Peter Koch is a freelance journalist whose travel, gear, fitness, and adventure writing has appeared in print and online at Men's Fitness, Outside, Men's Journal, Mic, Travel + Leisure, Gear Patrol, and GQ, among others. Between adventures, he lives with his wife and daughter in upstate New York, where he spends his free time testing gear on local mountain trails and backroads.
It's no secret that Americans have a growing obsession with fitness—which is great. In fact, one out of every five people works out at a dedicated fitness center (or at least pays for the membership), nearly twice as many as did way back in the year 2000. With that much gym time, you'd think we'd all have chiseled physiques and six-pack abs. So what gives?
Well, diet aside, most people don't understand how to make the most of their already limited time in the gym. That means they can spend hours a week wandering from one ineffective, muscle-isolating machine to another—or zoning out to the Bachelorette on a poorly conceived but in-demand cardio machine—and barely realize any fitness gains.
An intervention is in order. Start here, by identifying and systematically avoiding these 20 useless things in your gym. Not only will you instantly upgrade your workout and reduce your chance of injury, but you might actually start to see results. And for more ways to maximize your workout, see the 30 Workouts That Burn More Than 500 Calories An Hour.
1 | The Smith Machine
Squats are almost universally considered one of the best exercises for your legs, butt, and core, but using the Smith machine—basically a squat rack where the weight bar is attached to a sliding sled on a vertical track—forces your body into a perfectly linear motion that's totally unnatural and, quite frankly, dangerous. With the bar in a fixed plane, it's impossible to get a natural back arch and there's barely wiggle room for adjusting joint angles—both of which put your knees and lower back at increased risk for injury. Keep your squats au natural, with bar and free weights. As a bonus, you'll recruit tons more stabilizing muscles, amping up your muscle-building potential.
2 | Leg Extension Machine
While we'd all love to have powerful, bulging quads, sitting on this machine and extending your legs out horizontally works them in isolation—and in a way that's totally unnatural. Your legs weren't meant to move weight in this way, and it puts way too much strain on the tendons and ligaments in your knee. Stick with more functional exercises, like squats and lunges. You'll work more leg muscles and—bonus!—won't risk dislocating your kneecap.
3 | Extremely Light Dumbbells
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If you're not challenging your muscles beyond their present capacity, you're simply not going to get any stronger (it's called the "overload principle," and it's central to all exercise). For most people seeking to build muscle, finding a weight where you can perform 8 to 12 reps of an exercise is good. If you can do 15 reps, you're not lifting heavy enough. Even if you're an endurance athlete, say, and not trying to develop big, bulky muscles, adding a few targeted pounds can help improve your posture, keep you lean, and make you less injury-prone. So put down the cute pink five-pounders, and pick up some real, challenging weights. And for more ways to hulk out, learn the 40 Great Exercises for Adding Muscle Over 40.
4 | Inner/Outer Thigh Machine
This torture device is designed to tone your inner and outer thighs while, many people believe, melting fat off their thighs and hips. But science has proven that targeted fat loss is completely bogus, and this isolation exercise puts undue stress on your hips, lower back and IT bands while accomplishing nothing remotely functional. For a better look, not to mention a bigger calorie burn, try compound moves (barbell lunges, for instance) that engage more muscles.
5 | Ab Crunch Machine
Besides being awkward-looking and hard to adjust, the ab crunch machine is bad for your lumbar spine—and a waste of time, if it's a six-pack you're after. Abdominals are made in the kitchen, for the most part, by reducing body fat with a disciplined, healthy diet. If core strength is the goal, opt for planks, which work more of the core muscles—including transverse abdominis, those deep-tissue muscles that are vital for a tight, flat-stomach look—while protecting your back and neck from injury. Or, master the 30 Ways to Get Six-Pack Abs After 30.
6 | Leg Curl Machine
Like its cousin, the leg extension machine, this one works a single muscle group—the hamstrings—in isolation, and in an unnatural position that puts excess stress on your knee (noticing a trend here?). It's so one-dimensional, in fact, that it only hits on knee flexion, just one of the two key movements performed by hamstrings (along with hip extension). Since your hamstrings are probably already too tight from sitting on your butt all day, you'd be much better served by loosening them up with yoga or a stretching routine, or by performing a hip extension/glute activation exercise, like dead lifts or good mornings.
