
Tomatoes have been linked to lowering mens risk of stroke, helping fight prostate cancer, and preserving brain power with age. Heating tomatoes significantly increases their levels of lycopene, the chemical that can up antioxidant levels.
Lycopene a nutrient found in tomatoes may boost sperm quality, a study has suggested. Healthy men who took the equivalent of two tablespoons of (concentrated) tomato puree a day as a supplement were found to have better quality sperm. Male infertility affects up to half of couples who cannot conceive.
Potatoes are an excellent source of potassium, a nutrient most people dont consume enough of, which can help regulate your blood pressure. Theyre a good source of vitamin C and vitamin B6, which aids your nervous and immune systems.
The potatos fiber, potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6 content, coupled with its lack of cholesterol, all support heart health. Potatoes contain significant amounts of fiber. Fiber helps lower the total amount of cholesterol in the blood, thereby decreasing the risk of heart disease.
Sardines contain 20 grams of protein per three-ounce serving, and are one of the best sources of calcium and vitamin D, both of which are essential for bone and muscle health. Theyre high in omega-3 fatty acids, which help fight inflammation and lower LDL (bad) cholesterol. They might have workout benefits to boot.
Sardines contain 20 grams of protein per three-ounce serving, and are one of the best sources of calcium and vitamin D, both of which are essential for bone and muscle health.
Theyre high in omega-3 fatty acids, which help fight inflammation and lower LDL (bad) cholesterol. They might have workout benefits to boot. Researchers from Saint Louis University found that athletes who took an omega-3 supplement before and after arm curls felt less sore than those whod had a placebo.
All berries are good for your health. Theyre loaded with antioxidants, which help your arteries relax and may have anti-aging effects as well. But for men especially, blueberries are king. Blueberries have lots of vitamin K, which helps your blood clot, and plenty of vitamin C like most berries.
A daily bowl could protect against obesity, heart disease and diabetes. A bowl of wild blueberries a day could protect against a range of health problems including obesity, heart disease and diabetes. Berries are rich in polyphenols antioxidants that protect cells in the heart and help lower blood pressure.
Avocado is rich in folic acid for increased energy production, along with healthy fats to improve mood and sense of well-being. The more avocado you consume, the more blood flow your body experiences which is useful when it comes to sexual performance and in turn will also help lower the risk of heart disease.
Avocados are a great source of vitamins C, E, K, and B-6, as well as riboflavin, niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, magnesium, and potassium. They also provide lutein, beta-carotene, and omega-3 fatty acids. Although most of the calories in an avocado come from fat, dont shy away!
Foods such as wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley, quinoa or products made from these foods are considered grains. Grains are high in carbohydrates which provide energy to your brain and muscles. Not all grains are created equally in terms of nutritional benefits. The health benefits of a grain depend on the form of the grain you actually eat. There are two types of grains: whole grains and refined grains.
When you eat a whole grain, your body is getting nutrients found in all parts of the grain, as well as fiber. Whole grain foods include oatmeal, brown rice, quinoa, and whole wheat bread or pasta. Refined grains have been processed and are missing some nutrients. Refined grain foods include white bread, white rice, and many kinds of pasta. When you eat grains, try having whole grains as much as possible.
A study from 2019 reports that males who drank alcohol had a slightly lower risk of lethal prostate cancer, and that red wine had links with a lower risk of progression to lethal disease. The authors say that these results mean moderate alcohol consumption is safe for people with prostate cancer.
The health benefits from wine are the same for men and women, but men can drink more given their generally larger body mass one or two 4-ounce glasses of wine per day while women should consume only one glass.
Watermelon may be a natural Viagra, says a researcher. Thats because the popular summer fruit is richer than experts believed in an amino acid called citrulline, which relaxes and dilates blood vessels much like Viagra and other drugs meant to treat erectile dysfunction (ED).
Watermelon is a natural source of citrulline. Citrulline is an amino acid that may support better erections. Viagra works by increasing blood flow to the penis, allowing a man to more easily get an erection when he is aroused. Citrulline may do the same thing, although it works in a different way to Viagra.
Stay healthy this summer and everyday!
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Men Should Eat These 11 Foods Every Day To Stay Healthy - The Source Magazine
The Future of Steroids and Performance Enhancers – Muscle & Fitness
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As Ben Pakulski contemplates the future of steroids in bodybuilding and powerlifting, he evokes the 2011 Bradley Cooper movie Limitless. In the film, Coopers character, a struggling writer, takes a pill that expands the limits of his mental capabilities. Its certainly not as simple as Hollywood made it out to be, but for Pakulski, a former IFBB Pro League bodybuilder who hosts the popular Muscle Expert Podcast, the central premise of the film provides at least a loose template for what the future might look like. Imagine a performance enhancing drug that can heal wounds or soothe sore muscles almost instantly, or imagine a pill that can directly trigger muscle growth and fat loss. Thats what some athletes and bodybuilders are looking for in steroids.
