Why Washington is healthier than the rest of America - ForumDaily
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Why is Washington healthier than the rest of America?

Only the lazy, it seems, did not joke about Americans as “the fattest nation.” Nationally, obesity is a serious problem, yet 51% of adults in the United States do at least two and a half hours of moderate-intensity exercise per week, and 31% do 5 hours per week.

Фото: Depositphotos

Residents of Washington, like most major cities, are even more Athletic, that is, sports. Moreover, according to statistics, among all American cities, the capital is the second in the ranking for the physical activity of its residents (Minneapolis is in first place, San Francisco is in third, followed by Seattle and San Jose).

It is clear that many factors affect health, including access to the health care system, the quality of food and water, the environment, and the wealth of the population. But lifestyle also plays a key role, and Washington people understand this very well.

The study shows that in 2017, residents of Washington had more aerobic and power loads than in the rest of the country, rode more by bike than car, played tennis, swam in swimming pools, walked in parks with dogs, and also ate more products from farmers markets. Therefore, in general, city residents can boast a better state of health.

Joggers jogging near the Capitol, amateur football players on the lawn in front of the White House - these are my first impressions of the city.

Dozens of yoga studios, where girls rush after work with rubber mats in their hands, a massive craze for exercise bikes and dance lessons combined with ballet steps—these are fashion trends in America. I've tried a lot.

I am not a fan of running since childhood, but, having waited for spring, I went to experience brand new sneakers. It went well, but the happiness did not last long. Comfortable + 15-25 in April were quickly replaced by closeness, and it became simply impossible to walk, let alone run!

Фото: Depositphotos

Even late evening doesn't help. People who still find the strength to do such feats are heroes in my eyes. Like those who run while it’s still dark, at an inhumanly early hour. And I once saw a girl running along the sidewalks at noon, at 40 Celsius. I can’t imagine how this is possible in the humid Washington air, on hot asphalt and next to a busy highway.

Then I went to yoga. I love the classes, but I was shocked by the style of some local studios. I ran away from the heat on the street in the air-conditioned comfortable room, and got ... again the heat! In some studios, they specifically keep the temperature close to + 30 on purpose! Why? To my question, the trainer explained that supposedly this is useful, because toxins are removed later.

But the worst thing for me was the so-called “hot yoga”. Several friends and colleagues advised: it relaxes, removes a lot of excess water from the body. But it’s the same 40 as outside, only - intentionally - even more humid... I’ve never sweated like that. My whole body, hair, clothes, towel and even the rug were soaked to the skin.

And so uncomfortable! You stand in a triangle, in the pose “dog face down”, leaning on the floor only with your palms and toes, and so slippery that they leave!

You can’t even look at the guys in these groups without regret—a whole puddle is forming under them. There is still nothing to breathe because the air is hot and humid.

I liked another non-standard type of yoga - acroyoga - more. This, as you might guess, is a mixture of yoga and acrobatics. Yogi, that is, the participants of the lesson are divided by roles into a base (a person who provides resistance), a flyer (a person who “flies”) and an assistant (helps beginners to keep balance).

Exercise bikes, or cycling, as these activities are called here, also turned out to be fun! And dynamics, and movement, and to the music. Finally, I ride a bike and am used to physical activity. But these Americans are some kind of work. The training is so intense that it is simply impossible to maintain the rhythm with the group, at least in the first lesson.

It’s not just pedaling – it’s constant acceleration, push-ups from the steering wheel, and also to the joyful cries of the restless coach (who was also pregnant at the time!), who manages to pedal at this crazy pace. Personal verdict: challenging, fun and a good calorie burner.

What amazed me both in yoga and cycling, and in another type of group classes (a special program in one of the chains of fitness rooms, where running, rowing, squats, lunges, exercises with dumbbells, push-ups, etc. are alternated for 10 minutes each). .) is the darkness in the hall. The lighting is very low, often fluorescent lamps or just one color. I'm used to well-lit rooms, so this immediately caught my eye. I wonder how this helps to practice?

Zumba is another massive trend; it came to Ukraine not so long ago, although in fact it was founded in Miami as much as 17 years ago! This is a mix of aerobics and dance, simple rhythmic repeated movements to fiery rhythms. As my trainer says, first of all, Zumba is a party, which means a good mood. At the same time, it effectively burns calories, almost like running, but an hour of Zumba for me personally is much more enjoyable than an hour of running.

The city offers many ways to get around. Special bike paths in parks, on embankments, an extensive city bicycle rental system, group classes and sports clubs - for every taste: from Latin American dances (from real Latin Americans) to self-defense lessons for girls.

Prices for subscriptions are very different, on average $ 50-100 per month, individual classes can cost $ 10-20.

Also, almost all offices and apartment buildings have free exercise equipment. If the “apartment complex” is prestigious, then the hall will have a bunch of new exercise equipment, including a climbing wall, and also a swimming pool. In simple buildings there is just a room with the minimum necessary equipment.

And finally. In America, you can and should ask about special offers, promotions and free classes. In most rooms you can go to the first trial, but a full training, and some even offer a free week of classes. Often, various sports clubs hold free workshops in the halls and in the open air.

Therefore, even if you do not have money for private lessons with a coach or for a large fitness center, these “excuses” for your own laziness in Washington will not work for sure.

The original column is published on the website. Ukrainian Service “Voices Americas.

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