Fitness
Canadian wildfire smoke stopping your workout? Planet Fitness opens doors this weekend
Smoke drifting into US from Canada wildfires could impact health
Smoke from wildfires in Canada has drifted into Montana, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Midwestern and East Coast states, and as far south as Florida.
With Canadian wildfire smoke causing poor air quality across Michigan, Planet Fitness locations are opening to anyone wanting to exercise for free now through close of business on Sunday, June 8, the company said.
“With recent alerts due to the Canadian wildfires, we want to make sure those who normally exercise outdoors have a safe option to avoid unhealthy air quality levels,” said Keith Bertram, president of EPIC Fitness Group, one of the state’s Planet Fitness franchisees.
EPIC Fitness Group, Impact Fitness, Cambridge Investors and Red Mountain Companies own and operate more than 80 Planet Fitness locations in Michigan.
“Part of a healthy lifestyle is making fitness a part of your routine. We hope this free access gives everyone the opportunity to exercise safely and continue their healthy habits,” Bertram said.
Visitors will have no obligation to join Planet Fitness to take advantage of the opportunity, the company said.
How bad is air quality in Michigan on June 6?
According to AirNow, which provides air quality measurements, nearly all of Michigan has “moderate” air quality as of 7 a.m. June 6.
Moderate air quality means air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
Readings across Michigan at 7 a.m. included:
- Kalamazoo: 101
- Grand Rapids: 88
- Bay City: 85
- Sault Ste. Marie: 80
- Lansing: 80
- Flint: 72
- Houghton Lake: 70
- Marquette: 70
- Houghton: 61
In southeast Michigan, including the Detroit area, air quality was worse at 7 a.m. — in the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” range. Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected, according to the AQI.
Stations in Detroit and Ypsilanti measured readings of 118 at 7 a.m. Ann Arbor had a 129 reading and Manchester was at 139 on the AQI.
How many Planet Fitness locations are there in Michigan?
There are over 80 Planet Fitness gyms located in Michigan.
For address and hours of operations, visit www.planetfitness.com.
What type of equipment do Planet Fitness gyms have?
All Planet Fitness locations feature cardio and strength equipment pieces, plate loaded strength equipment and functional training, as well as amenities such as full-service locker rooms, tanning, massage chairs and HydroMassage beds.
What is Planet Fitness?
Founded in 1992 in Dover, New Hampshire, Planet Fitness is one of the largest franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the United States by number of members and locations, the company said, with approximately 20.6 million members and more than 2,741 clubs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, Mexico, Australia and Spain.
More than 90% of Planet Fitness stores are owned and operated by independent business men and women.
Fitness
Multi-Home Gym Equipment Exercise Package Available for Sale from Strongway Gym Supplies
Coventry, UK – November 10, 2025 – PRESSADVANTAGE –
Strongway Gym Supplies has announced the availability of its new multi-home gym exercise packages, developed to provide users across the United Kingdom with complete training solutions for home fitness. The company stated that the new range brings together a selection of strength and conditioning equipment designed to accommodate both compact living spaces and larger dedicated setups. This update aligns with the growing demand for integrated systems that offer a balance between versatility, durability, and convenience.
According to Strongway, the newly available packages have been designed following feedback from customers who sought to combine the functionality of a full gym with the practicality of home use. Each setup is assembled from the company’s existing strength and cardio equipment, providing customers with a cohesive set of tools for developing endurance, flexibility, and muscle conditioning. Further information about Strongway’s home fitness range is available at: https://strongway.co.uk/collections/home-fitness.
Strongway confirmed that the packages include adjustable benches, multi-gyms, free weights, and supporting accessories that can be adapted to suit different exercise routines. The company said its approach has been to ensure that every product within a package integrates effectively with the others, helping users create efficient and space-conscious workout environments. The introduction of these bundles, the firm added, represents a shift towards more comprehensive and accessible fitness solutions for those seeking long-term training systems that do not compromise on quality.
Co-Director Mandip Walia commented that this announcement reflects Strongway’s commitment to expanding its offering for home users while maintaining the build standards of commercial equipment. “We’ve focused on bringing together our most popular products into packages that make sense for different training styles,” he said. “The goal has been to offer flexibility without sacrificing reliability or design integrity. People want their home gyms to perform like professional setups, and that’s the standard we continue to aim for.”
The company added that these multi-gym packages were developed with modularity in mind, allowing users to build and expand their systems over time. This approach, Strongway explained, ensures that customers can adjust their training setups as their routines evolve, reducing the need for complete replacements or costly upgrades.
