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New York Property Inspection Video Shows How F***ed Renting Is In The Big Apple

Trying to buy property pretty much anywhere in the world right now is extremely difficult as prices are exorbitant. But trying to get a rental property is also hard as there’s huge demand; proven by recent footage of an open house for an apartment newly listed for rent in New York City (NYC).

Ever wondered how hard it is to find an apartment in New York City? Check out the following footage. Posted by Instagram account @whatisnewyork, the video shows an extremely long line from an apartment’s front door, which weaves all the way down a flight of stairs, and then cuts to hundreds of people gathered outside the apartment block also waiting to get inside.

The post is captioned with, “These are lines to view vacant apartments in NYC. With demand soaring, some landlords are taking the highest bidder.”

Considering how sushi is the most expensive it’s ever been in NYC and the ‘pizza principle’ died, it’s no surprise that people can’t afford to buy apartments in the city that never sleeps and are instead forced into bidding higher rent offers just to secure somewhere to live.

Instagram users were outraged and saddened by this post and expressed it in the comments section. One user commented that this is, “complete market manipulation” while another wrote,

“This is sad, main reason why my family has to move. I was born and raised in the Bronx and we can’t even afford it no more.”

Of course, some took a humorous view; for instance, Instagram user @therealtiing commented, “Lmao imagine a bidding war to live in a closet”. He’s not really wrong though, as one Youtuber recently showed off the smallest apartment in NYC, which honestly could rival a closet.

Chris Hemsworth’s Chest Workout The Only One You Need In The Gym

Chris Hemsworth has just dropped a beaut of a chest workout that draws on some of the best chest exercises. Complete the circuit in full, and your pecs will soon be poppin’.

Chris Hemsworth knows a thing or two about what constitutes an effective workout. Whether it’s utilising a single barbell to complete a full body workout or using a medicine ball to improve functional strength, the Australian poster boy and star of Thor understands which exercises are going to offer the greatest reward.

That’s especially true of his latest chest workout circuit, which Chris recently posted to his Instagram account and his Centr workout app. Employing just four exercises to be repeated four times, it’s a simple circuit but one that uses chest exercises that actually work.

Chris Hemsworth’s chest circuit comprises the following movements:

Incline Dumbbell Chest Press x 12: The incline press is regarded as one of the finest chest exercises anyone can perform and, using dumbbells as opposed to a barbell is also seen as being more effective. This is because using dumbbells allows for a greater range of motion to really target the pectoral muscles, and by having individual weight in each hand, rather than having it spread across a barbell, means you’ll need to engage other muscle groups more to provide stabilisation.

To perform, set a bench to no more than a 45-degree angle. Grab a dumbbell in each hand using an overhand grip. If you’re going heavy (if you’ve not performed this exercise before, choose lighter weights) then position the dumbbells on their ends on your knees first, and, as you fall back into position on the bench, flick your knees up so you can safely get the dumbbells into their starting position.

Once in position, angle the dumbbells to a 45-degree angle and press up. Slowly bring the dumbbells back down, making sure you don’t flare your elbows out too far out to the sides. You want your hands to fall roughly in line with your nipples. Perform for 12 reps.

Seated Chest Press x 12: Some avid gym junkies may claim machines are far inferior to using free weights. While they may require less engagement of other muscle groups for stabilisation, machines offer a much safer medium to lift weight and will naturally guide your body through the correct range of motion, so there can be a great benefit to using them.

Plus, if it’s good enough for Chris, then it’s good enough for us.

To perform a seated chest press, take a seat and adjust the height so that your hands are line with your nipples. Load up some weight and grab the handles using an overhand grip. Now, simply press the handles out and return to the starting position in a slow and controlled manner. You don’t necessarily need to lock your arms out at the end, but just until there is a slight bend in the elbow. Repeat for 12 reps.

