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This company made the gym fit into your backpack: here’s how

Christine Stein Hededam 🇩🇰
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This company made the gym fit into your backpack: here’s how

You have a great workout program in the Netherlands, a good gym routine, and maybe even a passionate workout buddy who keeps you motivated. 

But what happens when you go to visit family back home?

If you’re like me, you don’t have access to a gym, your family showers you with amazing food (bless them) and… you slowly see your fitness goals slip. 😬

Working out in the Netherlands: sunshine edition

But what if you could do a full gym workout wherever you want — in the city you travelled to for work, on your beach trip with your besties, or just in the park on a sunny day? 

No, it’s not a rhetorical question, because PAKAMA’s new backpack lets you take the gym with you, wherever you go. 

This German-made bag allows you to do all your favourite gym workouts on the beach, in the park, or wherever else you want to flex. 💪

Say hi to your newest gym buddy: PAKAMA Athletics is a German brand spearheaded by the two-time Big Wave Surf World Champion, Sebastian Steudtner. Together with two of his sports-enthusiastic friends, they’ve created the ultimate backpack — complete with quality fitness equipment and uncompromising comfort and style.

Getting your equipment together

The PAKAMA bag is a unique lifestyle backpack containing 10 versatile tools that combine to create your very own mobile gym. 

Plus, for those times when you’re going straight from work or school, you can even chuck a laptop in there too.

However, no one wants to carry around literal gym weights on their back, so the designers at PAKAMA Athletics have ensured that the bag stays lightweight. 

photo-christine-wearing-the-pakama-bag-in-pink
Weighs nothing but packs a punch! Image: Abuzer van Leeuwen/Supplied

To do so, they’ve designed an assemblable bar that fits snugly into two tailor-made compartments for easy storage. When you’re ready to work out, you simply screw the bar together and hook one or multiple resistance bands onto it for added weight. 

Since the bar is hollow and the bands don’t weigh much without resistance, the PAKAMA bag is also easy to bring with you when travelling. ✈️

All your workout workouts in a backpack

Now, those 10 tools we mentioned? You can combine them to emulate 500 gym exercises! The secret is that two-part bar that you hook resistance bands onto — it allows you to deadlift as much as 80-100 kilograms. 🔥

In the bag you’ll find:

  • 3 PAKAMA resistance bands
  • 3 PAKAMA mini bands
  • 2 PAKAMA foot straps
  • 2 PAKAMA handles
  • 2 PAKAMA slides
  • 1 PAKAMA bar
  • 1 PAKAMA speed rope
  • 1 PAKAMA sling trainer
  • 1 PAKAMA door anchor
  • 1 PAKAMA fascia ball
  • 1 PAKAMA foldable mat

Before seeing it in action, these tools might sound a little cryptic but, trust us, they’re super easy to use! 

We tested them on our office rooftop at PLNT in Leiden (yup, shameless flex) and it’s safe to say we’ll be opting for the park over a stuffy gym on any (sunny) day from now on. ☀️

photo-christine-holding-pakama-speed-rope-after-workout-on-rooftop
I always feel like a little girl when jump roping, but it’s not to be underestimated! Image: Abuzer van Leuuwen/Supplied

Our little lunch break lifting session was short but effective — and definitely wouldn’t have happened had we needed to go to the gym. 

For a warmup, we tried the speed rope, which is sure to bring your pulse (and mood) up instantly. 🦘 Next, we rolled out the handy foldable mat and fired up our core with some slider exercises (a smooth surface will be best for this) before getting to the real deal: the bar. 

Some squats, deadlifts, and lunges later, we were ready to pack up — and could almost conquer the rest of the workday without our usual mid-day caffeine run.

Pick a colour

Now, as much as we love a solid practical product, there’s no denying that we live in the age of influencers and Instagram highlights. That is to say, there’s nothing wrong with wanting your workout gear to be cute. 💁‍♀️

Well, PAKAMA hit the nail on the head with that one. Available in three different colour schemes (a classic black, a military green, and a pretty pink), it’s also a backpack you’ll feel confident carrying around — or featuring on your Insta if that’s your thing. 

