Running is one of the most popular forms of exercise. It’s easy to see why: it’s free, pretty much anyone can do it and there is no shortage of apps and accessories – such as fitness watches and smartwatches – to help improve your personal best times.

Yet, even though we’re also awash with all manner of running clothing and running shoes to help us not only look good but also assist us with our runs, they could all go to waste if you don’t practice good running form. You may think you have the perfect running form nailed down and, admittedly, everyone will run slightly differently to compensate for various body structures, but it’s still important to get the basics perfected.

One fitness trainer has come up with a savvy hack to help improve your running form and to make it consistent every single time you head out to pound the pavement, and it requires you to use resistance bands.

Runners of all abilities may already use resistance bands to complete various techniques and drill training, but have you ever actually taken one out on the road or trail with you? Well, according to Antonio Gillespie, owner and founder of Prolongevity Fitness, wrapping a resistance band around your back and looping over your elbows, can bring myriad benefits next time you go running.

Check out Antonio Gillespie’s running hack in the video below

The main reason for using a resistance band when running is that it helps to force your arms to stay at a 45-degree angle. This, says Antonio, “brings positive forward momentum,” and “reduces excess of movement.” The benefit of this? “The core, back, chest and shoulders become more engaged, which means heart, lungs and diaphragm do more work.”

Antonio says this extra work required by your organs means your “cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory systems are enhanced greatly, which means fatigue rate decreases and endurance and stamina skyrocket.”

“Overall,” Antonio summarises, “running form, economy and efficiency improve drastically.”

Antonio explains in a separate video what running economy means. He says “running economy measures a runner’s energy utilisation when running at aerobic intensity. Pretty much, who can consume the least amount of oxygen, when running over an extended period of time, while still performing the best.”

Indeed, running coach and two-time Olympic marathoner Pete Pfitzinger has previously spoken about running economy, in relation to how it can be improved with proper form with Runnersworld, adding, “many runners can improve their running economy – their oxygen cost at a given pace – by 2-4 percent through improved form,”

It’s not just outside runs where you can use a resistance band, but you can do so if you find yourself on the treadmill too. One of the most rewarding benefits of using a band, forcing your arms to stay in a fixed motion position, means it is one less thing your brain has to think about whilst running.

Essentially, Antonio says in another video, if you don’t have to think about your form, because the resistance band is doing the work for you, you can simply focus on your breathing and racking up the kilometres.

So, just how important is running form? While it is certainly true that individual runners will have their own ‘perfect’ form for their body structure, ensuring you find and maintain that perfect form is still paramount.

Pete Magill, a running coach of more than than 20 years, also told Runnersworld, “Running is the one sport where people think, ‘I don’t have to worry about my technique. I’m not carrying a ball, I’m not swinging a bat, I’m not on skates, so my form doesn’t matter.'”

“We also have a sport where people don’t always listen to what the top people are doing. They’re far more interested in what the local Pose guru might be telling them than in what Ryan Hall is doing. I would say all top runners work to improve their form.”

However, many running coaches are in agreement that there are several basic factors of what good form should look like. These include “landing over your center of gravity, a light, rapid cadence, minimal lateral rotation and, easier to spot than quantify, relaxed body position.”

Read Next

• The 24 Best Men’s Running Shorts To Buy In 2021
• Cardio Training Not Actually A Weightlifter’s Worst Nightmare

The post Fitness Trainer’s Savvy Hack Will Improve Your Running Forever appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was one of the most intense and controversial Formula One races in recent memory – and not just because it was in Saudi Arabia. The title fight between Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen reached fever pitch, with a collision between the pair close to the end of the race inflaming tensions.

Hamilton ended up winning the race, with Verstappen handed a boatload of penalties from the FIA for his role in the accident (a decision that’s attracted a huge amount of criticism from F1 fans). Unbelievably, the pair became level on points going into the last race of the season in Abu Dhabi – talk about dramatic!

Actually, the only thing more dramatic than the title fight was Mercedes boss Toto Wolff‘s reaction to Verstappen and Hamilton’s bingle. The commanding Austrian was spotted ripping off his headphones and smashing them in reaction to the collision – a real tantrum. Thankfully, he didn’t damage his expensive watch: a rare IWC Schaffhausen model that’s literally designed to withstand huge shocks.

Watch Toto Wolff’s angry reaction to Hamilton and Verstappen’s collision below.

Specifically, Wolff’s watch is an IWC Schaffhausen Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber XPL (ref. IW357201). Unveiled at Watches & Wonders earlier this year, this rendition of the famous tool watch is quite unlike any other previously devised. As the name implies, it’s designed to absorb shocks: its unique SPRIN-g PROTECT system can survive accelerations in excess of 30,000 g.

RELATED: IWC & Mercedes-AMG Join Forces On A Spectacularly Sporty New Watch

Essentially, the watch’s movement is housed within a cantilevered spring that cushions it against g-forces, allowing it to keep moving independently of the case before bringing it to a stop more gently. The spring itself is made out of bulk metallic glass, an exotic amorphous metal alloy that’s significantly more elastic than conventional metals. On top of that, the watch’s case is made out of Ceratanium: IWC’s signature scratch-resistant, ultra-tough titanium alloy.

