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2022 Fitness Trends from Around the Globe : ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal
Affiliated Society
January/February 2022 - Volume 26 - Issue 1
Thought you might appreciate this item(s) I saw in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal.
2022 Fitness Trends from Around the Globe
Kercher, Vanessa M. Ph.D., ACSM-EP, M.Ed.; Kercher, Kyle M.S., ACSM-EP, ACSM-CPT; Bennion, Trevor D.H.Sc.; Levy, Paul MPH; Alexander, Chris ESSAM, AEP, AES; Amaral, Paulo Costa Ph.D., MBA, M.Sc.; Li, Yong-Ming Ph.D.; Han, Jia Ph.D.; Liu, Yang Ph.D.; Wang, Ran Ph.D.; Huang, Hai-Yan Ph.D.; Gao, Bing-Hong Ph.D.; Batrakoulis, Alexios M.S., ACSM-EP, ACSM-CPT; Gómez Chávez, Lino Francisco Jacobo Ph.D.; Haro, Jorge López B.Sc., M.Sc.; Zavalza, Adrián Ricardo Pelayo M.Sc.; Rodríguez, Luis Eduardo Aguirre B.Sc.; Veiga, Oscar L. Ph.D., M.Sc.; Valcarce-Torrente, Manel Ph.D.; Romero-Caballero, Alejandro M.Sc.
Vanessa M. Kercher, Ph.D., ACSM-EP, M.Ed.,is a clinical assistant professor in the Kinesiology Department, School of Public Health, Indiana University. Dr. Kercher's research passion focuses on helping individuals optimize their physical activity experiences through the utilization of behavioral strategies to promote sustainable, positive health behaviors.
Kyle Kercher, M.S., ACSM-EP, ACSM-CPT,is a Ph.D. candidate, an NIH R01 research coordinator, and an associate instructor at Indiana University (IU). He is studying health behavior in the IU School of Public Health, and his research focuses on the intersection of public health and youth sport participation.
Trevor Bennion, D.H.Sc.,is the founder offitnphys.comand an instructor in ATSU's graduate kinesiology program. Dr. Bennion's research involvement includes substrate oxidation and metabolic flexibility, with specific focus on the influence from sprint interval training.
Paul Levy, MPH,is an environmental health researcher specializing in participatory action research that integrates community voice and cocreation. He has explored this topic through the lens of urban transformation, public health infrastructure, and environmental justice. His work integrates stakeholders across systems, including international collaborations to enhance Bogota's public transport system to EPA grassroots water safety efforts across the United States.
Chris Alexander, ESSAM, AEP, AES,has been working in the fitness industry for more than 20 years. He is currently a general manager for Standards and Development at the not-for-profit association Fitness Australia; a director for International Confederation of Registered Exercise Professionals; a secretary to Australian Fitness Industry Standards Council; and a practicing accredited exercise physiologist. For the second consecutive year, he has led the investigation of the fitness trends in Australia.
Paulo Costa Amaral, Ph.D., MBA, M.Sc.,is a coordinator and professor in graduate and postgraduate courses of Physical Education and Administration. He also serves as a health/wellness coach and a speaker in fitness, wellness, and gym management. For the third consecutive year, he has led the fitness trends survey in Brazil.
Yong-Ming Li, Ph.D.,is a professor in the School of Physical Education and Sport Training at the Shanghai University of Sport. He is also a distinguished research fellow at the China Institute of Sport Science. He is a researcher on energetics in exercise and sports and a consultant to the fitness industry in China. He is currently serving the International Relations Committee of the American College of Sports Medicine. Yong-Ming Li and his colleagues have led the investigation of the fitness trends in China for the fourth consecutive year.
Jia Han, Ph.D.,is a professor in the Physiotherapy and Sport Rehabilitation Department at the Shanghai University of Sport. He also holds adjunct research positions at the University of Canberra and the Swinburne University of Technology, Australia. He serves as the vice president of the China Sport Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Committee and the associate editor of the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport.
Yang Liu, Ph.D.,is a professor in the School of Physical Education and Sport Training at the Shanghai University of Sport. He is also a researcher at the Shanghai Research Center for Physical Fitness and Health of Children and Adolescents. He is currently serving as the coleader of Active Healthy Kids China.
Ran Wang, Ph.D.,is a professor at the School of Physical Education and Sport Training at the Shanghai University of Sport. He received a bachelor's and a master's degree in kinesiology from Beijing Sport University and completed his doctoral training at the University of Central Florida. His research interests include the development of performance testing methodologies, the analysis of physical and physiological profiles, and the assessment of adaptations to different training stimulus in varying populations.
Hai-Yan Huang, Ph.D.,is a professor at the School of Economics and Management at the Shanghai University of Sport. He serves as the vice president of Sciences Academy in Shanghai University of Sport, the deputy director of Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center of Sports and Health Industry, the deputy secretary-general of Sports Industry Association in YRD area, and the executive member of Sport Industry Committee of Shanghai Sport Science Society.
Bing-Hong Gao, Ph.D.,is a professor and the dean of the School of Physical Education and Sport Training at the Shanghai University of Sport. He serves as a member of the Expert Board of Science and Technology, and Training Supervision for Tokyo Olympic Games at the General Administration of Sport of China. He is also a consultant of Shanghai Citizen Community Fitness and an editor in China Sport Science and Technology and Journal of Shanghai University of Sport.
Alexios Batrakoulis, M.S., ACSM-EP, ACSM-CPT,is a teaching assistant in the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science at the University of Thessaly in Trikala, Greece. He was named the 2018 IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year, 2019 IDEA China Fitness Innovator, 2020 NSCA Personal Trainer of the Year, and 2021 PFP Trainer of the Year, and he was also a finalist for the 2021 ACSM Certified Professional of the Year. He is also the founder of the International Obesity Exercise Training Institute. For the third consecutive year, he has led the fitness trends survey in Europe.
Lino Francisco Jacobo Gómez Chávez, Ph.D.,is a research professor from the University Center of the Coast of the University of Guadalajara, Mexico. He is a member of the academic research group UDG-CA-1076-Determinants of Health. In recent years, he has developed an application of healthy lifestyles knowledge. Dr. Chávez and his colleagues have led the fitness trends survey in Mexico for the third consecutive year.
Jorge López Haro, B.Sc., M.Sc.,is a professor in Physical Culture and Sports at the University Center of the Coast from University of Guadalajara, México. He has earned a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in physical activity and sports from the University of Seville, Spain, and a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in innovation and research in physical activity science and sport from the University of León, Spain.
Adrián Ricardo Pelayo Zavalza, M.Sc.,is a professor at the University Center of the Coast of the University of Guadalajara. He has earned a bachelor's degree in physical culture and sports and a master's degree in science for development, sustainability, and tourism. In recent years, he has developed an application of healthy lifestyles knowledge.
Luis Eduardo Aguirre Rodríguez, B.Sc.,has a degree in Physical Culture and Sports from the University of Guadalajara. He has a Master of Sciences from the University of Guadalajara. He is a member of the academic research group UDG-CA-1076-Determinants of Health. He has earned a diploma in scientific research and evaluation in high-performance sports by the Autonomous University of Nuevo León and a Certificate in critical library science, search processes, selection, and communication of scientific information from the University of Scheffield.
Oscar L. Veiga, Ph.D., M.Sc.,is senior lecturer and researcher in physical activity and sport sciences at Autonomus University of Madrid (Spain) where his research focuses on physical activity and fitness for health in several populations. He also teaches about new trends in physical activity in bachelor studies and is the current director of the Spanish Survey on Fitness Trends. Dr. Veiga and his colleagues led the investigation of the fitness trends in Spain for the second consecutive year.
Manel Valcarce-Torrente, Ph.D.,is a professor in Sport Sciences at the University of Lleida (Spain) and CEO of Valgo Sport Consulting, an enterprise focused on company consulting and human resources training for fitness business in Spain. He is also a professor hired by the Valencian International University and participates in numerous master's degrees and postgraduate courses related to sports management and marketing.
Alejandro Romero-Caballero, M.Sc.,is a sports science predoctoral researcher at Autonomous University of Madrid (Spain) where his research focuses on sports performance and physical activity for health. He is also a coach and physical trainer in soccer.
Disclosure:The authors declare no conflict of interest and do not have any financial disclosures.
ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal 26(1):p 21-37, 1/2 2022. | DOI: 10.1249/FIT.0000000000000737
Apply It!
From this article, the reader should be able to
• Identify top 20 fitness trends for Australia, Brazil, China, Europe, Mexico, Spain, and the United States.
• Recognize individual and unique fitness trends represented within Australia, Brazil, China, Europe, Mexico, Spain, and the United States.
During a time of global uncertainty, the value of the American College of Sports Medicine's (ACSM's) Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends has never been more essential to better understand consumer behavior as a strategic approach into future fitness offerings that drive business growth. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant influence on the worldwide health and fitness industry, with certain aspects accelerating (use of wearable technology, outdoor activities) and others being challenged (boutique fitness studios, low-cost and budget gyms). Public health professionals across the world recognize the value in assessing health and fitness trends annually as one approach to guide future programming efforts. For this reason, several countries and regions have independently sought to use ACSM's worldwide survey to investigate fitness trends within their respective regions (1–7). In this edition, the same seven regions from last year's Fitness Trends article (8) (Australia, Brazil, China, Europe, Mexico, Spain, and United States) contributed to the survey results, providing a global representation of the health and fitness trends. Consistent with past practice (8–10), the authors herein aim to support the individuality of each region by providing evidence of popular health and fitness programming that is identifiable to each region, and then providing comparisons with the other regions. Through the process of distilling the survey results down and gathering substantial insight from the regional representatives, this article provides industry stakeholders with a strategic advantage of looking into future fitness offerings which may drive economic growth and programming opportunities within the industry.
For each region, the results of the fitness trend survey may help fitness business operators, directors, owners, universities, professors, digital influencers, health professionals (e.g., physical education professionals, physiotherapists, dieticians, and physicians), manufacturers of fitness and wellness equipment and products, and industry stakeholders enhance customer engagement by offering experiences that are popular and safe and that bring positive experiences to the end user.
THE SURVEYS
All surveys were conducted electronically using either SurveyMonkey or Google forms. The survey was distributed to health and fitness professionals through email and social media networks (see Table 1), with the surveys being open for responses for a duration ranging from 4 to 13 weeks.
TABLE 1 - Global Fitness 2022 Trend Survey Methodology
Additional Trends
Survey Time
Australia Total of 43 trends; 40 from worldwide survey, 4 unique to Australia; survey deleted 4 potential trends from worldwide survey. 1) Inclusive fitness services; 2) quality accredited businesses; 3) boxing, kickboxing, and mixed martial arts training; 4) electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) training Electronic survey from June 21 to August 2, 2021 (6 weeks), sent to Fitness Australia registered exercise professionals and business members; a link also was shared on Fitness Australia's various social media sites N = 478 (2.1%)
Brazil Total of 45 trends; 42 from worldwide survey; 3 unique to Brazil; deleted 1 potential trend from worldwide survey 1) Low-cost gym; 2) boxing, kickboxing, and mixed martial arts (MMA); 3) electromagnetic muscle stimulation (EMS) Electronic survey from May 17 to July 25, 2021 (10 weeks); electronic survey was disseminated to universities, physical education professionals and students, professors/teachers, health professionals, area managers, and on social networks N = 942 (not reported)
China Total of 30 trends; 25 from worldwide survey, 5 unique to China; survey deleted 18 potential trends from worldwide survey 1) Healthy diet; 2) certified education for fitness and health professionals; 3) exercise and sport for children and adolescents; 4) aerobic fitness; 5) prevention and rehabilitation of sport injuries Electronic survey from July 1 to 31, 2021 (4 weeks), sent to 10,858 respondents; a total of 80.5% of respondents were health and fitness professionals N = 4,259 (39.2%)
Europe Total of 42 trends; removed one (low-cost and budget gyms) None Electronic survey from June 14 to August 9 (8 weeks) to 19,778 people, including 7,122 ACSM members residing in Europe and 12,656 European health and fitness professionals, including gym owners/managers, faculty members, graduate students, and registered members onto the European Register of Exercise Professionals specializing in physical activity and fitness; a link also was shared on various social media sites N = 1,571 (7.9%)
Mexico Total of 45 trends; 11 trends of ACSM were not considered and 5 trends not considered by ACSM were added 1) Cardiometabolic rehabilitation; 2) professional fitness regulation; 3) fitness influencers; 4) fitness in streaming; 5) sustainable gyms or ecogyms Electronic survey from May 3 to August 5, 2021 (13 weeks); distributed to 52,735 people (increased by 388% compared with the previous year — 13,589), subscribers included in specialized Facebook groups such as dream associations and gym managers, fitness professionals and gym chain communities, in all cases based in Mexico; also, the community of managers, teachers, and graduates of the AMISCF (Mexican Association of University of Physical Culture) was considered through official Facebook accounts from different partner universities. For this edition, responses were obtained from 30 of the 33 states that make up the Mexican Republic N = 918 (1.7%)
Spain Total of 48 trends; 3 ACSM trends removed; 9 unique trends added 1) Multidisciplinary work teams (doctors, physiotherapists, nutritionists, and physical trainers); 2) fitness and nutrition (healthy diet); 3) injury prevention/functional rehabilitation; 4) seeking new market niches; 5) exercise programs for children and adolescents against obesity; 6) postural correction (postural fitness); 7) medical derivation; 8) inclusive fitness services; 9) fitness influencers/youtubers/bloggers Electronic survey from June 6 to July 5 (approximately 4 weeks); initially sent to 6,764 people (8.5% increase from last year's record of 6,230) primarily fitness professionals in Spanish (rest were former professionals, graduated or ungraduated students of sport sciences and others). Responses from all Spanish regions were collected, including Spanish autonomous cities in Africa (Ceuta and Melilla). A link also was shared via social networking sites — Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn N = 520 (7.9%)
United States Total of 43 trends identical to the worldwide survey None Electronic survey from June 7 to August 3, 2021 (8 weeks), sent to 123,615 ACSM health and fitness professionals through email, associated Web sites, and social media (see details in worldwide survey) N = 3,589 (3.9%)
Each country and region used similar and/or different survey methodology and procedures compared with the worldwide survey.
Each participating region used a critical mass of the 43 trends within ACSM's worldwide survey (11) to create a base of trends; however, each region also had the opportunity to modify the list with respect to what seemed most logical regionally (see Table 1 for details). The Europe and Brazil surveys were the most comparable with ACSM's Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends (11), whereas the China survey had the most differences listed among the trends (see Table 1).
All regions collected responses using a 10-point Likert scale ranging from highest (10 = most popular trend) to lowest (1 = least popular trend) for each potential trend option and sorted them to identify the top 20 fitness trends (11). Participants did not have the option to select "not applicable". At the end of the survey, an opportunity was provided for respondents to include possible nonlisted fitness trends to be considered for future survey inclusion.
Each region's representatives contributed to this article and provided insightful observations regarding their regional results. Topics discussed included major takeaways and points to ponder from the top 20 trend results, unique country features, especially in comparison with the US results, and the primary challenges COVID-19 presented with regard to their respective region's health and fitness industry. The top 20 most popular fitness trends for all regions can be found in Table 2. Data also were interpreted and compared in global, absolute rankings where each region was weighted equally and then sorted into the most frequently represented trends (see Figure).
TABLE 2 - Top 20 Global Trends for 2022
1 Functional fitness training Personal training Exercise for weight loss Home exercise gyms Exercise for weight loss Employing certified professionals Wearable technology
