Piers Morgan once thanked his haters, but he’s also something of a hater. Yet he’s a lover, too. When he admires someone and/or wants to interview him, his Twitter profile lights up with gushing and butt kissing and open requests for interviews. In late November, Piers set his sights on scoring another Kanye West interview despite, you know, all of those anti-Semitic remarks causing Kanye’s sticker price to plummet. Here’s Piers trying to ka-ching on the controversy:
Fast forward to this week, and even Alex Jones appeared to want to sink into the floor (so he disguised himself as a lizard or something) when Kanye went off the rails while arguing that Hitler had some really positive points, so chill out, man. Not great!
As a result, not even Elon Musk will put up with what Ye is selling. The House GOP likewise deleted it’s infamous supportive tweet, “Kanye. Elon. Trump.” What next? Oh, Piers is (maybe) done with Kanye too and attempting to take the high road.
“I had a lengthy text exchange with Kanye ‘Ye’ West the other day which indicated he’s now revelling in causing maximum offence,” Piers tweeted after the pro-Hitler rant heard ’round the world. “He wasn’t just racist, and anti-Semitic, but horribly homophobic too – and his latest pro-Hitler rant is sadly more evidence he’s lost the plot.”
Very quickly, a Twitter user responded, “Interesting how Piers was begging Kanye for an interview just last week and now he’s suddenly trying to throw him under the bus…” And the vibe continued:
Interesting how Piers was begging Kanye for an interview just last week and now he’s suddenly trying to throw him under the bus… pic.twitter.com/Hhu781yGXS
Hey, at least Piers got to interview Cristiano Ronaldo (one of his heroes), but it *is* awfully odd that everyone is apparently texting Piers Morgan these days. Well, other than Meghan Markle:
With Portugal already through to the knockout stage of the 2022 World Cup, the remaining three teams in Group H went into Friday’s games jostling for second place. By the time the dust settled, a South Korea stoppage time goal over the Portuguese meant that they were moving on, while both sides in the Ghana-Uruguay game saw their World Cup campaigns come to an end.
A pair of first half goals by Uruguay’s Giorgian de Arrascaeta were crucial in their effort to eliminate Ghana and put themselves in as good of a position as possible. La Celeste needed a win to guarantee that the Black Stars would not have a shot of advancing, and between a saved penalty and goals in the 26th and 32nd minute, Ghana’s chances of moving on — which were dependent on at least a draw and a loss for Korea — took a major hit.
Portugal, meanwhile, put up an early hurdle to Korea’s quest to move on. Korea needed a win to ensure they would make the knockouts, but five minutes into their game against the European giants, Ricardo Horta scored to put them behind the 8-ball.
Korea got one back in the 27th minute on this effort by Kim Young-gwon, but as things stood going into the half, Uruguay was slated to secure second place. Only one thing could change that: Korea getting another goal, which would propel them into second place on goal differential as things stood.
And to add to the drama, early on in the second half, Uruguay looked like it was going to get a chance to pad its goal differential — thereby making it so Korea needed to beat Portugal by two. Darwin Núñez got into the box and was taken down. A penalty was given, but VAR intervened to wipe it off of the board.
No penalty for this vs the penalty given for Argentina a few days ago. VAR is just baffling sometimes. pic.twitter.com/JfuSTHcv5K
If this World Cup has made one thing clear, it’s that the football gods are a cruel, cruel bunch. And in stoppage time, South Korea took advantage of VAR intervening in the other game, as a perfectly-executed counterattack ended with Hwang Hee-chan putting the ball in the back of the net.
Word of the goal traveled quickly to the stadium where Uruguay played, and the side’s legendary striker, Luis Suárez, was moved to tears as he learned the news.
But a third goal did not come. Ghana, which has quite the history with Uruguay (and particularly Suárez) at the World Cup, was resilient, and as the seconds ticked away, the sense of desperation and, eventually, devastation could be felt from thousands of miles away. All Uruguay’s players could do was try to confront the officials as they tried to make their way into the tunnel after the game.
Uruguay players follow the game officials into the tunnel after the final whistle pic.twitter.com/bVCIXKM2RW
Portugal and South Korea will learn who they will end up playing in the knockout stage soon, when Group G becomes the final group to play its third game a little later today.
For many people, the 2022 midterms were a potent reminder of just how much they miss having Barack Obama minding the shop. The super-cool former president has been stumping for Democrats across the country in that uniquely Obama way.
