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While some people may be looking at 2021 as the year they invest in staying as cozy as possible at home, or finally learn how to master cooking, or seriously upgrade their WFH setup, or even reinvent their skin care routine, there are those who are hoping that the new year will bring them closer than ever to their fitness goals.

These are the people who love working out and have probably started investing in a kind of home gym of their own, and they need presents just as good as everyone else.

To help determine the best products to invest in heading into 2021, weve chatted with health and fitness experts to uncover their secrets and favorite items to gift. After all, if the professionals swear by them, you know theyre high quality. For more gift ideas, check out all our gift guides here and our tips for making sure your presents arrive on time. And if youre in a real hurry, be sure to triple-check shipping times and perhaps choose expedited shipping as well.

Trx All-in-One Suspension Training: Body Weight Resistance System ($169.95; amazon.com)

Trx All-in-One Suspension Training: Body Weight Resistance System

PHOTO: Amazon

If they dont have a ton of space but want to work up a major sweat, personal trainer Miriam Fried recommends this TRX suspension training kit. As she explains, you can easily work out your entire body without building out an entire gym. Win-win!

Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Exercise Bike ($228.33; amazon.com)

Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Exercise Bike

Now, building out a home gym or investing in substantial at-home fitness equipment doesnt have to cost an arm and a leg either. If youre looking for a super-solid bike option to gift that wont take up too much space, this editor-favorite option has 14,000 reviews on Amazon.

Ativafit Yoga Wheel ($38.99; amazon.com)

Ativafit Yoga Wheel

PHOTO: Amazon

Regardless of whether theyre a self-proclaimed yogi or not, this wheel will increase their flexibility and range of motion, and release minor aches and pains, according to Dani Schenone, a holistic wellness expert for Mindbody.

What I love most about it is the support it offers in spinal extensions, giving my heart center all the expansion it needs, she explains. However, its not just for the spine. The yoga wheel is excellent for developing better balance, improving inversions or amplifying any pose too. I pull out my yoga wheel weekly, and it has transformed my yoga practice, she adds.

Everlast Pro Style Training Gloves (starting at $27.04; amazon.com)

Everlast Pro Style Training Gloves

PHOTO: Amazon

Sometimes say, every week of 2020 you just feel the need to punch something. If they have a boxing bag at home, they need gloves that allow them to cross, hook, jab and uppercut their stress away. Travel and fitness guru Dr. Cacinda Maloney recommends these lightweight training gloves. They wick moisture, so your hands wont feel sticky, and you can still keep moving.

Bala Bangles ($49; amazon.com)

Bala Bangles

PHOTO: Amazon

Theyll be impressed by how adding a little more resistance to their daily workouts or chores can shape their stamina and overall fitness level. Danielle Cote, the director of training operations at Pure Barre, recommends these functional and fashionable bangles that fit snug on your wrists or ankles.

Whether you are wearing them during your favorite sweat session, while youre out for a walk or cleaning around the house, these 1-pound or 2-pound weights pack in a sneaky punch to your day, she shares.

Gaiam Yoga Mat ($23.98, originally $29.98; amazon.com)

Gaiam Yoga Mat

PHOTO: Amazon

For yogi and founder of Sequential Body Emilie Perz, theres no better yoga mat than this pick from Gaiam.

My favorite features include the cushioned rubber backing for joint support and stability, the dry-wicking surface the absorbs moisture and prevents yogis from falling during a mega sweat sesh, and the thick backing that adheres to the floor so that the mat doesnt crinkle, curl or move across the room while flowing, she explains.

Plus, its made with natural rubber, so it wont peel like a synthetic mat.

TriggerPoint Grid Foam Roller ($59.99; amazon.com)

TriggerPoint Grid Foam Roller

Foam rollers are a real game changer when it comes to post-workout recovery. They work to loosen up muscles and act as a massage after a trying session, plus theyll be able to work on your quads, calves, lats, back and much more with this top-rated option.

BalanceFrom Colored Neoprene-Coated Dumbbell Set With Stand ($58.40; amazon.com)

BalanceFrom Colored Neoprene-Coated Dumbbell Set With Stand

PHOTO: Amazon

This set of classic dumbbells is available in two weight levels, from a 32-pound set with weights of 3, 5, and 8 pounds to a 50-pound set with weights of 5, 8, and 12 pounds. Both sets feature six weights coated with neoprene (which prevents slipping) and a convenient storage stand.

Aero Speed Hyperformance Jump Rope by Buddy Lee Jump Ropes ($39.95; amazon.com)

Aero Speed Hyperformance Jump Rope by Buddy Lee Jump Ropes

PHOTO: Amazon

Jump rope: It may be one of the simplest workouts, but its an effective one. Fitness and wellness coach Gideon Akande says this is an ideal product for anyone who wants to turn up their cardio speed. Thanks to the weight of the rope, the ergonomics and comfort of the handle and the swivel-bearing technology, he says theyll have a perfect turn each time they hop.

This high-quality rope takes a beating and lasts! This is a must-have in any home gym or fitness travelers luggage, he adds.

Dynamax Soft-Shell Medicine Ball Standard (starting at $85; amazon.com)

Dynamax Soft-Shell Medicine Ball Standard

PHOTO: Amazon

If youre looking to gift a medicine ball, Akande says to look no further. Its perfect for core work and sport-specific training, he explains. These medicine balls are impact-absorbing, built to handle high velocity. Plus, theyre just fun to toss around.

AmazonBasics Medicine Ball ($34.99; amazon.com)

AmazonBasics Medicine Ball

This cheaper medicine ball option is a classic, featuring a textured finish thats easy to grip and a rubber design so you can bounce the ball off hard surfaces.

Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Mini Exercise Bike ($183.99; amazon.com)

Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Mini Exercise Bike

PHOTO: Amazon

As a podiatrist who frequently works with athletes, Dr. Velimir Petkov knows what aids a workout routine and what can cause injury. If theyre a fan of indoor cycling but dont have the space for a Peloton, he says to try out this at-home bike.

It is relatively light and portable but also sturdy enough to stay in one place while being used, he continues. It does have a digital monitor and various levels of resistance in order to make even the most passionate exercise aficionados happy.

Ab Roller Wheel ($17.97, originally $24.97; amazon.com)

The ultimate tool for building up ab strength, this roller is well loved on Amazon for its high quality and low price point. It comes with a knee pad and two bonus e-books that cover everything from ideal diets to different types of ab workouts.

Hyperice Hypersphere Mini ($79; amazon.com)

Hyperice Hypersphere Mini

PHOTO: Amazon

Since you only have one body, its vital to protect and nurture it, which is why a vibrating massage ball like this one is a necessity. As a fitness manager for Red Mountain Resort, Kim Watters shares that using this before a workout can help prepare muscles and soft tissue around the joints and after a workout helps in the recovery process.

It fits easily around/close to joints like in the pocket between the chest and the shoulder joint or in the hip crease. Its also handy in those hard-to-reach areas like around the shoulder blades or SI joints, she explains.

Gruper Thick Yoga Mat (starting at $33.99; amazon.com)

Gruper Thick Yoga Mat

PHOTO: Amazon

Whether theyre going through a Vinyasa yoga flow or doing a 10-minute core series, they need a sturdy mat to keep them in place and focused on movement not slipping. Thats why Jeremiah Maestre, a certified personal trainer for Performix House, recommends this thick mat. Not only can they use it indoors, but its suitable for outdoor workouts too!

NutriBullet 1,200-Watt Full-Size Blender ($99.99; nutribullet.com)

NutriBullet 1,200-Watt Full-Size Blender

PHOTO: NutriBullet

Tommy Duquette, the co-founder of FightCamp and the former USA National Boxing Team member, reminds us that nutrition is one of the essential components of a healthy lifestyle. In fact, you could work out all day, every day, but if you dont focus on a balanced meal plan, you wont see the results youre hoping to achieve. For those times when they dont have the time or energy to dedicate to meal prep and cooking, Duquette recommends this blender.

If I know that I have a full day of meetings after filming my workouts, I will blend up organic fruits and vegetables, coconut water and protein powder for an easy-to-drink a smoothie, he explains. This NutriBullet is big, so I put it in the office fridge and keep refilling my glass until I can get a full meal.

Spiralizer 5-Blade Vegetable Slicer ($25.97, originally $27.99; amazon.com)

Spiralizer 5-Blade Vegetable Slicer

Healthier eating resolutions often call for few to no carbs. The Spiralizer vegetable slicer enables them to turn vegetables into noodles for their next spaghetti dinner and stay true to that keto or paleo diet. The Spiralizers revamped blades are even stronger than before and can cut through hard root vegetables like sweet potatoes and turnips for unlimited vegetable-noodle possibilities. Check out our full review.

Dash Rapid Egg Cooker ($15.99, originally $19.99; amazon.com)

For egg lovers out there, theres no easier way to scramble, hard boil, soft boil or poach eggs than with this Dash egg cooker. It has an auto shutoff function, so their eggs will never overcook and they wont have to babysit them if theyre short on time. Whether its for a quick breakfast or a protein-packed snack, cooking eggs has never been this over easy.

Cosori Air Fryer ($119.99; amazon.com)

Cosori Air Fryer

PHOTO: Amazon

There are plenty of rave reviews for air fryers and many loyal fans of the devices, like Cote. In fact, she says she uses this for everything: frozen food, fresh produce, creative recipes or go-to basics. It provides a necessary crunch to healthy food while using little oil, ultimately resulting in 85% less fat than deep-fried food.

Until I bought this, I had never considered all of the things that you could use it for, she shares.

Utopia Kitchen Glass Food Storage Container Set ($29.99; amazon.com)

Utopia Kitchen Glass Food Storage Container Set

PHOTO: Amazon

When it comes to food prep, storage sets like this option from Utopia Kitchen are a must-have.

Anti-Diet by Christy Harrison (starting at $14.99; amazon.com)

'Anti-Diet' by Christy Harrison

PHOTO: Amazon

Schenone says this one read changed not only her understanding of health and wellness but her life. If youre someone who has struggled with body image, yo-yo dieting and weight loss, this can provide the fundamental shift they crave.

It provides a historical look at the diet industry and uses scientific research to combat common beliefs about the body and health, she explains. It also offers usable strategies to reclaim your life and find true personal health and wellness.

Vitamix E310 Explorian Professional Grade ($289.95, originally $349.95; amazon.com)

Vitamix E310 Explorian Professional Grade

PHOTO: Amazon

Hands down, Schenone says a Vitamix is the best kitchen investment shes given herself. I love being able to make myself a nutritious smoothie in the morning, some nut butter on sourdough toast for lunch and a hot, hearty vegetable soup for dinner all with the same appliance, she raves.

Besides coming with a plethora of recipes and active Facebook groups you can follow for advice and secrets, itll also allow your recipient to easily cook good-for-you meals. As the biggest bonus, perhaps, it also self-cleans, so they can spend less time scrubbing and more time focusing on their health.

SodaStream Jet Sparkling Water Maker ($79.99; amazon.com)

SodaStream Jet Sparkling Water Maker

PHOTO: Amazon

Though we all know how vital it is to drink plenty of water, sometimes good old-fashioned H20 gets boring. To spice it up and still remain hydrated, Perz recommends this sparkling water maker. You can add natural flavors or fresh fruit to create yummy and healthy beverages.

