2 . Singer Liu Genghong is enjoying great popularity recently after posting online fitness videos on TikTok. In the videos, he often works out to the fast-paced music of his friend JayChou. Now his TikTok account has rocketed to 55 million fans and 53 million likes, inspiring people’s interest in indoor exercise.

According to Pu Zhengning, a professor of Southeast University in Nanjing, the COVID-19 has limited access to gyms and fitness centers, so simple aerobic (有氧的) exercises that do not need equipment are perfect for people to perform at home. And that is exactly the demand that Liu has come up on his social media platforms.

Since the COVID-19 broke out, the increasing downloads of fitness apps indicates the growing popularity of online fitness. The number of fitness videos on the platform in 2021 increased by 134 percent, while followers of fitness trainers were up by 208 percent.

Wei Fang, a student at Shandong Normal University, is one of Liu’s fans. “My major requires me to sit for a long time,” she said. “So how could I refuse a star singer as a personal trainer? Besides, when watching the live stream, I feel like I’m taking exercise with friends, which encourages me to keep going,” added Wei, who claims to have lost 3.5 kilograms in just seven days and also have a more positive mood.

According to the 2022 Sports and Fitness Consumption Trend Report, the sales of yoga and dance products have achieved fast growth since March. Along with social media plat-forms, China’s sports governing body launched online games on April 28. Ding Dong, an official with the General Administration of Sport, said: “The aim of the games is to inspire the mass enthusiasm for fitness.”

Now it seems that “cloud fitness” offers a great choice to gym memberships. In the past, aerobic exercises on TV were popular, and now it’s even easier to follow along and learn from instructors on short-video platforms.

3 . Four of the Best Art Competitions to Enter in 2023

If you’re creating amazing art but struggling to gain exposure, art contests are a great opportunity for publicity. Ready to show off your art to the world? Check out our guide to some of the best art contests to enter this year.

The Lumen Prize for Digital Art

Prize: $4,000 first prize

Entry Fee: $40 for two works

This digital art competition is organized by Lumen Art Projects Ltd, a non-profit organization that’s committed to providing new opportunities for digital artists around the world. The only requirement is that the submitted artworks must somehow engage with technology.

World Illustration Awards

Prize: A cash prize of £2,000

Entry Fee: £29 per entry

Anyone who’s into illustration is bound to have heard of the famous World Illustration Awards. Illustrators are invited to submit works published since 2018. Winners will not only win a cash prize, but they’ll be offered invaluable global exposure, such as a marketing package in the Directory of Illustration.

Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize

Prize: Over $50,000 in cash

Entry Fee: $ 40 per entry

The Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize is an annual international art prize that celebrates diversity and excellence in the visual arts. It aims to inspire creatives from around the world to enter the art profession through funding and increased exposure of their works.

The Sunny Art Prize

Prize: A total cash fun d of £6,000

Entry Fee: £25 for one artwork

One of the most inclusive and diverse art competitions in the UK, the Sunny Art Prize offers unique exposure for both emerging and established artists. Winners will have an opportunity to produce their works during a month-long residency in China.

5 . Orlando is the premier destination for sportspeople of all ages and skill levels. Whether you want to get in the game or just watch professionals work their magic, you’re bound to win with these unforgettable options.

FISHING

With miles of rivers,lakes and canals — not to mention the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico just an hour away on either coast — the Orlando area offers unforgettable action for anglers (钓鱼者) of all skill levels. At Walt Disney World, for example, you can have several options, including two-hour guided trips, kid’s fishing and even canoe pole fishing.

TENNIS

Open to the public,and less than 20 minutes from Orlando International Airport, the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona invites tennis enthusiasts of all skill levels and ages to watch, learn and play at one of the world’s largest tennis facilities (设施). Whether you’re a player or coach, beginner or expert, you’ll enjoy wonderful tennis experiences at this one-of-a-kind location.

GOLF

With more than 150 golf courses and numerous golf academies (not to mention excellent mini-golf),it’s no surprise that so many professional golfers live in Orlando. Several professionals have even designed local courses, including Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman and Tom Fazio. We also host famous golf tournaments.

RUNNING

Bring your best running shoes when you come to Orlando, because our miles of trails, parks and roadways will have you feeling the need for speed. You can also stock up on related equipment at fashion shops and well-known chains. Top foot races held in the area include January’s Walt Disney World Marathon, February’s Orlando Xtreme Half-Marathon and Disney’s Princess Half-Marathon, and December’s OUC Orlando Half-Marathon.

8 . Simone Biles was expected to lead the United States women’s gymnastics team to an Olympic gold medal in Tokyo, Japan. But not long into the competition on July 27, Biles withdrew (退出) from the team event.

Biles told reporters that stress had taken its toll. She was not injured, she said. But “once I came out here, I felt that the mental element is not there. So I just need to let my teammates do it and focus on myself.”

Biles isn’t the first athlete to speak out about the pressure of competitive sports. In May, tennis star Naomi Osaka withdrew from the French Open. She was concerned about her mental health. Swimmer Michael Phelps has long spoken about his struggles. “We’re human beings,” he says. “It is okay not to be okay.”

Athletes are usually taught to focus on winning. They work through pain and injury. But now, sports stars are pushing back against that thinking. They say winning should not take priority (优先) over their health. “It’s okay sometimes to even sit out the big competitions to focus on yourself,” Biles said. “It shows how strong of a competitor and person that you really are.”

Jill Emanuele, a director at the Child Mind Institute, says star athletes are setting a positive example. “The message now is that being tough means paying attention to yourself and making sure you’re okay,” she says. In sports, mind and body must work together, or that could lead to injuries. It’s why Biles did not continue in the team event.

Emanuele advises young athletes to “talk to people when you have trouble.” That’s what Biles did. And with the support of her team, she was able to return to competition. She finished the Olympic Games with a bronze medal in the women’s balance-beam final.

10 . Although a gym membership can be nice, you don't have to have one to get into great shape! All you need is a little bit of time and space at home for yourself.     1    

Spend 5 to 10 minutes warming up before every workout.     2     Try jumping jacks, leg or arm circles, or even dancing. Just get your blood pumping. Do a progressive aerobic activity that uses the same muscles you want to work out. For instance, slowly jog if you are going for a longer run.

    3     Strength training, also called resistance training, makes you stronger and builds endurance. Try to do exercises that work a lot of muscles and add weight to increase your resistance. This helps you do a harder workout every time you exercise.

    4    You might be eager to just stop your workout when you've finished your last set of activity, but take a few minutes to do low-intensity exercises that lower your heartrate. You might drop your run into a walk or slow down your cycling, for instance.

Set achievable goals that you can break into smaller tasks. It's one thing to say you want to get fit, but that means something different for everyone.     5     It should be specific, realistic, and meaningful. Then, break down each goal into small, actionable steps so it feels like you're making progress regularly.