2 Strength training with free weights Exercise for weight loss Healthy diet Exercise is medicine Functional fitness training Functional fitness training Home exercise gyms
3 Fitness programs for older adults Online personal training Exercise and sport for children and adolescents Personal training Personal training Small group personal training Outdoor activities
4 Group exercise training Post-COVID recovery programs Aerobic fitness Wearable technology Strength training Personal training Strength training with free weights
5 Employing registered exercise professionals Body weight training Boutique fitness studios Body weight training Body weight training Exercise and weight loss Exercise for weight loss
6 Body weight training Fitness programs for older adults Core training High intensity interval training Multidisciplinary teams Outdoor activities High intensity interval training
7 Personal training Lifestyle medicine Group exercise training Online live and on-demand exercise classes Outdoor activities Licensure for fitness professionals Online live and on-demand exercise classes
8 High intensity interval training Outdoor activities Functional fitness training Exercise for weight loss Specific training for a sport Multidisciplinary work teams Personal training
9 Wearable technology Functional fitness training Strength training with free weights Outdoor activities Circuit training Fitness and nutrition (healthy diet) Body weight training
10 Small group personal training Home exercise gyms Outcome measurements Functional fitness training Prevention/functional rehabilitation of injuries Fitness programs for older adults Health/wellness coaching
11 Inclusive fitness services Post rehabilitation classes Exercise is medicine Online personal training Licensure for fitness professionals Outcome measurement Fitness programs for older adults
12 Outdoor activities Health/wellness coaching Mobility/myofascial devices Resistance band training New activities/adaptation of postpandemic services by COVID-19 High intensity interval training Mobile exercise apps
13 Exercise is medicine Small group personal training Mobile exercise apps Fitness programs for older adults High intensity interval training Postrehabilitation Classes Yoga
14 Core training High intensity interval training Prevention and rehabilitation of sport injuries Licensure for fitness professionals Strength training with free weights Mobile exercise apps Employing certified fitness professionals
15 Exercise for weight loss Strength training with free weights Licensure for fitness professionals Health/wellness coaching Wearable technology Injury prevention/functional rehabilitation Functional fitness training
16 Home exercise gyms Mobility/myofascial devices/rollers Employing certified fitness professionals Employing certified fitness professionals Worksite health promotion and workplace well-being programs Core training Exercise is medicine
17 Pilates Wearable technology Personal training Post-COVID recovery programs Monitoring of training results Body weight training Online personal training
18 Post rehabilitation classes Clinical integration/medical fitness Outdoor activities Clinical integration/medical fitness Group training Strength training with free weights Group exercise training
19 Online live and on-demand exercise classes Walking/running/jogging/cycling clubs Body weight training Walking/running/jogging/cycling clubs CORE training Seeking new market niches Licensure for fitness professionals
20 Health/wellness coaching Online live and on-demand exercise classes Certified education for fitness and health professionals Boutique fitness studios Home training with personalized accompaniment of professionals Wearable technology Lifestyle medicine
Figure:
Absolute data from all regions were ranked and sorted into the top 8 global health and fitness trends for 2022. The eight most frequently represented trends from all regions include the following: 1) Exercise for weight loss (no. 2 in Brazil, no. 1 in China, no. 8 in Europe, no. 1 in Mexico, no. 5 in Spain, and no. 5 in the United States), accounting for 20.5% of the top 8 popularity. 2) Personal training (no. 7 in Australia, no. 1 in Brazil, no. 3 in Europe, no. 3 in Mexico, no. 4 in Spain, and no. 8 in the United States), accounting for 18.4% of the top 8 popularity. 3) Functional fitness (no. 1 in Australia, no. 9 in Brazil, no. 8 in China, no. 10 in Europe, no. 2 in Mexico, and no. 2 in Spain), accounting for 15.1% of the top 8 popularity. 4) Body weight exercises (no. 6 in Australia, no. 5 in Brazil, no. 5 in Europe, no. 5 in Mexico, and no. 9 in the United States), accounting for 10.8% of the top 8 popularity. 5) Outdoor activities (no. 8 in Brazil, no. 9 in Europe, no. 7 in Mexico, no. 6 in Spain, and no. 3 in the United States), accounting for 9.2% of the top 8 popularity. 6) Home exercise training (no. 10 in Brazil, no. 1 in Europe, and no. 2 in the United States), accounting for 9.2% of the top 8 popularity. 7) Wearable technology (no. 9 in Australia, no. 4 in Europe, and no. 1 in the United States), accounting for 8.6% of the top 8 popularity. 8) Strength training with free weights (no. 2 in Australia, no. 9 in China, and no. 4 in the United States), accounting for 8.1% of the top 8 popularity.
Demographics information from Australia (N = 478) can be found at https://links.lww.com/FIT/A194.
Chris Alexander, ESSAM, AEP, AES, reported three major takeaways for the 2022 fitness trends in Australia that include the following:
Functional fitness training (no. 1) has often been a massive hit with Australians. With less access to fitness facilities, activities to improve balance, coordination, strength, and endurance via functional fitness training to benefit daily living are anticipated to maintain their popularity.
Strength training with free weights (no. 2) has remained a very hot trend. As the restrictions associated with the pandemic continue to disrupt access to fitness facilities, consumers are opting for the use of at-home strength equipment (e.g., barbells, dumbbells, and kettlebells) to improve or maintain muscular fitness. In addition, exercise professionals are commonly opting to use this type of equipment as part of their mobile business.
Group exercise training, both in large (no. 4) and small training groups (no. 10), has improved in the Australian trends ranking compared with the previous year. This may be due to the appeal of training in groups compared with personal training in terms of both financial and social well-being, which have been exacerbated during the pandemic.
All fitness businesses across Australia have experienced lockdowns, some states more than others. This has caused a number of businesses to permanently shut their doors, despite federal and state financial assistance. Until vaccination rates are significantly higher, each state is likely to continue to experience short snap lockdowns, which will continue to cause significant burdens to fitness business operators and employees.
When comparing trends between Australia and the United States, there appears to be a stronger trend toward strength training in Australia. Functional fitness, strength training with free weights, and fitness programs for older adults rank no. 1, no. 2, and no. 3, respectively, signaling that fitness professionals may be well served to include components of strength training in their 2022 offerings. Exercise for weight loss was ranked much lower in Australia (no. 15) than the United States and other regions. However, employing registered exercise professionals ranked higher in Australia than in any other region; this is a promising sign for Australian fitness professionals looking to enhance their marketability by earning recognized fitness credentials. Of the top 20 trends in Australia, 15 also were trends in the United States.
Demographics information from Brazil (N = 942) can be found at https://links.lww.com/FIT/A195.
Paulo Costa Amaral, Ph.D., M.B.A., M.Sc., reported three major takeaways for the 2022 fitness trends survey in Brazil that include the following:
Personal training (no. 1) moved up three spots from last year's survey when it was no. 4. This may have been due to the pandemic where personal trainers continue to guide customers in physical training, even if it is online personal training (no. 3).
In Brazil, the practice of exercising to lose weight remains one of the top trends (no. 2).
Post-COVID recovery programs are highlighted at no. 4, which is a higher ranking than any other region. This specialization of professionals is essential to serve the population that was infected by COVID and the corresponding need for rehabilitation.
The main challenge for professionals and the fitness industry in Brazil was the adaptation to online services. Culturally, Brazilians prefer face-to-face service, and most professionals were not prepared to provide online services. Consequently, the development of training methodologies was a decisive factor for people to feel motivated in the practice of activity at home. The majority of companies that were able to remain open were those that used social networks to advertise their services. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was considerable resistance from most professionals and practitioners to the use of technology in the supervision and practice of physical activity. As the pandemic progressed, Brazilians were adapting. For 2022, it is necessary that all professionals have their own modern methodologies and that they invest in digital marketing to attract clients to their services and motivate people to remain more active, regardless of the training environment.
Online care is growing in Brazil and has now become a more common part of many Brazilians' lives as a way to promote the practice of physical activity, especially those who do not want to go to a gym or training center. Unlike the United States, the hiring of certified fitness professionals and the licensure for fitness professionals are not trends in Brazil potentially because both are part of a complementary training process that requires a bachelor's degree in Physical Education to work as a professional in the Brazilian fitness industry. Overall, of the top 20 trends in Brazil, 14 also were trends in the United States.
Demographics information from China (N = 4259) can be found at https://links.lww.com/FIT/A196.
Yong-Ming Li, Ph.D., highlighted three important takeaways for the 2022 fitness trends for China that include the following:
Weight loss (no. 1) leads the ranking for the third consecutive year in China.
Highly ranked China-specific trends such as healthy diet (no. 2), exercise and sport for children and adolescents (no. 3), and aerobic fitness (no. 4) support the necessity to incorporate some items that are specific to each region.
The full influence of the COVID-19 pandemic in the fitness industry in China could not be reflected in the rankings.
In an interesting contrast, the shutdown of some clubs decreased job availability for fitness professionals across China, yet at the same time, there was a call for more fitness professionals nationwide as the awareness of exercise for health and fitness arose due to COVID-19.
Home-based trends are not ranked in the top 20 in the China Fitness Trends, which is unlike the United States survey results (nos. 2, 7, and 17). With regard to special populations, the fitness trends in China emphasize children and adolescents (no. 3), whereas in the United States, trends focus more on older adults (no. 11). Of the top 20 trends in China, only 11 also were trends in the United States.
Demographics information from Europe (N = 1571) can be found at https://links.lww.com/FIT/A197.
Alexios Batrakoulis, M.S., ACSM-EP, ACSM-CPT, conducted the fitness trends survey in Europe, which took a pan-European approach that included more than just the 27 European Union member states. Some of the major takeaways from this year's survey include the following:
In Europe, technology-oriented trends as well as fitness activities that take place outside the traditional gym setting (e.g., home and outdoors) appear to be the most attractive among industry stakeholders.
Health-oriented trends, particularly exercise for health and special populations, are popular, comprising six of the top 20 trends.
Mind–body modalities such as Pilates (no. 31, down from no. 24 last year), yoga (no. 32, down from no. 26 last year), and mind–body movement (no. 36, down from no. 35 last year) showed reduced popularity, although boutique fitness studios (no. 20, down from no. 16 last year) remain relatively popular as a work setting in Europe.
The present findings point to the significant effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the European health and fitness industry. The rapid need of hybrid fitness services is now a reality and may be the most challenging issue for those practitioners who typically offered training sessions and programs in the traditional in-person modality. The digital transformation in the fitness industry could, however, be an excellent new path for evolution, innovation, and progress not only for industry stakeholders but also for consumers.
When comparing trends between Europe and the United States, there are a number of overlapping themes that rise to the surface. In both regions, trends influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic such as digital services and technology-oriented trends, as well as home and outdoor fitness activities, seem to be substantially popular. Exercise for health emerges as a hot area for the majority of industry stakeholders in both regions and underpins the need for high-quality services in several untapped markets. Lastly, mind–body modalities such as Pilates, yoga, and tai chi are not considered very popular among the masses in either region, suggesting that fitness professionals may need to consider offering more adapted programs for inexperienced and special populations. A total of 13 of the top 20 trends were shared among the two regions.
For both Europeans and Americans, the regulation of the fitness profession, as well as the rationale for certified practitioners aiming to protect public health and offering high-quality fitness services, appear to be attractive trends.
Demographics information from Mexico (N = 918) can be found at https://links.lww.com/FIT/A198.
Lino Francisco Jacobo Gomez Chavez, Ph.D., and his colleagues reported some of the major takeaways from this year's survey in Mexico that include the following:
Exercise for weight loss (no. 1) remains the primary fitness trend in Mexico for the second consecutive year.
The top four trends in Mexico are in the same order as last year's survey, exercise for weight loss (no. 1), functional fitness training (no. 2), personal training (no. 3), and strength training (no. 4).
Unlike other regions, technology-focused trends such as mobile exercise apps and online/on-demand classes were not in the top 20 trends in Mexico.
COVID-19 has rocked the world, and the fitness sector has not been an exception. In Mexico, the fitness industry faces new challenges such as the recovery of users, spaces, jobs, salaries, services, and protocols for the safe development of activities in gyms and training centers. On the other hand, challenges continue that historically have not been solved, such as professional fitness regulation, the improvement of working conditions for professionals in the sector, and the recognition of fitness activities as part of the national public health strategy.
COVID-19 has rocked the world and the fitness sector has not been an exception.
In general, there are a few differences among the five main fitness trends between the United States and Mexico. The United States repeats two of its main trends, whereas Mexico repeats four, with only new activities/adaptation of postpandemic services by COVID-19 as the newcomer. A total of 10 of the top 20 trends overall were shared among the two.
Demographics information from Spain (N = 520) can be found at https://links.lww.com/FIT/A199.
Oscar L. Veiga, Ph.D., and his colleagues conducted the 2022 fitness trends in Spain. Some of the major takeaways include the following:
Results from the 2022 Spanish survey are very similar to the 2021 survey, with only two new trends emerging in the top 20, plus all the trends were ranked in similar positions, indicating less change overall from the previous year.
The phenomena of outdoor activities continues to surface as a potential consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trends related to technology (wearables and mobile apps) were ranked in a very low position in Spain in comparison with the other surveys, demonstrating that technological trends are not as prevalent in Spain.
The challenges posed by the pandemic as a result of COVID-19 focus on meeting the new needs of customers, adapting to their way of consuming, and guaranteeing safe training that allows individuals to improve their health. In Spain, the health crisis has caused a high rate of sedentary behavior because of restrictions and confinement. The fitness sector has the challenge of being able to offer an active return to normalcy, educating clients in healthy habits, and putting the focus on society through professional and safe services. The use of technology or online training can be used to complement services but may not be as effective as a substitute for fitness centers.
One of the most surprising results within the Spanish survey is that online fitness classes do not appear within the top 20 ranking, which seems to suggest that its emergence inside the top 20 list in 2021 may have just been a transitory phenomenon from the COVID pandemic and government mobility restrictions. This is notable because most experts believed the delivery of online services would continue post-COVID in all sectors, including fitness, although this appears to have not been the case. Thus, it is surprising that fitness professionals in Spain do not feel that online services will continue as a trend. Additionally, it is quite interesting that technology trends (wearables and apps) have not gained relevance in Spanish either, remaining different from what is seen in the United States. Lastly, although it cannot be observed within the top 20, the trend of "exercise is medicine" rose 11 positions and for the first time is on the verge of entering the ranking at the 21st position. Overall, 11 of the top 20 fitness trends were shared with the United States.
Inclusion criteria were that respondents must reside in the United States, resulting in N = 3589 qualified candidates from the original N = 4549. Demographic information from the United States can be found here at https://links.lww.com/FIT/A200.
A few trends to highlight in the 2022 top 20 fitness trends for the United States include the following:
