Veronika G., Author at Prague Morning

While it’s not a secret that fashion is the second worst polluting industry in the world and in many cases not ethical either, wonder: “Do we pay enough attention to it?”

Every new season, people buy tons of fast fashion clothes either to refresh their wardrobe or as a result of getting drunk by crazy sales in fast-fashion chains. Inevitably, people end up spending way more than they wanted and buying items that they will most probably wear once or twice per season. It happened to me personally, to buy clothes in sales and forget that I owned them.

Sustainability is something that we should all consider as part of our lifestyle and make small steps towards a better living. One of the good steps is, of course, to change the way we shop for our clothes. To remodel the way, we shop can be financially difficult especially at the begging. Slow fashion is not cheap and the idea of investing in more sustainable clothing is not easy.

That’s where second-hand/vintage shops come into play.

I’m not saying that we have to buy each piece second-hand. Stuff like a handbag, blazer, winter coat, sweater, for example, are good pieces to buy second-hand also from a price tag point. Vice versa, t-shirts, blouses and similar pieces made from sustainable materials like organic wool, linen, silk, bamboo or alpaca are not so difficult to buy new. It’s very important to create your capsule wardrobe for which you have a clear mind.

That is to buy pieces made from good materials, easily combined, and most importantly, pieces, that are not just for one season.

I admit second-hand shopping may be hard sometimes because many shops have plenty of clothes and that can, of course, be overwhelming to handle.

Wearing vintage pieces is something that makes your outfit unique and your wallet not that lighter.

In a nutshell, recycle, avoid fast-fashion, maintain a style without going head-to-toe wearing whatever is Instagram trendy.

I found my favorite second-hand/vintage shops where you will love it.

LULA VINTAGE PRAGUE

Řipská 11,130 00 Prague 3, Mo-Fri 11:00-18.00 /Sat 10:00-13:00

MALÉ ČERNÉ

Haškova 2, 170 00 Prague 7, Mon-Fri 10:00-19:30 / Sat 10:00-14:00

1981 SECOND HAND & VINTAGE SHOP

Oldřichova 427/31, 128 00 Prague 2, Mon-Fri 10:00-19:00, Sat-Sun 11:00-17:00

MOMENT CHARITY SHOP

Francouzská 592/7, 120 00 Pague 2, Mon-Fri 10:00-19:00/Sat-Sun 11:00-17:00

SECOND-HAND MARKET

Vinohradská 148, 120 00 Prague 3, Mo-Fri9:00-18:00 / Sat 9:00-12:00

THE VINTAGE PRAGUE

Petrské nám. 1186/1, 110 00 Prague 1, Mo-Fri 10:00-18:00 / Sat 11:00-17:00

Whether you are simply a yoga virgin or have been a yoga addict for some time, I believe you will get the best experience when you discover a yoga studio you feel great in.

When I was new to yoga, finding the ideal studio in Prague took me some considerable time. Not that in Prague you do not have enough yoga studios – actually the opposite. But simply because I realized you don’t have enough pretty studios when you can calm down and relax. I don’t know about you, but I found it very hard to switch off in a not pretty looking studio.

Your practice environment should motivate you towards your goals and having a calm atmosphere is one of the keys. To me, the color scheme is very important – a mix of neutral colors.

Another key element is lighting – natural lightning is the best, but if you practice in the evening, soft light or candles are good options to set a good atmosphere. Mirrors on the wall are important to be able to check yourself while practicing various poses.

Last but not least, green plants – not just make studio greener, but to help achieve a good vibe and set the right atmosphere. And of course, green plants help to clean the air you breathe while practicing.

Have you ever wondered where you can find a pretty yoga studio in Prague? Here is my list!

Namastery

U Pernikářky 111/2a – 150 00, Prague 5
230czk – 450czk per lecture

Source: Facebook Namastery

Yoga Room Prague

Na Smetance 22, 120 00, Prague 2
170czk – 200czk per lecture

Source: Yogaroom.cz

Yoga Movement

Na Zatlance 1151/8 – 150 00, Prague 5
250czk per lecture

Jógovna

Jindřišská 5 – 110 00, Prague 1
190czk – 270czk per lecture

Iyengar Yoga Institute

Vodičkova 15 – 110 00, Prague 1
170czk – 320czk per lecture

* price per lesson depends on various elements

New Year is here together with winter at full speed and some of us trying to achieve already our New year’s fitness resolutions. As every year, I promised myself to exercise regularly trying to live healthier. After so many years I hope this year is the year. But this time I added a little note to myself – not just to try exercise only but also to take care of myself outside and inside properly.