Also, you can feel good buying this because by creating sparkling water with this product youll be limiting plastic waste, she adds.

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Health and fitness gift ideas for anyone obsessed with working out - CNN

Apples Health solution has become a central clearinghouse over the past few years. Thanks to robust fitness tracking for workouts on Apple Watch, and now with Apple Fitness+ adding a new option for working out with the Apple Platform, there is a need for better tracking solutions with your data. Today, Fitness Totals launches as a way to easily compare weekly, monthly, yearly, and all-time totals for steps, running, cycling, and over a dozen other fitness activities.

Measuring your progress with health data is one of the most effective ways to ensure youre staying on track with your goals. With Fitness Totals, managing long-term fitness progress becomes a solved problem. The app is built to emphasize weekly, monthly, and yearly activity totals and make them available in customizable widgets ready for iOS 14.

Following with the trend of Apple Health, Fitness Totals collects only the essential data in order to populate the app, and its not shared elsewhere. If you want to share your totals, the app included simple sharing using the standard iOS sharing sheet.

Fitness Totals can be downloaded on The App Store for $2.99.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

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Fitness Totals simplifies monitoring weekly, monthly, or yearly fitness activity on iOS - 9to5Mac

Guides

Phillys health and wellness community is finding new ways to evolve, and in some cases, starting fresh.

Strength Haus, one of Phillys new fitness businesses to launch during the pandemic, hosts an outdoor class in Queen Village. | Photo courtesy Strength Haus Instagram.

With all of the change and challenge of this year for the fitness and wellness industry, its a marvel to see new fitness initiatives opening up. But, we shouldnt be surprised. The Philly area is chock full of determined and passionate trainers and leaders who are creating their own paths, whether IRL and socially distanced, or entirely online. (Shout out to all the virtual races that happened this year, too.) Here are just some of the new digital and in-person offerings that have cropped up in the Philly area since March.

These new workout classes (which kicked off during the most recent city shutdown) typically take place on Sundays outdoors and socially distanced in different locations around Philly. Check their Instagram for information and to get on a mailing list for workout updates.

Leavell Up Fitness is a body-positive and inclusive fitness network that seeks to make exercise accessible and joyful. It was launched this year by Lauren Leavell, a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and group fitness instructor. Check the website for membership options.

The stylish new Nordic-inspired space in Nolibs opened this year and offers sauna sessions, massages, and limited contact private booking. Read more about their opening and their offerings here.

Yoga teacher Marissa Nash launched the Well Studio in October, a virtual studio focusing on movement, breath work, community, and meditation. Members get access to a weekly movement and meditation sessions and a monthly wellness guest expert talk. Check out all the information on their website.

Yoga instructor Lisa ORear launched Align Your Asana 2.0, a group coaching course centered around yoga this fall. Check her website and Instagram for the latest updates and future offerings.

Fit pro Jayel Lewis pivoted to launch her Fitness Curriculum, a program which teaches fitness professionals how to build their online platforms and businesses, and create additional revenue streams, in July. Shell be offering more sessions in the coming year, too. Find out more on the website.

OMM Yoga Studio, which stands for Organic Mindful Movement, was founded by Anne Ledyard, Jacki Silva Steuer, and Melissa Green Henkin. They created it after being laid off from CorePower Yoga amid the coronavirus pandemic. Check out their full list of offerings on their website.

This brand new gym from Whitney Blaylock opened this September on East Allegheny Avenue. It was designed to be a space where women can confidently reach their fitness goals the space features painted walls by fashion designer Iris Barbee Bonner. Check their Instagram and website for their latest updates.

This program from fitness coach Angelena Minniti includes a 12-week group coaching course that will come with a progressive strength training program, live workouts, a nutritionist and a community of like-minded individuals. Check her Instagram and website for more information.

Spirits Up! launched in June, and has since continued expanding their initiatives to include socially distanced group workouts like running, yoga, and meditation, as well as plenty of virtual health and wellness events. Theyre working towards a goal of opening a brick-and-mortar location, too. Check out the latest updates on the website and Instagram.

Yoga instructor Jung Kim kicked off her virtual yoga program, YogaJung, this year, partnering with various other local organizations in the process. Check her website for the latest updates and schedule.

Fitness coach and entrepreneur Jackie Dragones latest offering is The Program, a 90-day small group training for busy women that want to build sustainable healthy habits. Find out more information here.

Launched during the pandemic by Latifah McMullin and Jimmy Kirby, the Practice in the Park yoga series takes place outdoors and socially distanced in Malcolm X Park on select dates. Check Instagram for the latest updates and information about upcoming classes.

The movement and meditation classes from Joy Moves are available by membership subscription or drop-in. Find more information and the latest scheduling information online.

Launched in September 2020, this new studio from instructors Alyssa Beerger and Michele Dolaway offers pilates, barre, and yoga virtually as well as in outdoor locations in Ambler. Check their website or Instagram for the latest updates.

The Refresh is a Be Well with Beth fitness and nutrition online program created for busy parents. It provides weekly action prompts, online resources, Zoom chats and other tools to help parents feel energized and in control of their health and wellness. Find out more information on the website.

Konect offers recovery compression therapy, chiropractor services, IV therapy, and chryotherapy in NoLibs, and opened this past summer. Check their website for the latest information on pricing and availability of services.

Another NoLibs newcomer, Nirvana medical wellness spa was founded by a former Rescue Spa esthetician, and includes a staff largely drawn from other former Rescue spa workers. Learn more about them here.