Wearable technology (no. 1), home exercise gyms (no. 2), outdoor activities (no. 3), and strength training with free weights (no. 4) may reveal the effects of the pandemic, as people are doing more activities outside of a traditional gym setting supported by new forms of technology. Exercise for weight loss (no. 5, up from no. 16 last year) and strength training with free weights (no. 4 this year, up from no. 7 last year) increased this year, whereas body weight training (no. 9, down from no. 3 last year) decreased. These results may be related to 2020 and early 2021 shutdown-related inactivity, weight gain, or people finding ways to workout with new free weight fitness equipment.
Online live and on-demand exercise is the no. 7 trend. Although the trend is a modification and slightly different from last year's no. 1 trend, "online training," its lower ranking compared with last year's may be related to facilities reopening.
The effects of the pandemic have influenced the fitness industry dramatically prompting people to find creative ways to stay fit in their home gym or outdoors while tracking their progress with their wearable tech.
TOP 4 TAKEAWAYS
After reviewing the results across all the different regions of the world that were surveyed, four of the most interesting findings are highlighted below:
Pandemic audible for all
Interpreting the 2022 global fitness trends through the lens of COVID-19 is a critical way to sift through the complexity of emerging fitness patterns. Although each region does not tell the same story, the overall rise of technology-based trends and outdoor activities is likely a direct factor of the pandemic. Regions such as Europe and Mexico even highlighted COVID-19-specific recovery programs as a prevailing theme throughout the year. Although not consistently found in each region, these novel COVID-specific programs, in tandem with online, digital, and remote technology trends, reflect a major shift in fitness norms over the past year. Although the specific effects of the pandemic cannot be isolated in this study, readers are encouraged to maintain this contextual understanding throughout their review.
The overall rise of technological based trends and outdoor activities cannot be explained without factoring in the pandemic's effect.
Living in a tech-driven world
Although wearable tech has been dominating the fitness industry for some time now, it is no surprise that it is also increasingly finding a place within people's fitness routines. Wearable technology ranked within the top 20 trends for the United States (no. 1), Europe (no. 4), Australia (no. 9), Mexico (no. 15), Brazil (no. 17), and Spain (no. 20). Although China is the only region that does not have "wearable technology" within their top 20 trends, it did move up to no. 22, from no. 36 last year. Consumers have many options on how to accomplish their fitness and wellness goals; therefore, health and fitness professionals and gyms will likely have many options to consider as they look toward future implementation of tech in their respective fitness spaces.
Consumers have many options on how to accomplish their fitness and wellness goals; therefore, health and fitness professionals and gyms may need to think through how to make relevant changes to allow for these advances.
Move it and lose it?
Over the years, exercise for weight loss has consistently been ranked among the top health and fitness trends in many regions. Compared with last year's rankings, exercise for weight loss remained similar across most regions, except for a notable increase in importance in the United States (no. 16 in 2021, no. 5 in 2022). Although it surprised many to see it ranked so low last year in the United States, especially compared with other regions, the outlook among United States-based health and fitness professionals seems to have returned to a more globally important trend in 2022. The one outlier region for this trend in 2022 is Australia, where exercise for weight loss comes in at no. 15.
Clever combos
A recurring regional dynamic that could not be ignored was complimentary trends — items that may be working together to highlight broader themes. For example, the broader theme of strength training may be seen in the presence of functional fitness, strength training with free weights, and body weight training. These popular trends were found in many regions, such as Australia, where all three were in the top 10. At least one of these three complementary trends and up to all three were in the top 10 for each region (1 in Europe and Spain; 2 in Brazil, China, Europe and the United States; 3 in Australia and Mexico). This trend is similar to the synergistic combinations seen with other popular trends, such as wearable technology paired with home gyms or outdoor activities combined with body weight training. Readers are encouraged to look at trends within their region as to what can be coupled together to efficiently meet the various needs of their clients.
This year's trends bring to light an opportunity for discussion around some compelling supportive and potentially divergent trends. For example, in review of the top 20 trends, are there complimentary or opposing themes both within and across regions that would benefit from a more granular analysis? Because none of these trends exist in a vacuum, a challenge for practitioners becomes how to package or deliver various combinations of trends. Rather than having all the answers, a few thought-provoking questions will be raised in the following section for health and fitness professionals to ponder while they read these lists.
At-home fitness essentials
New to the trends this year, home gyms emerged as very popular in Europe (no. 1), the United States (no. 2), Brazil (no. 10), and Australia (no. 16). For many of the regions, home gyms appeared alongside established trends like wearable technology and outdoor activity. The effects of the pandemic have influenced the fitness industry dramatically, prompting people to find creative ways to stay fit in their home gym or outdoors while tracking their progress with wearable tech. Given the heightened risk of spending time indoors, especially around others, it is no surprise that people are gravitating toward outdoor workouts and/or taking the time to invest in a personal home gym space. Maybe a bigger question is whether fitness enthusiasts will want to go back to the gym, and if so, when? With the shutdown of gyms, people around the world are looking for alternative means of getting daily exercise. Some segments of the industry are reaping the benefits of this; as demand for at-home fitness equipment explodes, the industry is experiencing massive growth. Will the skyrocketing demand for fitness equipment, manufacturing, shipping delays, and price increases further prompt gym goers to focus on more body weight training outdoors because of necessity or access?
It is no surprise that people are gravitating toward the great outdoors and/or taking the time to invest in a personal home gym space as many people navigate fitness facilities closing for long periods of time or remain unsure of when it is safe to go back.
Will the skyrocketing demand for fitness equipment continue to prompt gym goers to focus on more body weight training outdoors because of necessity or access?
Certified fitness professionals versus independent fitness enthusiasts
Could certified fitness coaches be more important than initially thought, or is online remote-based technology phasing out these professionals? Despite the increase in tech-driven fitness trends and autonomous self-directed exercises, most regions also witnessed an equally strong acknowledgement of the importance of registered or certified fitness professionals. Although these seem in contrast to one another, findings may suggest that despite limited access to hands-on professionals during the COVID pandemic, a premium is still placed on tapping the insight of these certified professionals. The available data support the idea that in most regions, people value some sort of "professional" or "coach" to help guide individuals' fitness journeys. Future analyses of this international survey data may be well served to examine whether this particular group diverges from tech-based fitness trends, or if professionals are actually complementing and augmenting these efforts. For example, are those who engage in wearable technology and online classes more likely to seek professionally certified instructors to help monitor and track their progress or are individuals who "hire" these coaches more likely to seek alternative trends?
HIIT me with your best shot
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has historically been one of the most popular fitness trends, remaining the no. 1 trend in the worldwide survey from 2014 to 2018. However, there has been a slow but steady drop in its ranking since, as HIIT now sits at no. 6 in the United States (no. 5 in 2021) and Europe (no. 2 in 2021). HIIT does still remain high across the board in every region, though, between no. 6 and no. 14 everywhere except China (no. 26), but it is not quite as popular as it was while dominating the rankings in the mid to late 2010s. At the same time, exercise for weight loss rose from no. 16 last year in the United States to no. 5 this year, and the trend maintained its strong popularity in other regions. Thus, although HIIT has the potential toward impactful weight loss, does the downward shift of HIIT coupled with the continued popularity of exercise for weight loss signal that people are moving away from HIIT as a strategy for weight loss?
With the shutdown of gyms, so many people around the world are slowly working on building their home gym, whereas others are taking advantage of outdoor activity spaces to get their blood pumping.
For the Children? Fitness Programs for Older Adults versus Children and Adolescents
Some regions place a greater emphasis on older adults' fitness compared with children's fitness than others. This finding is demonstrated by fitness programs for older adults being found within the top 20 trends for Australia (no. 3), Brazil (no. 6), Spain (no. 10), the United States (no. 11), Europe (no. 13), and Mexico (no. 24), although it was not an available trend created within the survey for China. The authors for China, on the other hand, created a trend called "exercise and sport for children and adolescents," which scored very high (no. 3 in China). Conversely, long-term youth development (no. 35 in Australia and the United States; no. 27 in Brazil; no. 34 in Europe), children and exercise (no. 24 in Australia; no. 25 in Europe and Brazil; no. 32 in the United States; no. 37 in Spain), and exercise programs for children and adolescents with obesity (no. 25 in Spain) scored very low relative to the youth emphasis in China. The question to ponder here is, why are children and youth fitness-related trends ranked so low outside of China?
As rich as the data are from each region, there are several survey limitations to note. First, readers should use caution in assuming that trends in one region are representative of other regions. Please refer to Table 1, which highlights several differences and similarities represented within each region. Additionally, because most regions identified at least some trends unique to them, these trends were unable to be explored in a true region by region comparison for this year and previous years. Because the number of potential trends we explored ranged from 30 to 48 this year, the time it took to complete the survey may have affected the overall quality of the responses. Lastly and most importantly, this survey is sent to health and fitness professionals within the industry across different regions, rather than the general population. Therefore, it is essential that the readers of this article understand that respondents represent fitness trends that are supported by practitioners within the field, not consumers.
The authors of this paper are extremely thankful to work with each region to provide a global representation of ACSM's fitness trends. We encourage other regions to participate in this annual survey as a means to gain a more accurate representation of the top 20 fitness trends around the world. We hope to continue to expand this global partnership to make yearly improvements and progress on the survey design, methodology, and implementation. ACSM and our international contributors have a tremendous opportunity to continue leading the way in this evolving international collaboration, which is well positioned to have a continuously positive effect on the worldwide health fitness industry.
The results from ACSM's Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends guide the health and fitness industry in making critical programming, resource, and investment decisions. These results are not only applicable to commercial, clinical, corporate, and community fitness programs worldwide but also provide unique regional preferences. Although the prediction of future trends for each region is difficult, the data captured in these surveys provide health and fitness professionals information to track and compare the trajectory of trends in the field all over the world.
The authors would like to express a big thank you to Managing Editor Lori Tish for providing all materials needed to complete this article and for her endless support throughout the entire process associated with ACSM's Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends. Without Lori this article would not be possible. A big thanks to Editor-in-Chief Brad A. Roy, Ph.D., FACSM and Associate Editor-in-Chief Gary Liguori, Ph.D., FACSM, and ACSM's Past President Walter R. Thompson, Ph.D., FACSM, for encouraging a global partnership to recognize and compare fitness trends with our international collaborators. A very special thanks to the authors and team members who contributed to this global trends article that we continue to strive to improve.
1. Thompson WR. Worldwide survey of fitness trends for 2021. ACSMs Health Fitness J. 2021;25(1):10–9.
View Full Text | CrossRef
2. Li Y-M, Han J, Liu Y, et al. China survey of fitness trends for 2020. ACSMs Health Fit J. 2019;23(6):28–35.
3. Batrakoulis A. European survey of fitness trends for 2020. ACSMs Health Fit J. 2019;23(6):19–27.
4. Vorobiova A. World and national fitness trends 2019. Sport Science Hum Health. 2019;1(1):62–9.
5. Costa Amaral P, Palma DD. Brazil and Argentina survey of fitness trends for 2020. ACSMs Health Fit J. 2019;23(6):36–40.
6. Li Y, Han J, Liu Y, Miao L, Li X, Wu X. 2018 China fitness trends-an online survey for fitness professionals in China (in Chinese). J Shanghai Univ Sport. 2018;42(1):41–6.
7. Veiga OL, Valcarce M, King A. National survey of fitness trends in Spain for 2017. Apunts Educacio Fisica I Esports. 2017;128(2):108–25.
8. Kercher VM, Kercher KK, Bennion T, et al. Fitness trends from around the globe. ACSMs Health Fit J. 2021;25(1):20–31.
9. Kercher VM. International comparisons: ACSM's worldwide survey of fitness trends. ACSMs Health Fit J. 2018;22(6):24–9.
10. Kercher VM, Feito Y, Yates B. Regional comparisons: the worldwide survey of fitness trends. ACSMs Health Fit J. 2019;23(6):41–8.
11. Thompson WR. Worldwide survey of fitness trends for 2022. ACSMs Health Fitness J. 2022;26(1):11–20.
Regional; Commercial; Corporate; Community; Trends
Supplemental Digital Content
FIT_2021_11_09_KERCHER_FIT-D-21-00092_SDC1.pdf; [PDF] (103 KB)
Copyright © 2021 by American College of Sports Medicine.
ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal26(1):21-37, January/February 2022.
Regional\r, Commercial\r, Corporate\r, Community\r, Trends
Articles in PubMed by Vanessa M. Kercher, Ph.D., ACSM-EP, M.Ed.
Articles in Google Scholar by Vanessa M. Kercher, Ph.D., ACSM-EP, M.Ed.
Other articles in this journal by Vanessa M. Kercher, Ph.D., ACSM-EP, M.Ed.
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Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2022
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Equality- versus Equity-Based Approaches to Promoting Health and Fitness in Diverse Populations
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HomeGunilla BielkeGunilla Bielke – A controversial Queen
Gunilla Bielke – A controversial Queen
August 9, 2018 Moniek Bloks Gunilla Bielke, Sweden, The Royal Women 0
This article was written by Sophie Strid.
Gunilla Bielke was born Gunilla Johansdotter Bielke of Åkerö on 25 June 1568. The daughter of a former governor, Gunilla was orphaned at an early age and raised at the royal court. She spent her days playing with the King of Sweden's daughter and would eventually become maid-of-honor to Queen Catherine Jagiellon.
Described as a beautiful blonde, Gunilla was the subject of the King's attraction, and when Queen Catherine died in 1583, the 16-year-old was chosen to be his next wife. Gunilla was already engaged to a nobleman at the time and had no interest in the King. According to tradition, she turned down a proposal from him at one point which caused the King to punch her in the face. Regardless, her family begged her to consider, and she eventually gave in.
The wedding took place in Västerås on 21 February 1585 and Gunilla was crowned Queen the following day. The marriage had been criticised prior to the wedding due to the bride's social status. It was said that the King was ignoring Gunilla's non-royal background and that he only wanted to marry her because she was pretty. The King's siblings even refused to attend the wedding. King John answered by arranging a lavish ceremony and made sure the wedding festivities were nothing but extravagant.
As Queen, Gunilla caused controversy from day one. In a time when royal wives were expected to be discrete, Gunilla had great influence over the King and his decision-making. A strict protestant, she made her husband's interest in Catholicism fade away, which in turn affected his political views. There were also complaints about her using her newly gained influence to benefit her relatives.
In 1588, she ordered the construction of Bråborg, a stunning renaissance castle in Norrköping Municipality, where she would live as a widow after the death of King John in 1592.
Although she did devote herself to philanthropy (at one point she opened an orphanage) and provided the nation with an heir to the throne when Prince John was born in 1589, she received negative criticism throughout her life as a royal. Rumours were continuously spread about her, and the pension she was living on after the King's death was almost taken away from her.
On her 29th birthday, Gunilla died at Bråborg Castle after weeks of suffering from a high fever. She is buried at Uppsala Cathedral. The Gunilla Bell at Uppsala Castle is named after her.
Catherine of Sweden
Gunilla Bielke
Swedish Royal Family
Uppsala Castle
Uppsala Cathedral
Princess Louise of Prussia – Quietly behind the throne
Caroline of Ansbach – "A beautiful Princess of great merit"

