World Fitness Blog : Leading Global Bloggers

November 26, 2021

New COVID-19 Variant Spurs Travel Restrictions in Southern African Countries

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: , , — admin @ 11:29 pm

A new fast-spreading variant of COVID-19 caused the U.S. government to restrict travel from southern African countries today. “Omicron” is now officially a Variant of Concern (VOC) for the World Health Organization (WHO). In addition to the U.S., other nations are also taking action in hopes of rapidly containing the new variant.

The new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in South Africa first came to the attention of WHO on November 24, 2021. The first confirmed infection of the variant was from a specimen on November 9. Botswana, Hong Kong, Belgium, and Israel have also had cases of the variant. It became a Variant of Concern for WHO on November 26.

“…this variant has been detected at faster rates than previous surges in infection, suggesting that this variant may have a growth advantage.” WHO wrote in an earlier statement.

New travel prohibitions

The New York Times reports the U.S. will prohibit travelers from South Africa, as well as Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Malawi. The travel ban doesn’t include U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. However, these groups will need a negative coronavirus test before traveling to the U.S.

In addition to the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, Bahrain, Belgium, Croatia, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malta, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Singapore have restricted travel or stopped travel from South Africa.

European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said a flight ban was necessary because “mutations could lead to the emergence and spread of even more concerning variants of the virus that could spread worldwide within a few months.”

To be clear, health officials know the new variant is different. But they don’t yet know if Omicron is more life-threatening.

“This is a suspect variant. We don’t know if it is a very dangerous variant,” Belgium’s Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke said. Globally, there have been more than 5 million deaths due to COVID-19 and its variants.

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September 10, 2021

Should You Rethink the Way You Use the Gym Post-Pandemic?

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: , , — admin @ 7:04 pm

Most 14-year-olds see lifting weights as a launchpad to escape an awkward teenage body. Troy Perez saw the practice as something else: a bridge to connect with his dad, who had been struck with a brain aneurysm. “He was a man’s man—he built everything—and when the whole right side of his body became paralyzed, so much was taken from him physically,” says Perez.

The high schooler spent hours daily training his father, noticing his joy as his strength improved, even slightly and incrementally. “I realized then that if you’re not moving, you’re not living,” says Perez.

Now 50 years old, Perez is part of a new wave of personal trainers. He and others emphasize that 
“gains” can be more than just a bigger bicep measurement and preach that the gym is not just a place to get swole.

“Physical fitness is more than getting buff—it’s about other physiological processes you 
can’t see, and the mind as well.” Perez espouses the philosophy in personal training sessions and at Club Metro USA, his gym in Franklin Park, NJ, where he’s helping clientele get back in shape after the long COVID layoff away from the gym.

Black and white portrait of man in T-shirt
Marius Bugge

Returning to post-pandemic gyms

Perez points to the fact that America was hit so hard by the pandemic in part because so many people here are overweight. The CDC’s figures show obesity booming and link it to an increased rate of hospitalization and death. Though the COVID vaccines are providing relief from the worst outcomes, they are not the answer alone.

“We all wanted the vaccine, and that’s great,” says Perez. “But now everybody thinks they’re fixed. That’s wrong. You need to get to a local gym and put your- self on a program so that your life is more sustainable, with less injury, less sickness, and with a stronger immune system. That’s how you will be fixed.”

To anyone who will listen, Perez preaches that as we return to the gym, we should see it as a holistic place to grow both physically and mentally. “Curveballs get thrown in everybody’s life,” says Perez, who says he found his life’s calling when his father fell ill. COVID, he continues, was the curveball that came for us all. Here’s how to reengage with the gym after that lapsed membership—and get your health back on track.

1. Switch it up

Over a year in quarantine, you might have leaned in on one exercise routine that works for you, like Peloton or running. But now it’s time to branch out. “Switch it up. Hit cardio, weights, and flexibility over the course of a week. Stimulate your body in multiple ways and you’ll improve your functional strength.”

