We get it: you want a rig that puts Chris Hemsworth to shame. You don’t care about dorsiflexion or touching your toes.

But to reach your heady shreddy goals, you’ll need to stay mobile. Or was it flexible? If you are still consulting the brain box to work out which is which, this article is for you.

Cue: Muscle Engineered’s breakdown of mobility vs. flexibility, and how to improve both to reduce injury, and get better gains.

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A post shared by Hammad Ahmed (@muscleengineered) on Sep 10, 2019 at 4:15pm PDT

As the online fitness coaching account explains, although they are often used synonymously, mobility and flexibility are different things.

Mobility

“Mobility really has to do with motion surrounding a joint,” Muscle Engineered writes. “This can be the shoulder, hip, knee, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, ankle, etc.”

“Mobility is more of an all encompassing term that includes a lot of factors when considering if the joint of a person is mobile.”

Three things that affect mobility are: flexibility, structure and injury. Three things that help increase it are: warming up (increasing muscle temperature), stretching and massage (which increases blood flow and releases tightness).

“That can include doing some half kneeling ankle dorsiflexion to target the soleus, using a foam roller to release the soleus, or maybe some jogging to warm up the leg muscles. Now you have gained more mobility in the ankle and can perform your squat with more depth.”⠀

The opposite situation, caused by injury, is explained in this second example: “You might have good ankle dorsiflexion, but if you got an ankle sprain or have a bone spur limiting you from achieving good ankle dorsiflexion, your ankle would no longer be as mobile. Therefore you lack the mobility.”

Flexibility

“Has to do with your muscles, tendon, and ligaments,” Muscle Engineered writes. “It’s the ability [to] elongate these components. Stretching is generally how you are able to increase the muscle length.”

“Flexibility is included with mobility, but mobility isn’t included in flexibility. This is because mobility is more of an umbrella term while flexibility just has to do with muscle length.”

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The post Mobility vs Flexibility: Muscle Engineer Reveals The Real Difference appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

As 2019 peaked in an absurd crescendo of existential business class reviews and first-class complaints we thought we’d seen it all. But then 2020 came at us with dodgy jetlag beating strategies and travellers’ bizarre reaction to coronavirus.

Minds open to anything, it was slightly less a shock when The Points Guy took to Instagram this morning to share an up and coming business class product from the most unlikely of places: Russian Airlines.

 

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Hello @aeroflot suites. Russia’s airline just took delivery of a brand new A350, featuring improved seats in all three cabins (swipe through to see), including enclosed suites in business class. And we have to admit, they look very swanky. After a few months of domestic testing, Aeroflot will start flying this (and the 21 more they have on order) from Moscow (SVO) to destinations like London, New York, Miami, Osaka and Beijing-Daxing. As a @skyteamalliance partner, you can book through @delta or others. In the meantime, enjoy these photos from the delivery event in Toulouse, France last week. ⁠⠀ : Miquel Ros

A post shared by The Points Guy (@thepointsguy) on Mar 2, 2020 at 3:08pm PST

This comes as Russian Airlines just took delivery of a spanking new A350 which, as The Points Guy explains, features “improved seats in all three cabins, including enclosed suites in business class.”

“We have to admit, they look very swanky.”

“After a few months of domestic testing, Aeroflot will start flying this (and the 21 more they have on order) from Moscow (SVO) to destinations like London, New York, Miami, Osaka and Beijing-Daxing,” The Points Guy continues.

While lie-flat snobs have previously excluded Aeroflot from their wanderlust rotisserie, frequent business class flyers’ reaction to Aeroflot’s Big Swank Energy suggests that’s set to change.

“Aeroflot is planning to accept eight A350 aircraft into its fleet in 2020, with the remaining delivered over the next several years.”

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The post Aeroflot Business Class: Best New Business Class In The Sky? appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

We get it: You want to go to Santorini, San Sebastian and Seville so you can joust your friends over the European landmarks you’ve slurped vino in. But, you can do better than the clichés.

Skip the tourist traps — there are better adventures to be had down the road less Instagrammed. You just need to be in the know.

Booking.com’s most searched destinations are great for travellers who want to lick the conventional gelato and see the must-see sights.

However, as you start planning your European summer, so is everyone else. And one of the biggest mistakes tourists make when visiting Europe is planning their trips entirely around iconic destinations.

 

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A post shared by Andres Aparicio (@andresapa) on Jul 11, 2019 at 3:49am PDT

If you want a cheaper, more authentic experience (or if you want to get to know locals rather than other tourists), we have curated a list of locations you should avoid (and some alternative suggestions).

Santorini & Polignano a Mare

Yes: they are some of the romantic places on earth. But during summer—the best time to go—prices are higher than the bronzed life-guards’ G-strings. Also: the sunsets aren’t so pretty when you’re surrounded by hordes of selfie-snapping tourists (yes, you’re one of them, but it’s nicer when you’re the only one).