Using PAKAMA to reach your fitness goals

If you’re unsure how to get the most out of the equipment, we suggest following PAKAMA Athletics on Instagram. Their profile is full of videos and story highlights with tips on how to use the bag to its full potential — so you can reach yours. 😚

Moreover, they’ve developed an app that gives you access to a growing library of on-demand workouts and personalised training videos — all guided by professional coaches. 

photo-professional-coach-showing-exercises-with-the-pakama-bar-for-personalised-workout
Meet one of your new coaches. Personalised and fun workouts here we go! Image: PAKAMA Athletics/Supplied

Currently, there are more than 500 exercises explained in the app, so you won’t run out of inspiration anytime soon! Plus, if you’re looking to improve your diet, the PAKAMA app also includes a full nutrition program to complement your new workout schedule.   

When you purchase a bag, you even get a one month free trial of premium access to the app. If you just want the app but aren’t purchasing the bag, you can still get a seven-day free trial. After the trial period, it’s €29.97 for three months premium. Far cheaper than a gym membership. 😉

Get your own PAKAMA Bag

If you’re interested in learning more about PAKAMA Athletics or purchasing your own PAKAMA bag, check out their website. 

What do you think of the PAKAMA Bag? Tell us in the comments below!

Rutte agrees to send heavier equipment to Ukraine during call with Zelensky

Christine Stein Hededam 🇩🇰
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Rutte agrees to send heavier equipment to Ukraine during call with Zelensky

Yesterday, Mark Rutte and the Minister of Defense Kajsa Ollengren phoned Zelensky to coordinate the next shipment of defence equipment to Ukraine.

During the phone call, the Netherlands committed to sending heavier defence equipment to Ukraine, the NOS reports.

Initially, only lighter weapons were supplied but as the war has carried on, the Netherlands has increased their weapons shipments.

Rutte announced that the Netherlands is to begin sending heavier defence equipment in a tweet yesterday:

A new phase

While the Netherlands has sent supplies to Ukraine since the beginning of the war, this upcoming shipment signifies an escalation in the Netherlands’ involvement.

According to Ollengren: “The war in Ukraine is entering a new phase now that Putin has launched the offensive in the Donbas. We will continue to support Ukraine.”

The Dutch House of Representatives is regularly updated on the shipment of materials to Ukraine but makes no statements about what exact supplies are being sent. This is in line with other countries’ approaches as no one wishes to give Russia this knowledge.

Dutch diplomats expelled from Russia

Coinciding with Rutte’s announcement of new shipments to Ukraine is a new report by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The report reveals that 14 diplomats and a staff member from the Dutch embassy in Moscow and the consulate in Saint Petersburg have to leave Russia, the NOS reports.

The twist? According to the Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) and Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD), the expelled Dutch were not diplomats, but spies.

According to the Dutch Foreign Minister, Wopke Hoekstra, the expulsion was expected. He sees it as retaliation for the Dutch decision to expel 17 Russian diplomats from the Netherlands.

“Nevertheless, I regret this step,” he says. “We are now going to see what the consequences are of the fact that so many colleagues have to leave Moscow and Petersburg.”

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Dutch police seek man who stabbed woman (21) in back while cycling

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
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Dutch police seek man who stabbed woman (21) in back while cycling

Dutch police are currently on the hunt for a man they consider to be very dangerous. Last Saturday, a 21-year-old woman was stabbed in the back whilst cycling.

Thankfully, the victim was not critically injured. However, police have released an appeal to the public in which they say “this man must be taken off the street as soon as possible,” RTL Nieuws reports.

When and where?

The crime took place at 11:45 PM as the woman was cycling through Vlaardingen to meet her boyfriend at a café in the city centre.

As seen in CCTV footage released by OpsporingVerzocht, the suspect first cycled past the woman. However, he then turned around and began following the victim before eventually overtaking her — stabbing her in the back whilst doing so.

At first, the victim thought that the suspect had hit her hard but then quickly realised something was wrong. As the woman dismounted her bike, bystanders spotted a knife sticking out of her back.

According to police, the woman had a lucky escape as none of her vital organs appear to be injured.

A call for witnesses

Lucky or not, the police are calling the crime a “very serious incident” and have appealed for anyone who may have seen anything to come forward. The attack took place at the Werf van Pronk intersection in Vlaardingen.

The hunt continues for the perpetrator. He is described as being approximately 1.70 metres and wearing black clothing.

As for a motive, worryingly, it appears there was none. Anyone who may have any information is encouraged to contact the police “urgently.”

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Weather forecast: sunny days and cold nights ahead

Cara Räker 🇩🇪
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Weather forecast: sunny days and cold nights ahead

This Easter weekend has had us enjoying some sunny rays here in the Netherlands. 🐰

According to Weerplaza, we can look forward to more sunny days and temperatures ranging from 15 to 20 degrees for the next couple of days. ☀️ Whoop! Terrasjes here we come.