2. Take that free session

Join (or rejoin) your nearby fitness center and they’ll probably offer you one free personal training session. “Most people don’t take it, and that’s a huge mistake. Nine out of 10 times you’ll hear someone say, ‘I never knew I was doing that wrong.’” Use the session to fix your form on your favorite equipment.

3. Don’t choose a gym on price alone

Some corporate gyms have raced to the bottom, price-wise, with the intention of signing up as many people as possible, then hoping they don’t come back. “Shop around. A few bucks more a month at a local, more personal gym might just be worth it.”

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August 2, 2021

SoulCycle and Equinox Demand Vaccination Proof

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: , , , , — admin @ 7:04 pm

The big boys of fashionable fitness, Equinox and SouldCycle, will be requiring proof of vaccination of all of their New York attendees starting early in September. In an internal survey of its members and employees, Equinox had found that an overwhelming majority of support for its vaccine mandate.

So, no biggie. Sadly, all of SoulCycle’s cycles go nowhere, no matter how hard you pedal, so if you just have to sit there and take the abuse if the anti-vaxxers come up on you all, “don’t card me vaccine Nazi!”

 

 

Read SoulCycle and Equinox Demand Vaccination Proof at its original source Breaking Muscle:

https://breakingmuscle.com/news/soulcycle-and-equinox-demand-vaccination-proof

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August 1, 2021

Erectile Dysfunction and COVID-19, a Relationship Made in Hell

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: , , , — admin @ 7:06 pm

ED is defined as “an inability to obtain or maintain an erection for satisfactory sexual intercourse”. Studies have indicated that there is a relationship between ED and the vascular system, due to the fact that rates of ED are much higher in men with diabetes, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease.

Understanding the critical role played by the endothelium the relationship between endothelial dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, and high cholesterol, nutrition and exercise are logical tools for prevention and treatment.

 

 

Read Erectile Dysfunction and COVID-19, a Relationship Made in Hell at its original source Breaking Muscle:

http://breakingmuscle.com/news/erectile-dysfunction-and-covid-19-a-relationship-made-in-hell

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July 17, 2021

Passport Renewal and Applications Have a Major Backlog

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: , , , — admin @ 12:20 am

If you have plans to travel internationally in the coming months, it’s time to open that desk, safe, or shoebox and check the expiration on your U.S. passport. If it’s still valid, terrific, enjoy your trip. But if that passport is past its expiration date and you want to travel soon, time may be running out. Due to a passport backlog that’s in the millions, renewing your passport could take up to four months.


 

Like a lot of things during the COVID-19 pandemic, passport offices (aka the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs offices) closed. Across the country, unless it was a life-or-death emergency, passport and visa operations came to a halt. While those offices are reopening, the process has not been a fast one.

In a recent U.S. Department of State briefing, deputy assistant secretary for passport services Rachel Arndt told reporters that due to the closures and a higher demand for international travel, delays are considerable.

“…Currently our wait time for both new and renewal routine passport applications can be up to 18 weeks, and that includes our processing time, the initial internal intake of the applications, and mailing,” said Arndt.


Want to pay an extra $60 to expedite your passport application? It will save you some time, but not a lot of it. Arndt said the wait times on expedited applications are currently up to 12 weeks. She also said the current passport backlog was significant—“somewhere in the range of a million and a half to 2 million applications.”

If you do have urgent travel plans within 72 hours, there are some appointments available for U.S. travelers. However, those appointments are extremely limited. And while some third-party booking services are offering appointments, Arndt says the department is not affiliated with any booking services and may not honor those appointments.

With more countries opening by the day—including Canada in mid-August—the urge to travel internationally is growing. If you’ve got that urge, but need a passport, you’ll want to get to a move on. If not, you can always consider alternate travel plans within the U.S..