My number one step? A sauna after a workout. I believe that the one thing you can do in wintertime is to have a sauna session. Imagine not to rush after a workout into a cold shower and then home but take an extra 30-minute session to sweat and relax.

Saunas are not good just for your physical but also for your mental health.

There are several benefits to a post-workout sauna that you might miss out on. How a 15-30min sauna season can benefit you?

Heart health
Improves your performance
Improved immunity
Muscle recovery
Better skin
Deep relaxation

By taking a sauna right after a workout we are risking being dehydrated that’s why don’t forget to drink a glass of water before you enter the sauna and continue during and after the sauna. Sweating is depleting our bodies of water so it’s very important to drink in order not to get dehydrated, especially after a workout.

Cool your body down between sauna sessions with a cold shower or cold bath. I know it is pain after a warm feeling in the sauna, but it’s extremely important for your blood circulation and also nicely refreshing.

Before you decide to make saunas your weekly routine make sure to double-check with your doctor. Saunas are a benefit for your health unless you have a blood pressure issue, high sugar levels or any sort of cardiovascular condition.

Here is the list of my favorite fitness venues with sauna:

Euforie Fitness & Wellness

Pitterova 2878/5, 130 00 – Prague 3

Balance Club Brumlovka

Vyskočilova 1100/2, 140 00 – Prague 4

LivingWell Health Club & Spa

Pobřežní 1, 186 00 – Prague 8

Form Factory

OC Nový Smíchov, 2. floor Plzeňská 8, 150 00 – Prague 5

Sportcentrum YMCA

Na Poříčí 1041/12, 115 30 – New Town

Squash Haštal

Haštalská 731/20, 110 00 – Old Town

Daily Fitness Vyšehrad

Kongresové centrum, 5. Května 1640/65, 140 00 – Prague 4

Winter in Prague is probably not your favorite season, but it has some charm for sure. Snowy days and temperature balancing 0 should not stop you to go out and enjoy outdoor activities even in an urban city. Are you looking for a fun activity instead of sitting on the couch in front of the tv? Try ice skating!

Ice skating has a tradition in the Czech Republic and nowadays it’s a very popular social outdoor activity between locals. Doesn’t matter if you do it just for fun with your friends or you list ice skating as your workout activity, you will surely benefit from it.

One of the biggest advantages of ice skating is improving your poster, balance, and coordination by engaging your muscles. Actually, by skating you work out almost every muscle in your body and burning approximately around 350 calories in one hour, and by the end of it, you probably forget you worked out. As a bonus, you’ll get some fresh air into your lungs and clear your head from everyday stress.

You can find many open-air ice rinks around Prague located also in attractive locations for tourists. If you prefer skating under the roof you may have a couple of options as well such as ice stadiums.

Don’t forget to take a properly fitted pair of skates and warm clothes! If you don’t own or you not sure if you will use the skates that often, don’t worry! Some of the rinks have a rental service with all sizes available for a little money and with good quality skates.

Get ready and check out the most favorite ice skate rinks around Prague city center and enjoy this winter on skates.

Ice Skating Rink in Letná Field

Address: Letná, 170 00 – Pague 7
Opening: 29.11.2019
Entry: Free
Rental Service: Yes
Rink Size: 40 x 20 meters

Ice Skating Rink Na Františku

Address: Kozí, 110 00 – Prague 1
Opening: 25.11.2019
Entry: 70czk/ adult 40czk/child
Rental Service: Yes
Rink Size: 40 x 20 meters

Ice Skating Rink Ovocný Trh

Address: Ovocný trh, 110 00 – Prague 1
Opening: 5.12.2019
Entry: Free
Rental Service: Yes
Rink Size: 30 x 14 meters

Ice Skating Rink below Žižov Tv Tower

Address: Mahlerovy Sady, 130 00 – Prague 3
Opening: 1.12.2019
Entry: 120cz/adult 100czk/child
Rental Service: Yes
Rink Size: 30 x 14 meters

Ice Skating Rink Victory Square

Address: Čs. Armády 601/23 160 00 – Prague 6
Opening: 15.12.2019
Entry: Free
Rental Service: Yes
Rink Size: 18 x 25 meters

Ice Skating Rink Gutovka

Address: Gutovka Areal, Gutova 1987/39, 100 00 Prague 10
Entry: 60czk/adult 30czk/child
Rental Service: Yes
Rink Size: 30 x 13 meters

The first demonstrations took place in January 1989. Protesters marking 20 years since Jan Palach self-immolated in protest against the Soviet-led invasion of 1968 were brutally dispersed by police.