As science and genetics develop, Pakulski and other experts believe that the steroids of today, which have lingered in the background of competitive powerlifting and bodybuilding for decades, will soon be a thing of the past. Today, these drugs broadly target muscle-building pathways in the body and often come with crippling hormonal side effects that doctors like Thomas OConnor, aka the Anabolic Doc, have to confront in his office multiple times per day. Those compounds, which date back to the mid20th century, are always going to be around, OConnor says, because they work, phenomenally, and theyre accessible on the internet.
The future, however, points toward more specialized drugs, which can be tailored to the bodys specific needs. Right now, those next-gen performance enhancing drugs include SARMs (selective androgen receptor modulators), which are essentially anabolic compounds that promise fewer steroid-related side effects; designer steroids, which are specially formulated by chemists in labs; peptides, which are molecules that activate hormone pathways in the body; and also testosterone replacement therapy, nootropic compounds designed to maximize brain function, and eveneventuallythe idea of editing genes to maximize performance.
How safe are all these things? Thats something we cant really say for certain at this point, in part because the science is still in its early stages, and in part because its difficult to study them too closely because theyre still viewed as tabooparticularly within competitive sports. And the potential for abuse, especially among amateurs who may not have the proper knowledge or the professional guidance, is still a serious concern.
Some of these new things have created a lower barrier for abuse, says one well-known powerlifter and strength coach, who prefers to remain anonymous. Its kind of like they get their toes wet with this stuff, and it becomes a gateway into them taking something more potent.
In an effort to understand what the future might look like, we spoke to several experts about what they see on the horizonand how best to understand the benefits and the risks.
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The Future of Steroids and Performance Enhancers - Muscle & Fitness
Irish mum gets hypnotised to lose five stone after shock at 40th birthday photos – Irish Mirror
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A mum has told how she was hypnotised to lose five stone after being shocked by photos of herself on her 40th birthday.
Lesleyanne Dunne, 43, from Dublin, was size 24 when she reached her milestone and said she needed to take drastic action.
The mum-of-three told the Irish Mirror: I had given so much time to the kids over the years, I didnt have the excuse of its just baby weight.
Lesleyanne added she is still shocked when looking at her before-weight-loss photos.
She said: Its a bit scary when I look back, I was in there somewhere.
I had that burgundy jumper hanging in the back of my wardrobe for so long and would you believe Im even wearing spanks in that first photo.
When I think about the size I was, Id always had issues putting on weight and taking it off, I tried everything and thought maybe this might be something that might work.
At my heaviest I was between 22 and 24, all I wore was baggy tops and leggings, which have a habit of growing with you.
Lesleyanne told how a friend had suggested the D4 Clinic to her in a her bid to lose weight.
She added: I decided to take my birthday money and invest in myself and be a little bit selfish.
I started hypnosis in 2017, I went to hypnotist Jason OCallaghan at the end of February. I did one session and did the gastric band package that was in at the time. When he told me about the money-back guarantee I didnt even listen as I only thought Id lose a stone.
When I met him in Blackrock, I went with an open mind, I knew it wasnt going to be a quick fix, I tried everything bar popping pills I tried the magic teas, coffees, the appetite suppressants.
Id been to one weight loss club after another. What I knew was missing was the willpower, I needed a bit of empowerment, I explained this to Jason.
He recorded me and sent me off with my blue plate which I thought was a joke but its not.
I changed all my plates over to blue plates now, you eat less off a blue plate.
Lesleyanne admitted her eating habits had been out of control.
She said: I consider myself an intelligent person but Im like the Pringles ad once I popped I couldnt stop, Drink, food, it didnt matter.
What Jason gave me was the control to know when enough was enough.
Even if Im letting myself have a treat, Ill have one packet of crisps, I wont eat the six-pack. Im able to stop because I know when Im satisfied.
Jason gave me this vision of what I wanted to look like at the end of it.
I lost a stone in the first month then I joined a slimming club and with Jasons help it took me a year-and-a-half to lose another four stone with the slimming club and I got to my goal weight last year, Im size 14.
Im now much lighter, happier and far more in control than Ive ever been.