On Thursday, Barack was in Georgia — the state where the 2022 midterms never seem to end — to encourage voters to throw their support Raphael Warnock’s way and remind the world that he’s a master of mockery and acerbic jibes. His target: Wannabe senator, possible Texas resident, and confirmed dog owner Herschel Walker.
Before playing a portion of Obama’s epic takedown on Thursday night’s broadcast, MSNBC’s Chris Hayes warned viewers that “Man, it was NOT pretty for Herschel Walker.” He wasn’t kidding.
As you can see for yourself in the video above, it was only through bouts of understandable laughter that Obama could even share his thoughts on Walker’s recent “debate” about whether it’s better to be a vampire or a werewolf — which is an issue that, according to Obama, really is “of great importance to the people of Georgia.”
As the former POTUS explained: “This is a debate that I must confess I once had myself. When I was 7. Then I grew up!”
For those who were curious about where Walker eventually landed in this critical decision, it was on Team Werewolf. “Which is great,” Obama said. “As far as I’m concerned, he can be anything he wants to be — except for a United States senator!”
Dave Steele was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) in 2014 and told that he would slowly lose his vision until he was completely blind. Imagine the pain and stress of knowing that every day your sense of sight will slowly diminish until you fall into complete darkness.
Steele was not only losing his sight, but after his diagnosis, he felt he lost his purpose.
The diagnosis came with an added gut punch: Each of his four children also has a 50% chance of having RP. Steele lost his job, his family couldn’t afford the rent on their home and the waiting list for government benefits was nine months. “I was feeling more guilty about the pressure I was putting on my family and that, in turn, was affecting my vision loss as well and I became more anxious and more isolated because of it,” he told Henshaws InSights.
As his troubles mounted, Steele found solace in talking to others coping with sight loss through Facebook community groups. “That was a real massive, massive help to me,” he told Henshaws InSights.
Steele told his new friends in the RP community that he had worked as a singer, and they invited him to perform at a support group meeting. The night before his performance, he had a moment of pure inspiration. He decided to change the lyrics to Ben E. King’s hit, “Stand By Me” to reflect what life was like living with RP.
This opened the door for his sense of purpose in life to return. “People were coming up to me saying that the words I had written were able to describe how they had always thought about their journey with sight loss when they were unable to find the words themselves,” he said.
In coping with his disability, Steele discovered a talent he never knew he had.
“I never considered myself a poet before I started to lose my sight. I worked as a singer since the age of 18 and had written a couple of poems and songs about things like previous girlfriends. But it wasn’t until I started going blind that I found the ability to write these words that have helped so many people,” he told Upworthy.
This realization led him to create a community for people dealing with RP. Every day he wrote about everything he was going through in poetry and posted them on Facebook RP groups. The experience was cathartic for Steele and his followers.
His poetry gave people words to describe their journey they wouldn’t have had otherwise, and helped countless people feel they weren’t alone. That’s when Dave Steele truly became The Blind Poet. Steele has created a community on Facebook where thousands come to read his poems, share their stories, connect and support one another. He has written more than 1800 poems, published four books of poetry and written a book for children with low vision, “Austin’s Adventures.”
In 2019, Steele, who lives in Manchester, England, was able to do his first speaking tour of the U.S.
Steele uses his persona as The Blind Poet to clear up misconceptions about people with low vision.
“Being blind doesn’t mean that we can’t see anything. Ninety-three percent of people affected by vision loss have some kind of remaining vision. This misconception isn’t anybody’s fault but the lack of education surrounding blindness can cause people like me to become isolated,” he told Upworthy.
Steele believes this misconception makes visually impaired people less likely to use their mobility aids such as a seeing-eye dog or cane in public.
“I’ve been accused of faking my blindness many times by strangers when I’m out and most people living with vision loss have been told ‘you don’t look blind,’ but what does blindness look like?” he added.
Steele wants people to know that “blindness is a spectrum, that there are many different shades and ways to lose sight.”
The Blind Poet’s writing has a big effect on people regardless of their ability to see. “Those affected relate to the words I write and those who aren’t, close their eyes and put themselves in our shoes,” he told Upworthy. “I talk about themes that everyone can relate to whether living with a disability or not.”
The poem that’s had the biggest reaction is “The Secret,” dedicated to Steele’s daughter who lives in Scotland. “It’s about the internal struggle with when is the right time to tell your child that they have a one in two chance of going blind when they’re older due to the condition I have,” he said.