Cable Fly x 10: The cable machine is an incredibly versatile piece of equipment that you really should be using. The major benefit of using cables is that they apply tension to the muscles throughout the duration of the movement, even when returning to the starting position.

The pulleys can also be set to various heights to allow you to target various muscle groups and specific areas of a specific muscle group. In Chris’ case for his chest workout, he has set the pulleys to around chest height. With the pulleys and weight set, grab the handle attachments using a neutral grip (palms facing inwards).

Next, with your arms starting out to your sides with just a slight bend in the elbow, engage your chest muscles to allow you to pull the handles towards each other so they meet in the middle. Slowly return them back out to the sides (you don’t need to have your arms go behind your body) and repeat.

Wide Arm Push-Up x 10: Push-ups are an incredibly effective bodyweight chest exercise that you can perform literally anywhere. There are many variations of push-up you can perform but in Chris’ case, he is utilising a wide arm stance, which helps to target both the chest muscles and shoulder muscles, more effectively than a standard push-up.

However, as with any push-up variation, form is incredibly important. To perform wide arm push-ups, start in a plank position with your hands positioned wider than shoulder width. Slowly lower your body to the floor until your chest falls just below your elbows. Engaging your core, press back up until you return to the starting position.

Make sure to keep your spine, shoulders and hips in a straight line throughout the duration of the exercise. Repeat for 10 reps.

And that’s one round of the circuit done. Chris says once you’ve finished one round, rest for one minute and to perform the entire circuit a total of four times.

It may seem simple enough, but with only a short rest period in between circuits, it’s going to be one that will have you working as you’ve never worked before.

Only the most brutal workouts for the God of Thunder will suffice, of course.

David Goggins, Motivational Fitness Guru, Is Coming To Australia

David Goggins, one of our favourite inspirational athletes here at DMARGE, has announced he is coming to Australia for a couple of events that you simply can’t miss if you’re lacking the motivation to get yourself into shape.

Former Navy SEAL David Goggins regularly posts content on his Instagram account, telling us all how we’re basically lazy pieces of s**t if we’re not spending every waking moment focusing on bettering ourselves. Whether that’s through various fitness disciplines such as running or lifting weights or simply telling yourself that you “won’t negotiate with yourself,” David is a man who many should look up to.

And now, Australians can get the chance to be told to Carry The Canoe in person by the man himself in February 2023. With two scheduled events labelled “Adapt or Die”; one in Melbourne and one in Sydney, the endurance athlete will no doubt be leaning on his Navy SEAL training to deliver a speech capable of transforming your life.

The event will offer fans the chance to meet David, get a copy of David’s book signed (his upcoming book will be released by the time the events roll around) and even participate in a workout which we can only assume will really sort the men from the boys.

If you’re unaware of exactly who David Goggins is, or why you should listen to anything he has to say, may we remind you that at 47 years old, he continues to defy what is expected of someone his age. He continues to complete marathon-distance runs on pretty much a daily (from what we can tell) basis and has figured out the formula to be truly happy in his own skin.

He’s previously overcome what he calls his “toughest challenge yet,” which saw him suffer from an edema in his leg. For the average Joe, sustaining such an injury would see them sit out of any form of physical activity. But for David Goggins, he used the opportunity to turn to strength training instead, before having the injury heal and lacing up his running shoes once more to get out on the open road.

In short, we can’t think of anyone else that delivers brutal truths in quite the same way as Goggins and believe there to be no better candidate for someone we should all listen to if we really want to turn our life around.

David Goggins will be in Australia on the following dates:

Wednesday 1st February 2023 – Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Wednesday 8th February 2023 – International Convention Centre

For more information about David Goggin’s Adapt or Die event, head to the official website.

14 Best Packing Cubes For Simple, More Efficient Travel

Looking for the best packing cubes to make travelling a breeze in 2022? You’ve come to the right place.

With travel now a very real possibility for the majority of the world following the dreaded years of The Spicy Cough, there has never been a better time to invest in a set of packing cubes to make travelling just that little bit more efficient.