Originally posted here:
Irish mum gets hypnotised to lose five stone after shock at 40th birthday photos - Irish Mirror
Illinois Cautiously Reopens Zoos, Movie Theaters And Other Businesses : Coronavirus Live Updates – NPR
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Updated at 11:09 p.m. ET
Illinois moves into the next phase of its reopening plan on Friday.
The guidelines allow movie theaters, zoos, museums and health and fitness centers to reopen with limited capacity. Restaurants will be able to offer in-door dining and gatherings of 50 people or fewer will be permitted.
Schools and child care programs with social distancing policies in place can also reopen. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans can return to work.
"The battle is not over," said Pritzker, "but so much progress has been made. If we continue to follow the path the doctors recommend we can continue our march towards more normalcy."
Pritzker said because residents followed guidelineswearing face masks, frequently washing their hands, staying home and practicing social distancingthere's been more than a 60 percent decline in the number of coronavirus deaths per day in Illinois from a peak six weeks ago. There also has been a deeper drop in the percentage of new cases.
Any pride in success, he added, must be tempered by grief.
Thursday, the state reported 894 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the overall total to 139,434. The state reported 41 new fatalities; the number of Illinois residents who've lost their lives to the pandemic is 6,810. At the same time, Illinois set a single day testing record, conducting more than 31,000 for the first time.
Illinois expands its reopening just as coronavirus surges worsened in several other states. Arizona, California and Texas are among those that saw drastic increases in recent days, with some governors saying they might have to slow reopenings to try to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Pritzker said he expects there will be some difficulty in Illinois, too, as the state reopens and warns he won't hesitate to impose restrictions if there's a rise in cases.
However, Illinois Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike said for now, Illinois residents deserve praise.
"You did it!," she said at a Thursday press conference. "Illinois is being touted across the country of getting it right."
Even so, Ezike said the virus persists and people are still being infected and dying. She likened the refusal by some to wear facemasks to playing a game of Russian Roulette.
"The stakes are high," she said. "Let's not gamble with coronavirus. We don't even know the long-term effects of COVID-19, what might happen to our lungs five years from now after being infected."
Dr. Emily Landon, the executive medical director for infection prevention at the University of Chicago, worries that some consider wearing a mask a political statement. She said they aren't, "unless there's a political statement on them."
She calls facemasks "a piece of fabric that covers a part of your body that needs to be protected like gloves in the winter," adding that, Illinois residents should be able to get used to them, just like she did when she first became a physician.
In Illinois and elsewhere, COVID-19 has hit areas with large Black and Latinx residents disproportionately hard. Carlos Nelson is a community leader in Chicago's Auburn-Gresham neighborhood. He urged everyone to take the next phase of the Illinois reopening seriously and for community leaders to set an example.
"We must do our part to maintain a level of awareness that the coronavirus is still real without a vaccine," he said.
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Illinois Cautiously Reopens Zoos, Movie Theaters And Other Businesses : Coronavirus Live Updates - NPR
Chicago Gyms and Fitness Clubs Are Pumped to Reopen – WTTW News
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Its been 95 long days since the treadmills and weight benches of Chicagos fitness centers fell silent thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. But this Friday, gyms in Illinois will be allowed to reopen and welcome back the fitness faithful with open and well-toned arms.
AtPower Fitnessin the Roseland neighborhood on the South Side, owners Jimmie and Kisha Williams say their clientele is anxious to get back into the boot camp, martial arts and cardio boxing classes they offer. In addition to marking spacing around equipment, theyre doing temperature checks at the door and sanitizing the rooms after every class. Once a week, an EPA-certified company will do a deep cleaning. Classes are being held at 25% capacity, so the Williamses are adding more classes to the schedule to allow more members to attend. For the time being, wearing a mask is mandatory in common areas.
Staff will wear masks for the entire time. Once the participant comes in and gets settled they can take their mask off if they want to once theyre in their stations, but if theyre moving about the gym they will have to put their mask back on, said Kisha Williams.
At theRetro Fitnessfranchise in the Irving Park neighborhood, general manager Harold Coleman says that in preparation for reopening this Friday, there is a no-touch check-in procedure, gloves and fanny packs to hold personal items are being offered to members, and staff are wearing masks and gloves around the clock. Sitting areas and showers have been temporarily closed, and lockers are being spaced apart. Theyve also spaced out equipment and reduced class size.