Read Next

• Lewis Hamilton Shows Off ‘Desert Storm’ Edition IWC Schaffhausen Watch
• Special Ops: IWC Schaffhausen Unveils Two Very High-Tech Ceramic Watches

The post Meet The IWC Watch Built To Withstand Toto Wolff’s Biggest Tantrums appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

As human beings, we all need various essential nutrients in order for our bodies to function optimally. Whilst the human body is fascinating and a medical marvel, it can’t do everything. As such, it can’t produce these essential nutrients, so we need to find food sources that do contain them, and consume them.

Essential nutrients are divided into micronutrients – those that we only need in small doses, including various vitamins and minerals – and macronutrients – those that we need in larger quantities, such as carbohydrates, protein, fats and water.

If you choose to follow certain diets, you may find you become deficient in some of the essential nutrients, so you may need to turn to supplements to top up your levels. If, however, you’re not bothered by the foods you consume, then nutritionist Ryan Carter has an important and rather handy message for you.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ryan Carter | Nutritionist (@livevitae)

Taking to Instagram, Ryan says we can obtain 95 per cent of the essential nutrients our body needs, simply by eating liver (or an array of animal organs) and oysters (along with other shellfish) twice per week. He adds a disclaimer to his message, stating “just eating these 2 foods, twice per week doesn’t give you a free pass to consume everything and anything in sight!”

There is something to Ryan’s claims. Healthline states that liver can practically be described as a ‘superfood’ (no wonder fitness obsessed figures such as Liver King and Joe Rogan choose to add them to their diet). Healthline explains liver is “rich in protein, low in calories and packed with essential vitamins and minerals.”

Take a peek at how Liver King eats by watching the video below.

To put some context into all of this, a 100-gram serving of beef liver containing 3,460% of the recommended daily intake of Vitamin B12. For the uninitiated, Medical News Today explains Vitamin B12 “is needed for nerve tissue health, brain function, and the production of red blood cells.” Put simply, it’s essential.

Liver is also a great source of high-quality protein. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking only gym junkies need to consume as much protein as possible, as it performs the vital functions of making and repairing cells, as well as turning the food we consume into energy. Contrary to what you might think, Healthline adds “a high protein intake has been shown to help with weight loss, as it reduces hunger and appetite.”

While liver may be put on the pedestal as the king of animal organs we should consume, other organs such as tongue, kidneys and even testicles (another favourite of the Liver King) are also packed full of essential nutrients.

Aside from the fact that the idea of consuming the organs of an animal can seem a bit icky, many also believe the naturally-high cholesterol levels should be cause for concern. But, this is where the human body presents one of its party pieces. Your liver regulates cholesterol production, and so if you consume foods high in cholesterol, your own liver simply responds by producing less.

As for oysters and other shellfish, they too are packed with nutritious content. Turning to Healthline once again, a 100-gram serving of wild eastern oysters contains 324% of the recommended daily intake of Vitamin B12, along with plenty of zinc, copper and iron. Oysters are also a perfect source of omega-3 fatty acids, which work to keep your heart and brain healthy.

Other shellfish, including shrimp, crab, clams, scallops, mussels and lobster are all brimming with protein too, and contain very little fat or calories, making them easy to add to your diet.

But, as Ryan says, you can’t simply rely on these two food groups alone to keep you healthy and think that you can have free reign to eat whatever you want the rest of the time (unless you’re a fitness junkie who likes to mimic The Rock’s cheat day message). Even then, you should only limit your high-calorie consumption to just one day, especially if your goal is to lose fat.

Read Next

• Nutrition Expert Reveals The ‘Gut Healing’ Foods You Need To Know
• ‘Eating Two Burgers Is Better Than Eating One With Fries’

The post Eating These Two ‘Disgusting’ Foods Could Solve 95% Of Your Nutritional Problems appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Australia is no longer a Biltong backwater. We’ve got a proud panoply of wine regions and products just begging to be guzzled (or artfully consumed).

We’ve also got a growing population of vino enthusiasts who enjoy studied appreciation of the good stuff on the regular. We’re even, believe it or not, finally leaving some of the silly and snobbish Australian wine myths that used to persist in the past.

RELATED: I Went To ‘Australia’s Andalucia.’ It Ruined Me For Life

There’s also been a growing movement away from guessing what’s good down at your local bottle-o (not that there’s anything wrong with that) and towards ordering your wine, if not Netflix style, online clothes shopping style.

It’s easier, in many cases cheaper (literally), and also fits well with the growing trend of doing wine tours of the Barossa or the Hunter (or Margaret River), discovering what you like, and actually developing a palette and developing a strong sense for what you like, rather than relying on the whims of a BWS near you (and simply assuming the more you spend the better).