“The Secret” By Dave “The Blind Poet” Steele
It took me years to come to terms with how my eyes declined
Through stages of acceptance of slowly going blind
But nothing I could ever do would allow me to prepare
To tell my little girl the thing I still don’t want to share
It’s tortured me through sleepless nights consumed my mind with guilt
This secret I have kept from her could break the trust I’ve built
I pray that she will understand the things I tried to do and why I never told her that she could be 1 in 2
For she is still a child and far too young to burden with
a fate that I might pass to her for now’s her time to live
But soon will come a moment when I know she must be told
When all the battles I have won I’ll pass for her to hold
But for every unheard question there’s an answer I’ve prepared
They’re written in each line each verse each poem that I’ve shared
For every page I’ve filled I’ve emptied out my heart and soul
So one day she would know the way
That’s always been my goal
So Ellie I hope years from now you’ll be there reading this
Know you can do amazing things whether RP hit or miss
My inheritance to you won’t be a passed down faulty gene
But knowing all life’s beauty that this VIP has seen
Dave Steele
His words also helped a 7-year-old girl named Jackie stand up to bullies in Amarillo, Texas. Her mother taught her one of Steele’s poems and she recited it to speak up for herself. The Blind Poet met the family at an event where he spoke and wrote a poem for her. Here’s an excerpt:
I may be only 7 but it’s getting hard to see
They notice first the cane I hold but “Hi I’m still Jackie”
For I am just a little girl who loves to swim and dance
Will do it every single day if my eyes give me the chance
The classroom lights can sting my eyes
Some days I just black out
I try to do the best I can
Despite the ones who doubt
Don’t treat me like a baby
I am small but I am strong
No matter how my vision fades
It’s my world and I belong
Steele hopes that everyone who is struggling with RP can find community like he has. “Losing sight can feel very isolating and often it’s easy to feel like we are the only ones going through it,” he told Upworthy. “But through the words in my poetry and the many amazing support groups on social media, realizing we aren’t alone can be the first step in acceptance and taking our lives back.”
Facebook has been a life-changing tool for bringing visually impaired people together. “There are so many incredible support groups and pages that are created by people who are going through the same things,” he told Upworthy. “Just being able to connect with someone like that is so important and it’s been integral to my story.”
Facebook has also given him a voice.
“Without Meta/Facebook I wouldn’t be where I am today or known as The Blind Poet,” he said. “To be able to write a piece of poetry and upload it by clicking a button and sending it around the world and to someone who needs to hear its message is truly an incredible thing.”
Steele finds that Facebook’s accessibility features have improved over the years and helped the visually impaired get the most out of the platform.
“Things like dark mode, allowing users to invert the colors on the display to reduce glare on the eyes,” he said. “Also larger text options and, of course, VoiceOver make sure that we can connect with people just the same as anyone else.”
After facing adversity, Steele has turned it into an opportunity to uplift countless people who are facing a devastating diagnosis. Even though his sight may be fading, his dedication to helping others is only growing stronger.
“Being known around the world as The Blind Poet is something I never take for granted,” he told Upworthy. “Every day, I try to reach more people and replicate the impact my poetry has already had with others. I want the opportunity to speak at more events around the world and ultimately to continue to be a voice for those who are comforted by my words.”
It’s officially December—can you believe it? That means 2022 is almost a wrap, which is wild. I mean, wasn’t it just 2020?!?
For many people, December is the season of joy and giving and holiday gatherings, but it can also be a lonely or stressful time for some of our fellow humans. Family isn’t a source of comfort for everyone, unfortunately, and challenges with relationships or finances can make for a difficult December. As we reflect on the past year and prepare for the new one, let’s all commit to treating one another with an extra dose of kindness.
Let’s also remember to celebrate small joys as the days get colder and shorter, like the coziness of a cup of hot cocoa, the sweetness of a child’s laughter or the companionship of our furry friends. It’s often a large collection of little things that add up to a good life, and thankfully, small joys are cheap and plentiful.
This week’s list of things that made us smile is full of joys large and small, starting with some adorable animals and ending with some happy, helpful humans. We hope it brings a smile (or 10) to your face as you head through the weekend.
