edited by katie barnes. email:
katiebarnes@leisuremedia.com
lightweights
WIFE CARRYING CONTEST 2010
Those who want to come up with an alternative way of keeping fit might gain some inspiration from a competition taking place this July in Finland: the Wife Carrying Championships 2010. Ever since its fi rst race in 1992, the contest
in Sonkajärvi, east Finland, has become a big tourist attraction and couples from as far away as Japan and the US take part. The competitors must carry their wives
over a 253.5m track, which is covered with sand, grass, gravel and which has obstacles such as water jumps along the way. The woman – who could be the wife of the competitor, a friend, or even a new acquaintance – must weigh at least 49kg, otherwise she will be required to wear a heavy backpack to make up the difference. The origin of the event dates back to the
early 19th century, when locals used to steal women from neighbouring villages.
NEW YORK FIREMEN GET HELP FROM YOGA
A study of more than 100 firemen from New York has highlighted how practising yoga could benefit the profession. Men in the study – published
in the Journal of Bodywork and
Movement – had no experience of yoga, but were active outside of work. The classes were carried out at fi re stations over six weeks and comprised typical yoga breathing, posture and relaxation techniques. At the end, 62 per cent of the
men said they felt more fl exible, while 41 per cent reported feeling calmer and more focused.
NEW ‘BIKE HOTEL’ IN TAIWAN
UK hoteliers wishing to attract a sportier audience could take the lead from The Formosan Naruwan hotel in Taitung, Taiwan, which is the fi rst hotel in the east of the country to cater specifi cally for tourists on two wheels. The facility has 80 new suites – half of
which have been allocated for cyclists. They feature in-room bike racks for added security, are conveniently located near a cycle lane circling the city, and
june 2010 © cybertrek 2010
are accessed by bike-friendly lifts. A special area in front of the hotel has been provided so riders can wash their mounts and pump up tyres. The new hotel follows the example
of Asia’s fi rst ever bike hotel, which opened in southern Taiwan in early 2009. The Yoho Bike Hotel has a check-in counter designed to keep cyclists’ feet off the ground, as well as a bike spa and maintenance shop.
COMMITTED COUPLES MORE LIKELY TO EXERCISE
Men and women in strong relationships are more likely to exercise on a regular basis, according to Hendrik Schmitz, a researcher from Germany’s Ruhr Graduate School in Economics. His study found that women in relationships were 34 per cent more likely to keep fi t, while men were 20 per cent more likely to go running once a week if they were married. The study also showed that married men
were expected to live longer, as their wives make sure they visit a GP. Six per cent of married men were more likely to see a doctor than single men, who don’t have anyone to remind them about check-ups.
Read Health Club Management online at
healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital 75
© ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/ WILLIE B. THOMAS
© ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/NATHAN ALLRED
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