But what are packing cubes we hear you cry? And which ones should you buy to seriously ramp up your travel game? Read on to find out.

What are packing cubes?

In their most basic form, packing cubes are fabric pouches with zips that are used to better organise the contents of your suitcase, duffel bag, backpack or any other bag you wish to take away on your travels. They are most commonly made of a fabric such as nylon or polyester, but more expensive packing cubes can be made of a compression material (more on that in a bit).

Packing cubes serve to make it easier to fit everything you want into your bag and make organisation a complete breeze. There are several styles of packing cubes to consider, however, and packing cubes are also available in a range of sizes to suit various purposes. So, choosing the best packing cubes for your travels isn’t always going to be the easiest of decisions.

Different styles of packing cubes

Packing cubes can be broken down into four distinct categories: budget, ultra-light, compression and specialist and figuring out each style’s USP shouldn’t be rocket science.

Budget Packing Cubes

Budget packing cubes are for those on a budget. They’re incredibly affordable and offer the most basic way to improve the way you pack your luggage. Budget packing cubes are highly unlikely to offer any form of compression and, in general, are going to be less durable than their more expensive cousins.

But, if you only plan to travel a few times each year, budget packing cubes could be just the thing you’re looking for. They’re most commonly made from polyester which, while it may be abrasion-resistant, won’t be as durable as something such as a ripstop nylon material.

But as we said, if you only plan to use your packing cubes a few times per year and don’t intend to go trekking off into the wilderness, budget packing cubes are the way to go.

Ultra-Light Packing Cubes

Ultra-light packing cubes are going to be the lightest packing cubes you’ll find in terms of weight. This makes them ideal for using with your carry-on luggage, as they’ll do little to make a dent in your carry-on baggage allowance. Ultra-light packing cubes will usually be made from nylon, with a low denier.

A low denier means the material is relatively thin and to some extent, a little bit see-through. This doesn’t mean it isn’t going to be durable, however, and for the most part, you can place your trust in ultra-light packing cubes that will be able to withstand several uses.

Compression Packing Cubes

Compression packing cubes are for those who want to be able to pack as much stuff into their bag as they possibly can. If your suitcase or duffel bag is on the smaller side, however, yet you need to travel with a fair amount of clothing, compression packing cubes can come to the rescue to ensure you’re able to fit it all in.

Essentially, compression packing cubes tend to feature an extra zip, in addition to the main zip, that compresses the packing cube even further, bringing its overall size down a notch. Compression packing cubes tend to be made from a material blend of nylon and polyester, but some may be one or the other. Ideally, you’d want to avoid compression packing cubes that are made from just polyester, as the extra stress placed upon the packing cube when it’s in compression mode could eventually cause the material to tear.

Specialist Packing Cubes

Specialist packing cubes probably won’t be essential for everyone, but if you’re planning to travel with some equipment, then using a specialist packing cube to keep it better protected could be a godsend. You can still use specialist, padded packing cubes for your clothes of course, and if you do, your clothes will likely suffer from fewer wrinkles during transit.

You can also find water-resistant packing cubes on the market, which are great if your trip is going to see you spending a lot of time outside.

How to use packing cubes

Using packing cubes couldn’t be simpler. Instead of packing your clothes straight into your bag, you instead put them into the packing cubes, and then pack the cubes into your bag.

You’ll find packing cubes come in a range of sizes, and so figuring out which clothes to place in which packing cube, should be relatively simple. You would likely put your underwear and socks into small packing cubes, t-shirts and shorts into medium-sized packing cubes, and sweaters, pants and shirts into large packing cubes.

You’ll be surprised by how much clothing you can fit into each packing cube and this is where they truly shine and make for an essential buy when travelling.

Best Packing Cubes

So, which are the best packing cubes to buy right now? We’ve scoured the internet to find some of the best packing cubes around, catering to the various types just mentioned, which also means all budgets.

