Canadian wildfire smoke stopping your workout? Planet Fitness opens doors this weekend
With Canadian wildfire smoke causing poor air quality across Michigan, Planet Fitness locations are opening to anyone wanting to exercise for free now through close of business on Sunday, June 8, the company said.
'With recent alerts due to the Canadian wildfires, we want to make sure those who normally exercise outdoors have a safe option to avoid unhealthy air quality levels,' said Keith Bertram, president of EPIC Fitness Group, one of the state's Planet Fitness franchisees.
EPIC Fitness Group, Impact Fitness, Cambridge Investors and Red Mountain Companies own and operate more than 80 Planet Fitness locations in Michigan.
'Part of a healthy lifestyle is making fitness a part of your routine. We hope this free access gives everyone the opportunity to exercise safely and continue their healthy habits," Bertram said.
Visitors will have no obligation to join Planet Fitness to take advantage of the opportunity, the company said.
According to AirNow, which provides air quality measurements, nearly all of Michigan has "moderate" air quality as of 7 a.m. June 6.
Moderate air quality means air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
Readings across Michigan at 7 a.m. included:
Kalamazoo: 101
Grand Rapids: 88
Bay City: 85
Sault Ste. Marie: 80
Lansing: 80
Flint: 72
Houghton Lake: 70
Marquette: 70
Houghton: 61
In southeast Michigan, including the Detroit area, air quality was worse at 7 a.m. — in the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" range. Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected, according to the AQI.
Stations in Detroit and Ypsilanti measured readings of 118 at 7 a.m. Ann Arbor had a 129 reading and Manchester was at 139 on the AQI.
There are over 80 Planet Fitness gyms located in Michigan.
For address and hours of operations, visit www.planetfitness.com.
All Planet Fitness locations feature cardio and strength equipment pieces, plate loaded strength equipment and functional training, as well as amenities such as full-service locker rooms, tanning, massage chairs and HydroMassage beds.
Founded in 1992 in Dover, New Hampshire, Planet Fitness is one of the largest franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the United States by number of members and locations, the company said, with approximately 20.6 million members and more than 2,741 clubs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, Mexico, Australia and Spain.
More than 90% of Planet Fitness stores are owned and operated by independent business men and women.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Planet Fitness opens doors to non-members avoiding Canadian wildfire smoke
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Tick Populations Are Booming Across the U.S. And Displaying ‘Alarming' New Behavior
We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More › Summer is the thick of tick season. If you spend a lot of time outdoors during the warmer months, whether it's in the backwoods or the backyard, you've probably taken your precautions. It turns out those precautions may be more important than ever, with tick populations not just exploding, but migrating. We'll tell you what you need to know to protect yourself and your loved ones. Also in today's news digest: hurricane season's false start, the year's first heat wave, and IKEA's surprise closings. If you've noticed an uptick in, well, ticks, you're not alone. More and more individuals across the country, even as far north as beyond the Canadian border, have reported sightings. According to the New York Times, at least four types of ticks haven't just been multiplying at alarming rates, but they're also going beyond the limits of their typical preferred habitats. Deer ticks are expanding north; the longhorned tick is expanding westward from the East Coast; Gulf Coast ticks are expanding into more northern territory; and the lone star tick is similarly making the large leap from the South to the north, and have been found as far north as Canada. That's not the entire story. Ticks aren't just moving into new areas. They're also now staying active for a much longer period. In some places, if they stopped searching for someone or something to bite in the fall, they're now only slowing down in the winter. Scientists say that climate change is the primary driver of these trends. As the Earth warms, many places that were previously less hospitable to ticks are warming to the degree that they are now viable habitats. Their typical habitats are also getting warmer, so they can stay active for longer. So what can you do about ticks? The best course of action is prevention. Tick bites can cause severe illness when the tick isn't removed and the bite isn't treated. Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and alpha-gal syndrome (an allergy to red meat) can all be caused by ticks—and cases of these illnesses have, alarmingly, been rising in recent years. Wearing long pants and long sleeves, and tucking your pants into your socks or boots and your shirt into your pants can significantly reduce your chances of a tick bite. Using tick repellents containing DEET can also be effective. And lastly, remember that ticks can be present nearly anywhere, and are just as likely to be found in parks and in your backyard as they are in wooded areas. Hurricane season seems to have gotten off to a false start. Hurricane season officially started in June, and with a very busy season predicted, it comes as a shock to many that there hasn't been a single hurricane throughout the month (so far). But experts say that this is very typical: in June, the Atlantic isn't usually warm enough to create favorable conditions for a hurricane. And though this has been one of the slowest starts to the Atlantic hurricane season in 20 years, hurricanes are churning off the West Coast, in the Pacific. We didn't have to wait long after the first day of summer to experience the first heat wave of the season. Eastern and Central United States are being hit with a multi-day stretch of record-setting temperatures, possibly reaching 100 degrees or more. Factor in the humidity, and temperatures can feel much higher. If you're experiencing this heat wave, try these tricks to stay cool. And if you don't have an AC, try these hacks for cooling your home. IKEA, the build-it-yourself furniture store, closed three of its stores. The closings didn't affect warehouses, but the brand's newer concept, Plan & Order Point. Plan & Order Point stores are smaller-scale locations where customers can plan their future purchases, but don't walk out with purchases in hand. Two of the closed stores were in the United Kingdom; the third was in Long Beach, California.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
10 best and worst deli meats you can buy at grocery stores in Canada, ranked by a nutrition coach: Turkey breast, ham, roast beef and other popular meats
Deli meats are a convenient go-to for lunches, charcuterie boards and grab-and-go snacks. Some are lean, protein-packed choices that make lunch a little easier. Others are heavy on sodium and saturated fat, with a side of added preservatives. For Canadians navigating the deli counter, it's worth learning the difference between a healthy pick and an ultra-processed one. Health Canada classified deli meats as highly processed foods, and for good reason. Many varieties are packed with salt and preservatives, which have been linked to increased risks of heart disease and colorectal cancer. That doesn't mean you have to give them up entirely, but it does make it important to choose wisely regarding which options deserve a regular spot in your rotation. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle. As a nutrition coach, I know consistently eating balanced meals sometimes means choosing convenience. Deli meats are a super quick source of protein that can help people create more nutritious meals when they're short on time. Here, I've ranked 10 of the most common deli meats found in Canadian grocery stores — like turkey breast, ham, roast beef and Canadian-style bacon — using nutritional breakdowns and official health recommendations to give you a clear picture of what you can safely add to your cart and what might be worth rethinking. Processed meat has been under scrutiny for years. In 2015, the World Health Organization classified processed meats (like bacon, ham and bologna) as Group 1 carcinogens, meaning there's sufficient evidence linking them to colorectal cancer. In response, the Canadian Cancer Society recommended limiting red and processed meat to three servings or fewer per week. But that doesn't mean you have to cut out deli meats completely. You can enjoy them occasionally as part of a balanced diet, especially if you choose leaner, lower-sodium options. The key is to read labels carefully and prioritize minimally processed sources of protein whenever possible. You should also keep an eye on portion sizes to limit your overall exposure to high sodium and fat in processed meats. Health Canada uses 56 g as the serving size for sliced meats like turkey, chicken, ham, and roast beef, which is about two slices of typically sized deli meats. Claims you see on the front of deli meat packaging like "natural," "nitrate-free" or "artisan" aren't regulated in Canada. Instead, check the Nutrition Facts table and ingredients list. Here's what to aim for: Protein: At least 8 to 10 g per 56 g serving Sodium: Preferably under 500 mg per serving (Canada's recommended sodium limit is 2,300 mg/day) Fat: Lean options will have 2 g or less per serving Ingredient list: Shorter is better. Look for real cuts of meat ("turkey breast" or "top round") over vague blends ("mechanically separated meats"). To create this list, I started with Canada's most common and