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Chicago Gyms and Fitness Clubs Are Pumped to Reopen - WTTW News
The 33 Best Fitness Deals of the Week – Gear Patrol
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Adidas Save up to 50% offCharlottes Web Save up 25% off CBD products with code CWEBMYSTERYSALECompetitive Cyclist Save up to 58% off select road bikes and framesLadder Save 30% with code BETTEREVERYDAYOakley Save up to 50% off apparel and accessoriesNew Balance Save an extra 30% off sale itemsNike Save up to 40% off select stylesUnder Armour Save up to 40% off outlet
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Save 45%: Cumulus is an Asics institution, and this iteration may be the best yet thanks to a FLYTEFOAM Lyte midsole layer that provides superior cushioning and comfort.
Save 40%: This beloved shoe boasts the best energy-returning performance foam New Balance makes along with a grippy, rippled rubber outsole to keep you on your feet and moving fast.
Save 40%: The loaded Fresh Foam midsole is about as comfy and controlled as it gets, so if youre a cushion fiend who craves stability, the Vongo is calling your name.
Save 45%: A lightweight and breathable mesh upper helps this breezy runner sneak under 10 ounces while keeping your feet cool and comfortable.
Save 40%: Select colorways of the brands beloved cushioned running sneaker are deeply discounted right now, with a few pairs as much as $54 off.
Save 20%: Pegasus has been part of the Nike stable for more than three decades because it constantly evolves while continuing to suit the everyday runner. This stylish, lightweight update with energy-returning ZoomX foam is no exception.
Save up to 43%: Nikes Metcon line is awesome for high-intensity workouts. This less structured, more breathable version frees you up for dynamic movements. Update: the pictured colorway is no longer available, but several others are at some kind of discount.
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Save up to 25%: This plush, ultra-cushioned shoe makes it feel like youre running on clouds. Nice fluffy Simpsons ones, too.
Save 44%: Thousands of Dippin Dot-like tiny foam beads underfoot make the Joyride a one-of-a-kind recovery shoe and a $79 discount means theres no better time to grab a pair.
Save 25%: This stability shoe is breathable and supportive and as classy-looking as any weve seen lately. Its a performance tux for feet, basically.
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Save 38%: This classic cushioned running shoe is beloved by many a pavement pounder, and its on sale now in a range of sizes and colors.
Save 20%: The reduced offset in this shoes midsole provides optimal stability for running, workouts and just knocking around.
Save 40%: Designed to support multidirectional movement, these foot beasts are up for the toughest workouts.
Save 50%: Psst you dont even really have to surf to appreciate the benefits of this bag, which boasts water-resistant ripstop fabric, waterproof zippered interior pockets and a water-resistant inside lining to separate wet gear from dry whether youre catching waves or putting in laps at the pool.
Save 34%: Planning on a lotta serving and volleying this summer? Buy in bulk and reap the wallet-friendly benefits this 24-can, 72-ball package deal.
Save 29%: Dont let the OCR-oriented name throw you off. With its SRAM Rival 1x drivetrain and responsive hydraulic brakes, this carbon-framed ride is equally equipped to be the perfect urban shredder. Related note: BSB is short for blood, sweat and beers.
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Save 25%: Constructed mainly of merino wool, this sock is about as minimal, moisture-wicking, odor-fighting and most importantly comfortable as they come. And the sale price (select colorways) is a steal considering itll last for thousands of wears. Update: the colorway shown is no longer available, but two other varieties are available at the discounted price.
Save 40%: This asymmetrical half-zip hoodie is so stylish, youd be forgiven for forgetting how perfect it is for working out in variable conditions.
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Steve Mazzucchi is Gear Patrols outdoors and fitness editor. Outside the office, you can find him mountain biking, snowboarding, motorcycling or sipping a dram of Laphroaig and daydreaming about such things.
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The 33 Best Fitness Deals of the Week - Gear Patrol
2020 Best of the East Bay: Fitness | Health + Wellness | diablomag.com – Diablo Magazine
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Known for yoga and barre, the Catalyst Fitness is now operating a virtual studio.
Water polo playerMaggie Steffens isgearing up for the2021 Olympics.
Maggie Steffens
At age 16, when most of us were just figuring out how to merge onto the freeway, Maggie Steffens was on the U.S. Olympic water polo team.
That was 11 years ago, and Steffens had her sights set on her third Olympic tripand third gold medalthis summer, but the Monte Vista grad, like so many others, has had her dream deferred.
I knew postponing the Olympics was the right thing to do, she says, but thats not to say it didnt affect me and my teammates. I definitely went through an emotional roller coaster.
But it didnt take long for Steffens, named the best womens water polo player in the world in 2018 by Swimming World, to get back on track.
We still have our teammates and coaches, she says, and keeping them in mind helps me stay focused and motivated. Each day, I have a routine to keep my body healthy and strong, whether its running, biking, lifting, or yoga.