Cold temperatures at night

But don’t put your scarves and warmer sweaters away just yet! As the week progresses, there will be some cloud coverage and cool winds.

What’s more, the nights still get seriously cold. Temperatures can easily drop below freezing, so take care of your outdoor plants and wrap ’em up nicely.

What about the next couple of weeks?

And what’s the big picture? Weerplaza predicts mild temperatures with loads of sunshine for the next 30 days. 😍 Generally, April in the Netherlands is a pretty dry month and this year is no different.

Regarding temperatures, we’re not looking at any extremes. While in the past we’ve seen temperatures around the 25-degree mark around this time of year, in 2022 the thermometer will be more level.

What about King’s Day and the May vacation?

Now to the important bit — will we be able to roam around on King’s Day covered in orange without being soaking wet by the end of the day? 🍻

If you manage not to fall into any canals or avoid the dreaded beer shower, the answer is yes! It looks like King’s Day and the first week of May, where there’s the spring vacation in the Netherlands, are relatively dry and sunny.

READ MORE | 8 things you should know about King’s Day in the Netherlands

Minimum temperatures are predicted around the 8-degree mark, but it’s looking more like we can expect some cosy 15 to 20 degrees.

Cheers to that!

What are your plans to enjoy this perfect spring weather? Tell us in the comments!

The Dutch invented glasses for the blind and even Stevie Wonder is impressed

Cara Räker 🇩🇪
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The Dutch invented glasses for the blind and even Stevie Wonder is impressed

Glasses for the blind? A team of students at the TU Delft has proven once again that the Dutch are kings and queens of spearheading innovative technology.

This time around, we’re not talking water management strategies or nifty agricultural techniques.

Instead, we’re paying tribute to a pair of futuristic glasses that help the blind to see. And the best part? They’re 100% Stevie Wonder approved.

How do they work?

The glasses work by translating images taken by an in-built camera into words, explains RTL Nieuws.

Say, the wearer of the glasses turns their head to look at any given object such as a euro bill. While the blind individual might be able to realise they are holding paper money, there is no way of telling whether it’s a €100, €10 or €5 bill.

Envision Glasses to the rescue! Aimed at the unknown object, the camera snaps a picture of the euro bill, processes the image and a voice will then let the blind wearer know what is in front of them — for example, a €10 bill.

There are also other features. For example, the wearer can tell the glasses what they’re looking for and the gadget will then recognise whether or not the desired object is close by.

How did Stevie Wonder find out about them?

American singer and soul-legend Stevie Wonder came across the glasses during a fair for technologies relating to disabilities of all kinds in Los Angeles.

NPO Radio 2 explains that Stevie Wonder has been frequenting the fair for years. The musician that has been blind from birth was immediately struck by the wondrous invention.

The team of Envision Glasses did not hesitate and send him home with a pair to practice. How lovely! 😍

At the moment, one pair of Envision Glasses still costs about €3,200. Hopefully, in the future, this marvellous piece of Dutch innovative technology will be supported by health insurance and made available for all!!

What do you think of these glasses for the blind? Tell us in the comments.

Feature Image: Wikimedia Commons/Stevie Wonder/CC2.0.

American man asks Reddit how to store the Dutch flag, gets the real deal

Lea Shamaa 🇺🇸🇱🇧
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American man asks Reddit how to store the Dutch flag, gets the real deal

What do you get when you ask a Dutch person for advice on respecting their own country? A direct answer that is not quite what you expected. 😆

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to be respectful to another country’s flag. If anything, many people would probably tell you that it’s a good thing. Heel goed!

But, if you’re going to ask a Dutch person for a thorough explanation of how to fold the Dutch flag, don’t expect any serious answers. 🤦🏻‍♀️

So how does one fold the Dutch flag in a respectful manner?

The tweet below shows a screenshot of a Reddit post by the user “Skeezysteev” in the r/Netherlands subreddit.