The post 14 Best Packing Cubes For Simple, More Efficient Travel appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

‘Heart Rate Specific Training’ Shamed Me Into Being A Fitter Person

I tried training with a heart rate monitor, which plastered my efforts all over a big screen at the front of a fitness class. This motivated me to work out faster and harder.

Hello: my name’s James and I’m a troglodyte. I’m sceptical about fitness technology. In my opinion, there’s no substitute for hard work, getting out into the natural world, or team sport. For this reason, I’ve always been suspicious of gadgets like Gianluca Vacchi’s death ray treadmill (as we called it at the time, anyway), self massage guns, stationary bikes with exercise apps and basically anything that could be called 2022’s equivalent of the Ab Cruncher Pro (i.e. anything that sounds like it could be spruiked on a turn of the century late-night TV infomercial).

Call me jaded, but anything more high-tech than a Youtube ‘workout motivation video’ from 2009 just doesn’t float my boat (unless you include David Goggins yelling life changing advice over Instagram). Anyway: for this reason, I have never got into tracking my heart rate while working out, wearing an Apple Watch (or Fitbit) or otherwise taking any notice of my vitals.

Until recently. A few weeks ago I had the chance to try BFT Waterloo’s heart rate specific training (and training sessions) and boy did it kick my ass. Here’s everything I learned throughout the process.

Accountability Is Awesome

Though I like to think of myself as a pretty naturally motivated person, I definitely felt the pressure to work out harder than I ever have before during a gym session or a class workout, whilst wearing BFT’s heart rate tracker. Especially having your heart rate displayed at the front of the class (alongside everyone else’s) makes it very obvious when you’re not working as hard as the rest of the class (something I’m often guilty of in the gym). Though it’s harder at the time, it’s rewarding afterwards.

Competition Is Key

Seeing what your buddy (or group) is doing, and what their heart rate is compared to yours, is a great motivator.

Some Exercises Don’t Require A High Heart Rate

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The heart tracker (in collaboration with the BFT coaches’ expert advice and motivation) is an excellent tool for letting you know exactly when you should be pushing yourself harder, as well as when you ought to be taking it a bit easier.

Shame Is A Powerful Tool

Yep – when your trainer says you’re cruising, and you’re wearing a heart rate monitor, it’s hard to deny it.

I Am Fitter Than I Thought

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I learnt that going to the gym isn’t the be-all and end-all for your fitness. I don’t usually go to the gym. I just surf and play soccer. This means I was much weaker than most people in the class, but apparently (judging by my persistently low heart rate), much fitter. Either that or I’m just lazy. Very lazy.

Fitness Isn’t Everything

Despite being fit, going to these classes made me realise I am sorely lacking in the ‘swole’ department. In other words: I have no muscles, and doing more than 12 burpees is beyond me. Yikes.

Tracking Yourself Can Be Brutal

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If black boxes are what help aviation investigators figure out what went wrong after a plane crash, BFT’s little black box is what helps me understand why I am a shaking wreck after a workout. Props.

Overall, I’m now marginally fitter. But I need to keep training for longer to really suss out how heart rate tracking will affect my cardio and my gains. Stay tuned.

‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Box Office One Of The All-Time Biggest

Everyone had high expectations for the Top Gun sequel. But no one was really expecting Paramount’s Top Gun: Maverick to not only meet those expectations but exceed them...

First of all, Top Gun: Maverick has received rave reviews from critics and fans alike; it currently has an 8.6 IMDb score and a critic rating of 96% on Rotten Tomatoes. And secondly, the film is smashing box office records.

The Top Gun sequel has now made over US$1.1 billion globally which is just under a whopping $1.6 billion in Australian dollars. Top Gun: Maverick is currently the highest-grossing film worldwide to be released in 2022, overtaking Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Jurassic World: Dominion and The Batman.