Steffens has always been a hard worker. This is one reason shes survived in the rough-and-tumble world of water polo, which includes so much underwater physicality that players wear two swimsuits, in case one gets torn off.
Adam Krikorian, her coach with Team USA, has no concerns about her staying in shape until she can compete again. Her work ethic and dedication set her apart, he says. Shes a professional in terms of taking care of her body.
The always-positive Steffens is already thinking about 2021. The Games are still on, our dreams are still on, and the team is still on, she says. The Olympics are just a different date.
Bay Club, Walnut Creek and Pleasanton, bayclubs.com/east-bay-campus.
Ive been a member for about 12 years. The Bay Club recently bought this [Walnut Ceek] location, and the changes Ive seen are amazing. The gym is the most welcoming placethey have amazing classes and trainers and a full spa with advanced skincare and services. Every department reflects the most down-to-earth staff. Its truly a beautiful property and becomes a second home for most. Emma Simoes, Alamo
Runner-up // Forma Gym, Walnut Creek, formagym.com.
Joya, multiple locations,joyayoga.com.
Runner-up // Just Be Yoga, Danville and Walnut Creek, myjustbeyoga.com.
Joya, multiple locations,joyayoga.com.
Runner-up // StarCycle, Danville, starcycleride.com/studios/danville-ca.
The Bar Method, multiple locations,barmethod.com.
Runner-up // The Dailey Method, multiple locations, thedaileymethod.com.
Funkmode, Concord, funkmode.com.
Funkmode is the best dance studio, not only because they teach some of the most fun choreography. They make you sweat, especially in their Adult Move! classes. The dance instructors are always full of energy and make sure that you have fun in a safe and inclusive space. It is quite empowering to dance with the Funkmode family/community! Elise Magno, San Ramon
Runners-up // Joy in Motion, Moraga, joyinmotiondance.org; and The Next Step Dance Studio, Blackhawk and Danville, nextstepdance.com.
Orangetheory Fitness, multiple locations,orangetheoryfitness.com.
Runner-up // Omni Fight Club, multiple locations, omnifightclub.com.
Baby Boot Camp, multiple locations,momleta.com.
Baby Boot Camp is a great community not only for fitness, but for motherhood as well. It allows moms to come together for a great outdoor workout, but also gives us a place to vent, share ideas, and give support through the journey of motherhood. Courtney Taylor, Orinda
Runner-up // P2P Transformation Center, Concord and Pleasanton, p2ptransformationcenter.com.
Orangetheory Fitness
Orangetheory Fitness, multiple locations, orangetheoryfitness.com.
Runner-up // Diablo Barbell, Concord, diablo-barbell.com.
Iron Horse Regional Trail, multiple locations, ebparks.org.
Runner-up // Lafayette Reservoir Rim Trail, Lafayette, ebmud.com.
Bay Club,Walnut Creek
Bay Club, Walnut Creek,bayclubs.com/east-bay-campus.
Runner-up // Clarke Memorial Swim Center, Walnut Creek, walnut-creek.org.
Boundary Oak Golf Course, Walnut Creek, playboundaryoak.com.
Runner-up // Diablo Creek Golf Course, Concord, diablocreekgc.com.
The Catalyst Fitness, Concord
When the Bay Area was ordered to shelter inplace, Anya Litvinova, owner of the Catalyst Fitness, started recording online classes. Specializing in yoga and barre and incorporating TRX and weights equipment, the Catalyst Fitness moved to a virtual Zoom platform. There is still that sense of community,says Litvinova, who teaches the majority of the daily classes, which include power yoga, TRX fusion, and other workouts that require no equipment. There is also an online library of prerecorded content for members. The live classes are so neat, says Litvinova, seeing everyones faces, and just knowing that we are all in this together. thecatalystfitness.com.
SUP Yoga at Mikes Paddle, Alameda
Vinyasa, yin, Bikram, kundalinithe list goes on. While there are so many different kinds of yoga to try, turn to Mikes Paddle for a uniquely challenging practice. Stand-up paddleboard (SUP) yoga is done in calm waters, where yogis and yoginis have the opportunity to breathe fresh air and bask in the sun while going into downward-facing dog or perfecting their headstand. Mikes Paddle teaches its classes on Alamedas Ballena Bay and will provide all equipment, although it is recommended that students have an intro to SUP before diving in. mikespaddle.com.