RELATED: Australian Wine Snob Learns Important Lesson After Committing ‘Ultimate Barossa Valley Sin’

There’s a lot more to his dizzy game than shedding shekels. Finding a good wine to buy is a complex task. Hundreds of years of history, personal preferences, time of year, food pairings, social scenarios and much more all need to be taken into account if you want to find the best Australian wine, for you, to buy right now.

To guide you through this process of finding a top-notch Australian wine, for each month of the year, DMARGE got in touch with an Australian wine expert – Peter Nixon.

Peter is the former head of Dan Murphy’s Wine Panel. He also used to be the Category Manager of International Wine at Dan Murphy’s.

Peter provides DMARGE with his top wine picks for Australians each and every month.

Whether you’re looking to leave the heavy reds of winter behind with a bang (or not leave them behind at all), or whether you are looking for some light and easy summer drinking (think: whites, Chardonnays), Peter has included a perfect fit for you.

He’s also included a couple of wildcard overseas picks to keep you on your toes (as well as a champagne that will go perfectly with any kind of lockdown picnic).

Oh and – naturally – there is one unashamedly Australian shiraz in there for those of you who never tire of Big Reds.

December 2021

Leeuwin Estate ‘Prelude’ Chardonnay – Margaret River, WA

It’s older sibling, the “Art Series”, might be one of Australia’s priciest and finest expressions of Chardonnay, however this is certainly no second-fiddle – a top-notch mod-Oz Chardy. I defy anyone yet to discover Australian Chardonnay, to dislike this wine, including the most stubborn Kiwi Savvy drinkers – not over-oaked, not ripe or heavy. It smells as refreshing and enticing as Margaret River’s wildflower scented sea-breeze in Spring. Very Moreish. Fantastic with roast turkey and pan-fried hazelnuts. 

In short: A luxe, modern Australian Chardonnay.

Price: $36 (rrp)

BUY HERE

Henschke Johann’s Garden Grenache Blend – Barossa, SA

What other day of the year should you pay homage to one of Australia’s oldest, most recognisable and well-respected wine names? Henschke wines are classic rather than old-fashioned, an expression of some of South Australia’s most prized vineyards. The Johann’s, is a complex blend, sourced from some of the Barossa’s oldest dry-grown vineyards, aged in high-quality premium oak. Ripe plum, white pepper, charcuterie and cedar, atop a bed of velvet-like tannins. Ensure to give this wine a good spell in a large decanter (a jug will do), to see it reveal its full magnificence. Perfect with ham, turkey, roasted mushroom salad, or any of the traditional Christmas accoutrements.

In short: Australian winemaking royalty.

Price: $52 rrp 

BUY HERE

November 2021

Bleasdale est 1850 Sparkling Shiraz NV – Langhorne Creek, SA

A style born in Australia over a century ago, now considered to be an Australian Christmas essential. Langhorne Creek Shiraz possesses a plummy, fruit-cake profile – almost like liquid Christmas cake. A great match for Christmas ham or Peking duck pancakes – or really anything meaty or umami – including mushrooms. Still proudly family-owned, and a bargain to boot. Also makes a great sangria. Serve cold. 

In short: The perfect on-arrival Christmas-day selection. Looks and tastes like Christmas in a glass. Rich, fruity and fresh.

Price: $20 rrp

BUY HERE

Pewsey Vale ‘The Contours’ Riesling 2015 – Eden Valley, SA

The “standard’ Pewsey Vale Riesling may rate as one of the best-value white wines in the country (decades after its first release, and single-vineyard status), but the limited “Contours” cellar-release, shows it is also one of the best and most age-worthy wines in the county. Over five-years bottle-age, has made the palate irresistibly succulent, dry but juicy – a full-flavoured mouthful of lemon-curd, lime zest and toastiness, kept in check by electric acidity. 100% delicious. Perfect with freshly-shucked oysters and sour-mango dressing, or cold fresh king prawns with lime zest aioli. 

In short: Dry, intense and complex, yet still fresh AF.

Price: $36rrp

BUY HERE

October 2021

Riesling Freak No. 4 Riesling Eden Valley, SA

G&T tannins leading Australian winemaker John Hughes crafts one grape, and one grape only (hence his brand name), but he does it so, so well. Slatey, chiselled minerality runs alongside juicy, pristine lemongrass, lime leaf and lime-juice. Drink as a youthful, crisp, fresh expression on its own, or with herby, spicy South-East Asian Salads, or fresh Tiger Prawns and Lime-Chilli Mayo.

In short: Bone-dry, pure.

Price: $23 rrp

BUY HERE

Unico Zelo Esoterico – Gumeracha, SA

Orange, cloudy, skin-contact wine, textured for extra pleasure. A supercharged blend of Zibibbo, Moscato Giallo, Gewurztraminer & Greco, with a little boost to the mouthfeel from their old friend Fiano. Great as a conversation starter (drink out of chilled tumblers) or enjoy it with a Middle Eastern inspired dish of Cumin Lamb Mince and Pine Nuts, or Sticky Teriyaki Eggplant.

In short: The freshness and aromatics of white wine, together with red-wine like tannins.