7 | The Elliptical
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Yes, this most beloved "joint-friendly" cardio machine allows you to zone out to reality TV, but the workout you get from it isn't exactly awesome. For starters, it doesn't use a natural body motion, which means it's less effective at toning muscles than those that do, like running, bending, and jumping. Also, it's way too easy to slack off as you fatigue (whereas a treadmill forces you to maintain a specific pace), slashing your cardio gains. If you want to suck wind and dramatically improve your cardiovascular system, you'd be better off doing high-intensity circuit training intervals (burpees, jumping rope, jumping squats, that sort of thing.). Another low-impact option: rowing machine intervals.
8 | Butt Blaster Machine
Screenshot via YouTubeScreenshot via YouTube
Despite its name, the "donkey kick" machine won't tone up your tush. That's because spot reduction doesn't work (see above), and this isolated hip extension movement is more likely to fire your tight, overworked hamstrings than your glutes, which have probably been lulled into a chronic torpor by a deskbound 9-to-5. For a strong, sexy rear end, opt instead for complex movements like squats and lunges that require, and better promote, glute activation.
9 | Overhead Shoulder Press Machine
This muscle-isolating machine, designed to rock your shoulders and triceps, forces your shoulders into bio-mechanically unsafe positions that may leave them, well, a little too wrecked. And, because you're seated in a fixed position, your hips can't move to support the shoulders. It's much safer—not to mention more effective—to go old-school with some medicine ball throws.
10 | Televisions
Have you ever wondered why your fitness isn't going anywhere, then suddenly realized you've binge-watched two hours of Law & Order reruns mid-workout while soft-pedaling on an elliptical? Catching a little news between sets seems innocent enough, but it breaks your focus and saps your intensity, and it's not really what you've come to the gym for, anyway. If you show up with a plan, stay focused on proper form and quality reps and, well, skip watching television, you can save time and maximize your fitness gains with faster, more efficient workouts.
11 | Roman Chair Sit-Up Machine
Most people think they're getting a killer ab workout with these gravity-defying sit-ups, but deep-seated hip flexor muscles take on most of the work, while the abdominals merely hold the pelvis steady (just enough to feel them "burn"). What makes this machine even worse is that performing this movement often compresses the joints in the lower spine, causing pain. Instead, target abdominal muscles with planks. They don't look as cool, sure, but they also don't send you to the chiropractor's. And for more ways to shred your core, This Is the Single Greatest Flat-Abs Exercise You're Not Doing.
12 | Rotary Torso Machine
The idea behind the "Ab Twister" is that to train the obliques and improve rotational power—vital in plenty of sports, from throwing a football to swinging a bat or driving a golf ball—you should be performing exercises that involve twisting through the core. What's missing from that calculation, though, is that skilled athletes generate rotational power by driving their hips toward their target (using a strong core to prevent spinal rotation), while poor athletes rotate their spines. Twisting the lumbar spine is a recipe for lower back pain, not for great abs. To strengthen your abs, and improve your home run swing, take a crack at cable wood chops and side planks. And if you find yourself with a bad case of LBP, This Is How to Conquer Lower Back Pain Forever.
13 | Chest Press Machine
The problem with using a machine like this to pump up your chest is that it removes the need to balance the weight, making your lift more targeted, but ultimately less productive. Also, this machine has limited adjustability, despite the fact that people come in all shapes and sizes. You can adjust it for height, at least, but not for arm length, shoulder width, or chest size—and that means you might be putting pointless strain on your joints. A straightforward barbell or dumbbell bench is safer and—good news—will make you stronger.
14 | Leg Press Machine
As amazing as it feels loading weight after massive weight onto the leg press, it's totally impractical. After all, it strengthens only a few highly targeted muscle groups in a fixed range of motion, while ignoring all those stabilizing muscles that work with your legs in, you know, real life (when's the last time you sat around and pushed things with your legs?). Because of the awkward seated position, with your back pinned against a seat, it also puts undue pressure on your knees and lumbar spine (hello, bulging discs!). Do yourself a favor and stick with the workaday, functional squat that trains your body for everyday life and sports.
15 | BOSU Balance Trainer
Okay, okay, so maybe the ubiquitous blue half-ball does have a place in your gym; it can be useful for core work, but preferably under the watchful eye of a trainer or group fitness instructor with some real knowledge. Too often, though, misguided souls climb onto the BOSU with weights in hand for biceps curls or shoulder presses, and an idea that they're improving the workout by activating their core muscles.
The problem is that, in most cases, they're just making themselves unsteady and wobbly in a way that sabotages the primary movement, preventing them from lifting as much weight. And, of course, they're setting themselves up to be the subject of a gym blooper video. Lift the weights and, if you want, balance on the BOSU—just only if you know what you're doing.