Dae Han Martial Arts Center, Martinez
Looking to alleviate anxiety over COVID-19? Dae Han Martial Arts Center in Martinez has got you covered. Owners Joon Tae Kim and Nadya Kim, ahusband-and-wife team, have provided an outlet for stress and a space for mindfulness and fitness since 2006. [We] createdDae Han Martial Arts Center to share the traditional life-changing philosophy behind tae kwon do: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit,explains Nadya, who credits her ability to be ahard worker (and so much more) to tae kwon do. The studio has classes and trainings for all ages, levels, and physical abilitiesand has even switched over to Zoom. dhmaa.com.
Bay Area Disc Association (BADA), multiple locations
While the East Bay is filled with ways for recreational athletes to compete, the nonprofit Bay Area Disc Association (BADA) stands out as one of the most exciting. Ultimate Frisbee, a low-contact team sport played with flying discs, is fun for all ages and skill levels. Known for its emphasis on inclusivity and community, BADA gives its members a platform to interact; develop skills; and play in tournaments, clinics, and camps. The organizationwhich recently celebrated its 10th anniversaryis present all over the Bay Area, including in East Bay outfits such as the Alameda Beach League, the Contra Costa Ultimate League, and the East Bay Club Summer League. Youth leagues and camps also exist for those hoping to play at a young age. bayareadisc.org.
Oakland DEVO clubparticipants enjoy East Bay mountain biking.
[By the Numbers]
Oakland DEVO, Oakland
6 Number of months in the clubs season, typically from January through the end of May. During this time, the noncompetitive mountain biking club focuses on fun for its young athletes by going on weekly bike rides.
82 Kids, all 6th through 12th graders, were part of the club during the 20192020 season. This term was cut short due to COVID-19.
$100 Price of team membership fee, which covers coaching at practices and a mountain bike and parts, among other things. Financial aid and scholarships are available.
2016 Year the club was started. Since then, Oakland DEVO has given participants a chance to have fun while being active at the same time. oaklanddevo.com.
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2020 Best of the East Bay: Fitness | Health + Wellness | diablomag.com - Diablo Magazine
Marple Newtown All-Delco Julie Sebastian turns passion for softball and fitness into thriving business – The Delaware County Daily Times
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Julie Sebastian had no idea what to do with herself upon graduating from Elizabethtown College in 2012.
Finding a career doing something she enjoyed was no simple task. Her career as a four-year college pitcher was complete. She would soon find her first real job and stuck with it for a year, but she wasn't feeling it. She was bored and unhappy.
Sebastian had bigger goals for herself, which she couldn't attain while sitting in an office chair working the standard 9-to-5 shift five days a week.
The Marple Newtown alumna and All-Delco pitcher knew she needed to make a change. She missed softball ... and wanted to get back in the game.
"I was lost and felt like I was walking around with my head cut off," Sebastian said. "I wanted to do more, so I started giving pitching lessons on the side for fun. A couple months later it grew to a couple more girls, and then a couple more girls, and then before I knew it there were a lot of girls I was giving lessons to. I thought then that I could turn this into something real instead of just a hobby."
For the last six years, Julie Sebastian Softball and Fitness Instructions, LLC, has been a home for young softball players aiming to become better players. Sebastian has turned her hobby into a thriving small business in Delaware County. Her facility, located in the Newtown Square Shopping Center, will re-open on a full-time basis when Delco moves to the green phase of Pennsylvania's re-opening plan Friday.
Sebastian, who is American Counsel of Exercise certified and a coach at CrossFit Delaware Valley in Broomall, implores her students to take fitness seriously. That's why she feels it's important to incorporate strength and conditioning to her pitching and hitting lessons. Her resume as a fitness trainer obviously makes her uniquely qualified to help young girls get into the habit of exercising on a daily basis.
"Some girls just want the pitching, but I definitely make sure that during our lessons I am telling them how important it is to make sure they're exercising, building strength, and improving their conditioning. And also eating healthy, that's super important," Sebastian said. "I try to get an idea of how the kids are doing, how their fitness is coming along during the week and if they're fueling their body, if they're drinking enough. It definitely plays a big part."
Sebastian has offered virtual lessons during the pandemic. Her client base includes roughly 50 young players searching for ways to improve their skills, on and off the field. Sebastian brings the whole package. One of Sebastian's pupils is Cardinal O'Hara All-Delco Maggie Loomis, who will pitch at Alvernia next spring.
"Since I do have a physical space I, unfortunately, had to shut down my facility like all the other small businesses. It was very nerve-wracking in the beginning, but luckily we have FaceTime and Zoom," Sebastian said. "I threw out the option that I was going to start offering virtual pitching lessons during the hiatus. I would say about half of my clients took me up on it, and over the three-month period, I had half of my girls stay with me for virtual pitching lessons. It was amazing to be able to keep in touch with them ... and it was so nice to see them virtually and be able to work with them. "I do fitness instruction, but not as much as the pitching lessons."