Price: $24 rrp

BUY HERE

Garagiste Merricks Vineyard Cuve Béton – Mornington Peninsula, VIC

Fermentation and ageing in oak, has resulted in plush, rounded, concentrated Nebbiolo-like tannins, atop an elegant, floral, pretty, yet complex expression of Pinot Noir. Enjoy with Peking Duck Pancakes or Wild Mushroom Ragout.

In short: Single-vineyard, concrete tannins.

Price: $45 rrp

BUY HERE

Swinney Syrah – Frankland River, WA Spicy, Intense & Powerful Remarkably

The Swinney family have been in WA’s Frankland River region for over almost a 100 years. Today, bush-vines litter their property, providing A-grade fruit for their delicious wines. These age-worthy wines can be enjoyed young with plenty of breathing time and a rich slow-cooked stew.

In short: Fine-boned, yet inky and concentrated.

Price: $42 rrp

BUY HERE

September 2021

Dandelion Wishing Clock Sauvignon Blanc – Adelaide Hills SA

Marlborough Sauvignon may have dominated the world of Sauvignon over the last decade or so, but many Australians are now looking for a less in-your-face style of savvy. Adelaide Hills is considered by many to be the leading region for the grape in Australia, and one sip of this and you can see why. Less ripe tropical, more passionfruit, cut-grass, lemongrass and micro-herbs. It is light and deft on its feet, leaving the palate refreshed. Perfect with fresh herb-based Vietnamese salads or fresh prawns and lime mayo.

In short: Crisp, zesty & spring friendly savvy. Crunchy, grassy; enthrallingly fresh.

Price: $27 rrp

BUY HERE

2016 Piccini Antica Cinta Chianti Riserva Oro DOCG – 100% Sangiovese – Tuscany, Italy

2016 was a cracking vintage for Tuscany, and this ‘Reserve’ example is a terrific value example. Aged in large old oak, this wine displays complex savoury characters of leather, forest floor, spice, red fruits, and charcuterie, with those infamous formidable food-friendly Italian statuesque tannins, There is something hauntingly classical about these traditional wines of Italy – think dusty old libraries, and chesterfield couches. The classic food match of Tuscany (seen in the best restaurants of Florence) is Bistecca alla Fiorentina (grilled T-Bone) served with white (Cannellini) beans – drizzled with the finest virgin olive oil, just before serving.

IMPORTANT NOTE: One caveat, give the wine hours of breathing (air) before serving – a wide mouth jug will suffice. As the wine opens up, it reveals more complexity, perfume and freshness.

In short: An Italian classic. Serve with Bistecca alla Fiorentina and dream of Florence.

Price: $27.50 (plus shipping). Buy as a case of 6.

BUY HERE

Champagne Frerejean Frères Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru NV – 100% Chardonnay

Irresistibly French-sounding (a roller-coaster ride of vowels and consonants?) and looking, this is equally delicious in the glass. Champagne Ruinart might sponsor more art galleries, but this is a worthy contender for the title of best Champagne Blanc de Blancs NV available. Complex and minerally, with lively-fresh acidity. Flavour for days. Perfect with Oysters, Caviar or Gravlax.

Please note: this Champagne is now available at Vintage Cellars, however has yet to be included online (this will happen though).

In short: As good as it gets. Ruinart-Slayer.

Price: $150 rrp

BUY HERE

August 2021

Château Martinolles Vieilles Vignes Chardonnay – Limoux FRANCE

Its less expensive sibling – Domaines Astruc – might be a long-standing favourite of Australians looking for a more traditional ‘buttery’ style of Chardonnay, but this more recent addition to their range, is worth the step-up. Vieilled Vignes – translating to Old Vine (magic). Rich, creamy concentrated white peach, almond and coconut macaroon flavours, tucked-in tightly by crisp lemon citrus. Very Moreish. Fantastic with roast chicken and pan-fried hazelnuts.

In short: Old fashioned, buttery chardonnay. Think Californian-style Chardonnay.

Price: $25 rrp

BUY HERE

Chris Ringland CR Shiraz – Barossa, South Australia

Chris Ringland Shiraz fans border on the cult-like. Few winemakers in Australia, let alone anywhere on the planet, can produce red wine as plush and powerful as he can. From the first sip, the palate is flooded with flavour. Big in flavour and concentration, yet superbly balanced, oak is certainly present, but doesn’t dominate. Sumptuous and enveloping, what this lacks in subtlety, it certainly makes up for in Australian larrikin charm. Swathes of blackcurrant and black peppery goodness, atop a soft, juicy palate. Drink with charey rib-eye or smokey, bourbon-basted American BBQ.

In short: Australian Shiraz powerhouse. Unashamedly Australian Shiraz

Price: $25 per bottle rrp

Read Next

• Best Australian White Wine Producers You Need To Know
• The Best Australian Red Wine You Need To Know
• How Much You Should Spend On A Bottle Of Wine, According To Experts 

The post The Best Australian Wine You Can Buy Right Now appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Yellow teeth. Colour blindness (at red lights). Infidelity. Verbally berating Americans. Loving cheese and wine. Being arrogant. Loving a dinner party discussion.