Lets get social! Join Be Well Philly at:FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | NEWSLETTER | TWITTER

The rest is here:
New Fitness Businesses That Opened in Philadelphia Amid the Pandemic - Philadelphia magazine

Gov. Walz says regular exercise is critical to the mental and emotional well-being of families across the state.

ST PAUL, Minn. Governor Tim Walz's modifications to the current statewide shutdown impacts gyms along with rec centers, indoor climbing facilities, dance and martial arts studios.

A small, local gym owner is embracing the change, saying it's better than nothing.

Angie Thompson is the owner of Vault Fitness in Eden Prairie - it's been shut down now for nearly 4 weeks. A month ago, she told KARE 11 her business was just starting to bounce back from the springtime closure.

"It's not ideal for sure, but at this point we'll kind of take what we can get, you know," said Thompson.

The governor confirmed, beginning Saturday, Dec. 19, gyms can open at 25% capacity or have up to 100 people inside at a time. People also have to now wear masks at all times and keep 12 feet of distance between everyone.

"It's not lost on me we're fighting a health care pandemic," said Gov. Walz. "Why would we not want people to be as healthy as they could?" He added that gyms have "figured out smart ways and thought about things, so we hear you on that."

The Minnesota Department of Health has always maintained gyms are just naturally risky environments and precautions will lower the risk, not eliminate it. While larger gyms have long argued the spaces are not the source of community spread.

Planet Fitness operator and COO Alex Mortensen writing a statement that reads:

Although the added mandates will present some challenges, we feel confident that we will be able to operate within the guidelines and provide a safe environment for our members. Our 22 locations in MN average over 20,000 square feet providing plenty of room for "social fitnessing". We strongly believe the MN fitness industry is essential as part of preventative and mental health care. This reopening of fitness centers in MN is further acknowledgement that Planet Fitness and the greater MN fitness industry is part of the solution, not part of the problem.

Mortensen also says Planet Fitness is working with Gov. Walz to guide the decision-making process and they hope to see more roll backs by the first of the year.

Life Time Inc. released a statement:

We appreciate this step forward in recognition of the vital role health and fitness facilities play in helping thousands of Minnesotans maintain their physical and mental health, which is especially important at this time. Good health helps to reduce COVID risks and so having safe spaces to exercise as winter approaches is an essential part of the solution to this crisis.

Thompson says her gym is ready to re-open and she and her staff are sanitizing the space three times a day and most clients make appointments, as well as clean the equipment after they're done using it.

"As much as we want to get very excited about it, I'm definitely still a little bit guarded because you just don't know," said Thompson.

Gov. Walz also said group fitness classes can start on January 4th, and he will provide more guidance about that at a later date.

KARE 11s coverage of the coronavirus is rooted in Facts, not Fear. Visit kare11.com/coronavirus for comprehensive coverage. Have a question? Text it to us at 763-797-7215. And get the latest coronavirus updates sent right to your inbox every morning. Subscribe to the KARE 11 Sunrise newsletter here. Help local families in need: http://www.kare11.com/give11.

The state of Minnesota has set up a data portal online at mn.gov/covid19.

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Gyms, fitness studios will reopen with new capacity limits and mask guidelines - KARE11.com

On a recent evening, DeMarcus Ware, the retired linebacker, reported to the retail space that fronts 3 Volt Fitness, his new training center in Trophy Club, Texas, and opened a box of shirts. They were wrinkled, so he picked up a steamer to press them, but noticed that a few members were looking at him, eyes locked in.

Like Im a mannequin, he says. I was like, How are you? Whats going on? You want me to show you around?

Forgive the gawkers. At 64, Ware, 38, still cuts a statuesque figure. Though he left the NFL in 2016 after 12 seasonsundergoing three back surgeries and one neck operation during that last campaignhe has not slowed. Each day, he still takes in between 5,000 and 6,000 calories and works out for an hour, referring to his body as a fat-burning machine. Hes always moving, hopping from one task to the next, be it on a treadmill or in the virtual world where he now operates.

Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY Sports

In the midst of what he calls a transition to another realm, Ware has been busy despite the pandemics challenges. In July, he opened the gym, which boasts a class called Get After That Ass. And just last week he launched an app, Driven to Win, that allows users to feel like they are working out alongside Ware, who appears on screen as a lifelike 3D-model avatar. Following a dominant career on the field, Ware, who will enter the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame next May, believed the gym and app were the perfect way to intertwine two of his lifelong passions.

I wanted to be at that intersection of training and technology, he says. I can bring it right to you now, sharing what got me going all those years. This is what I know.

Ware learned to work out and lift weights in a gym with rusty barbells at the Boys & Girls Club in Auburn, Ala. In high school, he weighed in at 185 pounds as a wideout, but at Troy University, he developed into a defensive presence as he teamed with future NFL star Osi Umenyiora to record 25 sacks and 40 tackles for a loss in one season. Ware followed that up by wreaking havoc in the Sun Belt Conference with 32 quarterback hurries, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries the next year. The destruction drew the attention of scouts, and Dallas selected him with the No. 11 pick in the 2005 NFL Draft. Thereon, Ware absorbed lessons from veterans like Greg Ellis, Terrell Owens and Larry Newman on maintaining their explosiveness over time. Each placed a premium on recovery methods, and Ware took those early details to heart, monitoring what he put in his body and sharpening his approach.

But there was always a technological side to Ware. In his youth, he would sift through the floppy-disk hard drives that students at Auburn University would leave behind at the end of each semester. Then, he studied computer science as his major in college, and in the NFL, he grew more curious as teams implemented artificial intelligence and virtual reality components into game preparations and training techniques during the last decade. By the time he knew his career was winding downwhen he could barely walk after games in his final yearhe decided to focus his attention on melding his passions, as a way to find a natural role for himself outside the game.