By offering equipment combinations that support strength, mobility, and conditioning exercises, Strongway intends to make high-quality fitness tools more accessible to a broader audience.
The announcement also coincides with the company’s ongoing production review, which focuses on maintaining precision engineering across its equipment range. Strongway has also confirmed that it is in a continuous process of expanding its product range to support growing nationwide demand for its home gym products. More details about its bundled package deals can be found at: https://strongway.co.uk/collections/ultimate-package-deals.
Co-Director Randeep Walia added that customer input has played a significant role in shaping Strongway’s recent developments. “We’ve seen a real shift in how people approach fitness at home,” he said. “Many customers now want something that can last for years, with the option to add new equipment as they progress. These packages are designed with that in mind — adaptable, practical, and consistent in quality.”
The broader home fitness market in the UK continues to expand, driven by increased interest in personal wellness and convenience-based exercise options. Strongway’s latest product release reflects this trend, providing an adaptable framework for users who wish to establish their own home training environments. The company noted that it remains focused on balancing durability with usability, ensuring that equipment remains suitable for a variety of fitness levels.
Strongway’s latest announcement follows a series of updates to its home and commercial product lines, as the company continues to strengthen its reputation for manufacturing reliable gym systems with consistent build quality.
Strongway Gym Supplies confirmed that the new home gym packages are now available for order through its official website, with delivery options available across the United Kingdom. The company emphasised that customers can expect the same quality assurance applied across all product categories, from individual weights and bars to complete multi-station setups. Those seeking additional details about the company and its current range of fitness solutions can find more information at: https://strongway.co.uk/.
The company concluded that the release marks another step in its broader mission to make dependable, high-quality exercise systems more accessible to users at every stage of their fitness journey. By combining professional engineering standards with thoughtful design, Strongway aims to support the continued growth of home-based training environments across the country.
Readers interested in ordering home fitness products or package deals online can do so by visiting the collection links provided above.
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For more information about Strongway Gym Supplies, contact the company here:
Strongway Gym Supplies
Mandip Walia
+44-800-001-6093
sales@strongway.co.uk
Strongway Gym Supplies, 26 The Pavilion, Coventry CV3 1QP, United Kingdom
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Fitness
Dubai November Challenge: From sports events to exercise hubs, take your fitness to next level
If you are a sports and fitness enthusiast, then November is a month you should spend in Dubai. As the weather cools down in the desert city, it is time to embrace the inner fitness freak in you and have a great time in the emirate.
Sports events
DP World Tour Championships will be held from November 13 to 16 while PTO Dubai T100 Triathlon will be conducted from November 14 to 16.
There are three events scheduled for November 14 – Dubai Open for Gymnastics Academies will be held at 7 am while Baseball United Season One and World Natural Games will kick off at 9 am.
Five events are slated for November 15. Public Prosecution Run will kick off at 5.30 am. Arabian Warrior, an obstacle course race (OCR) event at Dubai Festival City, and the Music Run, a vibrant 5km fun run, will both begin at 7 am. Chase the Wind Rollerskating and Aura Skypool Tri in the Sky will also be held on the same day.
November 16 will witness five sports events. Runway Run, a one-of-a-kind 5K adventure on the runway of the Dubai Airshow, will kick off at 5am. ICD Brookefield Place Vertical Run, where participants climb either 30 or 54 floors of the ICD Brookfield Place tower in Dubai, will begin at 6am.
The seventh edition of Plus500 City Half Marathon Dubai, will start at 6 am at DIFC. Emirates NBD Unity Run, which also kicks off at 6 am, is open to children and adults of all abilities and ages. Wewalk and Weride, the TECOM Group’s flagship walkathon, is scheduled for 7 am.
DSG Archery Championship will be held on November 18 at 7 am while Meydan Night Run is slated for November 19 at 7.30 am and Dassa X-Country Runs will take place on November 20 at 3 pm.
November 21 will see three events, including Dubai College Rugby and Netball Sevens as well as Turf Games, both scheduled at 8 am, and AHPEC Showjumping at 5 pm.
There will be three events on November 22 as well. Bare Knuckle Fight League and Spartans White Collar 12 are scheduled for 6 pm while the Angels Cup, DuGym Rhythmic Gymnastics International Competition will be held at 9 pm.
Dubai Run will kick off at 5 am on November 23, followed by Spinneys 92 Cycle Challenge Build-Up Ride 3 at 6 am.