There are a lot of offensive stereotypes associated with French people. But what about someone who isn’t French, but who has lived in France?

A recent TikTok video by travel blogger and “Australian in Paris” @lilidebois shows off perfectly one habit you tend to pick up if you live in the land of Carrefour and Croissants for long enough.

That habit? Eating the end of your baguette before you get home.

“To bite or not to bite? Personally, a whole baguette has never made it home,” Lili captioned her video. Watch Lili’s video (and controversial baguette eating technique) below.

TikTok user @stellacastets agreed, but pointed out a petite error: “Yes! But I’ve never seen someone biting into it directly. We take a piece of it and then eat it.”

Another TikTok user, who seems to be French, wrote: “That’s why buy two baguettes.”

TikTok user @parisianlights, however, called Lili’s baguette eating method “culturally insensitive” and demanded an apology for this Crime Against Pâtisserie. Though @parisianlights looks to be trolling, they were far from alone in their outrage.

Many people in the comments section pointed out that you are (apparently) supposed to break the end of the baguette off with your hand, not your teeth. Some even claimed Lili’s light-hearted video almost gave them a heart attack.

Further comments included: “WHO EATS THE BAGUETTE LIKE THAT OMG NEVER AGAIN,” as well as “Yes but rip it with your hands” and “What your doing it’s the same feeling an Italian can have when you cut spaghetti.”

Not to be outdone, further TikTok users wrote things like: “DON’T EAT IT LIKE THAT” and “yeah but you’ll never see a Frenchman eating from the baguette directly, that’s like unholy.”

RELATED: The Truth About Why Parisians Are Rude To Tourists

Another said it’s against french law [not to eat the end] but “you [must] tear it with your hand first.”

“It’s so French they will think you’re a native. But do it with your hand please.”

RELATED: Why Not Being Accepted When You Travel Is Actually A Good Thing

Another TikTok user came to Lili’s defence, writing: “Stop baguette shaming her sis.”

Read Next

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• Paris Local Reveals The Secret To Drinking Your Coffee The True French Way

The post Australian TikToker’s ‘Offensive’ Baguette-Eating Technique Infuriates Parisians appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

When you go to sleep at night, you most likely do so in a comfortable bed with quilts, throws and an ungodly number of pillows. But, is this the way we should be sleeping or simply a case of us all conforming to what society has projected upon us?

According to muscle mountain and proponent of the ancestral lifestyle, Liver King, we should be sleeping on the floor. Or at least, as close down to the floor as possible. In the comments of one of his recent Instagram videos, one user asked, “Can you tell us your sleeping regime and do you sleep on a mattress? Having some issues getting the 8 hours.”

Liver King responded with a list of suggestions as to how the user could improve his sleep quality, all of which relate back to the teachings of the ancestral lifestyle.

“What are you missing from this list?” he begins, “Get morning sun exposure (at the same time every day) to regulate sleep/wake cycles.”

“Finish your last meal at least 3 to 4 hours before bed. Earthing…plant your bare feet directly on the earth. Make your sleep temperature between 64 and 68 [Fahrenheit]. Use blackout blinds….room needs to be pitch black. No battery lights, no night lights, nothing!”

“Use Himalayan salt lamps at sunset instead of regular lighting. Wear UVEX safety goggles at least 2 – 3 hours before going to bed. Shut your mouth… breathe through your nose (use mouth tape if you need to train this habit). Take my sleep concoction 30 minutes before bed…400MG of magnesium threonate, 2g Redmond sea salt and 6g Glycine.”

And, finally, “Last but not least, sleep on the floor like our tribe does.”

This is chump change compared to a more recent post, however, where Liver King purges himself of the evils of modern bedding by blowing up a bed with a tank. Yes, you heard that right.

“Making your bed everyday will change your life,” he captioned the video. “If you want to truly transform your life, you can do far better, primals!”

“Destroy it! Sure… you don’t have to go all out like Liver King… I’ll do almost anything to make a good point!”

“The point is this: step out of the chemical ladened man-made cast (your bed). And find a spot on the ground… just like the biologically-robust caveman!”

“Our early ancestors triumphed because they avoided danger. So avoid hormone-disrupting chemicals and off-gassing flame retardants found in modern-day beds.”

“Take massive action… take it to the ground Liver King style and only use 100% native materials like cotton and wool. Recover, rebuild, restore!”

In a comment beneath the video, Liver King shared more information about how, exactly, he sleeps, and what he recommends.

“The Liver King tribe (wife and boys) use a thin 100% wool pad. This is to simulate the local plants that our early ancestors would have used to build their beds because it sure as hell ain’t ancestral to sleep directly on hard ass wood or tile, or even off-gassing carpet.”

“Titrate your way down from 12 inches of blankets to 10 inches of blankets over the course of a week. Then you can titrate down further from 10 inches of blankets to 8 inches over the next week, and so on until you find the perfect amount of padding for you. For Liver King and tribe, we like 2 to 4 inches.”