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Another is a new series of work by M. P. Landis, directly inspired by his personal experience with kidney failure, dialysis, and a transplant with a kidney donated by his friend Tom Abbs.
This body of work began years ago when Landis became fascinated with the backs of old frames he collected, many of which came from the museum in Provincetown, MA (P.A.A.M.). For years he used the backs of these frames in 3-D works. He imagined an exhibition of a series of work using the frame backs with textured and painted wood panels; work that would appear minimal at first glance, while also being full of information and history.
While Landis was recovering from his recent kidney transplant surgery, he was also going through the emotional process of accepting into his own body the healthy kidney from the body of his close friend, creative force Tom Abbs. Landis began thinking again about this series begun many years earlier and put aside. Waking in the middle of the night Landis realized that the missing piece in this series was the act of literally taking a piece out of each work and adding it to another. Although he had already titled this series Another, this simple development came slowly, internally, so to speak.
Have photos of this show? Tag them with artcal-4410 to see them here.


Camp is a blessing on so many levels. A place that children can go for a few hours everyday and keep busy. However, camp is not always an option in our down economy. Here are some ideas that will keep your kids busy and happy this summer wihtout going to camp.
The summer has been hot and things last week got even hotter when Kate Middelton walked the red carpet. She was exquisite in her wedding gown, but she sure has kept up appearances.
July 4thmay be behind us, but the affects of the sun are still fresh. Avoid the pain of sunburn and future skin cancer with the following tips that are so easy even a 3 year old can do them!