On November 27, Level Up Sports Tech Innovation Expo will be held at 10am while Emirates Dubai 7s is scheduled for November 28 at 3 am.
November 29 events include Dubai International 22ft Sailing Race – Round 2 at 6 am, Dubai Oriental Dhow Sailing Race Class 60 Progress – Round 2 at 6.30 am and Red Bull Half Court World Finals 2025 at 8am.
Skechers Half Marathon is scheduled to kick off at 5am on November 30. SportsPro Tribe Road Run 10K, 5K, 3K and 1K will also be held the same day from 7 am.
Fitness challenges
From November 10 to 16, you can be part of the week-long fitness hubs at Gymnation Motor City or the Deep Dive Dubai X Wellfit.
There are also month-long events across Dubai, including a fitness hub at JA Hatta Fort Hotel, from November 1 to 28.
Other events include activities to encourage people to exercise for 30 minutes a day for 30 days as part of Dubai Fitness Challenge 2025.
DP World is hosting a 30X30 Fitness Village in Kite Beach while the Dubai Municipality is organising a similar event in Zabeel Park from November 1 to 30.
X-Park Dubai X Wellfit 30X30 Fitness Hub is being held at X-Park, Kite Beach. Bluewaters Fitness Hub is another event being held throughout November.
Other 30-minute-30-day events include D3 Mercedes-Benz 30X30 Fitness Hub, Danube Sports World 30X30 Fitness Hub, Hatta Wadi 30X30 Fitness Hub, Zabeel Ladies Club 30X30 Fitness Hub, Ripe Market 30X30 Fitness Hub, Town Square 30X30 Fitness Hub, Global Village 30X30 Fitness Hub, Beach JBR X Squatwolf 30X30 Fitness Hub, Sevens Stadium 30X30 Fitness Hub, Nad Al Sheba Mall 30X30 Fitness Hub and Wasl Village 30X30 Fitness Hub.
Fitness
Chop your way to higher T: How this power move fires up your hormones
Chopping wood isn’t a walk in the park, and lumberjacks bulk up those muscles by felling trees, cutting logs, and transporting heavy lumber. Historically, lumberjacks used axes and hand saws, and many modern-day loggers have moved on to chainsaws and power tools. Lately, the wood chop exercise has grown in popularity, and you don’t need an axe, a power tool, a forest, or even a tree. You can use different options, such as a dumbbell, a medicine ball, or the cable handle on the pulley system.
Fire up your obliques
This lumberjack-inspired move resembles the motion of chopping wood. You begin with your arms up overhead before twisting your torso, engaging your transverse abdominis and oblique muscles, and bringing your arms down across your body as if you’re chopping wood.
This simple exercise boosts your functional fitness, engages your whole body, and torches your abs and oblique muscles on the sides of your core. The rotational motion also enhances your core stability, athletic performance, mobility, balance, and more. What about raising testosterone? Researchers have explored just that and found that yes, wood chopping really does raise T levels.
The research: Can wood chopping boost testosterone?

In a study published in the journal Evolution and Human Behavior, the researchers sought to determine whether wood chopping and sports affect testosterone levels. Does testosterone rise during tasks like tree felling? How do shifts in T levels influence performance?
The study involved 51 men aged between 16 and 80 from the Tsimane indigenous group in the Bolivian Amazon who farmed, hunted, and foraged. The researchers examined how the men’s testosterone levels changed during hard physical work. The researchers collected saliva samples before and after the wood-chopping activity to measure testosterone levels. A different group of men provided resting saliva samples for the study authors to compare. They also compared changes in the T levels during a competitive football game.
The study results

The results revealed the following:
- The Tsimane men who spent an hour chopping down trees to clear land for crops experienced a 48.6% increase in testosterone levels, regardless of their health or age.
- The rise in T levels was even more significant than when the same men played competitive soccer, which resulted in a 30.1% increase.
The researchers pointed out that testosterone rises not just during competition or sports, but also when these men are performing their everyday physical labor to support their families. These short-term surges in testosterone could help the men work harder, be more productive, and continue on with the physically demanding tasks.
Concluding thoughts
Studies have shown that HIIT and strength training also raise testosterone, so it’s worth hitting the gym. That being said, after seeing this study, while chopping wood might not be for everyone, you might consider adding the wood chop exercise to your workout routine. In this study, both older and younger men experienced these T spikes, showing that these benefits applied regardless of age.
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