The alternative: Karpathos. Boasting a jagged mountain range, azure seas and a coastline full of nooks and crannies, the second largest island in the Dodecanese is a highly affordable back-up. It’s main harbour Pigadia doesn’t try to compete with the vibrancy (and crowds) of the Santorini harbour, but the retsina wine is half the price and the smell of char-grilled fish (and stewed lamb) is just as tantalising.

As reported by The Sunshine Coast Daily, there’s more to it than affordability, too.

“Karpathos is home to the forgotten city of Olympos perched high on a cliff where time has stood still, where the men toil in the hills in nearby Avlona, and bent old women carry bundles of sticks on their backs. Olympos tumbles down the cliff in a jumble of pastel coloured houses and inside its labyrinthine lanes, you feel as though you have stepped into a movie set.”

Oh and if you’re after luxury minimalism the resort town of Lefkos, secluded amongst a horseshoe bay—featuring modern, stylish villas right on the sand—is the place to go.

London

London has few equals. Not many cities boast such an array of day-time tourist attractions and cosmopolitan night-time indulgences. However, if you’re in it for the monuments and night-clubs, there exists a better, less Aussie-crowded July alternative.

A place that makes hipsters worldwide cry with nostalgia and/or jealousy, Berlin is kind of like London’s younger brother. And from the Banksy exhibition at Bikini Berlin (more than 40 of the enigmatic street artist’s motifs, curated by Banksy’s former manager, Steve Lazarides, feature in the exhibition—the most comprehensive collection of Banksy artworks to date), to the Berlin wall, the Pergamon museum and the evening Berlin food tour, there’s plenty of history and culture to keep you entertained.

Then once night falls you have arguably the best (or at least, the most infamous) clubs in the world to wile away the twilight. Berghain is so notorious that its bouncer now holds pseudo-celebrity status, enabling him to pen an autobiography in 2014. Many spend 45 minutes in line, only to be turned away at the door. If you make it inside, however, you’ll be able to experience some of the best electro-music in the world, and talk about deep sh*t with a local.

“Whether it’s politics, arts or inspirational musicians, Berliners love having drunk conversations about super serious topics” (Marie Herr).

Also, depending on how you measure it, Berlin is between 35% and 45% cheaper than London. Not to mention, it will enable you to practice sinking refreshing, German-style biere before you come back in a traditional lederhosen for Octoberfest.

Paris

From the Moulin Rouge to the Louvre, Paris has more tourist attractions than you can throw a baguette at—before you even count the Eiffel tower or the Notre-Dame Cathedral. However, its residents aren’t exactly known for their hospitality.

Speak French and they respond in English. Speak English and they reply in rapid-fire French. Order a flat white and receive an espresso with cold milk. Order a pumpkin spiced chai latte and you’ll be met with a gallic shrug (this one’s fair enough I suppose).

Barcelona, on the other hand, has everything you need to get your old-world historical fix, as well as a vibrant party scene, food and wine fairs, music festivals, human castles, beaches and a Mediterranean breeze (a life-saver at siesta o’clock in July). It’s also slightly smaller, and the way the city is set out makes it easier to get your head around, see the famous architecture like Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia, and pretend you’re a local.

Head up to Bunkers Del Carmel for the best view over the city, hit up Razamataz or El Row to get weird, or the Beach clubs if you are looking for a classier good time. In terms of bars, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Tasca El Corral is a personal favourite, nestled between el barrio gotico, just before the old port, this Asturian bar is characterised by its wooden log ceiling, rustic kitsch, the staff’s blessed lack of concern for your inability to walk straight, and leche de pantera, the only phrase 98% of Aussie expats in Barcelona can say without grating upon local ears.

“With its ceiling stained caramel from centuries of cigarette smoke, and the feeble light that shimmers from its ridiculously ornate electric chandeliers, this nearly 200-year-old bar— reputedly the oldest in Barcelona — feels more late-night than most” (The Times).

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with Santorini, Polignano a Mare, London or Paris, but these alternatives have the official D’Marge seal of approval.

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The post Europe Travel Destinations: Alternative Cities To Visit appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

All’s fair in love and lust. Unless it’s a friend. That stings. On that note, we have help: a hilarious, ego-crushing way to stop your friend from flirting with your partner, courtesy of a trending Reddit thread.

A disclaimer: human interaction is a beautiful, sticky, frustrating spectrum. So if you’re pissed with your friend’s interactions with your partner, it’s not necessarily them that’s the problem; you could just be an insecure wreck. Each situation is different.

The case put to us on this trending Reddit thread, however, seems pretty clear cut: “It’s always been obvious that my friend (26F, friends for 4 years) like attention from different men, she’s single and has fun. And for the past year I have noticed her flirting with my husband (28M, together for 7 years) here and there.”

“She always lights up when she sees him and loves chatting with him one on one,” the user continues. “She frequently texts him about funny memes and songs (she never texts me), she always asks me if the 3 of us can all hang out. She’s casually initiated meeting up with him at a bar one night that I couldn’t go to bc worked late and had to work early the next day.”