He explains that he’s American with a Dutch wife and asks how to respectfully store a recently gifted Dutch flag until they have the space to display it. 🇳🇱

The user “Rednitro” responds to him in utter seriousness and says: “You put it in the Albert Heijn tasje en then you pleur it in the kast”. 🧐

In case that sounds cryptic to you, he’s telling him to just stuff the flag into any old Albert Heijn shopping bag and keep it in the closet. 😅

And that was only one of the many comments that flooded this American man’s notification inbox:

  • Another user responded with: “The Dutch way is to not care about being Dutch.” There’s that patriotic spirit we’ve been searching for! 😆
  • Someone else commented: “I just shove mine in the closet till next year. Nothing some wind or an iron can’t fix.” What a helpful tip!
  • One more user commented: “Hug it and kiss it everyday before slapen“, what a lovely bedtime routine. 🌙

Joost van Abeelen — the man who tweeted the screenshot — captioned it with: “Al 5 minuten in een scheur om deze“. This literally translates to: “I’ve been stuck in a crack for five minutes because of this”. 🤔

This is of course one of the many Dutch ways to say that they’re laughing really hard at something.

Okay, what’s the actual respectful way of folding a Dutch flag?

When it comes to flag etiquette in the Netherlands, there are no legal rules about folding the Dutch flag. Unless you’re part of the military. ✨

According to the Rijksoverheid website, there are certain customs and habits when displaying a Dutch flag. For instance, they mustn’t touch the ground or stop traffic.

READ MORE | Flags in the Netherlands: everything you need to know

Whether the Dutch really care for these rules, however, is another question. 👀

There are also no laws that dictate when people can hang their Dutch flags. For instance, it’s always allowed to hang them at a wedding, a school celebration or even a funeral — however, according to this subreddit another pride of place is the back of the closet.

Do you have a Dutch flag in your home? How do you display it? Tell us in the comments below!

Inflation in the Netherlands hits low-income groups the hardest

Lea Shamaa 🇺🇸🇱🇧
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Inflation in the Netherlands hits low-income groups the hardest

A new representative survey by I&O Research — commissioned by the NOS — shows the impact of price increases for 1,996 Dutch residents. Unsurprisingly, the most affected comprise the low-income groups. 📈

According to the NOS, the inflation rate in the Netherlands hasn’t been this high since the 1970s. But, only 3 out of 10 people say they suffer because of it. 🤔

It’s safe to say that the majority of Dutch people aren’t so bothered by the rising prices. 🤷🏻‍♀️

However, those who are most affected belong to the least-advantaged income class.

For instance, single mothers or people who receive social benefits — who are already economically challenged — must face even more obstacles with the current rising prices.

What has inflation changed for the lower-income groups?

Almost half (47%) of Dutch people with a minimum income are suffering from increased prices. And, one in five (20%) say it creates issues for them.

The representative survey wrote that a fifth to a quarter of Dutch people with minimum incomes fear an income decrease. This includes pensioners (31%), self-employed people (27%) and unemployed groups (25%).

In comparison, 62% of the Dutch respondents expect no change at all and 19% even saw a potential increase in their income levels.

What about the rising gas prices?

As many know, the rise in gas and energy prices has been fueled by Russia’s war in Ukraine. ⛽ As a result of this, more than half (55%) of the Dutch respondents claimed that they turn down their heaters while 3 in 10 have started to drive less or take shorter showers.

Surprisingly, the study found that respondents from lower-income groups haven’t adjusted their behaviour as much as those with middle incomes when it comes to energy costs.

This is because people with lower incomes are accustomed to being sparing with their money already but they’re also less likely to own cars in general, says one of the survey researchers.

Have you been personally affected by the rising inflation rate? What’s your experience? Tell us in the comments below!

In sickness and in health: the Netherlands is in the middle of a flu epidemic

Katrien Nivera 🇵🇭
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In sickness and in health: the Netherlands is in the middle of a flu epidemic

Most of us were sure that any news about diseases and viruses was out of the way. Instead, we’re going right back into our days of sniffles and handwashing.

Twice as many people in the Netherlands reported illness in 2022 than in both 2021 and 2020, according to RTL Nieuws. But the culprit this time is no coronavirus — the RIVM suspects the notorious flu. 🙁

The reported number of cases is even higher than in both 2018 and 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic. Isn’t this awfully familiar? 😖

Flourishing flu

A spokesperson for Arbo Unie, one of the health and safety services in the Netherlands, says that short-term absences (less than a week) and mid-term absences (one to six weeks) for employees is quite high. 😓

And for good reason. GPs noticed that a whopping 59% of flu patients had severe respiratory infections. Flu epidemics in the Netherlands usually start in December or January, but this year it started in March.

Research institute Nivel believes the former coronavirus measures also helped prevent the spread of the flu.

But now that the measures were scrapped and people are back in contact, the risk of respiratory infections is back on our radars.