I always wanted to know more about what I could do better, differently, he says.

Ware sought partners to make sure he could produce the right app. In 2018, he paired with Calvin Carter, the CEO of Bottle Rocket, a developer that has created apps for companies like Disney and Capital One. When it came to physical production, Ware and his colleagues constructed a room and positioned 300 cameras throughout the space. Constantly active, Ware and his fitness partner, Angela Daniel, performed and recorded more than 700 exercises for users to follow. To reinforce each step, Ware provided details as if he was instructor in the room with the user, offering tips on what angles to use and how to create leverage during sessions.

Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY Sports

Ware knew the body and the toll exacted by career in professional football. As a reminder of his painful path, he kept the documentation of the 51 injuries he endured. But to establish himself in the fitness industry, he studied and gained his certification as a personal trainer. He is alsostudying muscle activation therapy and isin the process of becoming a certified nutrition coach. Instead of simply slapping his name on the business, he has taken to being involved with granular decisions. For now, he participates in classes with the clientele, but he aspires to someday lead sessions that span 45 minutes. He has also brought in top equipment, including a pilates machine, the M3X+ Megaformer with a ramp (which he boasts is the only one in Texas), as well as the FTG Woodway treadmills, which arenon-motorized and provide a curved running surface.

"He is not just putting the money up," says Randi Chapman, a co-owner in the gym venture. Hes exploring it all.

Money is returning, as well. The app costs $14.99 a month or $99.99 for a full year. While the exercise list is expansive, he also plans on adding to the workout selection as time goes on. He recognized that there was risk in both opening the gym and unveiling the app amid the pandemic, but he also saw opportunity with people working from home and wanting to change up their routine since they were locked down or unable to exercise in their usual facilities. He follows cleanliness protocolsspaces are limited to meet local limits, each piece of equipment gets wiped down after use, masks are required upon entrance and temperatures are taken as a precautionary measurewhile the coronavirus continues to complicate indoor gatherings. The air filtration system is also as important as ever.

I accepted the challenge and took a chance, he says. A lot of people were like, Why start in a pandemic? I thought about what I have done in my life to get to college and the NFL and Super Bowl, and then I applied those lessons in starting the gym business.

When Ware first retired, he did some work in television, but then he started thinking about what he really wanted to do with the fitness knowledge that he gained in playing for the Cowboys for nine seasons and winning a Super Bowl during his three-season tenure with the Broncos. He set up his first workout space in a two-car garage in his Texas brownstone, and went to work on imagining what he could relate to interested parties. After visiting with Apples app developers, he gauged what he could do with augmented reality and 3D visualization before he went about breaking down his process. After an initial testing phase, a personalized program is developed for each user and progress is tracked. For areas of the body that need attention, the technology recommends muscles to target.

Still, Ware wanted to know whether he could outsmart the technology that is programmed to prescribe your proper routine. After testing some of the programs on a local high school team, he tried to trick the app.

I couldnt do it, he says. It knew.

Ware welcomed teammates to make cameo appearances on the app, as well. Broncos linebacker Von Miller is an avatar, as is Leighton Vander Esch. They are partnering with the NFLPA, and plans include the introduce of more athletes from across the athletic realmMLS, WNBA, et al.in order to expose users to the position-specific of workouts that elite athletes execute across the sporting spectrum.

Four months into his gym ownership, Ware has more than 100 members. He interacts with the clientele regularly, hops into classes and converses with newcomers. He keeps customers guessing by not appearing on schedules for classes. Still, he pops in unannounced to get his workouts in and tends to the details, as well. Disorder continues to annoy him, and he addresses issues as needed.

If you need me to rearrange the barbells, Im there for that, too, he says.

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Former NFL Star DeMarcus Ware Joins Passions for Fitness and Technology with New Venture - Sports Illustrated

Clients take a class under the heated tent at Dumbarton House. Photograph courtesy of OutFit.

When the pandemic hit, Kara Holinski, 23, and Justin Hunter, 22, realized they really, really missed going to group fitness classes. The Foggy Bottom couple played sports in collegebasketball for Holinski at MIT, and football for Hunter at Harvard. Post-graduation, they turned to guided classes like Orangetheory, Barrys, or Flywheel to help them find a workout routine.

But when gyms and studios opened again in June, the two didnt feel comfortable working out indoors. They realized there were plenty of outdoor public spaces in DC available for use, and a lot of fitness instructors out of work as studios closed or laid off employees. So they decided to capitalize on the moment and create their own pandemic-era fitness group.

OutFit is a platform for instructors to host outdoors, socially distant workout classes in DC. Holinski and Hunter provide the locations, workout equipment, and tools to book clients, and instructors are free to set their own rates and coach classes whenever theyd like. So far, the group is working with 20 coaches who have experience at spots like Solidcore, CorePower, and Orangetheory. Hundreds have signed up for classes.

The group launched in October and was originally hosting classes at spots like Meridian Hill Park. But as winter approached, they realized they needed to find a spot to protect clients from the elements. The couple decided to contact event venues that may be seeing a drop in business and reached a deal with Dumbarton House in Georgetown.

Since the beginning of December, OutFit has hosted HIIT classes, yoga sculpt sessions, and cycling under a tent on Dumbartons back patio. The spot has industrial grade heaters that kick the temperature up by 25 degrees, and because its distanced from the street, theyre able to blast music during workouts (no silent disco-like headphones). Clients are required to wear masks the whole time, all stations are spaced widely apart, and the tent has open sides to provide ventilation.