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Ghost Banning
Definition - What does Ghost Banning mean?
Ghost banning is a process through which a user is invisibly banned from a social network, website or online community. Ghost banning enables an administrator to ban a user while still providing that user with the ability to browse through and use the available features, while still preventing the user from interfering with other users.
Techopedia explains Ghost Banning
Ghost banning first emerged in large social networks. It was implemented to identify, monitor and eliminate spammers and restrict their activities. For example, a ghost banned user can access the social network, review updates from his or her connections, etc., but none of that user's activity, such as content or link sharing, is visible to connections or even general subscribers. This enables the website administrator to segregate spammers from the lot and to put suspicious users under scrutiny until their activities are on par with the terms and conditions of the site in question.
Social Networking Site (SNS)
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Bob and Liz actually did what other good hippies only talked about in the early 70's. They moved to a farm, without electricity, a telephone, a car or, God forbid, a television, and began living off the land in complete simplicity. Eleven years later, they're so successful at this that an enthusiastic young author is including them in her first book and photographing Bob admiring his home-grown beans.
That is where we meet the couple in ''Good Will,'' a touching, thought-provoking two-act drama adapted by Joan Rater and Tony Phelan from Jane Smiley's novella, with Ms. Smiley's sharply poetic language and nuance intact. The play, directed by Mr. Phelan, is at Theater 3.
Thanks to growing their own food, making their own furniture and using the barter system, Bob, Liz and their little boy, Tommy, lived on $343.67 the year before. Bob gets his aerobic workout doing farm work and Liz uses her upper abdominals kneading dough, but they remember the outside world just well enough to know how counterculturally cool they sound saying that. Slowly, subtly, it becomes apparent that there is at least a little trouble in paradise.
Liz (Dana Reeve) has found God with some nearby Pentecostal group and just can't keep it to herself. Tommy (Michael Phelan) has started school and has, inexplicably, called a black classmate a racial epithet and destroyed the classmate's new dolls. Bob (John Bedford Lloyd) may be too demanding about what a farm boy should be exposed to, like watching his father kill a sheep that the boy loves.
There is not a weak link in the six-person cast. Even Michael Phelan (no relation to the director), who is 9, puts in an impressive professional performance. Mr. Lloyd has a chance to shine here and does, giving a powerful performance as a peaceful but complicated man. Ms. Reeve, who has numerous theater and film credits but is still probably best known as the wife of Christopher Reeve, makes Liz very real and sympathetic. The narrative loses its grip only once, when Lydia (Brenda Pressley, who is compelling in the role) is called on to describe at length the awful act that finally pries Bob and Liz away from the farm and changes their lives forever.
George Xenos's simple set works well. And the deceptively simple costumes, by Michael Krass and Marion Williams, convey the unsettling differences not so much of class but of social politics, habit and setting.
At one point, Bob casually mentions to Lydia, ''Actually we don't even have a mirror in the house.'' At the end of ''Good Will,'' audiences may ask themselves whether a metaphorical mirror that reflects the limitations of love, intelligence and good intentions is a real necessity or just unavoidable.