On the prowl

Records from the RIVM, hospitals, and laboratories across the Netherlands confirm the flu wave. “The number of people with influenza has increased considerably over the past four weeks,” says the RIVM. 🦠

According to the RIVM, you usually get the real flu once every 10 years: “People often confuse the flu with the cold virus. Many may forget how sick you can get from the flu.” 😷

On average, the flu epidemic lasts nine weeks. Arbo Unie noticed that fewer people are reporting flu-like symptoms since the epidemic began.

The number of flu cases might also be falling faster now that the weather is getting better — after all, viruses spread less easily in better weather.

Have you caught the flu or cold virus this season? What was it like? Tell us in the comments!

The end of weed tourism in Amsterdam? Mayor wants to ban tourists from coffee shops

Katrien Nivera 🇵🇭
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The end of weed tourism in Amsterdam? Mayor wants to ban tourists from coffee shops

Thinking of coming to the Netherlands post-lockdown for smoking some grass? We might have some really bad news for you.

Amsterdam’s mayor Femke Halsema will follow through with a plan to ban foreign tourists from coffee shops. 😱

She hopes to combat “drug nuisance” in Amsterdam with support from the chief of police and Public Prosecution Service, says RTL Nieuws.

A letter to the city council

The administrative “trifecta” says a lot of major problems in the city come from the cannabis market, including minor nuisances to crime and violence. 🚨

They want to introduce a “resident criterion” — which means foreign tourists will not be allowed to enter coffeeshops. ❌

Mayor Halsema initially launched this plan in January 2021 but following some investigations and discussions with the cannabis industry, she wants to follow through with this plan. 🍃

Resident criterion causes a stir

The resident criterion in particular led to some discussion. Some opponents say this restriction could lead to more illegal trade on the street.

The trifecta disagrees, saying a ban on selling weed to tourists is a necessary step towards slowing down and regulating the market.

The problems with the street trade are already noticeable in the city centre. Dealers hang out on the streets, harass visitors, and sometimes act aggressively, particularly in the Red Light District.

Quality marks and street dealing

Mayor Halsema wants to reduce and regulate the cannabis market by introducing quality marks that coffee shops must meet. Shops that follow extra rules with business operations, information, and transparency can receive such a quality mark. ✅

She also wants to handle street dealers more severely by taking their “day proceeds away” and giving restraining orders. Dealers will also be brought in front of judges much faster.

In the works

Although this might seem extreme for Amsterdam, the trifecta won’t go through this without some resistance.

The mayor will likely clash with the progressive parties including D66, GroenLinks, Bij1, and DENK, which oppose the introduction of this criterion, Het Parool reports.

The PvdA (Labour Party) offers some room for the mayor — the party is only in favour if the municipality guarantees the enforcement against street trade. Other parties including the VVD, CDA, and JA21 support the criteria.

In the meantime, the new city council must discuss the trifecta’s proposal before making a final decision.

What do you think of the implementation of this new tourist ban in coffee shops? Tell us in the comments!

Albert Heijn to start delivering groceries faster when ordering online

Lea Shamaa 🇺🇸🇱🇧
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Albert Heijn to start delivering groceries faster when ordering online

The Dutch supermarket Albert Heijn — also known as “Appie” by many Dutchies — will start delivering groceries about 30 minutes after placing an order, according to RTL Nieuws. 📦

A new ‘quick delivery’ trial will begin at two supermarkets in Amsterdam. That means that it will soon be possible to choose from 1200 products when ordering a quick delivery from Albert Heijn. ✨

The Dutch supermarket will also work with food delivery services such as Thuisbezorgd and Deliveroo to facilitate those speedy deliveries at your doorstep. 🛵

The battle for the fastest delivery services 

Albert Heijn branches are finding themselves in tight competition with flash delivery companies, like Zapp and Gorillas. Having quicker deliveries is definitely one way to fight the struggle for increasing consumer demand! 

READ MORE | The ultimate guide to the cheapest supermarkets in the Netherlands

According to RTL Nieuws, e-commerce has risen 35% since last year which is significantly higher than Albert Heijn’s market growth. 

It’s no secret though that Jumbo has the upper hand when it comes to quick grocery deliveries — how do you even beat a 10 minute delivery time!? 🤯

Grocery shopping after the pandemic

Dutch grocery delivery services became much more popular after COVID-19 hit the Netherlands. With everyone being told to stay at home, can you blame them? 🤷🏻‍♀️

Instead of physically running errands, residents would much rather just go the easy way and buy their groceries online. 

What’s your preferred method for buying your groceries in the Netherlands? Tell us in the comments below!

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