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July 8, 2021

Fans Banned From Tokyo Olympics Amid New COVID-19 State of Emergency

Filed under: Fitness,Health — Tags: , , , — admin @ 7:43 pm

Big names such as Simone Biles, Damian Lillard, and Bryson DeChambeau will show face at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, but fans won’t get the chance. Earlier today, Japanese officials declared a state of emergency for Tokyo that runs through the Games. This effectively bars spectators from Olympic venues in the city.


 

“Many people were looking forward to watching at the venues, but I would like everyone to fully enjoy watching the games on TV at home,” said Toyko Governor Yuriko Koike.

A different kind of Olympic spirit

With more than 14,800 deaths, the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t affect Japan as strongly as other countries, But a new surge in infections along with the more contagious Delta variant of the virus caused officials to act.

“Taking into consideration the impact of the Delta strain, and in order to prevent the resurgence of infections from spreading across the country, we need to step up virus prevention measures,” said Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.


In addition to the Delta variant, there were concerns about the country’s low vaccination rate. In Japan, 15 percent of residents are fully vaccinated versus 45 percent in the U.S. Recent polls show that a large majority of Japanese citizens prefer to cancel or further postpone the Games. As of yesterday, two Olympic athletes and two workers have tested positive for COVID-19.

This is not the first setback that Tokyo 2020 organizers have experienced. In March, officials made a decision to bar overseas spectators. In addition, the Olympic torch run hasn’t been a run at all in Japan. Instead, it’s been a series of ceremonies that aren’t open to the public. And, of course, the 2020 Summer Olympics didn’t occur in 2020. Due to the pandemic, the start of the Olympics was postponed until July 23, 2021.

There are a few events outside of Tokyo, such as the marathon, that could still have fans. However, organizers say they would ask spectators not to cheer for runners. It seems that athletes at the Tokyo Olympics will be used to that silence.

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June 3, 2021

4 Ways the Pandemic Saved My Gym

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 9:03 pm

COVID has left an indelible mark on the fitness industry. Business owners, gym employees, and gym-goers were left scrambling, confused, and in the dark by the ever-changing COVID rules and regulations.

Gyms were required to close their doors with no idea when or if they were going to reopen. Some gyms, including mine, could keep going because of flexible business plans, long sleepless nights, and a little luck. Others were not so lucky.

Read 4 Ways the Pandemic Saved My Gym at its original source Breaking Muscle:

http://breakingmuscle.com/fitness/4-ways-the-pandemic-saved-my-gym

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May 14, 2021

Ohio Is Offering Vaccinated Adults a Chance to Win $1 Million

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: , , , — admin @ 10:51 pm

Over the last month, the pace of COVID-19 vaccinations has slowed in the United States. In response, companies and local governments are offering vaccine incentives. In an effort to convince eligible Americans to get a shot, we’re seeing everything from free Krispy Kreme donuts to free craft beer in Erie County, NY. Now, Mike DeWine, the governor of Ohio, is offering some people $1 million. In addition to a case of “Well, that escalated quickly,” it’s also a sign that officials are digging even deeper when it comes to getting people vaccinated. DeWine is calling this public health initiative “Ohio Vax-a-Million.”


 

Raising the Bar for Vaccine Incentives

Of course, not every Ohioan who gets a vaccine is getting $1 million. But over five weeks, five Ohioans 18 or older will have the opportunity to win that sum in a drawing. The state lottery will run the drawings using Ohio’s voter registration database. Winners must be 18 years of age or older, an Ohio resident, and must have at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. This is what is known as a “regret lottery.” Everybody enters, but only those who have a dose of the vaccine can win. Currently, 42 percent of eligible Ohio residents have at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Democratic and Republican state lawmakers have criticized DeWine’s use of federal relief funds to pay for the lottery. But, that has not seemed to deter Ohio’s Republican governor.

“I know that some may say, ‘DeWine, you’re crazy! This million-dollar drawing idea of yours is a waste of money,’” DeWine says. “But truly, the real waste at this point in the pandemic—when the vaccine is readily available to anyone who want it—is a life lost to COVID-19.”


