Do You Need an LGBT-Friendly Personal Trainer in St Louis?
I'll start by saying what's not said enough: The fitness industry and many commercial gyms are very "good vibes only" and "don't offend anybody." Interestingly, I've been to gyms that claim to be inclusive via marketing, various flags hanging across the ceiling, and somewhat diverse staff. Those same gyms were still quite discriminatory to me as a Black man. That includes noticing microaggressions when dealing with staff members, being watched like a criminal (hyper-surveillance), being the only one not greeted when passing the front desk, having complaints dismissed because my tone isn't perfectly sweet, seeing the Confederate flag, the list goes on. Basically, a bunch of "polite racism" and "racism by omission." Gay people deal with some similar challenges.
10 Natural Remedies for Constipation
You might have a really crappy day if you feel like you need to take a crap...but can't. Or maybe your stool looked suspicious. You might feel bloated, frustrated, or worried that it's a symptom of worse issues. Some of the most notable medical conditions that can cause constipation: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Crohn's Disease, and Diverticulitis. You should probably visit your doctor depending on the severity, duration, and frequency of your inability to poop. However, after COVID-19, more people are more hesitant to visit their doctor. Many have consequentially become more open-minded toward natural remedies. Learning how to treat constipation naturally is an easy, safe introduction to herbal remedies as a substitute for pharmaceutical drugs. Below are 10 cheap, natural remedies for constipation relief.
10 Actual Benefits of Having a Personal Trainer
Do you need a certified personal trainer (CPT) to accomplish your goals? I don't know. I know it's not nearly as simple as needing the knowledge. You can learn exercises from countless YouTube videos, blogs, fitness apps, and watching others in your gym. An AI chat-bot can create workout programs from good prompt engineering emphasizing your goals, limitations, and available resources. For the proactive go-getter with the time and energy to do all that, personal training may not provide much return on investment (ROI). But that's for you to decide. I've talked with many potential personal training clients who just needed some advice instead of a whole workout program and a "looming presence." Below are some real, honest benefits to having a personal trainer.
10 Basic Linux Security Best Practices
I've evangelized Linux operating systems (OSes) — or distributions (distros) — and free open-source software (FOSS) for over a decade. Since then, cybersecurity has evolved so much, especially with the evolution of artificial intelligence (AI). But I haven't addressed this directly in quite some time. Below I'll share 10 basic Linux security best practices with actionable solutions.
10 SYNRGY360 Functional Training Exercises for Fun Ways to Work Out
If you've ever seen a huge multi-function machine with different equipment on each corner with stuff hanging from it, it was probably a Life Fitness SYNRGY360 Functional Trainer Machine. The SYNRGY360, not "synergy 360" with an "e," is common in many commercial gyms including the YMCA, Planet Fitness, and Life Time. If you're new to exercise, this exercise machine may be one of the most intimidating things in the gym. Below I'll give you ideas on how to use SYNRGY360 functional training exercises for functional, fun workouts.
5 Great BOSU Ball Exercises for Balance and Core Stability
The BOSU Balance Trainer, better known as "BOSU ball," is that big rubber half-sphere that people stand on while exercising. It's usually blue with a black flat side or all black. It may seem like a ridiculous fad, but the BOSU ball is an excellent, advanced tool for improving balance and core stability.
If you're hesitant, there are plenty of options for building up to BOSU ball stability exercises. The single-leg stand is a basic balance exercise that requires no equipment. Tai chi, lesser known than yoga and Pilates, is notable for improving fall prevention. Below I'm going to share some of my favorite BOSU ball exercises.
Black-Owned Search Engine for Black Americans: Why I Built Conscious Baseline
Imagine a search engine that gives you results not only based off of relevancy but community votes. Reddit might come to mind. Unlike Reddit, the Conscious Conscious Baseline – Conscious Black Americans' Search Engine for Lineage Education – for Lineage Education isn't for everybody. One of the first Black-owned search engines per my research, this is for Black Americans serious about building the Black American community, not the African diaspora, "Black and Brown Coalition," or Black and Queer community. Think of Conscious Baseline as the Google Scholar for Black folks serious about Black-centric politics and learning how our lineage.
"Black American" means "American Descendants of Slavery" (ADOS), "descendants of freedmen," Foundational Black American (FBA), etc., not melanated people, "people of color," first generation Black Africans, or Black people from the US "minor outlying islands" (colonies) or elsewhere outside the 50 United States of America.
Conscious Baseline is in its infancy, but I'm serious about this. I'm determined to continue contributing to the solution to the issues affecting Black Americans. Below are deeper reasons I'm building this Black-owned search engine.
6 Reasons to Join the Center of Clayton MO Gym
Attached to Clayton High School, Missouri, is one of the easiest-to-miss gyms in Clayton, MO — the Center of Clayton. It's tucked behind a parking garage just off of where Ladue Rd and Maryland Ave meet. With such a broad name, it's easy to overlook its value not only as a physical fitness center, but as a community wellness center equipped to enhance overall health, not simply fitness goals. Below I'll explain why the Center of Clayton gym might be the best option for you.