The next protest was held on October 28, 1989, the anniversary of the founding of Czechoslovakia in 1918.

November 17, 1989: the biggest protest for 20 years.

On November 19, riot police blocked a bridge to prevent protesters marching to Prague Castle.

On November 21, more than 200,000 demonstrators took to the streets of Prague for a fifth consecutive day of protests.

Vaclav Havel addressed the massive crowd from a balcony overlooking Wenceslas Square.

Half a million people came to listen to speeches from Havel and other opposition leaders.

Wenceslas Square, December 19, 1989.

On December 29, 1989, Vaclav Havel and his wife, Olga, greeted citizens at Prague Castle after being appointed by the Federal Assembly as the new president of Czechoslovakia

December 31, 1989.

In order to commemorate the 101^st anniversary of the declaration of Czechoslovakia, today you can visit several galleries, buildings and museums for free.

Mayor’s Residence: come and admire impressive halls, lounges and other rooms designed in Art Deco styles. You will be guided through the lounges where receptions of official guests take place.
Marianske náměstí
From 9 am to 6 pm

New City Hall: you can see the Great Conference Hall on the first floor, where the City Council meets and seminars are held. The building was completed in 1911, its architect is Oslvald Polívka.
Mariánské náměstí 2
From 9 am to 6 pm

Škoda Lounges: the palace was built as an administrative building for Škoda Works, according to a design by architect Pavel Janák in 1924–26.
Jungmannova 35/29
From 9 am to 6 pm

Nostic Palace: This large early Baroque palace is located in Lesser Town, not far from the Charles Bridge. It is a harmonious structure, well adapted to the captivating streets of Lesser Town.
Maltézské nám. 471/1
From 9 am to 6 pm

Department of Agriculture
Těšnov 17
From 10 am to 3:30 pm

Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs
Na Poříčním právu 1
From 9:30 am – to 14:30 pm

Municipal House: the Municipal House stands at the site of the royal residence called King’s Court and it was built from 1905 to 1911 according to the project of architect Antonín Balšánek and Osvald Polívka.
nám. Republiky 5
From 9 am to 4 pm

Senate of the Czech Republic: the palaces became the property of the Czechoslovak State in 1945 and since then have been used by various state institutions. The Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic took its seat in those palaces in 1996.
Valdštejnské nám. 17/4
From 9 am to 4 pm

Kramář’s villa: since 1998 it has been the official residence of the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic. Although it is difficult to categorize the architectural style of the villa, as the Neo-Baroque features are complemented by typically Art Nouveau elements, it is considered one of the most striking examples of Prague villa design.
Gogolova 1
From 10 am to 4 pm

Chamber of Deputies
Malostranské náměstí 19
From 9 am to 4 pm

If we are thinking about what we can do for living a healthier lifestyle the first expected change should obviously occur to our food habits and thereafter naturally the second most important element is to add some activity to our daily schedule.

As I am not a big fan of classic gyms, I always try to combine fun with a great workout at the same time. That’s why I look for an activity I can easily do both alone, or with a group of friends.

Recently my friends dragged me into a bouldering studio. Climbing in the studio always looked to be fun and very easy activity. I was sure I could do it without any problems. But the opposite was the truth.

Climbing is a 100% full-body workout. As you might think you work just your upper body, you actually putting in stress also your lower body, legs, shoulders, arms and of course your back.

While you are making a great workout, you easily burn around 700 calories just by one session.

But be prepared, climbing without proper muscle preparation can be challenging. I highly recommend getting into the shape before you kick off your climbing seasons. Build slowly strength in your core and arms and of course, warm-up before every climbing is a must. In that way, you can prevent any risk of injuring yourself while climbing and actually enjoy and see the progress you make.

Climbing has loads of pluses to convince you to start it:

full body workout
burns calories
make your body flexible
build up your muscles
de-stress your mind
you can do it with your friends
progress is measurable
you can meet new people
boost brain function

And many more reasons. You don’t believe me? Try it on your own skin. Here are top places where to boulder in Prague.