During the COVID-19 shutdown, word spread around that Sebastian is pretty good at what she does for a living. Coaches for the Delco Chaos tournament team reached out to her about teaching lessons to their players, who are dedicated full-time to the sport and aspire to play at a high level in college.
"The kids did the session, they liked it and they asked to do it twice a week. I put a post up on Facebook and it spread like crazy. Within the next two weeks I had about 10 different teams reaching out to me, asking for the same thing. By the end of the three-month period, I was working with 10 teams during the week doing the Zoom sessions, which were amazing," Sebastian said. "It was so much fun to be able to switch gears and help them stay in shape during the time off and I also think it was great for them to bond with their teammates during the down time."
Sebastian's self-made attitude has resulted in a few accolades. In March, she earned the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce SCORE Small Business of the Year award. SCORE Chester and Delaware Counties, which provides free professional advice for business entrepreneurs such as Sebastian, presented her with a similar award in 2019.
Not too bad for a 29-year-old who admitted to feeling "lost" not too long ago.
"My grandfather (John) was a SCORE volunteer. When I was really little I remember going with him to his office and sitting there in the background while he met with aspiring entrepreneurs to help them start their business," she said. "He was the inspiration. He's not with me anymore, but every time I got an award from SCORE, I thought he would be so proud of me. Just making that choice to go out on my own and try to build this thing from nothing, the fact that I have so many people in my corner is the best feeling ever. That's the reason why I've been successful. It's all the people that have helped me along the way, from coaches to all the parents who have trusted me to work with their girls, the people from SCORE, and my friends and family who have always believed me. It's a great feeling."
Sebastian is taking necessary precautions to ensure her students are safe while working out at her facility amid the coronavirus pandemic. Her instruction lessons are intimate, with no more than five people in the space at a given time.
"Luckily my space is big enough that I'm able to have a safe distance between the catchers and pitchers," she said. "I have eight-foot plastic barriers to separate the catcher and the pitcher, along with the divider nets that I have, so that creates even more separation. I have no-touch Purell dispensers and soap dispensers. We are always cleaning the softballs. It's super controlled. Keeping things a little more contained will prevent some things from happening. It's a safe place to come work out and play softball."
You can find Sebastian's business on Facebook and at juliesebastianpitching.com.
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Marple Newtown All-Delco Julie Sebastian turns passion for softball and fitness into thriving business - The Delaware County Daily Times
Wilton fitness clubs, restaurants are back in the game – The Wilton Bulletin
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Owner Mary Beth Young, right, works with Cristin Wallace at The Pilates Advantage in Wilton. Young is cautiously optimistic that her business will survive after being closed for four months during the coronavirus pandemic.
Owner Mary Beth Young, right, works with Cristin Wallace at The Pilates Advantage in Wilton. Young is cautiously optimistic that her business will survive after being closed for four months during the
Photo: Patricia Gay /Hearst Connecticut Media
Owner Mary Beth Young, right, works with Cristin Wallace at The Pilates Advantage in Wilton. Young is cautiously optimistic that her business will survive after being closed for four months during the coronavirus pandemic.
Owner Mary Beth Young, right, works with Cristin Wallace at The Pilates Advantage in Wilton. Young is cautiously optimistic that her business will survive after being closed for four months during the
Wilton fitness clubs, restaurants are back in the game
WILTON Whether you are craving a workout at a gym, or a plate of Rigatoni Norma at your favorite Wilton restaurant, you can now have both.
Phase 2 of the states business reopening plan started June 17, and allows fitness centers and gyms, which have been closed since March, to reopen, and restaurants to offer indoor dining.
Businesses have been opening in stages in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. After the start of Phase 2, Gov. Ned Lamont said about 95 percent of the states economy will be able to be up and running.
To reopen, gyms, sports clubs and fitness centers can only operate at 50 percent capacity.
Establishments that require customers to wear a mask while exercising must maintain six feet of space between equipment. Establishments that do not require customers to wear a mask while exercising must maintain 12 feet of space between equipment.
Click here to sign up for The Bulletins free electronic newsletter, Online Today.
Wilton fitness centers and gyms that are open again include CT Fitness Lab, Personal Training Pro, The Pilates Advantage in Wilton, Wilton Fit Body Boot Camp, and Wilton Sport and Fitness Club.
