• bassomitron@lemmy.worldEnglish
    722·
    7 days ago

    Wondered if this was actually real since I saw the post and realized what community it was posted under, haha:

    https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/bus-ticket-20-squats/

    Mostly true

    In Cluj-Napoca, Romania, a so-called “health ticket” was introduced that allowed individuals to use public transportation for free by completing 20 squats. However, the organizers only implemented it in one city for a limited time. As of this writing, it’s unknown if the program will resume at a future date.

    It’s too bad it was only kind of a social experiment vs a real government-sponsored health campaign that was still ongoing. I think it’s a pretty great idea. However, I can also see it getting some negative backlash if the government funded it since those with certain disabilities wouldn’t be able to utilize it. I think it’d be easy enough to incorporate a variety of healthy exercises that are more accessible to get around that aspect, though.

  • skisnow@lemmy.caEnglish
    32·
    6 days ago

    Something like this appeared near the Miramax offices in LA, where if you showed it your bare feet it gave you a milkshake. It remains a mystery who put it there.

    • COASTER1921@lemmy.ml
      8·
      7 days ago

      Unfortunately I suspect that the people who it would reduce costs for most wouldn’t consider taking the bus in the first place.

      • Revan343@lemmy.ca
        10·
        7 days ago

        It’s a long-term thing, like good primary education. Get 'em into good habits while they’re young. Probably work great if kids have bus passes for school most of the year and so get into the habit of using public transit, then suddenly need to either pay or exercise over the summer break

        This of course assumes a robust transit system, making the idea of taking the bus or train somewhere even worthwhile in the first place. Some places have that, some not so much

        • xorollo@leminal.space
          3·
          6 days ago

          Yep, most of the US does not have any public transit access. And I believe rural US probably contributes heavily to the most severe obesity numbers.

  • Gammelfisch@lemmy.world
    351·
    7 days ago

    In the USA, the machine would be accompanied by a paramedic team and several vultures (lawyers) circling above. In case of a heart attack.

  • finitebanjo@lemmy.world
    12·
    7 days ago

    That’s ridiculous! They should hook it up to an exercise cycle and generate electricity off of it instead.

      • finitebanjo@lemmy.world
        1·
        7 days ago

        Depending on the length of the workout a more realistic number would be 30 to 90 W, 100 if you really push yourself for a short bout.

        Still, anything is better than nothing.

        • gandalf_der_12te@discuss.tchncs.de
          1·
          6 days ago

          yeah, 20 squats are like, what? 2 minutes max? that’s 3 Wh at 100 W power, or 0.003 kWh.

          if you get $0.10 per kWh, that’s $0.0003 per passenger, that’s not enough to pay for a bus ticket.

          • finitebanjo@lemmy.world
            1·
            6 days ago

            1. Why are we talking about squats?

            2. Why is 2min somehow equivalent to 3?

            3. We’re comparing no power generated to any power generated, ignoring the equipment cost thats infinite gain.

            • gandalf_der_12te@discuss.tchncs.de
              1·
              6 days ago

              We’re comparing no power generated to any power generated, ignoring the equipment cost thats infinite gain.

              You have to subtract the cost for the power generation station from that, then it’s negative profit margin.

              • finitebanjo@lemmy.world
                1·
                6 days ago

                You’re already building an exercise station whether it generates or not, you have to compare the two. Bike station doesn’t need cameras and sensors, probably much cheaper computer too. Heck, the power savings from dropping the detection equipment and algorithm are probably more than the power generated.

  • fireweed@lemmy.world
    81·
    7 days ago

    Whenever I see this I think “wow, cool idea, wish we had something like this in the US.” And then I think “it’s just asking for a discrimination lawsuit so unlikely.” And then I think “well we should be making public transit free for everyone anyway.” And then I think "until we get our housing affordability and mental health crises resolved, free transit proposals just becomes a fear magnet (“roving homeless shelters!!!” “crime train!!!”). And then I get sad.

    Disability protections are generally a great thing, and the US is significantly more accessible than many countries for them, but I’ve watched a lot of cool, creative ideas get torpedoed because of them. Instead we’re stuck with car dominance because “everyone can drive, not everyone can walk/bike/take the bus” (inb4 “wtf that’s not remotely true” … I know, but car brain doesn’t).

    • Luvs2Spuj@lemmy.world
      12·
      7 days ago

      I don’t know how it is where you are, but here disabled and elderly people already ride the bus for free.

    • gray@lemmy.ml
      11·
      6 days ago

      I was about to comment this, but now you saved me from lots of downvotes

  • AllNewTypeFace@leminal.space
    65·
    7 days ago

    Doing their bit to preserve Slavic traditions.

    (Yes, I know Romania is not Slavic, though they share the region’s squatting-in-tracksuits culture to an extent.)

    • frog@feddit.uk
      71·
      7 days ago

      This is where I come in. I genuinely believe no one can be physically attracted to me. I can use the machine and the pervert can rethink his life as he sees a butt crack out of my stained jogging pants. It also sounds like I’m farting, I’m not though. My shoes makes a weird sound on the tongue. I can’t figure out why.