“The other day my husband picked me up from a day out with her and some other girls. As I said, ‘My husband is here to pick me up,’ and I was leaving the restaurant this one friend said, ‘OH I’m going to go say hi to him’, proceeded to RUN to his car. I was thinking…wtf.. is she doing. And proceeded to chat with him so eagerly. I’ve expressed my concern to my husband and he says he sees it too.”

“But I don’t know how to confront my friend…and I’m getting irritated. What should I do?”

Cue: the smartest response we’ve ever heard to this scenario: don’t make yourself look jealous by telling your friend to stop. Instead, team up with your partner.

“Don’t be afraid to exchange knowing, amused glances with your husband if she’s pulling this crap in front of you. Make it obvious the two of you are laughing at her expense,” one user-savant said.

Other users concurred: “My husband and I actually did this with his annoying, attention-seeking co-worker tried to flirt with him in front of me. It works!”

This advice sat, in our eyes, miles ahead of recommendations like, “If you really don’t want to deal directly with your friend, and want to keep that relationship status quo, ask your husband to stop responding to her. No response to texts, quickly end conversations in person, no hanging out in a 3some any more.”

This is good advice, but we still prefer the coordinated shut down.

If you would like to be more conventional in your flirt-attack, you can shut your friend down with the following guidance, from the same Reddit thread.

“Don’t confront her. That won’t help. She’ll gaslight and say that you’re jealous and crazy and try to use this to paint you in a bad light to your husband. Do talk to your husband. Point out her odd behavior. If he’s enjoying the attention, this might not work as expected and you’ll probably have to set some ground rules and possibly an ultimatum.”

“He needs to shut her down. She needs to get rejection straight from him. It’ll not only take her down a peg, but it will also prevent a situation where you are the one who has a problem with it and look jealous and pathetic.”

The same user then took it upon themselves to give the author of the thread’s husband some advice: “If he finds himself alone with the friend again, either by accident or because she shoved her way in, just keep saying wonderful things about OP (the author of the thread). How great her body is, how pretty she is, how smart she is, how funny she is, blah blah blah.”

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The post What To Do When Your Friend Won’t Stop Flirting With Your Partner appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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Put down your virgin mojito and spit out your vegan bacon; there’s a better way to shock your body into happiness than depriving it of all that is good. Cold water bathing.

This danish art of zapping your senses could be the unlikely key to happiness – both on an individual and community level, according to a report published today by the BBC.

“A growing number of Danes choose cold water swimming as a way to invigorate the senses and combat their winter blues. Now, some companies are using it to create workplace bonds.”

What does it involve? The BBC puts it like this: “It’s a chilly, breezy afternoon in Denmark’s north Jutland, but local residents are not deterred. A line of people dressed in white bathrobes appear from behind a dune and march resolutely towards the shoreline, where they take their robes off and skip into the sea.”

So far so frigid.

“At 15C, many of us would consider it far too cold for a swim, but for the Danes this is considered warm. Many plunge into the sea year-round, including in the middle of winter, when the days are cold and the water can get as cold as 2C.”

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A post shared by Rasmus Hjortshøj – COAST (@coast_studio) on Aug 9, 2018 at 3:34am PDT

Turns out that’s not cold by their standards. In any case, during ‘peak’ season of November to February, Copenhagers flock to establishments like CopenHot (there are some 90 official winter swimming clubs across Denmark like this), where members “move between saunas, hot tubs and into the frigid ocean or ice bath (which is literally filled with ice).”

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A post shared by L A U R A. ღ (@lau_dmn) on Dec 28, 2019 at 12:57am PST

Although this practice is far from new, CopenHot is a fairly fresh establishment, riding the wave of this growing movement, which has mountains of anecdotal evidence for being a mood booster, but little scientific evidence behind it due to lack of rigorous studies.

The are risks are pretty clear. Physiological reactions to cold water can be risky, and (worst case) bring on sudden heart attacks, hypothermia and drowning, depending on temperature and length of time you are immersed, and how fit you are.

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Lille Langebro by WilkinsonEyre and Urban Agency for Realdania Copenhagen, Denmark @realdaniadk @wilkinsoneyre @urbanagencyarchitects @bloxkbh

A post shared by Rasmus Hjortshøj – COAST (@coast_studio) on Aug 25, 2019 at 10:00pm PDT

For many, the benefits outweigh those risks (and reduce your susceptibility to some of them). It’s hard to deny a cold dip can also be extremely refreshing, as your “fight or flight” instincts take over, releasing stress hormones.

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A post shared by CopenHot (@copenhot) on Dec 20, 2019 at 1:42pm PST

Some argue that it reduces swelling and inflammation too. But again, as the BBC writes, “there’s scant evidence of the benefits.”

Intuition suggests it’s worth investigating further. Take the Spartans or Vikings, for instance, and tell me hardship does not make for stronger people. Or today’s Instagram-anxious hordes, and tell me fat happy societies don’t ruin individuals.

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The post Cold Water Swimming: Brutal Danish Ritual Could Be Key To Happiness appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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