The duo says all these steps make the experience feel almostlike being back in a boutique workout class: [It has] a lot of the feel of a studio. Its 65 [degrees] with music, and we have lights and all that type of stuff, but just in Corona times, says Hunter. While the winds are howling and its cold and rainy, we found a way to make it feel like the old environment.

And because there isnt a ton of overheadno expensive studio rental fee, no stocking the fridge with bougie vegan power bitesOutFit is able to give a bigger kickback to instructors than theyd make at typical studios, the duo says. Ninety percent of proceeds from park classes go toward instructors, and teachers get 50 percent of the profits from Dumbarton classes.

While OutFit isnt the couples full-time gigHolinski works for the philanthropy Schmidt Futures, and Hunter is at Capital Onethey have big dreams for the group. They plan to continue hosting classes beyond the pandemic, and one day expand the OutFit platform into other cities and make it a full-time venture.

The way they see it, OutFit fills a gap in the fitness community: Typically, instructors can either get into the business by investing in their own studio, working for a group that sets their schedule and wages, or scrapping it out on their own.

Our hope is to create a fourth option, where you can get a lot of the infrastructure that a studio would provide as far as marketing and digital, but its on your own terms with your own brand, says Hunter. I dont think people necessarily want to be tied down for something that theyre on call for, and are more interested in a flexible, entrepreneurial style of work.

They hope to do some good along the way, too. Their classes are often cheaper than options like $39 Solidcore workouts, which they hope makes fitness more attainable to all demographics. And the duo eventually plans to direct one-percent of the revenue toward upkeep of parks or other public spaces in low-income communities.

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Associate Editor

Mimi Montgomery joined Washingtonian in 2018. Her work has appeared in Outside Magazine, Washington City Paper, DCist, and PoPVille. Originally from North Carolina, she now lives in Petworth.

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This Group Is Giving Out-of-Work Fitness Instructors a Way to Host Safe Workout Classes Outdoors - Washingtonian

More surprising, the pandemic seems to have nudged some people to start moving more, additional research found. An online survey of runners and other athletes in June reported that most of these already active people said they were training more frequently now.

A separate British study, however, produced more-nuanced results. Using objective data from an activity-tracking phone app, its authors found that many of the older app users were up and walking more regularly after the pandemic began. But a majority of the younger, working-age adults, even if they had been active in the before times, sat almost all day now.

The long-range impacts of Covid on how often and in what ways we move are unsettled, of course, and I suspect will be the subject of considerable research in the years ahead. But, as someone who writes about, enjoys and procrastinates with exercise, the primary lesson of this year in exercise for me has been that fitness, in all its practical and evocative meanings, has never been so important.

In a useful study I wrote about in August, for instance, young, college athletes all supremely fit produced more antibodies to a flu vaccine than other healthy but untrained young people, a result that will keep me working out in anticipation of the Covid vaccine.

More poetically, in a mouse study I covered in September, animals that ran became much better able to cope later with unfamiliar trouble and stress than animals that had sat quietly in their cages.

And in perhaps my favorite study of the year, people who undertook awe walks, during which they deliberately sought out and focused on the small beauties and unexpected wonders along their way, felt more rejuvenated and happier afterward than walkers who did not cultivate awe.

In other words, we can dependably find solace and emotional and physical strength in moving through a world that remains lovely and beckoning. Happy, healthy holidays, everyone.

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Fitness 2020: The Year in Exercise Science - The New York Times

Degree prepares students for both graduate studies and entry into management, marketing and administrative positions in educational and sport business settings.

Michael Mercier | UAH

The challenges that have accompanied 2020 have not stopped the College of Education (COE) at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), a part of the University of Alabama System, from achieving a significant milestone this year. The COE announced that it had recently graduated its first cohort of BS degree students in Sports and Fitness Management (SFM) this past August. This new degree path represents the culmination of a goal that has been in the works for several years.

"Dr. Jeremy Elliot [assistant professor, Kinesiology] and Dr. David Kyle [lecturer, Kinesiology] developed the program of study, which was approved in 2018," says Dr. Michael Craw, assistant professor of Kinesiology and program chair. "I began my tenure as SFM Program Chair in Aug. 2019. The impetus for the SFM program was to offer a specialized degree program of interdisciplinary applicability, in terms of its emphasis on teamwork, leadership, strategy and franchise management in a sports business context."

Dr. Craw acknowledges that it has been gratifying to see that first cohort of graduates accept their diplomas this year. The first graduates represented in the initial cohort include Trey Lewis, Ryan McRae and Colsten Thompson. A new crop of graduates is slated to attend virtual commencement in December as well.

"Trey and Colsten have already accepted gainful employment in sport," Dr. Craw says. "Ryan is in grad school. SFM believes it offers a program of study that is student-learning outcomes focused, which in the case of our first three graduates has seamlessly assisted them in career and/or future learning pathways."

A degree in Sports and Fitness Management can take a graduate in any number of interesting directions within the field, to everything from working with sports programs, to project administration and event management. This flexibility aims to allow the student to craft their future path to their perceived strengths.

"There's an often-quoted statement that goes as follows: 'sport today is too much of a game to be a business; and too much of a business to be a game,'" Dr. Craw explains. "'Sport' being the all-encompassing word in the UAH SFM program, we engage into inquiry about things like performance-related to community sport activities, interscholastic sport, intercollegiate sport, professional sport and international sport. The 'business' of sport is examined through a strategy and objectives lens, which is contextualized according to local, region, state, national and international levels. SFM Majors take classes in sport business focused classes of Marketing, Law, Finance, Event Management, Sociology and other courses like Facility Management, Ethics and a 200-hour capstone internship experience. Collectively, the knowledge, skills and experience gained contribute to our students being job-ready upon graduation."