Jaca is a city in northeastern Spain, close to the border with France. It is located in the midst of the Pyrenees, in the province of Huesca, and occupies a ford on the Aragón River at what was once the crossing of two important early medieval routes.
Jaca has approximately 12,000 residents and is a prime tourist destination for those seeking some nature, summer holidays and those seeking winter sports. For those wishing to learn Spanish in Spain, but who want to be closer to the countryside than to a capital city or a beach, Jaca is an option.
Studying at a Spanish language school in Jaca will offer a different type of Spanish language learning experience in Spain. There are several ski resorts in the area, as well as an ice skating rink (not many places you can do that in Spain!) Proximity to the Pyrenees means that a variety of enjoyable non-urban activities are available when you are not learning Spanish in a language school setting.


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Walking Together Comes Home
Caption: Geronimo Henry stands in Walking Together exhibit space
"He told a story about all the boys
How on the last day of school
Every one of them would run to that particular window
To watch the cars pull up to pick them up
And how every year he waited as nobody came for him"
– from "Nobody Came", mixed media work by Kaneesha Hill, Pauline Johnson Collegiate & Vocational School
Geronimo Henry has a striking tattoo of the number 48 on his right hand. This is "his number" – the one he was assigned by the Mohawk Institute, the former residential school in Brantford where Henry spent 11 long, heartbreaking years beginning at the age of five.
"They took away our language, our culture… they took away our way of life," said Henry. "I had a lot of anger and resentment for a long time after that."
Sharing his story has become part of a healing journey for Henry, a Cayuga member of Six Nations of the Grand River, who is now 80 years old. His story, along with other survivors of the residential school system, are what informed Walking Together, an intergenerational community arts project that brought together First Nations artists, Elders, and eleven First Nations students from Pauline Johnson Collegiate and Vocational School.
Pauline Johnson C & VS students gathered information through interviews and photography as they spoke with survivors, and together, walked through the former residential school building. Learning of the sad and painful memories, students discovered the heartbreaking legacy the former residential school students have harboured, and, inspired by their courage and resilience, used this legacy to inform the project.
The resulting works of encaustic, mixed media art serve as a reminder of this chapter in Canadian history, and of the importance of having the freedom to speak one's language and live one's culture.
"I decided that I would spend the rest of my life sharing my story, to get the message out to the next generation," Henry said of his involvement with Walking Together. "Every time I tell my story, I heal myself a little bit more."
Walking Together exhibit information:
The Walking Together exhibit is on view at Woodland Cultural Centre from February 4 until May 2. Opening reception takes place Saturday, February 4 at 12 p.m.


Here's a quick way to create instant hat bling for any occasion. I take my inspiration from all the crazy hats worn at Kate Middleton's wedding (go BIG or go home, right?).
The best part about my method of accessorizing hats is that it's instant. All you need are two super magnets and any fun object you may have laying around the house. You can go bigger and better by adding netting, ribbons, or feathers. And you can go vintage, modern or surrealist. The options for hat bling are limited only to your imagination and to things that weigh less than half a pound.
Position a super magnet on the inside of you hat where you want the bling to attach on the outside.
Snap another super magent onto the outside of the hat.
Attach anything metal to the outer magnet. These are the things I used here: a broken necklace, a pair of scissors, a handfull of paper clips, a Christmas tree ornament, and the inner guts of my steampluck lamp.
Not shown here, I also used a lid from a soup can (a Warhol inspiration).
Optional: hot glue the outer magnet to anything non-magnetic, and you're increased your options exponentially.
You can add instant BIG to your hat bling by bringing in netting. For this instructable, I took a circular piece of black netting, drew spiral shapes around the edges with glue, and sprinkled black glitter over the glue to create a gorgeous accessory for the other bling components. To use the netting, fold the circle in half, then in half again to form a cone shape, then scrunch up the point of the cone and use the magnet to fasten it to the hat.
You could wear the netting alone, but the magnet will show, so I recommend adding any one of the other pieces of bling you have to cover the magnet.
The very same bling you use for your hat can go on the outside of a top, a jacket, a scarf, your cheek, etc.
Now that I've shown you basics of magnetic bling, go forth and be creative with bows, feathers, or whatever else you can get your hands on. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
You have an awesome hat to start with and you just made it even more beautiful! Wonderful job and great idea!
Thanks, Penelopy! That's another project altogether--making hats!
What a great idea! This is something I will do. Thanks for sharing!


Our mission statement: To glorify our heavenly Father through His Son Jesus Christ in our worship, walk, work and witness.
Konnoak Baptist Church is a body of believers seeking to express faith in Jesus Christ in order to witness to all people, local and otherwise. The goal of our worship experience is to praise God through music and song and the preaching of His Holy Word. We offer a blended worship service utilizing Easy Worship™ media presentations. Childcare is provided. Visitors are welcome and members are expected.


For the first time in our nation's history, children can expect to live shorter lives than their parent's generation. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control continues to publish shocking statistics that paint a gloomy picture of our children's future health. To help reverse the tide, Mercy has invested $7 million for years of health education in schools in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.
The health literacy program now offered to the schools at no charge is called HealthTeacher, and it provides online health lessons and resources for educators focused on improving health literacy from kindergarten through 12th grade. For more than a decade, HealthTeacher has been used with great success in some of the nation's largest school districts. Mercy's partnership was a first for HealthTeacher – partnering with an entire health system. Recently, over 100 educators from the Berryville Public School District were trained on the program. Eureka Springs and Green Forest schools began using HealthTeacher in the 2011-12 school year.
HealthTeacher now reaches more than 800,000 students in the four states Mercy serves. In Northwest Arkansas, Mercy shares the associated costs with Arkansas Children's Hospital. In this co-branded area, Mercy and Arkansas Children's Hospital sponsor HealthTeacher in 87 districts, 462 schools, with the potential of reaching 210,100 students.
HealthTeacher is the interactive leader in youth health, creating games, apps, and educational resources to make health awesome for kids. This even includes emotional health. For example, last fall Mercy and HealthTeacher launched the anti-bullying mobile game, "Awesome Upstander!" It is designed for elementary-aged children, and it encourages them to race through a school cafeteria and bathroom to help rescue a target from a bully. Along the way, players must collect enough friends to stand up to the bully together. The adventure introduces the concept of "upstanders" – people who safely and positively intervene in a bully situation – through a fun and entertaining play experience.


Rahdo Runs Through... Other stuff!
I'm always open to more feedback, btw, so feel free to head over to my Guild to start a conversation about what else you'd like to see from me, and also for lots more "behind the scenes" information about the series!
My first top 10 countdown vid!!! None shall pass!
Wherein I run through my 10 fav games from 2009... the year I started boardgaming!
A quick tour of the lovely Alea Apartments of Paros, Greece, where boardgamers can go to relax in the Mediterranean sun and play tons of games!
My preview of the games to be launched at Essen 2013... there were a LOT of them!
A video where I talk a bit about my wife's glass crafting business, including a demonstration by Jen!
My top 10 games of 2011!
13. GeekList: Rahdo Runs Through►►► The Games of 2011!!!
My top 10 games of 2012, a VERY good year!
16. GeekList: Rahdo Runs Through►►► The Games of 2012!!!
Just in case you're curious about the rest of the games I played in 2012, here's a ranked and commented list covering ALL OF THEM!
My PRELIMINARY top 10 of 2013, though it gets updated later. Merry Xmas!
A ridiculous series of videos wherein I run through the contents of my gameshelves. Over 300 games discussed. PHEW!!!!
My top 10 underrated games... THESE GAMES NEED MORE LOVE!!!
A video wherein I suggest ten great gateway games, and I DON'T include Ticket to Ride, Catan, or Carcassone. BLASPHEMY!
Joel Eddy, of Drive Thru Reviews, decided he wanted to find out what makes me tick!
My 2014 Kickstarter campaign update videos, collected here for posterity, as 2014 marked the year where I started earning an income for Rahdo Runs Through, thereby ensuring I'll be able to continue to do it!
Thanks so much to all my backers, past, present and future!
A quick report on the Malta's 2014 Table Top Day event. Surprisingly big turnout for such a small little island!


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MXPX's Mike Herrera and THE ATARIS' Kris Roe cover the RANCID classic
During a show at this year's Warped Tour, Mike Herrera of MXPX and Kris Roe of THE ATARIS performed a cover of the RANCID classic "Olympia, WA", which appears on their 1995 iconic album "…And Out Come the Wolves".
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THE OFFSPRING live in London, June 2012


We love the super cosy Snuggle Sacs, great for sleepovers, travelling, camping or just chilling watching the TV. You can slide a pillow into the space at the top and snuggle up in your ready made bed! They are easy to transport and come in their own handy storage bag.


