Snow and ice on the sidewalk make a long run difficult. Gyms are closed. Ninety minutes of my day remain blank. Staying at home is now normal. For gym enthusiasts locked up with pent up energy, what to do? Digital at home fitness devices have become popular. Personally, I am in the market for one, but I live in a 70 square meter apartment. Adjustments would have to made to fit in workout space. However, if my gym stays closed this entire year. Out goes the washer machine and bathroom sink. My hygiene may suffer but I’ll be in shape. Back to the subject of exercise equipment, The Paleoton Bike went from zero to a $2,500 lockdown tech trendsetter in less than a year. Having exercise equipment in the living is no longer juvenile.
I decided to look for alternatives. After all, success breeds competitors. Hammer produces a $950 option. The Inspire has over 150 speed bike programs with app and small screen for a hard home workout. I have not tried the bike. Nonetheless, the Hammer in door cycle looks on paper.
As I wrote, if the fitness studios are still closed in September, I will make a decision concerning a home equipment investment.
Like everyone, I am making the most of working out, running in the park everyday, sprinting on stairs. But my gym recently opened with new protocols, less equipment, new routine. Change is good, but I wanted to turbo charge my workout. Garmin watches have a reputation of durability with a fitness following.
Sprint the stairs
My first impressions: A bit complicated to set up but it is my first time with the device. Thankfully, there are many YouTube videos. I managed to get the basic data up and running.
Garmin Tech
The Workout Zone
Still working on how to navigate the interface. I took the watch for a run in the park, then a round at the gym. Slowly, I could around to having a digital fitness partner.
Stay Tuned for the unboxing and my opinion on the Garmin 945 watch.
Friday, June19th. After 90 days of not going to the gym, I finished my first week working out indoors in the New Normal. March 12thwas my last training session before the lockdown. Thankfully in Berlin there was not a complete closure. I managed to run everyday in the streets and the local parks.
Weigh In
I did the dreaded a weigh in after 3 months. Facing a firing squad would have been less frightening. The scale read 84.6 kilos. The previous one came in at 83.5 kilos. A small gain. Considering I visited South Germany for a week living on Bavarian Cuisine and drinking, a minor relief
I belong to a gym chain with multiple locations in the city, walking to the nearest branch or biking to the bigger one 15 minutes away. On the website the new protocols included: no shower, no changing of clothes, 3 meter distancing, and disinfecting equipment. Also, going to the gym, I have to walk through the mall, making a mask the new requirement instead of a gym bag.
Check First
Before going, I have to check online for gym crowd member status:
Green=Go
Yellow=Maybe
Red=No More People allowed inside.
Walking in, there are arrows to guide me to the check in. The same trainers stand at the desk. We greet each other but they are behind plexiglass. Hands in the sanitizer spritz. Skip the locker room, head to the cardio area. The distancing rules translates to every 2 machines taped off.
My past routine was A muscle, then B muscle: A Muscle 12 reps times 4 sets, for B, 12 reps, 3 sets- Sometimes I would double rep or jump from one machine to another. Today, that is not possible. New protocols mean taped off workout areas for each piece of equipment, all spaced apart and moved. I was lost in a place I visited 5 days a week for the past 3 years.
No classes, no work out mats, no steps. The free weight zone only allows 8 people at a time. The trainer is now a room monitor. The atmosphere has that “New Normal Feeling”: little conversation, no laughing, suspicion in the air.
Returning
Initially, on my gym return, it was grab a space or machine that became available. I had trouble putting together a program, biceps, triceps, lats. Chest mixed with shoulders, not today! Out with old ways! I am at 60% were I left off in March. My legs and stamina benefited from the outdoor running routines.
Devising a new way forward required visits to the larger gym with more space, more equipment. Forging a new routine, one based on practical situation, focusing on one muscle group at a time: 4 to 5 sets, 15 reps. I have to forget about a chance to move to another machine in between also, the hygiene rules, wipe down the equipment after each use.
After 5 days, I am getting the hang of it, making progress, feeling the difference with a more focused program.
Fashion Designer and Black and Paper contributor Elena Nazaroff along with her business partner, fashion model Yulia Dudenko produce Face Masks in their homes. As the Coronavirus continues to ravage the world, the need for these accessories is great. The two have stepped up production to meet increased demand.
I admire the ladies for a being a part of the solution.
Each 100% cotton mask is handmade with love. All materials used are sustainable.
STAY SAFE! STAY HEALTHY! Please obey your local authorities concerning lockdowns and issues related to the Coronavirus.
Black and Paper salutes all those working to keep society going in these times.