Featuring 21 SFM majors at the present time, the COE anticipates the program continuing to grow as more and more students discover this option for a BS degree.

"SFM's goal is to offer a credible and insightful learning narrative that supports students interested in a career in sport and its management," Dr. Craw says. "The foundational learning narrative is underpinned by 'future cone' theory (Hancock & Bezold, 1994, Voros, 2003, Voros, 2017), where students are encouraged to analyze 'the now,' then synthesize accepted theory and practice to reveal probability, plausibility and possibility (for the purpose of the sustainability of sport). SFM seeks students that have an entrepreneurial spirit. Those with a mix of qualities such as creativity, passion, impactful effective communication and are motivated for change through critical inquiry, taking calculated risks to develop confidence to execute plans, are empathetic, and resilient in a sport business context, then a career in SFM may be for you."

Women represent a particular focus for the SFM degree program as well.

"The growth of women in sport is a global mega trend, and there's no sign of this abating," Dr. Craw notes. "Sexism in sport is decreasing, and diversity is increasing. Given this pattern, UAH is astute to leverage its degree-offering opportunities for women in the sport industry. Up till recently, women's sports leagues have been modelled after men's leagues, which has been almost barrier-like in terms of developing all of the business of sport. Now, however, the business of sport recognizes a substantial shift in social, economic and environmental conditions that suggest women's sports has its own unique aspects. When such aspects are embraced, a properly targeted opportunity of women to study SFM may ensue. I believe that the corporate sector and community sector will capitalize on the employment of women in sport business because of emerging platforms of greater media exposure in women's sports, higher fan attendances at women's games and increases in participation ages of girls in sport."

So what does he see the future hold?

"SFM will seek specialized accreditation through the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA)," Dr. Craw says. "The aim is to begin the accreditation inquiry stage process next month with a view to join COSMA in October 2021. The proposed theme for our claim for accreditation will be 'Assurance of Learning.' COSMA reviews sport managements programs and evaluates how thoroughly the program educates students and prepares them for a career in the sport management industry; accreditation is a significant plus for the long-term future of the SFM program and the skill sets of its graduates." The goal is to be accredited by late 2023 or early 2024.

While the finish line may not yet be in sight, the COE Sports and Fitness Management program has definitely charged out of the blocks. Given the popularity of professional and amateur sports, one can only imagine that there will be a corresponding growth and interest in the new degree.

"As the SFM program evolves, so will its reach," Dr. Craw says.

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College of Education welcomes first cohort of graduates in Sports and Fitness Management - UAH News

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Smartwatches arent as new as you might think. While far from elegant, tech fans wore oversized calculator watches all the way back in the 1980s. And in 2004, Microsoft introduced what might be considered the first modern smartwatcha connected device that could display news, weather, and your Outlook meetings by downloading data over the FM radio band. These days, smartwatches are so much more advanced theyre virtually unrecognizable.

The best Android smartwatches are modern marvels that can run countless apps, respond to voice commands, track your health and fitness, make electronic payments, track your sleep and more. Actually telling the time is way down on the list. One thing you really wont need to worry about is the watchs operating system; steer clear of the Apple Watch and youre ok, because all the other watchesfrom Googles Wear OS to Samsungs Tizen to Fitbit OS all are fully optimized for your Android phone.

That should make it easier to concentrate on what really matters, like should your watch focus more on style or fitness? How important is the battery life? And do you want a round or square watch face? Read on, because weve rounded up nine of the best Android-compatible smartwatches for every kind of watch wearer.

You cant really go wrong with any smartwatch on this page, but the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is one of the all-around best Android smartwatches you can buy. Its not quite the prettiest, nor does it have the best battery life. But its superb rotating bezel is a fun and effective interface for spinning through apps and notifications, and Samsungs Tizen operating system is often easier and smarter than Googles own Wear OS.

It also packs health and fitness sensors. It does all the usual stuff including heart rate, ECG and sleep monitoring, but also includes this years hottest additions, SpO2 (blood oxygen saturation levels) and VO2 max (oxygen consumption during exercise). Throw in water resistance to 5ATM and a huge library of home workout videos included, and its hard to beat. Too bad the battery doesnt last more than a day.

Honor is Huaweis halo brand (sort of like the way Lexus operates as Toyotas luxury line), and its phones have had some challenges operating in the US of late. That might be why Huawei is leaning into smartwatches like the Magic Watch 2and if so, no complaints from us. This watch packs a lot of features into a very affordable frame, coming in at half the price of a model like the Galaxy Watch 3.

Despite the low price, it has excellent fitness programs navigable using a second, dedicated crown, along with a gorgeous, brighter-than-average display with rich color thanks to AMOLED. You get a lot of exercise modes, especially for running, and the watch tracks an extensive array of stats. All that keeps running for close to two weeks at a time before it needs a charge.

Weve been fans of Motorolas Moto 360 since the very first generation, when round watch faces were still pretty rare among smartwatches. The latest third generation does away with the annoying notch at the bottom of the screen, so now you get a perfectly round and seamless display. The overall ensembleincluding the tasteful bezel and leather strapmeans the watch doesnt look like a smartwatch. It simply looks like a watch. (The watch comes with both a workout-friendly silicone strap and the more refined leather one.)

Its not just good looks, either. The battery can be fully charged in about a hour, and the Wear OS has all the apps you might need, including Google Pay for mobile payments. You also get the usual fitness features, including a heart rate monitor and sleep tracking.