1. Human teaches doggo to rebound the basketball and doggo is pretty much a pro.
u201cThis dog learned how to rebound the ball when his owner is playing basketball u2764ufe0f ud83cudfc0u201d
“We can’t change the past and some of the dumb stuff we may have done, but every once in a while we can add a little redeeming grace note to that situation — and maybe put a big smile on some strangers’ faces.” Love it. Read the full story here.
7. Billie Jean remix + awesome choreography to go with it = delightful.
So good. A shorter version of this video from Isaiah Shinn went viral on Instagram this summer, but this extended version is even better.
8. Elderly couple gets married in the mayonnaise aisle, right where they first met last year.
Arizona couple gets married at grocery store where they first met
There was a lot of political stuff that went along with this match, but sports are supposed to bring people together. This moment when Antonee Robinson hugged Iranian opponent Ramin Rezaeian at the end of the game says it all. (And in fact, there were several similar moments of human-to-human connection and comfort between the opposing teams after the game.) So beautiful.
Hope that brought some joy to your heart! Come back next week for another roundup of smileworthy finds and if you’d like to have them delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our free newsletter, The Upworthiest.
The holiday season is all about the spirit of giving. So Upworthy is embracing it by sharing gift ideas that won’t just bring joy to those who receive them, but also work to make the world a better place. ‘Joy-Worthy’ gifts support important causes, promote education and help share positivity through love. We’re sure your loved ones will enjoy these gifts and their positive impact on the world as much as you enjoy giving them.
To make things even merrier, 10% of all sales made through this gift guide will go to Guiding Eyes for the Blind (or in the case of our first partner SeaVees, every pair sold will lead to one foot of coastal kelp forest being regenerated through a partnership with SeaTrees).
Nothing says “happy holidays” quite like incredibly cozy slippers. Whether you’re curled up next to the fire or stuck outside collecting the firewood, these slippers made with supersoft fleece will leave your feet feeling as toasty as the marshmallows on your roasting sticks. The slippers are vegan, with the fleece fully made from PET recycled plastic—so Rudolph and his eight reindeer coworkers would approve. Plus, you’ll be supporting a company that loves spreading holiday cheer. Last Giving Tuesday, SeaVees donated thousands of new shoes to families in underserved communities through their partnership with The Conscious Alliance.
For the child who spends the holidays pondering how Santa’s sleigh actually functions, this box set of fun, educational projects that teach engineering and mechanics is a perfect gift. After building a spinning Christmas Candle Carousel, a hand-cranked automaton of Santa’s sleigh, and a light-up Santa’s Workshop, the lucky kid in your family will be ready for any engineering challenge that comes their way.
Some people like to play with their new toys on Christmas morning, while others are just fine relaxing and watching the festivities. Help them sit back in style with a pair of Warby Parker Janelle sunglasses that have oversized lenses big enough to block all the morning sunshine reflecting off the snow. Plus, for every pair purchased, Warby Parker donates a pair of glasses to someone in need, helping people around the world see how beautiful the holidays can really be.
Getting curled up in blankets and having a favorite book read to you is a wonderful holiday tradition, and now that favorite book can be your own personal story. LoveBook lets you create a completely unique and custom book that tells whatever tale you’d like, with fun LoveMoji characters designed to look like you and your loved ones. Now all your greatest holiday stories, from your mom cooking the perfect holiday meal to your dad cursing for six hours while putting together your new bicycle, can be immortalized and shared with those you love forever.
Santa’s reindeer do quite a lot of work on Christmas, so why not give a gift that helps preserve where they call home? This three-pack of super comfortable socks featuring polar bears, narwhals and reindeer will keep your toes warm all winter, and a portion of all sales help Conservation International protect wildlife and their Arctic habitats. They also come in both small and medium sizes, to fit both the elves and the Santas in your life.
Upworthy has earned revenue through a partnership and/or may earn a portion of sales revenue from purchases made through links on our site.
As Good Morning America anchors T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach navigate the public learning about their relationship after being photographed on a romantic getaway, it’s starting to become clear why the two deactivated their social media accounts. A lot of their posts hit differently now that it’s been confirmed that their respective marriages are over. However, the timeline of those dissolutions are in dispute as accusations of Holmes and Robach having an affair continue to swirl.
Holmes has already been flagged for a cryptic Instagram post about ending relationships, but an unearthed post from Facebook is even more cringe-worthy. In a gushing message for the 10th anniversary of his marriage to Marilee Fiebig, Holmes joked about Fiebig staying married to him despite his “best efforts.” Via Us Weekly:
“That’s not hyperbole. I’m not being dramatic. I gave her plenty of reasons, excuses, and opportunities to walk her fine ass out the doooooooor,” he wrote in the now-viral Facebook upload. “But instead, with her built-in black woman superpower, she showed a grace and patience that’s incomprehensible.”
