Workouts in the Nude
Source: Alora Griffiths on Unsplash
Gym in Spain's Basque region offers naked workouts
A gym in Spain's Basque region has come up with an eye-catching way of battling the recession.
It has begun offering naked workouts, for nudists.
Easy Gym in Arrigorriaga is the first of its kind in Spain, pioneering the peculiar practice of stripping while keeping fit.
"With the crisis we noticed there were fewer people using the gym," owner Merche Laseca explained to the BBC.
"I'm not a nudist myself, though I have no problem with it. But this initiative is about the money."
Naked enthusiasm
The gym did its research before opting to chase the nudist euro.
It discovered that two local swimming pools already offered popular monthly sessions for bathing in your birthday suit.
Every year, in nearby Sopelana, there is a mass naked run along the sands.
There are at least 12 naturist beaches in the Basque region, and many more all over the Spanish coast.
"We're always interested in new activities," explains Maite Vicuna, president of the Basque Naturist Association, who attended a trial run of the naked gym last week.
A poll of the group's members showed 90% support for a facility offering the full range of nude workouts.
"Doing sport without clothes is natural - and much more comfy," Ms Vicuna argues.
Sceptics suggest that running full tilt in the buff might not be entirely enjoyable, though. Sports underwear, they point out, was invented for a reason.
But the gym owner denies her concept is impractical.
"Being a naturist doesn't mean being daft. If a woman needs to, she can put a top on!" says Merche Laseca. "But there's cycling, weightlifting and the Stairmaster: there's lots you can easily do naked."
Easy Gym stresses it does provide towels for comfort and "to prevent slippage" on the equipment.
But some sporting types are clearly unconvinced by the concept.
Exercising question
"Each to his own," the owner of another - traditional - gym in Bilbao told the BBC. "But I think it's the most unhygienic thing in the world."
"It's your clothes that catch the sweat when you work out," said Idoya Echevarria. "So where does all the sweat go, if you're naked? Onto the machines? The floor? Or onto the person next to you?"
And after all that research, Ms Laseca was disappointed by the low show at her inaugural session. Only four naturist fitness fanatics turned up.
"But the people who came really enjoyed themselves," she says, apparently undeterred. From May, the gym will operate every Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday - exclusively for the uninhibited.
A teacher has already been in touch to offer naked yoga classes.
It has begun offering naked workouts, for nudists.
Easy Gym in Arrigorriaga is the first of its kind in Spain, pioneering the peculiar practice of stripping while keeping fit.
"With the crisis we noticed there were fewer people using the gym," owner Merche Laseca explained to the BBC.
"I'm not a nudist myself, though I have no problem with it. But this initiative is about the money."
Naked enthusiasm
The gym did its research before opting to chase the nudist euro.
It discovered that two local swimming pools already offered popular monthly sessions for bathing in your birthday suit.
Every year, in nearby Sopelana, there is a mass naked run along the sands.
There are at least 12 naturist beaches in the Basque region, and many more all over the Spanish coast.
"We're always interested in new activities," explains Maite Vicuna, president of the Basque Naturist Association, who attended a trial run of the naked gym last week.
A poll of the group's members showed 90% support for a facility offering the full range of nude workouts.
"Doing sport without clothes is natural - and much more comfy," Ms Vicuna argues.
Sceptics suggest that running full tilt in the buff might not be entirely enjoyable, though. Sports underwear, they point out, was invented for a reason.
But the gym owner denies her concept is impractical.
"Being a naturist doesn't mean being daft. If a woman needs to, she can put a top on!" says Merche Laseca. "But there's cycling, weightlifting and the Stairmaster: there's lots you can easily do naked."
Easy Gym stresses it does provide towels for comfort and "to prevent slippage" on the equipment.
But some sporting types are clearly unconvinced by the concept.
Exercising question
"Each to his own," the owner of another - traditional - gym in Bilbao told the BBC. "But I think it's the most unhygienic thing in the world."
"It's your clothes that catch the sweat when you work out," said Idoya Echevarria. "So where does all the sweat go, if you're naked? Onto the machines? The floor? Or onto the person next to you?"
And after all that research, Ms Laseca was disappointed by the low show at her inaugural session. Only four naturist fitness fanatics turned up.
"But the people who came really enjoyed themselves," she says, apparently undeterred. From May, the gym will operate every Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday - exclusively for the uninhibited.
A teacher has already been in touch to offer naked yoga classes.
Nude Vocabulary:
She wears makeup for special occasions, but otherwise prefers an au naturel look.
They sunbathe in the buff.
I am usually in bare feet when at home.
What do you wear to bed? My birthday suit.
There are scenes of full-frontal nudity in the film.
He answered the door half-naked.
Can you wait a minute? I have nothing on.
He walks around his flat completely naked. He doesn't care if his neighbours see him.
Naturism is a practice that is growing in popularity
They stayed at a camping-site for naturists.
She does the housework in the nude.
It was her first time at a nudist beach.
Some people are offended by nudity.
When nobody was around, they were swimming in the raw.
He was starkers when they arrived. He hurriedly put some clothes on.
The contestants on the show are all stark naked.
The match was interrupted when a streaker ran onto the pitch.
He was stripped to the waist.
She prefers to sunbathe topless.
He stood there wearing only a smile.
Try to complete the lyrics to the songs. Take a note of any new words and expressions.
Read and comment on other posts under the label Nudity.
Comments
Anyway, in recession times any idea is welcomed to attract more clients and naked people is one of the favourites.
My point is: are naturists really interested in doing some exercise inside a Gym? I bet they prefer going jog outdoors.
I think that a gym is not the better place for the practice of nudism except if you go to swimming. I agree with the woman who says that it’s unhygienic and uncomfortable.
The thing with naturists is that they normally have the worst bodies.
HOWEVER, IN TIMES OF RECESSION any idea IS TO BE WELCOMED to attract more clients, and naked people is one of the favourites.
I bet they prefer TO GO JOGGING outdoors.
Isn't there a naked bike ride in Madrid every year?
I think that a gym is not the BEST place TO PRACTICE of nudism except if you GO SWIMMING.
I think the naked cyclists protest about the lack of cycle lanes.
I follow with interest an animal rights group who regularly organize naked demonstrations.
I think naked demos still grab people's attention but when it is done too often, the danger is that people stop listening to your message.
Who hasn't made a calendar in the nude for charity? lol