If Top Gun: Maverick wants to be a contender in the highest-grossing movie of all time race though, it’s still got a fair way to go. Avatar, the 2009 film which currently holds the record, has made a total of US$2.8 billion at the worldwide box office.

Tom Cruise must be estatic. Image Credit: Paramount Pictures

Top Gun: Maverick currently sits as the twenty-ninth highest-grossing movie of all time, according to Box Office Mojo.

The films ahead of it, in order, are Avatar, Avengers: Endgame, Titanic, Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, Avengers: Infinity War, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Jurrasic World, The Lion King, The Avengers, Furious 7, Frozen II, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Black Panther, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Frozen, Beauty and the Beast, Incredibles 2, The Fate of the Furious, Iron Man 3, Minions, Captain America: Civil War, Aquaman, The Lord of The Rings: The Return of the King, Spider-Man: Far From Home, Captain Marvel and Transformers: Dark of the Moon.

However, Top Gun: Maverick is sure to move up that list at least a little more in the next coming weeks as the film, unlike all others ahead of it on the list, was only released this year and is still currently in theatres around the world. Flying high indeed.

Local Aussie Legend To Set World Surfing Record For A Good Cause

Cronulla-based surfer Blakey Johnston plans to break the world record for longest surf session. The current record is held by South African surfer Josh Elsin – who surfed for thirty hours and eleven minutes (a time during which he caught 455 waves). Johnston plans to surf for 40 hours solid and catch 500 waves. It might sound mad – but there’s a method to it.

Former WQS pro surfer, and now surf coach/business owner at the Cronulla Surfing Academy, Blakey Johnston is set to break the Guinness World Record for longest surf session. He’s doing it to raise awareness around mental health.

“I have (mental health) battles. I’m not nice to myself. I do these things to prove to myself I’m worthy,” Johnston told surf news website Beach Grit. Johnston is also a big runner, and prior to deciding to try and break this record, was going to do a six-hundred mile run to Queensland (with the same goal: to raise awareness for mental health).

Johnston figured, given he can run for forty hours, he’ll be able to smash this surfing record (telling Beach Grit: “This way, I can surf with people I like and make a difference”). Mental health awareness is important to Johnston. Johnston’s dad took his own life, and while Johnston was surfing for Quicksilver, one of the company’s employees died after a battle with depression.

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Johnston reportedly plans to break the record in a spot in Cronulla called The Alley, where companies like Red Bull are set to sponsor him, providing things like lights, water safety; judges (people might be able to donate to the cause and surf with him, we’d imagine).

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“You don’t have to be a superstar to live a full life. You just gotta make an effort. You gotta go after it,” he told Beach Grit.

Tom Cruise Spotted Wearing A Very ‘Top Gun Appropriate’ Rolex

Tom Cruise just turned 60 – but the Hollywood star shows no signs of slowing down. He’s also bought himself a rather nice birthday present, watch spotters have noticed…

The legendary actor was in attendance at the Formula 1 British Grand Prix over the weekend, the superstar even allowed onto the paddock ahead of the race. Cruise was even spotted chatting with his mate, seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton, sharing big smiles and wishing the Brit luck at his home Grand Prix.

Eagle-eyed observers noticed that Cruise was also wearing a brand-new Rolex Sky-Dweller – a highly appropriate and respectable watch for a man of such stature.

The Sky-Dweller is Rolex’s youngest model, having only joined the range in 2012, and is one of the brand’s largest and most unique watches. It’s Rolex’s first and only annual calendar timepiece – which also happens to feature dual time zones – and is an interesting hybrid between a dress watch and a tool watch that’s often overlooked by Rolex buyers.

A pilot’s GMT watch like the famous GMT-Master, the Sky-Dweller has a truly unique approach to telling time that’s quite unlike any other watch. The dial of the Sky-Dweller indicates the local time and date via the centre hands and 3 o’clock date window – so far, so normal – but also indicates the month by the small rectangular windows next to the hour markers, which change from white to red. The 24-hour disc in the middle of the dial displays a second time zone, intended to be your home time.