So, this is it, folks! After eight weeks of pulsating action that saw ebbs and flows rise to accentuating levels, we are down to two teams.
So, it will be CSK taking on the Sunrisers Hyderabad, a team they have beaten thrice in the tournament thus far.
Rashid Khan (SRH): The vile leg-spinner had an outstanding outing against KKR, as he smashed a 10-ball-34, and followed it with a spell of 3-19, and his odds of performing in today match prediction is 11/5, meaning a return of 320.
Faf du Plessis (CSK): Faf played a match-winning 67 in Qualifier 01, and his odds of performing in today final is 10/3, meaning a return of 433 over 100.
CSK vs SRH WHO WILL WIN?
According to the predictions made by bet365, the odds are in favor of CSK with 8/11 and a return of 172.72 Rs over a stake of 100 whereas, SRH prediction is 11/10 meaning a return of 210 Rs over a stake of 100.
OUR PREDICTION: As per the betting odds, we back Chennai Super Kings to win CSK vs SRH match.


text:
Thai protesters rally for first time in months despite worst COVID-19 outbreak yet
Pro-democracy activist Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak (2nd R) speaks as Student Union of Thailand spokesperson Panusaya "Rung" Sithijirawattanakul (L), Panupong "Mike" Jadnok (2nd L) and Jatupat "Pai Dao Din" Boonpattararaksa make the three-finger salute during an anti-government demonstration outside parliament as they commemorate the anniversary of the 1932 Siamese Revolution in Bangkok on June 24, 2021. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)
Hundreds of Thais returned to the streets of Bangkok for the first time in months today (Thursday) to demand political change. The protests are the first since the second wave of COVID-19, in mid-December 2020, and as the country is battling the worst surge in infections and deaths yet in the third wave, which began in April this year.
Calling for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's resignation and for constitution amendment proposals from the Opposition to be accepted, these rallies coincide with two major events, namely the 89th anniversary of the Siamese revolution, which transformed the country into a constitutional monarchy, and the parliamentary debate and vote on 13 draft constitutional amendments, proposed by political parties from both the government coalition and opposition.
Defying the emergency decree's ban on gatherings of more than 50 people, anti-establishment Ratsadon and other affiliated groups gathered at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok at dawn, the time the People's Party revolutionaries declared the end of the absolute monarchy almost nine decades ago. A large placard reading "the country belongs to the people" was placed across the iconic monument, along with other political messages.
The group then marched nine kilometres to parliament, where both houses were in session, to push their three main demands, including that any amendment or rewriting of the charter must be done by a committee elected by the people, that any section of the charter can be amended and the removal of the junta-appointed Senate and other coup legacies.
The proposal by Pheu Thai, the opposition's largest party, to enable the establishment of a Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA), was rejected by House Speaker Chuan Leekpai days before the session, while most parties have elected not to seek amendments to sections related to the monarchy. The abolition of the Senate is, however, agreed upon by many parties, but is unlikely to be passed by parliament.
In front of parliament, the group handed over a replica of a historic plaque, once installed in the tarmac at the Royal Plaza by the revolutionaries and which went missing in 2017, an open letter detailing their demands and a copy of the first constitution to an opposition representative, so that the parliamentarians can be reminded of the priorities of the people when deliberating proposed amendments.
The current constitution is the 20th, drafted by the military regime in power between 2014 and 2019, and approved in a nationwide referendum in 2016. It is seen by many as problematic, in allowing an extension of military influence beyond the 2019 general elections, especially with coup-maker Prayut's second term as prime minister, thanks largely to the Senate's rubber-stamp.
With support for and participation in the youth-led protest waning since December, coupled with the resurgence of the pandemic, Thailand has been largely dominated by COVID-19 issues, until now, when the constitution is being debated.
Jatuporn Prompan, leader of the Thai Mai Ton (Thais won't take it anymore) and former Red Shirt leader said, speaking on a makeshift stage, that a desirable prime minister "can be anyone, as long as it's not General Prayut. Anyone who will replace Prayut will definitely be better, but that person must act in accordance with the people's will."
Protest leader from Thammasat University, Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak, said he had low expectations of parliament, but needed to make the group's voice heard, saying "We are here to make our standpoint known. It's up to you whether you listen or not. The Ratsadon group will persist with our demands. Prayut needs to be out by the end of this year," he said.
Calling off the protests – which continued through the evening at various locations in Bangkok – Pathumwan Skywalk, Nang Loeng Intersection and Panichayakan Intersection – early to avoid clashes or unexpected incidents, early without camping out in front of Government House as intended, leaders have called for regroups on Saturday.
Thailand is battling its worst COVID-19 crisis yet, with many hospitals reportedly reaching capacity. Infections, since April 1st, 2021, passed the 200,000 mark today.
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For Immediate Release . . .April 18, 2016 . . . Rancho Mirage, Ca. -- The Coachella Valley Chapter of Internationally-renowned ISRAEL CANCER RESEARCH FUND hosted a collaborative luncheon and Scientific Presentation at the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences on the campus of Eisenhower Medical Center today.
potential to revolutionize our understanding of these diseases and the options for treatment.
Born in Israel, Dr. Taube began his career at Tel Aviv University, where he received a B.Sc. in Biology, an M.Sc. in Microbiology & Biotechnology, and his PhD studies on the molecular biology of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Dr. Taube has had a long-term interest in how human pathogens develop unique strategies to infect their target cells. Specifically, he attempts to understand the interactions between the virus and its host at the level of viral mRNA synthesis – or transcription. In addition, Dr. Taube studies the mechanisms that drive HIV into gene silencing. This is a major obstacle for the eradication of HIV, as current drugs cannot cure viral infection.
Similar mechanisms and protein complexes that support HIV transcription are also key regulators of Mixed Lineage Leukemia (MLL), an aggressive hematological malignancy, occurring mainly in infants. Transcriptional complexes that play a role in promoting MLL can serve as targets for treating MLL and developing strategies that will suppress the progression of the disease.
Dr. Taube has been studying an important aspect of AIDS, namely why the HIV virus is not completely eliminated after therapies and that treated individuals are still infectious. He has found that residual viruses, that were not eliminated, are stored in a dormant state, though they can awake at any time, multiply and infect new normal cells. He has discovered the mechanism by which the AIDS virus remains silent and demonstrated that it is being contributed to by both normal and viral proteins. By comparison, those findings were fundamental in our understanding how the infants' MLL progresses, as he and his collaborators have discovered, that the mechanisms found in HIV were also identical and are involved in MLL. These breakthrough findings have opened a new door to identify new therapeutic targets that allow the development of new and effective drugs for the early diagnosis and treatment of MLL.
Dr. Taube's findings, in collaboration with Dr. Uri Rubio, and his insight in linking AIDS research with MLL are unparalleled.
New to the over 800 non-profit organizations in the Coachella Valley, Israel Cancer Research Fund, the recipient of Charity Navigator's highest 4-star rating, is advancing cancer research and treatments that have been pivotal in saving lives. In the past 41 years since its founding, Israel Cancer Research Fund scientists have made major breakthroughs in important cancer research, and today this organization has the knowledge that there is indeed HOPE. The accomplishments of the scientists ICRF has supported have been many, and thousands of patients treated with drugs that have resulted from their research are alive today all over the world as a result.
Some of the amazing breakthroughs that Israel Cancer Research Fund-supported scientists have researched to fight cancer include Velcade, Gleevec, Doxil, the p53 Gene, DNA Methylation, the RAD51 Gene, and a novel Bone Marrow Transplant technique. ICRF research areas include anticancer vaccines, bone marrow transplantation, brain tumors, breast cancer, colon cancer, eye cancer, immunotherapy, kidney cancer, pediatric cancer, programmed cell death (Apoptosis), prostate cancer, radiation therapy, skin cancer, tumor blood vessel growth (Angiogenesis), tumor metastases, tumor suppressor genes, and tumor viruses.
"Israel Cancer Research Fund last year expanded into the Coachella Valley because cancer affects us all," stated Board President of the ICRF Coachella Valley Chapter, Patrick Mundt. "The more funds we raise here in the Valley the more cancer research we can conduct in Israel, for the benefit of all mankind," Mundt continued.
Israel Cancer Research Fund is one of the largest sources of private funds for innovative cancer research in Israel. Funds raised by ICRF have contributed more than $56 million for over 2200 grants involving all major hospitals, universities, and cancer research projects throughout Israel. ICRF's mission is to continue to find treatments and cures for all forms of cancer, utilizing the unique benefits Israel and its scientists have to offer. The results of Israeli scientists' outstanding research have made a significant impact in Southern California, across the United States, and throughout the world.


Say hello to the prettiest bread in town! Vegan, GF & insanely delicious!
I'm choosing to call this "the miracle bread" not only because it miraculously holds together but also because it will work wonders for your stomach. We have way too little fiber in our diets today, but thanks to this bread, you can now enjoy a super yummy and fibrous toast each and every day.
Add all the dry ingredients to a big bowl and stir gently.
Pour the mixture into a parchment lined 11x5 loaf pan. It should be tightly packed!
Cover and let sit out for at least two hours.
Preheat oven to 375 F. Bake for 20 minutes. Take out of the oven. Flip bread over and put it directly on the oven rack and bake for another 30 minutes.