“Don’t forget to replace your petrochemical polyester sheets with 100% native organic cotton and wool. Trust Liver King… you can’t afford not to.”

Many of Liver King’s suggestions we’ve discussed before. The importance of regulating your circadian rhythm (your body’s 24-hour biological clock), for example, whereby you go to bed at the same time each night and wake up at the same time the following morning, is one of them.

We’ve also looked into the importance of breathing through your nose and your nose only when sleeping, with mouth taping proving to be a common method to help instil it.

As for sleeping on the floor, however, you may be thinking that’s a step too far. After all, how could you possibly give up the safe space of your bed and substitute it for some hard ground?

If you need some inspiration, check out the Instagram of the man himself giving a tour of his house, revealing his bedroom setup and showing what his unconventional bed set up looks like.

Check out Liver King’s bedroom in the video below

Although, admittedly, they’re not exactly Californian king-size four-poster beds. Instead, they are much lower to the ground than your average sanctuary of sheets.

Liver King explains, “First thing that you’ll notice is that our beds are on the floor. They’re really just built on top of some wooden boxes, just enough room to let the ventilation flow underneath, so that being in Houston, with high humidity, you don’t get any mould or nasty things like that.”

He could be implying that were he to not live in such a humid climate, he would actually place his mattress directly on the ground.

He also uses sheets and quilts (perhaps he doesn’t live a completely ancestral lifestyle), but he emphasises the importance of choosing the right fabrics and materials.

“Everything is 100% pure organic cotton. If you’re gonna wrap yourself in something when you’re sleeping, when you want to get deep sleep and where you can recover and restore, you want it to be as pure as can possibly be.”

He goes on to explain that his walls, ceiling and floor are all grounded and shielded to block out radio waves and cellphone reception.

It’s worth pointing out Liver King is a jacked dude on the internet, not a health expert. So with this in mind we got in contact with a sleep coach and Australia’s number one sleep expert, Olivia Arezzolo, to find out how good (or bad) sleeping on the floor really is for your health.

Olivia admits that there can be benefits to sleeping on the floor, particularly for those who experience any discomfort when sleeping on a mattress, “Some may find it more comfortable, especially for those with back pain – often poor posture from unsupportive mattresses can exacerbate back pain and sleeping issues.”

“However, this isn’t always the case – some may find it more uncomfortable. It is also helpful for those who overheat, as heat rises – especially in lieu of air conditioning.”

Indeed, Healthline adds weight to Olivia’s comments relating to the fact there isn’t any real scientific evidence to suggest if sleeping on the floor is actually better for you. The only evidence comes from personal accounts, with some saying sleeping on the floor has improved their sleep quality.

“There’s some merit to the idea [that sleeping on the floor provides relief from back pain]. A soft mattress doesn’t have a lot of support. It lets your body sink down, causing your spine to curve. This can lead to back pain.”

“In fact, if your mattress is too soft, Harvard Medical School recommends placing plywood under your mattress. The institution also suggests putting your mattress on the floor.”

However, it’s not to say sleeping on a firmer surface, such as the floor, really is going to provide greater benefits. Healthline goes on to cite a 2003 study published in The Lancet which “found that firmer surfaces were associated with fewer benefits.”

The study used a participant group of 313 adults with “chronic non-specific low back pain” and were assigned to sleep on either a medium-firm or firm mattress for 90 days.

“The group that slept on the medium-firm mattresses reported less back pain compared to the group that slept on firm mattresses. This included pain in bed and during the day.”

Olivia ultimately suggests you try it out for yourself and see whether your quality of sleep improves. Various factors can contribute to this, so it’s going to be a case of trial and error. For example, some people may find sleeping on the floor with pillows to be the best course of action for them, while for some others, no pillow, or at least a very flat one, may prove to be more comfortable.

“No one has your sleeping profile, so no one can tell you if it’s good for you; only you can,” Olivia relates.

As for Liver King’s other suggestions to help improve sleep, Olivia agrees strongly with the processes he puts forward.

“Mouth taping can be helpful for those with sleep apnoea – it’s been found in clinical research to reduce fatigue and snoring. However, outside of those individuals, it’s yet to be proven in scientific studies as beneficial for sleep – not to say that it doesn’t have the potential to.”

Olivia also provided us with her signature bedtime routine to help you get the best night sleep you’ve ever had.

“Block out blue light, two hours before bed: An academic paper found regular room light, from dusk to dawn suppressed melatonin by 71%. Less melatonin = you find it harder to fall and stay asleep.”

“Take lavender capsules – a clinical trial found lavender improved sleep quality by 45%, and reduced anxiety by 59%. Set a goodnight phone alarm, 60-minutes before bed: the time you are to disconnect from all tech – label the alarm ‘SLEEP BETTER.'”

“Have a shower: the drop in core body temperature as you emerge from a steamy shower into a cooler bathroom is a cue for melatonin synthesis. Have a magnesium-based sleep supplement: a clinical trial found magnesium could reduce anxiety by 31%.”