The Arkansas native continued: “Asking her for another 10 years would be asking too much. Another 10 months? That may even be a stretch. If she gave me another 10 weeks, I should consider myself lucky. If she puts up with me another 10 days, I’d be grateful.”
With Holmes and Robach now together and reportedly the center of affair rumors over a year ago, the Facebook post already looks pretty bad. It looks even worse in light of a new report that Fiebig was “blindsided” by Holmes’ new relationship.
“She’s devastated. She had no idea,” a source told Page Six. “They haven’t been together in [a while], but they were trying to work it out.”
It’s that time of the year again: December is here and publications (including Uproxx) have begun rolling out their picks for the best albums of the year. That means it’s also time for another annual installment of the Indiecasties, an episode of Indiecast where hosts Steven Hyden and Ian Cohen honor their favorite (and most overrated) albums of the year. This year’s categories are: Most annoying Music Writer Twitter story, “Why Isn’t This On Your List” Award: Consensus Album That is Truly Overrated, The “Hey, I Actually Like The Album!” Award For Artist You Came To Like This Year, Biggest Disappointment, and Most 2022 Album of 2022.
To kick off the episode, Indiecast discusses the most talked-about event in music this week: Spotify Wrapped. While Apple Music users feel particularly excluded, the ethics of Spotify also come into question. It’s no secret that Spotify rips off artists but does scolding Spotify users help the cause in the long run?
New episodes of Indiecast drop every Friday. Listen to Episode 117 here or below and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. You can submit questions for Steve and Ian at [email protected], and make sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter for all the latest news. We also recently launched a visualizer for our favorite Indiecast moments. Check those out here.
It’s always a little risky to go up to celebrities in public. On the one hand, they might be happy to meet a fan and snap a silly photo that may or may not go viral. On the other hand, they are human, and might not always be in the mood to chat. It can really go either way, depending on the celebrity. What you absolutely don’t want to do is go up to a celebrity and positively insist they are someone else, because not only is it rude, but it might cause them to have a personal identity crisis.
Unfortunately, Trevor Noah fell victim to a fan encounter horror story when a man insisted that he was actually The Weeknd. While they are both similarly stylish and good at dancing, they are not the same person, though one fan could not understand that when he ran into Noah at a basketball game.
The (former) host of The Daily Show recalled the story on a recent appearance on Today, “This guy comes up to me in the stands, and he’s with his wife, and he said, ‘Hey man, can I get a picture?’ And I was like, ‘Oh, yeah, um, okay.’”
The man then asked to confirm that Noah is in fact The Weeknd, which he is not. “I said, ‘No, I’m not The Weekend.’ And he’s like, ‘No, you’re The Weeknd.’ I said, ‘I’m not The Weekend, sir. So, we don’t need to take this picture, then.’” The man then accused Noah of lying about his identity, which is not something you normally want to do when asking for a favor.
The fan then walked away, though Noah said he heard him “confidently” telling his wife, “He’s lying. I know The Weeknd when I see him. I know it’s him.” The guy must not really know The Weeknd, then.
Comedian @Trevornoah is talking to @hodakotb about his upcoming Netflix comedy special “I Wish You Would,” the reason for his departure from “The Daily Show,” and even shares a hilarious experience in which he was mistaken for The Weeknd. pic.twitter.com/nHaisHLFQi
Despite the awkward encounter, Noah finally laughed it off, “I should have said, ‘I am The Weeknd and screw you, I’m not going to take a picture.’” To be fair, Noah has dressed up as The Weeknd for Halloween, so maybe the fan was just really into his Halloween costume.
The holiday season is a good time for doing two things: setting intentions for the new year and shopping. Right now sales are aplenty and if you’re looking for a way to treat your loved ones (or yourself for that matter), how about helping them towards a healthier, more well-balanced life? Sure, the saying is correct that money can’t outright buy you health… but it can certainly help snag a few items that will keep you on a path to longevity.
Below, we have a list of great gear for anyone looking to level up their everyday wellness — both mental and physical. As always, everything you see featured has been road-tested by the crew here at Uproxx and given our stamp of approval. Enjoy!