16 | Pec Deck
While research shows this machine is great for building chest muscle, it also places your shoulder joint in a vulnerable, unstable position—simultaneously rotated and abducted—at the movement's widest point. Rather than risk a rotator cuff injury or overstretched ligaments, you can whale on your pecs with your run-of-the-mill (but even more effective) bench press. If you don't have a spotter available, the bent-forward cable crossover is nearly as good.
17 | Lower Back Extension Machine
You know how people always say you should lift with your legs when picking up heavy objects to avoid back injury? Well, this machine—which many use under the illusion that it somehow targets love handle fat—loads all the weight onto your lower back by completely isolating it from the leg, core and glute muscles that would otherwise stabilize and support it.
The upshot is that you're repeatedly flexing your lumbar spine under a load, which is a big no-no, unless you want the kind of debilitating back pain that comes from badly damaged discs. Instead of this, strengthen your lower back and core with exercises like the bent-over row and stiff-leg deadlift, which force you to maintain the natural arch of your lumbar spine.
18 | Tanning Beds
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Nearly half of all health clubs in the U.S. have tanning beds, according to new preliminary research published in the journal JAMA Dermatology, and the people who use these gym-based beds crisp themselves 67 percent more often than those who tan elsewhere. We get that you want to look your best; that's probably at least half of why you're slamming those big weights around in front of full-length mirrors. But deliberately exposing your skin to intense UV rays (whether it's endorsed by your gym or not) dramatically increases skin cancer risks.
The American Academy of Dermatology links as many as 400,000 cases of skin cancer annually (in the U.S.) to indoor tanning, and just a single session can bump your risk of melanoma—the deadliest form of skin cancer—by 20 percent. And that is not a good look.
19 | Preacher Curl Machine
You almost never lift or pull anything with just your biceps, so it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to dedicate an entire machine—or even a bench, for that matter—to working them out in isolation. In most cases, the bigger, stronger muscles of the back handle the bulk of the work, while the biceps kick in that little extra oomph to get the job done. If you want bulging biceps (and you know you do, despite their negligible performance benefits), opt for pull-ups instead.
20 | Annual Memberships
It's gut-check time. How often do you actually go to the gym and exercise? Nobody can blame you for buying an annual membership; sales pressure is intense from gym personnel, and you probably pictured yourself forming a three-times-a-week workout habit that would transform you into a perfect physical specimen. But a staggering 67 percent of all memberships go unused across the U.S.
At an average monthly cost of just under $60, that's $700 annually down the drain. Best to be honest with yourself before signing on the dotted line of a hard-to-break annual contract. Instead, start out buying a block of drop-in passes to be sure a particular gym—and, moreover, the gym lifestyle—is the right fit for you.
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It Ends With Us opened to $50 million at the domestic box office, but rumors about a behind-the-scenes rift between director Justin Baldoni, 40, and Blake Lively, 36, continue to rumble on. Lively plays Lily Bloom, a florist who ends up in a toxic relationship with Ryle Kincaid (Baldoni), in the first major adaptation of a Colleen Hoover novel. The movie hadn’t even been released before the first rumors started about possible friction on set between Baldoni and the rest of the cast. No one has gone on the record to make a statement either way, but plenty of sources have been leaking gossip from the set. Here’s what’s been reported so far.
Creative Differences?
Photo by NILS MEILVANG/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images
The issues between Baldoni and the rest of the cast/crew appear to go beyond mere creative differences. "All is not what it seems," a set source tells PEOPLE. "There is much more to this story. The principal cast and [author] Colleen Hoover will have nothing to do with him."
Social Media Evidence
Photo by James Devaney/GC Images
Fans note that Hoover, Lively, and Slate do not follow Baldoni back on Instagram. This could be nothing, but it certainly doesn’t look good.
Friction On Set?
Photo by James Devaney/GC Images
There was alleged friction on set with Lively, who is also a producer on the movie, clashing with Baldoni. “There are all these things that happen every day on set, there’s always friction that happens when you make a movie like this," Baldoni told ELLE. "Then at the end of the day, it’s that friction, I believe, that creates the beautiful art. Everything in life needs friction to grow. We created something so beautiful and so magical, and it was hard, and it was worth it at the same time. And I grew so much as both a filmmaker, an actor and as a person throughout this experience."
Complex Personalities?
Photo by James Devaney/GC Images
Baldoni also made some comments to TODAY that hint at friction. “Every movie is a miracle… You’re navigating complex personalities and trying to get everybody on the same page with the same vision. And mistakes are always made, and then you figure out how to move past them."