“Read: a study by the University of Sussex found reading could reduce stress by 68% – and the anti-anxiety effects eventuated in just six minutes. Finally, use an eye mask – protecting you from sleep sabotaging blue light while you sleep.”

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The post ‘Liver King’ Says Your Bed Is A Prison & You Need To Blow It Up appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Black ceramic watches are all the rage this year, it seems, with many of the world’s top luxury watch brands unveiling exciting black ceramic versions of their most iconic watches. Audemars Piguet dropped a ‘murdered-out’ 34mm black ceramic Royal Oak. Tudor surprised fans with their Black Bay Ceramic. IWC Schaffhausen revived an icon with their ‘Tribute to 3705’ – and has kept the hits coming with their TOP GUN releases. The list goes on.

Not to be shown up before the year draws to a close, Italy’s favourite horological sons, Panerai, have also joined the ceramic watch action with a rather handsome flyback chronograph: the Luminor Chrono Flyback Ceramica (ref. PAM01298). Stealthy yet imposing, complex yet refined, it’s a stunning watch that nicely footnotes a year of exciting releases from the Florentine watchmaker.

The black colour scheme, punctuated by the pops of red from the chronograph seconds, minutes and hours hands, looks amazing, but it’s not just a pretty watch. Because ceramic weighs substantially less than most metals, it makes this rather hefty 44mm watch wear remarkably light. Needless to say, ceramic is also far more scratch-resistant than most metals too, which is a real boon for a tool watch.

As the name implies, it’s a flyback chronograph, meaning you don’t have to stop the chronograph function to reset it. Interestingly, the dial features calibrations for nautical miles, in line with Panerai’s nautical focus. On that note, it also features 100m of water resistance.

Of course, the other big watch trend this year has been green dials, and Panerai hasn’t disappointed in that regard either. Alongside the ref. PAM01298, Panerai has also released the Luminor Chrono Flyback Verde Militare (ref. PAM01296), which features the same movement as the former, a more conventional stainless steel case, and a rather unconventionally beautiful military green dial.

RELATED: Australians Are Finally Becoming More Adventurous With Luxury Watches

These two pieces represent the latest entries in Panerai’s Chrono Complicazioni collection – a watch family characterised by a combination of high-tech materials, complex calibres and limited quantities. Accordingly, the ref. PAM01298 is limited to only 500 pieces, while the ref. PAM01296 is further limited to 110 pieces and is an e-commerce and phone sales exclusive.

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The post Panerai Jumps On 2021’s Ceramic Watch Trend With A Beefy New Chronograph appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Over the last 7 days, the price of Buffer Finance (IBFR), a gamified options trading platform that “allows anyone around the world to buy and settle options on multiple assets directly against a liquidity pool,” and which sounds about as suss as you can get (leveraging and a little known crypto, what on earth could go wrong…), has nevertheless increased to as much as 16 times what its value was at the beginning of the week, setting and resetting all-time highs over the course of an extremely steep 4-day uptrend.

From a seemingly solid price floor that had stayed under $0.14 AUD since early November, the token’s price suddenly spiked on December 1, before the rapid ascent began the next day which would go on to eventually peak at around $1.13 AUD on December 4. But what actually is the Buffer Finance token? And why is its price soaring?

Launched in September, Buffer Finance says it is a completely decentralised options trading platform that allows users to purchase cryptocurrency options without requiring a reciprocal seller at the opposite end of the trade. This is facilitated through a peer-to-pool mechanism that utilises a liquidity pool in place of options sellers, utilising smart contracts to self-manage it through Binance Smart Chain.

Buffer Finance joined Twitter in May 2021.

For those unfamiliar, options involve contracts that give their purchaser the right to buy a specific asset (in this case a certain cryptocurrency) at a previously agreed-upon price within a defined period of time. Buffer Finance offers a unique platform where purchasers buy options not from a seller, but from the blockchain’s reliably self-governing fund.

To provide an oversimplified example of a traditional options transaction, if someone strongly suspects that Tesla’s price will increase by a specific point in the future, they could purchase a Tesla “call,” handing the call seller a fee to reserve the right to buy 1 share for $1,000, regardless of its real-time price, within the next month. The human seller of the “call” is thus betting on the purchaser’s prediction being wrong, as they will be obligated to sell them 1 Tesla share for $1,000, even if its market value has increased to $2,000 when the call purchaser exercises his right.

Call buyers, therefore, take on time risk and a fee (usually seller-determined) in exchange for the benefit of being temporarily entitled to an asset’s gains without needing to possess the asset itself. So, despite Buffer Finance’s apparent usefulness and innovation, why was the token only in the past week suddenly perceived to be more valuable, as seemingly evident in its huge climb in price?

There are no certain answers. And the fact that Buffer Finance has been promoted in Reddit’s Crypto Moon Shots community is arguably a huge red flag, with the page being known for being rampant with pump and dumps. It has also been spruiked in the proud “degenerate” community of crypto gamblers Satochi Street Bets. There is also some (arguably) suspiciously breathless praise on Twitter (though you could level the same accusation at many crypto coins).