Mary Beth Young, owner of The Pilates Advantage in Wilton at 414 Olmstead Hill Road/Route 7, was guardedly optimistic about her studios reopening. About 40 percent of my clients have scheduled appointments, even some senior citizens, she said.
Young is taking steps to maintain personal safety at her business. She takes everyones temperature at the door and makes sure people are six feet apart in the studio.
After fitness centers were closed by the state in March, Young had questions about reopening and moving forward. Theres no balance with this thing. A lot of people are still concerned it may come back and we will have to close. But how long can a business stay closed and keep its doors open? she asked.
Dylan and Brunetta Cathers, owners of Wilton Fit Body Boot Camp in the Wilton River Park Shopping Center, are also guardedly optimistic about their business. Throughout the pandemic, they have been offering virtual workouts to their clients.
They are now offering a limited number of morning sessions and will be adding more morning and evening sessions in upcoming weeks.
About one-third of our clients cant wait til they get back in, another third want to wait a few weeks to see how things shake out, and then another third are waiting for a vaccine, Dylan Cathers said.
Peter Zaffina, manager at PTP Personal Training Professionals, also in the Wilton River Park Shopping Center, is excited to be reopening and says his business is offering a special deal for three training sessions and a nutritional consultation.
Karen Wingate, owner of Synergy Barre Studio at 22 Center Street, said she has decided to keep her studio closed temporarily for the time being. We are a small boutique and many of our clients are not interested in wearing masks, she said.
To accommodate her clients, Wingate is offering Synergy Barre classes via Zoom, which she said her clients are enjoying.
Two other studios remain temporarily closed, but without further updates as to their status.
Anytime Fitness at 84 Danbury Road is temporarily closed, according to a recorded phone message.
In March, when Lamont closed all fitness centers in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Anytimes manager, Cecelia Laskauskas, sounded hopeful about reopening.
Lets shut everything down and stay home. The sooner we do that and contain the virus, the sooner we can all reopen, she told The Bulletin at the time.
HiiTKICK Fitness Studio at 27 Danbury Road is closed temporarily until further notice, according to a message on its website.
One Wilton fitness center has announced it has closed permanently. JoyRide Cycling & Fitness has put the brakes on its studio at 3 Godfrey Place.
JoyRide opened in Wilton in 2015 and hosted a number of Spinraiser fundraisers for local charities and nonprofits, including Animals in Distress, Change of Heart, and ABC (A Better Chance).
Owner Amy Hochhauser announced the closing of JoyRide in a letter to her clients.
We know that this is heartbreaking for our Wilton riders and staff. We, too, are incredibly sad. However, in order for JoyRide to survive this crisis, we must decrease our expenses and consolidate our resources in our Connecticut region. The silver lining here is that by making this difficult choice, we can confidently reopen our other four Connecticut locations in a sustainable way to support our team and satisfy our commitments. This includes Westport, Darien, Ridgefield, and New Haven.
Wilton clients can use their remaining credits from JoyRide at those other locations.
Many Wilton restaurants and eateries are now open for inside dining. To open, they must follow state guidelines by limiting the number of guests, maintaining social distancing, and taking hygiene and safety precautions.
In Phase 2, the maximum indoor capacity is 50 percent of the restaurants regular indoor seating capacity.
Outdoor dining is still encouraged as long as the restaurant does not exceed its regular operating capacity and physical distancing can be maintained.
Wilton restaurants open for business inside and outside are: Aranci 67, Bianco Rosso, Cactus Rose, Craft 14, Marlys, Orems Diner, Red Rooster Pub, and Wilton Pizza.
Little Pub and Naked Greens are now open for inside dining. Because of their locations on Danbury Road, they were unable to open in Phase 1 for outside dining.
Connecticut Coffee & Grill at 16 Center Street, has 20 inside tables, but for now is not offering inside dining. It is, however, still doing takeout and outside dining.
Two coffee shops in Wilton, Starbucks at 21 River Road and Dunkin Donuts at 35 Danbury Road, are open for takeout service only and neither is offering indoor or outdoor dining at this time. Parlor Pizza & Bar at Wilton River Park is also open for takeout only, according to its website.
However another coffee shop, Tusk & Cup at 152 Old Ridgefield Road, is open for both inside and outdoor dining as well as takeout.
The fine dining restaurant Schoolhouse at Cannondale at 34 Cannon Road has a recorded message on its phone describing how to make a reservation. However, the restaurants website says it is temporarily closed, we expect to do some pop-up events soon.
For hours of operation, reservation information, and menus, visit individual restaurant websites and their social media pages.
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Wilton fitness clubs, restaurants are back in the game - The Wilton Bulletin