If you love the idea of the rotating bezel to control your watch and dont want to spend your kids college fund on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3, the Galaxy Watch Active 2 is a good alternative. This is a solid, smart-looking and well-equipped watch that is priced somewhere in the middle of the pack. It has a heart rate monitor, ECG and VO2 max sensors, is waterproof and hosts a slew of fitness features, like automatic exercise detection. A watch that does a lot of things pretty well, this is the one to choose if you dont have a hankering for a specific model or a particular set of features.

If you dont carefully follow the smartwatch business, youve probably never heard of Mobvois TicWatch Pro 3. It would be a shame not to consider this watch, though, because it has all the essentials you expect in a smartwatch, including really generous battery life. Youll get up to three days of normal use, and up to 45 days in Extended mode, which disables non-essential features.

Its not all about the battery, though. The large OLED display is bright and colorful, and it includes a a heart rate monitor as well as an SpO2 sensor. Its also waterproof (able to track swim workouts) and features a handful of custom exercise and fitness apps to supplement the many Wear OS features.

The latest version of the Skagen Connected Falster 3 is a very stylish watch that has some distinctive design featuresnotably the three buttons on the right, which gives this watch a certain industrial design cachet. In reality, the two buttons that surround the center button/crown combo are user-configurable to launch your favorite apps.

Otherwise you get a good implementation of Googles Wear OS with a highly configurable battery. You can set any of four different modes to control how long the battery lasts, which can deliver weeks of runtime in its most conservative mode. And while this watch almost looks too fancy for workouts, its waterproof to 5ATM, adding swim tracking as one of its many fitness features.

Almost any smartwatch can help you get through your daily workout. They pretty much all have heart rate monitors and are compatible with fitness tracking apps. But the Garmin Forerunner 245 is almost unquestionably the right choice for dedicated runners and other fitness fanatics. For starters, its equipped with GPS so you dont need to bring your phone on workouts. You can use the built-in adaptive exercise coaching, and get a Performance Condition assessment, which tells you in real time about how well youre performing compared to your actual potential.

If youre a hardcore runner training for competition, youll appreciate advanced analytics like ground contact time balance, stride length, vertical ratio and more (when you use the watch with additional, optional Garmin sensors). Despite all that, the Forerunner 245 still manages about a full week of battery life, in part because the display is not a touchscreen. That might seem like an off choice for a smartwatch, but with the Forerunners focus on sports and fitness, having a non-touch screen can actually be seen as an advantage.

Fossils Gen 5 is an all-around awesome watch. Not on the same level as Samsungs Galaxy Watch 3, but to some degree thats because Samsung invests in its superb Tizen operating system, and Fossil uses Googles Wear OSwhich is fine, but not superlative. You get a bit more than a day of battery life, the full suite of health and fitness apps and waterproofing down to 3ATM. Theres onboard GPS for phone-free workouts and reliable heart rate sensing. It also has a nice visual aesthetic, similar to the Skagen Connected Falster 3 with its three side buttons.

Fitbit is such a fixture in the smartwatch field that it definitely deserves its own category, and the Versa 3 is the best companion to your Android phone, even though its not the most premium smartwatch in the Fitbit lineup. Of course, the first thing youll notice is that its got a square displayuncommon these days, but not unpleasant to look at. It has a bright and sharp AMOLED display which, despite being always-on, still manages almost a full week on a charge.

Theres on-board GPS, which is great considering Fitbit is widely considered the master at health and fitness features. It can track 20 different activities with a wealth of automatic exercise detection modes. And one of the coolest features to keep you active is Fitbits Active Zone Minutes which eschews step counting for monitoring how long during the day youre actually engaged in physical activitya much better measure for those who move in a variety of ways.

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The 9 Best Android Smartwatches In 2020 Enhance Your Fitness And Style - Forbes

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The TeamUp Fitness Appis the place to find and connect with other fitness gurus and enthusiasts.With the app's emphasis on social interactivity, users are able to meet in-person or virtually with people who make health & fitness a top priority and find partners who are compatible with their fitness goals.App users can find their one true fitness companion - a person who can challenge the user's fitness regimen and help them stay on track with their workout plans through the holiday season and beyond.

In a lot of ways, TeamUp is very similar to some of the most popular dating apps on the market. Each individual user has the ability to create their own personalized profile, specifically designed for fitness enthusiasts to reflect their interests and goals. This, in addition to the messaging and connectivity features, has positioned the TeamUp Fitness App to be the leading "dating app" of the fitness industry.

"As funny as it sounds, finding a great workout partner is a lot like dating, said Frank Peperno, CMO.

"First, you need to do some research and interact with someone to feel out compatibility. From there, you can determine if that person is going to push you and challenge you in hopes that you improve your overall lifestyle. When it comes to fitness, that level of interaction is what TeamUp brings to the table."

On the TeamUp Fitness App, users can find people in their local area who are interested in similar workouts and athletic activities, including gym workouts, weightlifting, indoor cardio, yoga, Pilates, outdoor running, hiking, sports, and more.The app's ability to connect users with people from around the world can help those looking to make new friends and learn more about fitness during a time at which such activities have become challenging.

To learn more about the TeamUp Fitness App, please visit https://www.teamup.fitness.

About TeamUp Fitness

TeamUp Fitness is a community-based platform that's specifically designed for fitness enthusiasts and fitness professionals. Members from all over the world join the platform to meet new friends, workout partners, fitness professionals and nutritionists. TeamUp has positioned itself to be the leading "dating app" of the fitness industry.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Tiffany Kayar[emailprotected]

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get-matched-with-the-fitness.jpeg Get Matched with the Fitness Companion of Your Dreams

SOURCE TeamUp Fitness

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Get Matched with the Fitness Companion of Your Dreams - PRNewswire

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