$iBFR is now live on @CoinMarketCap

Options trading and prediction game starting on
8th October 4:00 pm UTC pic.twitter.com/zZK5K0lSed

— Buffer Finance (@Buffer_Finance) October 7, 2021

Though there is not enough evidence yet to know for certain if Buffer Finance is legitimate or a scam, it seems probable there will be big winners in the burgeoning crypto options space, with Goldman Sachs seeing crypto options markets as the next big step for institutional adoption, according to Coindesk. Perhaps this is part of the reason some people have gambled on Buffer Finance.

At a CoinDesk panel discussion on December the 2nd, Goldman’s global head of crypto trading Andrei Kazantsev stated: “The next big step that we are envisioning is the development of [cryptocurrency] options markets,” suggesting that crypto derivatives are in the “infancy of product scope.”

He also noted that the demand for options platforms may be underpinned by equity funds who could benefit from being able to “hedge for the longer term, and to know the downside on the hedge they can have. That’s where options become really important.”

Buffer’s price went vertical on the same day. Speculative investors channelled towards IBFR through Kazantsev’s comments would likely have been assured by the features said to be touted by the token: entitlement to an ongoing share in revenue, the elimination of liquidity risk, the ability to customise options and perhaps most interestingly, access to a gamified version of options trading.

In line with Buffer Finance’s mission to make options trading simple and efficient for all, this gamified form of trading is supposedly as simple as guessing whether an asset will go up or down and by what time.

Although it’s impossible for anyone to accurately say how Buffer Finance will fare in the future, it’d be fair to suggest, if it’s legit, then it could be well positioned for a solid start, if only because it happened to find itself in the right place at the right (read: early) time. What is make or break though, will be whether the technology really works and attracts a large audience, and continues to be innovated, without being overtaken by the numerous competitors that are liable to crop up in any profitable space/market.

Always do your own research before investing in any crypto. Not only could you easily fall victim to some legit looking (but ultimately scammy) pump and dumps (as DMARGE found out the hard way) but even if you hit the jackpot and time a little known coin right, just as it shoots up, as thousands of Squid Game token investors found out recently, you could still get stiffed (in that particular case a piece of code prevented people from cashing out and the developers ran away with a sh*t load of money).

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The post Buffer Finance (IBFR) Has Skyrocketed In The Past 7 Days. Is It A Scam Or A Lucrative Buy? appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

If you’ve ever wondered why there are no sharp edges on aeroplanes; wonder no more. DMARGE has spoken with Anthony Harcup, senior director at design house Teague, to answer that very question. 

After a recent flight from Melbourne to Sydney, after quite a few months without flying anywhere, DMARGE took to the skies with new eyes. It might sound simple, but we noticed there were no sharp edges anywhere in the interior of the aircraft we were on (see images below).

Curiosity piqued, we got in touch with an expert. Enter: Mr Harcup.

Mr Harcup told DMARGE that beyond the obvious (“generally speaking hard edges don’t help anyone on an aircraft”) there are various reasons soft edges dominate the interior of most jets.

“Sharp edges hurt elbows, knees, hips…. Or any part of the body that they come into contact with,” Mr Harcup said.

Then there’s safety. There’s actually a process called ‘de-lethalisation’ that is a check/balance on a design. According to Mr Harcup, this principle “ensures that when subjected to Murphy’s law, a passenger can’t hurt themselves on any part of the aircraft seat.”

It’s not all about you though. Durability is also a factor. Mr Harcup told DMARGE: “Whether a part is moulded, machined and painted, or covered in laminate, the finish is far more likely to get stress fractures or have the finish wear off at the high-point when manufactured with sharp edges.”

Speaking of manufacturing, Mr Harcup added: “Many customer-facing parts are moulded from plastic – very often vacuum-formed (sucking down a large sheet of warmed plastic over a male mould). These have to have relatively soft edges so that you can eject the part from the tool once the plastic has cooled down.”

Finally, aesthetics is also a big part of the reason there aren’t many sharp edges to be seen inside of planes.

“The OEMs [original equipment manufacturers] take care to create a soft, integrated and inviting aesthetic to the interior – from the [overhead] bins, to the lining panels, to the ceiling panels, to the windows – the interior elements flow from one to another, complimenting the tubular environment and ‘wrapping around’ the customer (like a huge car interior!),” Mr Harcup explained.

Mr Harcup then gave DMARGE an example: “Teague has worked in partnership with Boeing for 75 years designing the interiors of every commercial aircraft to roll out of the hangars. The ‘sky interior’ is great example of this. Hard edges don’t sit well against this back-drop. We worked in partnership with Adient Aerospace seating to develop an economy seat that would echo and enhance the softness in this environment.”

Got it? Good. Now all we need is something to stop passengers putting their feet all over the bulkhead (and find a better solution to food distribution than a galley cart) and we’ll be laughing.

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The post Why You Couldn’t Hurt Yourself Onboard A Plane, Even If You Tried appeared first on DMARGE Australia.