For Ohioans between the ages of 12 and 17, there’s a separate incentive program. If they win the drawing, they’ll get a full, four-year scholarship to an Ohio university. This offer includes tuition, room-and-board, and books. Unlike the Vax-a-Million incentive, younger Ohio residents will need to register for the college drawing.

Earlier this month, President Biden set a July 4 goal to have 70 percent of eligible Americans to have at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. With that number now at 58 percent, it seems that some people need more motivation than simply immunization. Of course, if you live in Ohio, there’s now a million reasons to get the jab.

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April 29, 2021

Get a Free COVID-19 Vax and Beer With Buffalo’s ‘Shot and a Chaser’ Program

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: , , , , — admin @ 1:31 am

Across the country, government officials are looking for innovative ways to encourage people to get COVID-19 vaccines. In Erie County, NY, home to Buffalo, they’ve started up a new program that combines COVID-19 vaccines with free beer. Appropriately enough, they’re calling it “Shot and a Chaser.”

The first pop-up Shot and Chaser clinic will be held May 8 at the Resurgence Brewing Co. in South Buffalo. Attendees can get their first dose of the Moderna vaccine in the parking lot, then head into the brewery for a beverage of their choice. At Resurgence, they can pick from beers like Cosmic Truth or McKinley’s Revenge. There will be 300 slots available for sign up. And, after that first shot and beer, people can come back four weeks later for their second dose and second beer.

“We understand our constituents. We know, especially with our younger constituents, they need a little incentive,” says Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz.

For the county, which announced their program on social media with a Homer Simpson “MMM…BEER” image, it’s a way to help local businesses and keep citizens healthy.

“We believe we can support our local brewers, who had a tough year last year, as well as get people vaccinated,” Poloncarz says.

Erie County is not the first to offer a vaccine bonus, as across the country, businesses and brands are giving away everything from free Krispy Kreme donuts and Samuel Adams beer to marijuana edibles and vaccination card lamination.

“We just saw the state of West Virginia is doing a $100 savings bond,” Poloncarz says. “Good for them.”

The county has also signed up Flying Bison Brewing Company for a vaccine pop-up, but no date has been set. Poloncarz says they are looking for more breweries to take part in a program that’s perfectly suited to the area.

“This is Buffalo. We love our beer.”

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April 23, 2021

Alaska Is Offering Free COVID-19 Vaccines to Tourists Starting June 1

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: , , , — admin @ 7:47 pm

If you’re the type of multitasker who’d combine an adventure to Denali National Park and Preserve with acquired immunity, Alaska has the deal for you: Starting June 1, the state will be offering free COVID-19 vaccinations to travelers at its largest airports.


According to Republican governor Mike Dunleavy, the free vaccine offer is meant to encourage tourism to Alaska. In a typical year, most Alaska tourists arrive on cruise ships. For example, more than a million tourists came to the state on cruise ships in 2018. But with a Canadian ban on cruise ships going until at least 2022, that flow of visitors has disappeared.

If you’re wondering why ships can’t go directly from Seattle to Alaska, blame the Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886. The law states that foreign flagged ships (and nearly all cruise ships are) can’t take passengers directly between two U.S. ports.

Alaska’s vaccination program will be available at the Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, and Ketchikan airports, outside of security areas. This way, state residents can get their shot if they’re picking up friends or family at the airport. Alaska officials are planning a soft rollout of their vaccine plan at the end of April.

“The idea is that we have excess vaccines, why not use them?” Dunleavy says.


Alaska has had one of the highest vaccination rates in the United States, but recently plateaued at 33 percent of the eligible adult population. The state’s chief medical officer, Dr. Anne Zink, says there will be enough vaccines for all eligible Alaska adults by the end of May.

Of course, June 1 is a while away and vaccines are free across the United States, so you probably don’t have to go to Alaska to get your vaccine. However, if you want to go hiking in Denali or fishing on the Kenai River for king salmon, the state would probably love to have you.

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