The iconic Rolex fluted bezel, made famous on watches like the Day-Date, is actually functional on the Sky-Dweller. Rolex call it the ‘Ring Command Bezel’ and it is used in conjunction with the screw-down crown to adjust the two time zones as well as the date and month.

Unlike many of Rolex’s other watches, the Sky-Dweller has never been offered in straight stainless steel, always being totally constructed from precious metal (specifically, gold) or featuring some combination of gold and steel. Cruise’s Sky-Dweller, for example, is made out of ‘White Rolesor’: a combination of Rolex’s signature Oystersteel and 18ct white gold, with an Oystersteel bracelet.

It’s the perfect watch for a pilot or jet-setter – and seeing as Cruise is most famous for playing Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in the Top Gun films, it’s a rather appropriate watch.

As for Cruise’s mate Lewis Hamilton, he was wearing an actual Top Gun watch: the new IWC Schaffhausen Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun Edition “Woodland”. More on that watch here.

Man’s Inspiring Video Shows How Fit You Can Get In A Year

Think getting into shape requires a serious amount of time? You’d be right – you can’t expect to get results overnight. But if you commit to a proper workout regime for at least a year – and turn your back on alcohol – you can get mega results, as one video proves.

The video in question comes from Yousef Erakat, better known on YouTube as Fousey. While Fousey was originally known for prank-style videos when he joined YouTube, he has since curated his content to focus more on fitness and his personal body transformation.

The video that brought him to our attention was reposted by the @muscleleagues account and shows Yousef opening the door to his home on two separate dates, allegedly one year apart, and showing how much his body has changed during that time. We’ve previously discussed another man’s 12-month body transformation and mentioned then just how difficult of a task it actually is. For Yousef to be able to pull off the same feat, then, is nothing short of incredible and inspiring.

So, how did Yousef manage this? Well, judging by his Instagram account and a separate video he posted, he both gave up alcohol to go stone cold sober and took up boxing and running. He did compete in a boxing match in September 2021, but suffered a broken nose and vowed he wouldn’t fight in a competitive match again.

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In fact, it wasn’t just the booze Yousef turned his back on. In a separate Instagram post, he admits to quitting virtually all of the daily vices so many of us consume. His caption reads,

“Instead of saying what I ate and what I worked out, I think it’s more notable for me to state this: in between the 2 pictures I haven’t drank alch, smoked (vapes or weed) had sex, watched *pr0n, watched a single IG story, liked a single IG pic let alone scroll even 0.1% of my feed daily.”

“My screen time has gone from a 20HR average to a 4HR. I don’t start eating until 2PM and I stop no later than 8PM. Bed time is not a second after midnight and morning is before 8AM. I consume audio books and motivational speeches daily. I operate on a frequency of love and have absolutely 0 time for negativity, hate or gossip.”

“The guy on the left found every excuse in the book to not better himself and to accept defeat. The guy on the right uses EVERY opportunity to better himself and refuses to accept defeat. It’s all in the mind.”

We should all be aware of the effects alcohol has on bodies and how it can contribute to us being overweight. The term ‘beer belly’ didn’t come from anywhere, after all. There can be as many as 150 calories in one can of beer, for instance. So, ditching alcohol in favour of either a spirit with a mixer such as soda water, or even going sober entirely with something like a non-alcoholic beer, can have a dramatic effect on your waistline.

Do so, however, and combine it with a series of some of the best workouts – and a well-rounded nutrition plan to suit your goals – and you too will eventually start to see results. Just remember to keep at it, set yourself small goals to achieve and don’t be put off if other guys in the gym are lifting more than you. It’s all ego and it’s impressing nobody.

In this packing cubes guide…

What are packing cubes?