Kristy's art is inspired by, "bright, bold color, children's book illustrations and reclaiming old, forgotten images and items." She started a shop called Rogue Painter that features mischievous, colorful painting that can't be tied down. Kristy creates hand-painted shoes, purses, and jackets that can be customized with each order. She uses a special acrylic finisher to seal the items so there is no cracking, peeling or fading.
Art has been important to Kristy her entire life. "I like the idea of recycling visual history into something relevant and relatable to our current time. It gives my work a sense of nostalgia, but still leaves room for experimentation and abstraction which modernizes the work," she states. She started drawing when she was just three years old and continued to hone her craft through college.
"I took mail correspondence lessons from the Art Instruction School in Minneapolis for 3 years. I took every art class I could in high school, and that motivated me to pursue art at a collegiate level. I will be graduating with a B.A. in studio art in 2011 from the University of Northern Iowa," she explained to me.


text:
The Ferryman at the Royal Court
It was an Event.
Jez Butterworth is The Playwright. An Architect. Racy and gnomic. Not a priori great—David Hare was The Playwright and he's made no great work since Skylight. But look at any recommendations of the century's best plays: Jerusalem ranks one.
Since 2009 Butterworth's done minor work, like The River, and disconcertingly/reassuringly added to a handful of middling-to-awful films—you'd assume big studio material with its low artistic threshold would be easier to write but the curate's eggs throw theatre snobbery in relief. Can you believe he wrote some of Spectre? England's Playwright wrote (part of) the worst English film of last year. Think about that.
Butterworth has tropes (see also 1995's Mojo). For The Ferryman I could sniff poetry, mythology, love-ladenness and a grand patriarchal protagonist from a mile away. But I feared this:
'When new plays set out to imitate reality … even if it is a quality of life that they wish to evoke, we are usually offered no more than the literary quality of the well-turned phrase.'
——Peter Brook, 'The Empty Space'
For despite the reputation as a capital-A Artist, the man can overwrite—as though he must satisfy a rootless academia (try to read the elegy to fishing in The River, I dare you). My god, it works sometimes. Jerusalem's finale of a nature-cry to national history intimidates me, but I'm always cagy with praise, especially when a press night turns into an Event.
An Event: a new maybe major work from a major playwright in a major theatre. But 'major'… something 'major' is unassailable, worthy, every Classic you had to read but from which were categorically estranged. I'm cautious.
County Armagh, Northern Ireland, 1981. Ex-IRA Quinn Carney must make a decision concerning his brother Seamus who disappeared 10 years ago. Either he denies the IRA's involvement with his death or he surrenders his own life, and possibly that of his family.
Mmm. Sounds like a thriller. But I thought plays were people mostly waiting around talking? So they are, and so is this, because the political-paramilitary-intrigue is buried in most of the 'action'. Act One: Carney's farming family prepares to receive the Corcoran's boys (family friends) for a feast to crown the harvest season. The Carney's are many bodies: Quinn, Mary, Caitlin (Seamus' wife and widow), Aunt Patricia, Uncle Patrick, Aunt Maggie, JJ, Michael, Shena, Nunu, Mercy, Honor, Oisin (Caitlin's son) and baby Bobby. Thrown into the mix is rambler and labourer Tom Kettle, a possibly autistic Englishman abandoned by his parents at age twelve who's grown up on Carney land.
So Act One is a nonchalant hour of 'life' theatre: a plotless portrait of characters 'being' just so inescapably human. They bicker, shout, swear and trade warm words of care. Aww. You sense a dash of twee. And actually, it wouldn't bother me that much as some of the Act's quite effective in set-up. Each character over the age of 20 displays at least an attitude that bears on the action. Yet the fact a theatre audience finds kids swearing the funniest thing makes me want to burn down the West End. The theatre laughs in this play…
Side bar: theatre laughs are the consequence of decades of insularity and a merger of normativity with description, which is to say 99% of 'jokes' in theatre (drama) are terrible and audiences laugh because it's polite and yet in doing so impede on the very thing they love. Or maybe I'm misanthropic. But I fear theatre-as-out-of-touch perfects itself in the guffaw at a seven-year-old saying 'Fuck'.
Again, Act One is where the Carney's prepare a meal and the harvest, with a vagueness of adults' former and current politics including the hardline republicanism of Aunt Patricia, and also a lovely fake out following the Prologue (yes, there's a Prologue. I'll get to it) where Quinn and Caitlin share a bottle over Connect Four in the wee small hours, and we assume they're husband and wife only for the grey light of morning to reveal they're non-lovers. Because that's the other thread throughout Ferryman, the love triangle of Quinn, Mary and Caitlin, although there's no pin-sharp monologue on separation as there is in The River (that play's redeeming feature, I think).
To cut through the twee, there's a chance for atmosphere with the family, and I mean atmosphere in the sense of what Icke did with the warmth of Elsinore (actually, there's a wisp of warmth in the Caitlin-Quinn would-be tryst, but it disappears). Having more than ten actors packed into Royal Court's main stage with ostensibly real characters with ostensibly real space could form something, something evoking a non-verbal, non-obvious sense of daily life, but Sam Mendes (whom I feel less and less keen about), does a big fat nothing with the stage. Especially… ESPECIALLY when Butterworth likes evoking the otherworld, for where it was beings of the bosk in Jerusalem here it's banshees, and surely they deserve more than just cool imagery. Such. A. Waste. And only in Act Two's dancing where the lines so set prior melt away does the space become other.
Act Two: the Corcorans come, Shane, Diarmand and Decland, and everybody feasts. Mid-way through the meal they clear the floor to jig. At this point you probably think how stock-craic and almost exploitative this play sounds. The Carney's at times could live in a brochure. And there's the odd political squeamishness, because Butterworth's a Londoner doing a play about The Troubles rather than a Friel or McDonagh, and there's somewhat of a gaze to the whole thing. It doesn't envelop it to be clear, but the effect's still a bit through-a-glass. Maybe it's because the the script's Hiberno isn't far off from 'standard' English, or maybe I'm an essentialist. I don't know.
Post-dance, Muldoon the IRA lieutenant turns up armed with goons and crystallises Carney's dilemma (Father Horrigan arrives before to tell Caitlin and Quinn of Seamus' death but he doesn't make the choice clear). And yes, actual plot kicks in. If Quinn doesn't do X that's against his principles or emotional values or else, he and any number of loved ones will die. That's the dilemma, but for all its apparent frankness The Ferryman doesn't show or inculcate Quinn's principles or emotional values—a neat complication in that protecting his brother's memory butts against the love for his brother's wife, but that's it. Perhaps it's in the general sense of right and stake that the family gives off in their many vignettes. Hard to tell. The point at least is there's absolutely intractability, with hell to pay either way. Muldoon and goons enter with a thrilling menace, but only because they burst in 90 minutes gone into an already high-strung moment. It's a payoff, sure, stalling the plot for so long, but the tension's not really worth it. The thriller part is so drawn out it becomes its own negation, and Butterworth's mentor was Pinter, but the IRA members are no less menacing than the villains of Hollywood tentpoles.
That's all A plot stuff. B plot is the morass of young men talking war in Act Three—Corcoran and Carney—where radicalised Shane tries to stir up praxis following the death of hunger striker Bobby Sands (note to self: I have to see Steve McQueen's Hunger). There's stakes here, and interest, and it's great, and may just be because relative newcomer Tom Glynn-Carney absolutely kills it. Hawkish and raffish and pathetic, his Shane's remarkable and remarkably underused (I promise you Glynn-Carney will nail his role in Dunkirk).
Again with the entrance of the IRA, there are payoffs to the stuffy action. It ends In true tragic mode in a deathly brawl and in the very very end everything overclocks for a few seconds before dispersing (because who cares about pacing?). I like the ending, to an extent. It actually has a mood and the creepiness of the Banshee mythos comes to some head until it's quickly gone. Could you imagine if that had been maintained: atmosphere? But Sam Mendes doesn't care and neither does the audience.
There's a chance with a huge family for representation that's neglected in most nominal 'family' plays (which mean age range 20-60 max). There are children, there are the elderly, there are the mentally ill. But the younguns here are non-functional window dressing. Filigree. Uncle Patrick is Butterworth's vessel for academic expiation like the unbearable professor of Jerusalem, calling upon the Greek gods of the Harvest and name-dropping Virgil to give the play its hand-wringing Weight. There's Aunt Patricia, who could amount to a rousing island of political anger but is hamstrung when we learn she only really hates the English because her never-to-be beau died fighting them (yep. Because girls gotta have reasons, namely boys, for getting involved!). And then Aunt Maggie, whom I took in like a sine wave. She's got dementia, so I feared she'd be the awful, gutless cliche of the mentally ill person who acts like a Delphic oracle, which she was, until she showed a rapport with the younger girls of the family in her lucid moments (and that scene almost, almost passes the Bechdel test), then was back to gnomic vessel again by the end. Ooh, and Tom Kettle: the gentle giant who loves a certain protagonist. I have to mention him because John Hodgkinson's performance is superbly offbeat in the way he steps over the lines of others' back-and-forths, and he's also in the one cry-worthy scene (cry-worthy is rare) of the play where Kettle professes love and proposes—well, cry-worthy, but mostly disingenuous and tropey; I can't think of the exact film I'm thinking of with same set-up but imagine a gushier Forrest and Jenny.
What else? Paddy Considine as Quinn is charming if not dulled by a dull role, and Laura Donnelly (whom you'd know from my review of The Wasp) rocks in her character's desperation and love and respect and frustration. Rob Howell's set is naturalistic in the same way a spade digs the ground. The sound design is gawky, not liminal.
Way up I called Butterworth an architect, because despite the banality, forced jokes and pacing, the dedication to scale in such a small space gives shifts something. The night had by weird alchemy changed the air in the room. And it's nothing to do with the Event of it all. Even if I reject its contents there's a charm to the container, which is hard to explain. And also, again with the reference to his film work, the way the otherwise useless Prologue steps into Act One with 'Street Fighting Man' by the Stones makes an opening worthy of Scorcese.
Well… that's The Ferryman. I'm realising I like reading plays more than watching them. Is it the audience? Is it the hype? Is it the other critics who'll five-star this to high hell? All. None. I don't know. If you like Butterworth, see this.
Written by: Oliver Simmonds
Published: Wednesday, 2017/05/10 - 12:17
Royal Court Theatre