SMRTFT NÜOBELL ADJUSTABLE DUMBBELLS | 50 LBS
Courtesy
Price: $595
The Company Line:
The SMRTFT adjustable dumbbells are the most innovative offerings of their kind on the market. They feature the convenience of all-in-one adjustable pieces that can range between 5-50 pounds depending on the setting. They have superior durability thanks to their machined steel-weight plates. Complete with a knurled handle and pancake-style disks, they feel like a heavy-duty barbell that you would find at most commercial weightlifting gyms.
Why You Need It:
Dumbbells of an adjustable nature became quite the commodity over the last few years as everyone started to build their home gyms. Not only are they space savers for people who don’t want to make room for a whole dumbbell rack, but they are also cost-efficient, given the fewer materials needed. These are great options, well-made, and sleek-looking for those who want a sharper aesthetic in the workspace.
Since you may be stuck in the house due to the frigid temperatures, this brings the gym to you.
This premium heart rate strap transmits real-time heart rate data over ANT+ connectivity and Bluetooth technology, giving you more options to train indoors, outdoors, or even online. With it, you’ll be able to consistently receive accurate heart rate on your Garmin device, in online training apps such as Strava, or even the compatible fitness equipment in your favorite class at the gym. So however you like to train, you’ll get the accurate, real-time heart rate you need to take your performance to the next level.
Why You Need It:
Back in the day, G.I. Joe said, “Knowing is half the battle.” That could also apply to personal health information, which for many years was available only to doctors and their offices. Now, in this ever-growing world of fitness tech, that information has become democratized. One of the most helpful pieces of data is your heart rate when performing different activities. Garmin has become an industry leader in these kinds of products, and this piece is a comfortable option for anyone.
SKLZ Grip Strength Trainer is adjustable from 20 pounds to 90 pounds of resistance, helping to increase finger, hand, wrist, and forearm strength. The tool also makes a great tool for rehabilitation, circulation, and stress relief. The curved design and anti-slip handle provide a secure grip, making it comfortable during workouts. The compact size and shape make it easy to take and use anywhere at home or on the road.
Why You Need It:
The majority of upper body training all begins with the hands, and the ability to hold weight. Grip strength is seriously undertrained in most workouts, and few know how to train it in an effective manner. For anyone trying to do their first pull-up or perhaps hoping to audition for American Ninja Warrior, here is one way to start the journey. Not only that, but it’s easy to keep at the desk or have in the travel bag so you can get strong while you kill time. It’s also a great way to deal with tension or stress during a busy work day.
Putting on Normatec is like sitting down for the best leg massage of your life. Developed by doctors, they are proven to help with lymphatic drainage and decrease the pain or soreness from a long day in the gym or outside of it. Normatec’s compression therapy increases circulation and helps you maintain your full range of motion, leaving your fresh and limber. The Normatec 3 is the latest evolution of their iconic series, which has become well-known amongst experts and professional athletes.
Why You Need It:
Getting regular massages is out of the realm of possibility for many of us, because of the time and money required. The beauty of these boots is that after a long day you can strap them on for a full hour of recovery while you watch your favorite show or eat dinner, without any further effort on your part. Few realize how much punishment their legs can go through throughout the day, and relief from these boots will become a welcome ritual.
The future of massage is wall-mounted. Meet the Vertiball from Symbodi. In a world of high-priced recovery devices that scream innovation, this is a simple, practical, useful device for the rest of us with a reasonable price point. The item is extremely portable and mounts to any available smooth surface. Tense muscles are unpredictable, so you should be able to alleviate the pain anytime and anywhere. Simply lean on Vertiball or Vertiroller with your body weight to easily relieve muscle knots and tension. You control how much pressure to apply.
Why You Need It:
People in the health and wellness world are familiar with the practice of using lacrosse balls to massage specific areas of tension in your muscles. The team at Symbodi has leveled up that practice by creating a unique instrument that allows the user to target spots that are troubling them with their own body weight. The ability to mount it and access your back or any other area that is usually out of reach is a game changer. There are a number of world-class athletes who use the piece to both activate and soothe muscle groups.