Climbing Centre SmichOff
Křížová 1018/6, 150 00 Prague 5 – Smíchov

Boulder Bar
U Výstaviště 230/11, 170 00 Prague 7 – Holešovice

Lokal Blok Bouldering
Náměstí 14. října 2173/10, Prague 5 – Smíchov

UltraAnt Climbing Club
Týnská 17, 101 00 – Staré Město

Mammut Climbing Center
Bubenská 1536/43, Prague 7 – Holešovice

You can even buy passes to Lokal Block and Ultraant by visiting our GoFit’s page!

The summer is almost over, and chilly September mornings are reminding us that autumn is just around the corner. That’s the time to start looking for indoor activities. For a long period of time, I’m trying to find a fitness activity which 1. is going to be fun, 2. I can practice with my partner and 3. will see the results after.

As I don’t really enjoy a gym environment the first thing which came up on my mind was a squash. I think many people underestimate squash as a proper workout. If you think squash is a wellness sport welcome to the club. However, the opposite its truth. Squash is one of the most intense sports in the world. It’s an amazing cardio activity and while you are focusing on return each smash – you don’t have time to think you actually are working out. The best piece of advice is not to play squash because you want to burn your calories, but to play it because it is a fun activity.

But just to play squash is not really enough. It’s a very physically demanding sport that’s why we highly recommend including some cardio and weights. Otherwise, after the first season, you will not move for a week – like me.

Running and working out with your own weight are the best additional activities to include if you want to play squash on a regular basis. If you are not a runner another activity that could work is swimming or biking.

Let’s wrap it up. Why is squash a perfect autumn/winter activity?

It’s fun and you can make it a perfect activity with your partner or friends
It’s an amazing complete workout
It brings benefits both for physical and mental health
It’s a perfect stress reliever
It’s easy to learn the basics and suitable for everyone
It can be both individual and team sport

Where to play squash in Prague? Here are GoFit’s favourites

Squash Haštal (Haštalská 20, 110 00 Prague 1)
Squash & Fitness centrum Arbes (Kořenského 753/12, 150 00 Prague 5)
Squashcentrum Strahov (Vaníčkova 2b, 160 17 Prague 6)
Squash Holešovice (Jankovcova 13, 170 00 Prague 7)
Squash Park (Fabiánova 1134, 150 00 Prague 5)
Squash Arena (Cholupická 431, 142 00 Prague 4)
Squash Ohradní (Ohradní 1440/2a, 140 00 Prague 4)

Summer edition of Sports #MeetUp is here!

Sports MeetUp is open to everyone who wants to enjoy doing sport while meeting international people. Free entrance upon registration here

PROGRAM * All the activities are optional *

10:00am – 10:45am Functional training with Moose Power – *break, refreshments*
11:00am – 11:45am Conditional training with Personal Fitness Trainer – *break, refreshments*
12:00pm – 12:45pm Yoga with Alice from yogAlive – *refreshments*

The sports session will take place at Havlíčkovy sady – next to the Grébovka Pavilion

Meeting point: 9.45 AM, park entrance close to Rybalkova street

The Prize Contest: We want to motivate you to have even more fun during the event. All of you that sign up and participate actively in 2 activities can win some prizes. No matter if you’re a big athlete or not. Accept the challenge and go beyond your limits in a very friendly way, coached by professionals! Don’t hesitate to bring your partner, friends, flatmates or colleagues with you – the entry is voluntary! 🙂

The event is organized by Foreigners Prague, GoFit.io and Moose Power in cooperation with yogAlive

(more…)

Living in a bigger city like Prague surely has many plusses and offers loads of entertainment at anytime you wish. However, although the chaotic city life of Prague, for our runners it might not be ideal with all the buzz in the city center that one might find, the thousands of tourists and never-ending traffic and air pollution.

Luckily, if you are living in Prague you have many opportunities where to escape for a nice run out of the rush but yet close to the city center. I asked my colleague Albert who has attended several Prague Marathons how and where to train in Prague. According to Albert, every person has a different style of preparation for a marathon. That depends on your type of body, the physique, time you dedicate to your training and which goals you wish to achieve.

Albert’s 5 rules he follows every time he prepares for a marathon are:

1. Right nutrition: fundamental to program with a proper running program – certain foods need to be taken at different times of your schedule. You should put more protein in your diet as it helps rebuild your muscles after a long run. Few days before the marathon I always eat more carbohydrates like pasta, rice or porridge for breakfast. Last important element: don’t forget to drink water and stay hydrated.