popular deli-style meats — turkey, chicken, ham and roast beef — and added a few popular extras like prosciutto, back bacon and Montreal smoked meat. Each meat was ranked using: Nutrition per 56 g serving: Protein, fat and sodium Processing level: Is it oven-roasted, cured, smoked or ultra-processed? Health guidelines: from Health Canada, Heart & Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society Health Canada recommended limiting highly processed foods and keeping sodium intake under 2,300 mg per day. The Canadian Cancer Society also advised eating no more than three servings of red or processed meat per week. These guidelines shaped the cutoff points I used in this ranking. Per 56 g (about two slices): Calories: 56 Protein: 12 g Fat: 0.3 g (Saturated: 0.06 g) Sodium: 431 mg Carbohydrates: 1.1 g Turkey is a popular protein (Canadians spent about $466 million on turkey in 2024). It's lean, relatively low in fat and delivers a decent protein hit per serving. The ultra-lean turkey option from Schneider's is low in fat and sugar, high in protein and made with straightforward ingredients. Its sodium is moderate compared to most deli options. For health-conscious shoppers, this is a consistent front-runner. Per 56 g (about three slices): Calories: 56 Protein: 9 g Fat: 1.4 g (Saturated: 0.35 g) Sodium: 438 mg Carbohydrates: 0.9 g Chicken is the most popular meat in Canada by a landslide, but hasn't been a top choice as a deli meat until more recently. Chicken is a great deli option since it's more nutritionally balanced than other cuts. Olymel's version is nitrite-free, sans preservatives and contains solid lean protein, minimal fat and moderate sodium. It's a reliable choice if you want to avoid preservatives, and its flavour is neutral enough to include in sandwiches or wraps. Per 56 g (about eight to nine slices): Calories: 58 Protein: 12 g Fat: 1.1 g (Saturated: 0.6 g) Sodium: 464 mg Carbohydrates: 1.1 g Red meat has a bad rap, and while it's best to limit your overall intake, lean cuts will give you a hefty serving of protein with minimal fat, plus iron and vitamin B12. A grocery store staple, Maple Leaf's Natural Selections Roast Beef, is gluten- and nitrite-free, made from natural ingredients and has a clean, lean protein profile. With about 12 grams of protein and just over 1 gram of fat per serving, it'll help keep you full with moderate sodium. Per 56 g (about four slices): Calories: 56 Protein: 11g Fat: 2g (Saturated: 0.6g) Sodium: 481mg Carbohydrates: 0g Pork-based deli meats like ham and salami are the most popular type in Canada, but they can also be higher in fat and sodium. One exception is lean ham, including Olymel's smoked black forest version, which is nitrite-free, gluten-free and made with natural ingredients. At just 2 g of fat and 11 g of protein per serving, it's leaner than many traditional ham products, but sodium is moderate at around 20 per cent of the daily value. Keep in mind, even lean ham varieties can add up in sodium, so limit servings to once per week or swap in turkey to stretch your intake. Per 56 g (about three to four slices): Calories: 47 Protein: 9 g Fat: 0.6 g (Saturated: 0 g) Sodium: 455 mg Carbohydrates: 1.2 g (Sugars: 1.2 g) Ziggy's, which is a Loblaw brand, makes a smoked turkey that is extra lean and decently high in protein. It would make a killer sandwich paired with veggies and honey mustard on high-fibre bread. But sodium is still an issue at 20 per cent of your daily recommended amount in a 56 g serving. Choose this for extra flavour once in a while, but for more frequent bites, substitute lower-sodium cooked turkey. Per 56 g: Calories: 59 Protein: 8 g Fat: 2 g (Saturated: 0.66 g) Sodium: 421mmg Carbohydrates: 2 g (Sugars: 1 g) Peameal bacon — what non-Canadians ironically call Canadian bacon — is a leaner alternative to traditional bacon, and Lou's version holds up relatively well. It's low in fat and calories, but sodium still climbs to nearly 30 per cent of the daily limit in a single serving, which is 85 g (two slices), according to the package. Stick closer to a 56 g serving, or go with a single slice to limit your sodium intake. Per 56 g (about two slices): Calories: 61 Protein: 8 g Fat: 3 g (Saturated: 1 g) Sodium: 479 mg Carbohydrates: 1 g No Canadian deli meat list would be complete without Montreal-style smoked meat, used to make the classic sandwich on whole grain rye with mustard or paired with sauerkraut and Swiss cheese in a Reuben. M&M Food Market Montreal Smoked Meat gets high praise from customers for its tenderness and authentic flavour. Although it's not overly salty and less processed than salami and many cured meats, it's still moderately high in fat and sodium. It has a decent amount of protein from lean brisket, but its preparation means it's best positioned midway in the list as an occasional protein swap for sandwiches or charcuterie. Per 56 g: Calories: 78 Protein: 10 g Fat: 4 g (Saturated: 2 g) Sodium: 493 mg Carbohydrates: 0.6 g (Sugars: 0.6 g) Traditional kolbassa can be pretty fatty, but this European-style lean ham version from Piller's is higher in protein with moderate fat. The sodium content is respectable for a ham product, but it nearly hits 20 per cent of the daily limit with just 493 g in a 56 g serving (the package serving suggestion is 100 g with 880 mg sodium). The ingredient list is traditional, though it includes nitrates. Try pairing a small portion with extra veggies to balance sodium intake. Per 56 g (about three to four slices): Calories: 134 Protein: 16 g Fat: 8 g (Saturated: 3 g) Sodium: 986 mg Carbohydrates: 1 g (Sugars: 0 g) San Daniele is a brand owned by Ontario-based company Sofina Foods, which makes a range of authentic Italian charcuterie meats. This juniper-scented smoked prosciutto is rich in flavour, blending Italian salt-curing with Central European smoking. It's high in sodium, though — nearly 1,000 mg per 56 g serving — and moderately fatty. A little goes a long way, making it better suited to charcuterie boards in small portions (the package suggests 30 g) with fresh fruit, greens or whole grains to balance the saltiness. Per 56 g (about 10 to 11 slices): Calories: 224 Protein: 15 g Fat: 17 g (Saturated: 6.5 g) Sodium: 653 mg Carbohydrates 1.9 g (Sugars: 0 g) For a deli salami, this German-style option from Schneider's edges out other brands with its higher protein and slightly less sodium content than other brands. Still, it's high in fat and saturated fat, which places it near the bottom of the health rankings. Enjoy this one occasionally or pair it in small amounts (the suggested serving size is 30 g) with high-fiber, low-sodium ingredients like whole grain crackers or crisp vegetables.
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Miami Herald
Tens of Thousands In California Told To Stay Indoors
Tens of thousands of people in southern California have been advised to remain indoors as "emergency" air quality conditions impact parts of the Coachella Valley on Friday. The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) AirNow map, which provides a real-time snapshot of air quality, shows that air pollution levels around Cathedral City and Thousands Palms are "very unhealthy" to "hazardous" on Friday morning. The warnings mean that the risk of negative health effects from air pollution is increased for everyone, not just vulnerable populations. Air pollution and extreme heat pose significant health risks to the general public, in particular for the young, seniors and vulnerable populations such as those with underlying respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. The EPA warns that the current air pollution levels can lead to serious health issues, including reduced lung function, severe respiratory symptoms including chest pain and aggravated coughs, and increased hospital admissions. The AirNow Map shows that a maroon warning - the highest category - is in force for Cathedral city, which has a population of more than 50,000 people. A "hazardous" maroon warning means that pollution levels are of "emergency conditions," and that "everyone is more likely to be affected," the AirNow website says. A "very unhealthy" purple warning - the second highest category - covers Desert Edge, Sky Valley, Thousand Palms and Sunair. AirNow says that the risk of health effects are "increased for everyone" in these areas. Meanwhile, red warnings are also in force in the Coachella Valley in Rancho Mirage and parts of Palm Desert, along with a large area along the California-Arizona border including Yuma. Red warnings mean that "some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects." The EPA said that residents should stay inside wherever possible while the air quality is so poor. "Everyone: Avoid all physical activity outdoors. Sensitive groups: remain indoors and keep activity levels low. Follow tips for keep particle levels low indoors." It added: "The biggest health threat from smoke is from fine particles... [which] aggravate chronic heart and lung diseases - and even are linked to premature deaths in people with these conditions." Jonathan Grigg, professor of pediatric respiratory and environmental medicine at Queen Mary University of London, told Newsweek previously: "There are very clear links between inhaling particles and earlier death from both respiratory and cardiovascular diseases." Air quality warnings are updated regularly by the EPA and National Weather Service. Residents in affected areas can access daily forecasts and health guidance via and local agencies, with officials providing current information as environmental conditions develop. Related Articles What Is A Heat Dome? Millions To Face Scorching Temperatures This WeekendRare Summer 'Winter' Storm To Strike With Two Feet of SnowUS Heat Wave Warnings: Live Tracker Maps 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