Ross Edgley has spent decades perfecting the principles and practice of extreme fitness to achieve the impossible. Following a career-threatening injury in 2018, Ross was forced to reassess his training and take the next steps in a lifelong journey of redefining what the human body is capable of. In Blueprint, Ross shares the cutting-edge training program that empowered him to rebuild his body from surgery and a doctor’s gloomy prognosis in just 365 days to complete a world record swim. The book applies the exact same principles that enabled Ross to complete extreme feats such as the World’s Longest Sea Swim, World’s Longest Rope Climb, World’s Heaviest Triathlon, and World’s Strongest Marathon.
Featuring almost 30 tailored workouts for different phases of training, packed with digestible sports science to help you optimize your workouts, and interspersed with Ross’ own daring adventures across the world, Blueprint is the ultimate guide to optimizing your time and training to make the impossible possible.
Why You Need It:
Far too much time and energy are already spent online. Those looking for the latest and greatest insights could spend days on the Internet without finding the information that this book possesses. Not only that, but it is a great way to exercise your mind and put less strain on your eyes from the screen. For a coach, there isn’t much better out there than Ross Edgley, who has accomplished nearly-impossible physical feats over and over again.
BOB, aka the Body Opponent Bag, was the first-ever mannequin training bag for martial arts. So, what is it that makes a Body Opponent bag so special? BOB gives you a realistic human torso shape for a striking surface. Since you are training to fight against a human (presumably) this shape allows you to train with a higher level of accuracy than a regular heavy bag or punching bag.
Can you imagine always having a training partner readily available? Someone who won’t flinch away from the toughest punches and kicks? That’s what it’s like to have BOB in your home or gym.
Why You Need It:
Thanks to fight promoters like UFC, One Championship, DAZN, and others, combat sports have become one of the more popular watches in the world. Because of that interest, more people are training mixed martial arts and boxing than ever. BOB is one of the most iconic pieces of gym equipment ever, and one of the reasons is how practical it is. Less permanent than hanging a heavy bag, the BOB can be easily wheeled around anywhere from storage to the garage. On top of being a great piece to workout with, it is priceless for anyone training boxing, muay thai, taekwondo, or any other fighting style.
The ultimate all-in-one fitness solution for everyone, The Home2 Suspension Trainer is a full gym experience powered by your body weight, from all levels and goals. The unique design is able to recreate every move that you would hope to perform in a gym or studio and powers them through your own body weight.
Adaptable for all fitness levels, the Suspension Trainer meets you where you are, just change the angle to change your resistance level.
The Company Line:
Founded by a former Navy SEAL, the TRX system is as advertised: one of the most complete bodyweight training options available. Great to use at home, or anywhere in the world that travel takes you, it packs easily into the mesh bag it is packaged with. The kinds of movements required to pull off exercises with this equipment force you to focus on control and mobility. These are crucial factors in staying limber for longer and becoming stronger at a greater range of motion.
Core is for anyone who could use some support in developing a consistent meditation habit. The package includes a trainer and 12 months of content including breath training and soundscapes, updated daily. The Core instrument pulses alongside your meditation sessions, with vibrations guiding you through your breath, or serving as a gentle reminder to help focus your attention. During each meditation, the Core’s ECG biosensors measure your heart and nervous system.
Why You Need It:
Beginning the practice of regular meditation does not come easy to many in this age of attention deficit. Learning how to quiet your mind or focus on one singular thing for any amount of time can seem virtually impossible. That’s why this device can be helpful for those looking to start their journey to some sort of inner peace. For some, there are great instructors around who can help kick off that routine, but for everyone else this piece can help drive concentration to the task at hand, using vibration and sound.
Unleash your inner savage with the TacTec Trainer Weight Vest that we designed specifically for training. Constructed from tough 600D polyester, our TacTec Trainer Weight Vest holds 5.11 and Rogue weight plates and the 5.11 TacTec Weight Plate Sandbag. Adjustable yoke shoulder straps with breathable mesh padding and breathable mesh body pads help you push your limits and keep you cool. The adjustable stretch cummerbund keeps the weight vest secure, while the pockets allow you to stash and access accessories. Internal retention straps hold the weight plates securely in place.
Why You Need It:
This piece of gear is perfect for anyone looking to take their bodyweight training to the next level. The real deal, the unit is useable as a modular combat vest for law enforcement and first responders in the field of duty, in addition to the fitness applications highlighted here. The pouches accommodate two plates, with the ability to add up to 40 pounds of additional weight. The fit is superior to other vests on the market in terms of comfortability and the oversized airflow panels make it very breathable, which is a saving grace during sweaty sessions outdoors.
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(@RicciPirlo2nd) December 2, 2022