2. Plan a long run: Another important element. You will not manage your marathon unless you put in those km. Make sure you find time at least 2x per week as part of your preparation.

3. Stretch/Yoga lessons after every session, one should stretch. Your whole performance improves. To me personally, yoga helps a lot not just to stretch my body but with my poster and breathing technique which improved my running a lot. I always make sure to attend at least one yoga class per week.

4. Good sleep: It helps your body to restore its energy without sleeping properly it is difficult to maintain your body balance. Good sleep helps your muscles recover faster and avoid swelling and inflammation.

5. Recovery day: from now and then give your body a full day of rest to recover from your sessions.

Albert’s 5 favorite places where to run.

Prague offers plenty of option where to train and run, but he picked all the main ones in the city center for those who live or work in central. If you want to run and enjoy some stunning views of Prague, Letna Park is a place to run. Set close to the Castle you have lovely views from the hill.
Stromovka Park: just a kilometer away from Letna park you will find the biggest park in Prague Stromovka. You can run for kilometers in complete peace with a feeling you are in a forest.
Petrin Hill: for those who like to run uphill the way up Petrin Hill is a killer and a good way to get into shape properly.
Riverside run: one of the classics for Prague. Running close to the river is a must for everybody. It starts from the trendy area of Náplavka and goes down all the way to Modřany and further. A classic route where you will meet tons of other running colleagues
Vitkov Park: located in Prague 3 here you will be able to discover one of the nicest parks close to central Prague but at the same time a nice place to remain focused

Article written in cooperation with www.gofit.io

Author: Veronika Gondova

CrossFit is a word that I have heard a hundred times in the past few months. I never really paid attention to what exactly it means and why it is so popular, but after a couple of friends of mine literally didn’t shut up about it I decided to learn more about it.

CrossFit is definitely no longer just a trend in the fitness world as I thought. It has now become a lifestyle. With over 15,000 gyms and thousands of trainers around the world, it has become very popular and you can find CrossFit gyms in any big city around the world.

If you are thinking about starting with CrossFit here are the 4 most common reasons why you should.

1. Community

The power of community in CrossFit is big and for many people, this is the key to their dedication. People in CrossFit are one big family that share not just a passion for fitness but also life stories. Everyone knows each other, and everyone is willing to help and support each other which is something you will not find in your regular gym.

2. Variety

Most of the people that go to a regular gym can find CrossFit training evolving. Every day the practice evolves and get different, updated exercises every day. Your body is each day focused on different parts of your functional strength or conditioning. CrossFit is not necessarily designed to get you better at one skill instead, it is engineered to help you develop multiple skills and strengths at varying levels of intensity.

3. You will learn real skills

Every class dedicates time to the development of skills, where the coach breaks down the movements/drills and shows the group how to practice. Almost every CrossFit gym has the instructor breakdown every drill so the technique to the exercise is very clear even to the amateur. You will find out that you can learn CrossFit techniques in a very short period of time.

4. Results/Pushing yourself

One of the great things about CrossFit is that you can measure your progress. Make a journal from the very first training and you will be surprised by yourself how far you got you in just a few weeks of training. Every little progress makes us work even harder to achieve our goals.

Here are GoFit’s favorite CrossFit gyms that you can find in Prague.

CrossFit HomeTown: Jakub, the founder of CrossFit HomeTown, is very committed and very patient with everybody that trains with him. By attending CrossFit Hometown’s classes You will properly learn technique in a very short period of time. Every instructor also speaks English, so everything runs smoothly and every class has its own special unique features.

CrossFit Meat Factory: is located in Prague 8 and also offers a variety of different activities like Les Mills group lessons, calisthenics, and classic CrossFit workout classes. The staff is young and very enthusiastic. It is led by Art and Roman two very young CrossFit enthusiastic and will get you to enjoy your experience in a very modern way.

Other CrossFit gyms in Prague: CrossFit Committed, CrossFit Praha

The Spartan Gym is the last gym I would like to mention. It is not specifically Crossfit, however, it is similar in many ways although more orientated towards cardio. Led by their main instructor Martin. Their gym is situated in the heart of Vinohrady district and benefits from a newly built gym. By attending Martin’s you will improve on all specialties like cardio or weights for example. It is always a very intense hour with the Spartans so be prepared.

Author: Veronika Gondova

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