We will get through this. See you soon! Better times lie ahead.
To learn more about the Face Masks contact Black and Paper or @Elena or Nazaroff.
Our contributing West Coast Editor Editor, Elena produces masks from her home in Los Angeles. It is an inspiring sight. If you need to order contact her directly via Instagram or reach out to us.
While the Coronavirus is a frightening I am not uncertain about the tactics being used. The media has a great story right out of the bestselling. A deadly virus that could wipe out the world. Panic filled shoppers stripping stores. It gets clicks. Ratings are up on all the New Channels.
Verified
My question is why are Western Governments so keen to adapt China Communist Party Methods for combating the virus. Beijing “supposedly” had great success fighting the Corvid 19. Who verifies this success? Not exactly the most transparent organization on the planet. And please consider this group mishandled the original outbreak. The World Health Organization? Not too assured by their “Kiss The Ring Dealings” with the CCP. Information concerning the virus was slap shot.
On our Global leaders. Trump is silly with an oversized self serving ego. His response to the Pandemic could be viewed comical if the consequences could not become tragic. Equally, the EU missed the curve, drove into the ditch. As Berlin prepares for lockdown, I think, How did it come to this? European State leader had a heads up in December. China ended the year suffering from another heath crisis that had the potential to break out. Macron, Merkel, and Johnson, sat on their hands. My German friends praise “Mother”. Had “Mother” closed the borders, or at least taken precautions in January we would not be preparing to go in Full Lockdown. Her cherished Schengen Freedom of Movement has brought Europe to a crippling halt.
I have Seen This Before
For me, this is the second outbreak, having lived through the early years of HIV coming over the LGTB Community. I witnessed lives lost in the madness. A lot of misinformation on transmissions. Who go it? Disappearances. Gay men quarantined in hospitals. Life was under sieged. This is worse, because it’s a bigger scale not because of the health hazard. AIDS was a death sentence in the 80”s and 90’s. Institutions marginalized gays. Whispering behind the back, common place discrimination. If a person looked too thin, he was thought to be positive. Life was not a Donna Summer song.
As governments continue to tie down whole societies, I begin to wonder how far this will go. Separate and divide is the key to defeating the new enemy. Keep in mind this strategy comes from the group who allowed the Coronavirus to gain a foothold. Don’t be fooled, politics, as it did in the 80’s, is playing a decisive role in health policy.
Memories
As the new virus has taken hold I remind those who think this will go away soon. Life will return to normal. My response, “HIV has been around for a generation.” Paranoia is the new normal, “Distancing”. The present state is the same, even copying movements and gestures. Walk on the side walk, interact with fellow walkers, in the current environment, people avoid eye contact. Everyone assumes Guilt first. I witnessed entire neighborhoods decimated by the so called “Gay Virus”. The new “Super Spreader” term comes from the AIDS Epidemic. In my college town there were rumors of spreaders in the gay scene who unknowingly infected their sexual partners Many young people died. These days bring back memories.
What will unfold in the future? Hope also came out of Pandora’s Box.
At the time I wrote this Angela Merkel had a Corvid 19 Test. Thankfully, it returned negative.
“They Don’t Make Them Like They Used To!”In this case, the expression has merit.As Spring rolls around, juicy time has come. Normally, three times a week I mix fruits and vegetables. What brand of blender am I using? A Modern USA connivence dated from 1975 made by Hamilton Beach. This is not an endorsement, but admiration for durability.
High Tech 70’s
Made in USA
I find the kitchenware device amazing.After over 40 years packed in the closet, the blender still works as if taken from store self yesterday. I purchased a number of blenders over the years. The motors burned out or some other problem. All ended up in the heap. The one fault with this counter top appliance, the blender gasket was replaced because of lost. My diet ritual from April to August consists of mango, carrot, avocado, pineapple, bananas, and peaches. There have been no problems blending ingredients. Equipped with 14 speeds able to mix at high to low levels, the liquid consistency is fine. Three medal blades quickly minced all. The glass blender jar holds 5 cups, enough for my daily intake. The leftovers get placed in the refrigerator.
14 speeds
Like the 1970’s American TV Comedies, the Hamilton Beach Blender is loud. Thankfully for my neighbors, I blend after 10am. I do not know what the energy consumption and cost expense.
Hamilton Beach continues to manufacture appliances, not in America but in China.
A low-tech item from a generation ago, still going strong.
IFA 2018 coverage sponsored by Canon Camera/Werbung
IFA 2018 was not all about the glamour tech of smart phones or pc’s. There was also a lot on offer for new devices that do not get the attention but are just as innovative. Check out these 3 stories.
