fitness in public

Fitness is coming out in the open, it’s back to basics and no-nonsense. You wonder yearh, what’s so special about that? Nature and the outdoor has always been for free for everybody to use almost any way they want. Well the new thing is that people get out of the fitness club and out into the open and free public space or nature. The hottest training method is Bootcamp it’s derived from American military training programs and includes simple exercises like push-ups, squats, lunges and jumping jacks and running short distances. It’s a full body work-out without any use of machines.

Run2Day group in the Voorveldsepolder, Utrecht

citypark, Austin

Recently I participated in a session of outdoor fitness in my local park, I had been persuaded by my not-so-sporty husband, that this was really a great way of exercise. And I must say it really was great. Mickey from Komvandiebankaf did a great job. Around 8PM we gathered in the park, the temperature was close to 0ºC and it was already dark, not the most encouraging conditions.We did some running, some push-ups, some poweryoga flows, and we used each-other as buddies to do different short and quick exercises to train our stamina. And there was fresh fruit and small-talk afterwards. Of course you couldn’t help but notice the starring glares from people passing us in the park, it was a rather unusual view on Monday evenings.

It was a very refreshing way of exercising, it feels so much more real and authentic to be outdoors to run and to do exercises without machines. I have always loved running outdoors in nature, but the combination with the exercises makes it even better because more muscles and parts of your body get trained. Of course there are places where the city-council has placed some bars etc to encourage you to exercise during your run, but they seem generally to be poorly used. As you are not a bunch of people closed up in a confined space there also seems to be much less look-at-me behavior. And the only ones looking at you seem to be the passers-by. They are probably just jealous

I would like to believe that we are seeing the birth of a new kind of fitness movement.

local, intimate and old-fashioned food

In some newer restaurants and take-aways you can see a turn away from lounge. There is a new atmosphere of intimate eating in living room like atmospheres with retro feel, and a return to good old-fashioned food. No more lying down on cushions, no more finger-food. It is also clear from these newly opened restaurant and take-aways in particular that people want better, more tasty and healthy take-aways. we are either too lazy to cook ourselves, or we have too little time and when we then have to buy take-away we want better, more responsible food.

cést ca, neighbourhood restaurant (Bollenhofsestraat 142, Utrecht)
In this recently opened restaurant in Wittevrouwen, Utrecht we eat as if we where in a living room, almost as if we where visiting somebody in their home. Every night there is a fixed meal of 5 dishes. The chef and the servant take turns working either in the kitchen or in the eating-space. The place is rather unpretentious and informal, with a decor that is somewhat old-fashioned, grand-ma's like wallpaper, plates and cutlery. also the dishes are somewhat granny, good old-fashioned food with a modern twist, always made out of ingredients bought the same morning on the market.

Tante Joke (biltstraat, Utrecht)
The name almost says it all, good old-fashioned food like your aunt would cook. This is a great new take-away concept, no more fat, greasy, unhealthy take-away, this is affordable fresh dishes and real good food. Tante Joke actually turns out to be a man.

 
















Gastmaal en de Tafel (Griftstraat, Utrecht)
also a take-away with good old-fashioned food, but with a more French or Mediterranean take on it. The dishes are really delicious, made with craftmanship and great care and more expensive than at Tante Joke.

Stamppot-to-go (nobelstraat, Utrecht)
stamppot is an old-fashioned Dutch dish is typically made of mashed potatoes, veggies (typically carrots) and smoked sausage. Having said that have to add that it exists in many, many variations, and is of course typically something made at home. Stamppot-to-go is offering this homely meal to take-away in an attempt to offer better, more healthy and nutritious take-away meals for busy urban people. The look-and-feel of this concept is fresh, bright and white, with a strong connection to health. but not really having much connection with the idea of the old-fashioned home-made dish,