5 Reasons Black Americans Should Use More Free Open Source Software (FOSS)
Conversations about Black American history or the "Black dollar" oftentimes merge with the other. Slavery, segregation, redlining, eminent domain, the new Jim Crow. It's easier to rush through these topics in a short emotional conversation. Unfortunately, that oftentimes means not being able to discuss any of them in-depth. And I'm going to do that here.
This blog post is about saving money on tools that can help you make money in today's gig economy. Pro Tools, the Adobe suite, Sony Vegas, and Microsoft Windows obviously have value for their features, popularity, and job demand. But what if you don't have money for a particular paid software, especially ones with a subscription-based model? Some will say "install a pirated copy," but that's dangerous, sometimes blocked by online integrity checks, and illegal. Below are five reasons why I recommend Black Americans specifically to consider reputable free and open-source software (FOSS).
3 Ways to Get the Planet Fitness Military Discount
Planet Fitness does offer military discounts. I say again, you can get a military discount at Planet Fitness gyms. PF gyms do not only offer discounts to first responders. There's no difference between a regular Planet Fitness veteran discount, disabled veteran discount, or active duty discount. Now for the caveats.
There are many invalid promotion codes for discounts available online. Some promo codes are outdated. Many, including the ones below, are only valid at certain gyms. Why? Planet Fitness gyms are predominantly franchise-owned. Each franchise [and gym general manager] can offer or refuse military veteran discounts. Below are three ways new and current customers can obtain a military discount at Planet Fitness.
10+ Best Bulgarian Split Squat Progressions
The Bulgarian split squat is a much-hated, well-respected single-leg exercise. Bulgarian split squats work the quadriceps and hamstrings (upper thighs), glutes, and core muscles to various degrees depending on how you hold the weight. Sometimes simply called the Bulgarian squat, it is one of the hardest leg exercises you can do. Below are various variations to consider based on your fitness goals.
How to Manually Install Gym Bag Digital on Android (Sideloading)
As of now, you can only install Gym Bag Digital on Android via side-loading. That basically means bypassing Google's Play Store to manually install an application. Below I'll explain why this is the only way to use the app and how to sideload Gym Bag Digital on Android.
Why I Built a Privacy-First Workout Tracker (Gym Bag Digital)
Gym Bag Digital is an offline workout tracker for Android, by me. But why? There are a couple reasons I created the Gym Bag Digital Android app.
5 Natural Ways to Increase Energy (Without Coffee)
Starbucks coffee, Monster Energy drinks, Red Bull cans, and various gas station energy shots are all notable options for increasing energy, alertness, and focus. Many of us know someone who drinks one one those daily for their caffeine fix. However, many of these commercial energy drinks have excessive amounts of caffeine, cost a lot, or include known harmful or weakly tested ingredients. Below are a few easier, simpler, and natural ways to increase energy.
6 Ways to Make Eating Healthy Easy
Eating healthy isn't easy for a lot of Americans these days. Healthy food is more expensive, expires quickly, and sometimes requires a lot of research to ensure you're getting what's being marketed. Junk food is more accessible, costs less (debatable post-COVID though), lasts longer, and tastes familiar. Instead of thinking of your diet as good or bad, embrace the gray area journey to eating healthier. Your budget, free time, food preparation skills, culture, and knowledge about nutrition all impact your diet. That sounds overwhelming, but I'm not asking you to deal with any of that directly. Below are five options for how to make eating healthy easy in your life. Inhale peace, exhale stress, and read on.
10+ Online Stores for Norfolk State University Alumni Apparel
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) gained a lot of attention from the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. Many HBCUs reported enrollment growth in 2020, reversing the steady decline in total HBCU enrollment throughout the 2010s. Norfolk State University (NSU) alum who were a part of that trend, like me, may have unique pride in their alma mater. Below are 10 websites for NSU alumni apparel.
HBCU Students Should Complete the SFEPD Mind Over Money Skills Financial Literacy Certification
The Society for Financial Education and Professional Development (SFEPD) is a nonprofit organization focused on financial literacy education. Their "four pillars" of focus: colleges, faith-based institutions, workplace financial wellness, and community workshops. In fall 2024, SFEPD created the Mind Over Money Skills Financial Literacy Certification course. This online course was created specifically for Black American students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Below is every reason most Black Americans should complete the Mind Over Money Skills Financial Literacy course.
5 Hardest Leg Exercises for Functional Aging Training
Your legs are part of your "core" muscles and should be trained that way. You should train all core muscles - including leg muscles - for strength, and stabilization. This is why athletes focus on footwork. Its why there are so many types of shoes for various activities. For example, flat shoes with minimal padding like Chuck Taylor's are good leg workout shoes. Want to shake up your leg workout regimen? Below is a sample workout with five of the hardest leg exercises for real-world lower body strength, power, and balance.
5+ Must-Try Black-Owned Restaurants in Saint Louis, Missouri
There's a lot to do in the greater St. Louis area between the 90+ cities in St. Louis, Missouri and East St. Louis, Illinois. Of course I made time to find some Black-owned restaurants in STL. Below are some Black-owned restaurants in St. Louis, Missouri worth checking out.
10+ Great Black-Owned Activewear Brands
I've supported and produced content about a lot of Black-owned businesses in recent years. Many of them are Black-owned fitness apparel businesses. So that you don't need to bounce around my blog to find them, this listacle includes my top Black-owned activewear brands.
