Taking your car to get to the gym: for many, staying in shape often goes through there. And yet, you feel it, the motivation is not at its paroxysm. It bothers you, even.
And very often, this involves taking out your bank card. Yes, getting back in shape at a cost: registering in a gym, taking a personalized coach … But the New York Times offers to get out of these performances by revealing physical activities practiced all over the world. At a lower cost. And funny.
Finland: Walk as soon as you can, too bad for the cold
In Finland, there is a well -known adage: “There is no bad weather, only bad clothes”, which perfectly illustrates the mentality of the population in the face of extreme climatic conditions. So when you sometimes benefit from only six hours of light per day, it is better to take full advantage of it.
Nordic walking, or walking with sticks, is a Finnish tradition. It strongly encourages the Finns to enjoy parks and forests, many in public space. Originally, this practice was popularized by skiers, who considered it a means of completing their training.
However, if the cold is too intense, many indoor infrastructures make it possible to practice other sports. But before seeing the Finns stopped by the cold, know that there is room. According to Mika Venojärvi, professor of medical medicine at the University of East Finland, a temperature of -22 ° C remains completely suitable for walking outside.
Japan: Exercise, even if it’s short!
Every day, limited exercises are organized in Japan. This is called the Rajio Taisô (or Taiso radio). On the waves of the radio and on Youtube, three minutes of exercises, made up of thirteen movements, are broadcast.
In offices, schools, parks, people meet to practice together. Small circles with the arms, knee flexions, star jumps … so many easy -to -execute movements that encourage exercise.
Initially founded in the United States in the 1920s, the initiative carried by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company has never experienced the expected success. It was ultimately in Japan, in 1928, that the Taiso Radio was established in a long -term, according to Satoru Kanamori, associate professor at the School of Public Health of Teikyō University.
United Kingdom: Sport, place of sociability
You have to go back twenty years when a runner named Paul Sinton-Hewitt invited a group of friends to what he himself called the “Bushy Park Time”. The concept is simple: a five -kilometer race, with the promise of drinking a coffee afterwards. Unanimously, they had a great time. So they decided to repeat the weekly experience after week.
From this initiative was born the Parkrun, an organization which welcomes nearly 2,500 runners each week in twenty-three countries including Ireland, Malaysia and Namibia.
A huge advantage: the Parkrun is intended to be an inclusive event, with runners of all levels and free access. And after a great outing, the participants meet around a coffee, faithful to the original spirit.
Brazil: Fitness is a party
Do not hop your feet in the water at Copacabana at 5.30 p.m., you do not just won’t be able to. You will always find on your way a group of Brazilians playing sports. “Brazilians are more likely to do things together than alone”said to the New York Times Victor Matsudo, president of the Agita São Paulo association, responsible for creating new green spaces and facilitating access to sports infrastructure in the state of São Paulo.
Launched in 1996, the Agita São Paulo program also organizes “Mega-Event” Similar to music festivals. Except that this time, it is to play volleyball, dance or discuss his sporting lifestyle. Since then, this initiative has spread throughout Brazil and has been taken up elsewhere in Latin America. Sport, too, can be a party.