Who’s Directing Next?
Photo by Gotham/WireImage
When asked about directing the sequel, Baldoni seemed reluctant. "I think that there are better people for that one,” he told Entertainment Weekly. “I think Blake Lively's ready to direct. That's what I think." Hoover adds, "I think that whoever decides to take charge of the next one would do it justice. But, you know, it’s a lot of people to get the same schedules again."
Chauvinistic Behavior?
Photo by Nils Meilvang / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP) / Denmark OUT (Photo by NILS MEILVANG/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images
A source told the Daily Mail Baldoni created an uncomfortable atmosphere on set. “During scenes depicting abuse, Justin failed to consider Blake’s character’s perspective, instead focusing solely on what he believed was the abusive male viewpoint,” the source says. “His approach was very chauvinistic, creating a tense atmosphere on set.”
Method Acting?
Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Sony Pictures
The Daily Mail source suggests Baldoni might have taken method acting too far. “Justin almost became the character in the sense that some women on set felt he was borderline abusive to them and that he was unprofessional and unapologetic,” the source says. “Directing a film so serious and so important about domestic abuse without allowing the women to be included in this process is disturbing.”
Script Rewrites?
Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Sony Pictures
The Daily Mail source alleges Baldoni would take any script rewrite requests from Lively and Hoover personally. “Without Colleen's book, none of this would have been possible,” the source says. “Parts of the film were rewritten under the instruction of Colleen - they had to be. He took their script decisions very personally, even though they weren’t intended that way. His behavior extended beyond the main players. Once he felt ganged up on, he became even less empathetic.”
Clashes Behind the Scenes?
Photo by Gotham/WireImage
Some of the friction behind the scenes may be down to Ryan Reynolds being involved. “The iconic rooftop scene, my husband actually wrote it,” Lively told E! News. “Nobody knows that but you now. We help each other. He works on everything I do. I work on everything he does. So his wins, his celebrations are mine and mine are his. I mean, he's all over this film."
Spotlight on the Issue
Photo by Nils Meilvang / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP) / Denmark OUT (Photo by NILS MEILVANG/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images
A source tells PEOPLE that Baldoni is respectful and aware of the issues highlighted in the movie. “In every bit of press he has done, he has placed an emphasis on the importance of spotlighting this issue and breaking the cycle of violence,” the source says. “Though this is Justin’s biggest directing and acting role to date, this film has never been in the interest of self-promotion. It has, and will continue to be about the message with the goal of touching real lives and inspiring people to speak out against DV. Ultimately, it is about the survivors and hope.”
You never quite know when a movie might become a beloved cult classic—many of the following films were not runaway successes when they first came out, but have since cemented their place in cinema history. Comedy, science fiction, romance, and fantasy all feature heavily in this collection, which includes a movie where an actor made Mel Brooks laugh so hard the director lost money from ruined takes. Can you guess which one? Read on to find out!
Starring Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, and Julianne Moore, this Coen Brothers’ movie is known for its quirky characters and funny dream sequences, not to mention the brilliant dialogue. “I’m so happy to be in that movie,” Bridges told The Hollywood Reporter. “I pretty much dug it all, man. There’s an aspect of the Dude I aspired to — he’s authentic, isn’t he? He’s who he is, and that’s about it. He’s a lovely cat.”
The Princess Bride (1987)
20th Century Fox
Starring Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, and Mandy Patinkin, The Princess Bride is full of quotable quotes and pure magic. This fantasy adventure is beloved by movie buffs for good reason. "I loved that it was about true love and that she would never give up and nor would Westley," Wright told Entertainment Weekly. "You always dream about as a little girl but I never stopped dreaming about that."
Repo Man (1984)
Universal Pictures
Emilio Estevez, Harry Dean Stanton, and Tracey Walter star in Repo Man, a movie that deserves its cult classic status. “The day I auditioned for The Breakfast Club I went on a Taco Bell commercial audition as well. I was just happy for any callback. I also auditioned for 16 Candles and really believed I nailed it, but they told me I didn’t get the part and I needed to go audition for Repo Man,” Estevez told Boise State Public Radio.
Withnail and I (1987)
Handmade Films
Richard E. Grant, Paul McGann, and Richard Griffiths star in this comedy drama is known for its sharp wit and memorable dialogue. Withnail and I is still deservedly considered one of the most quotable comedies ever written.
Clerks (1994)
Miramax Films
Starring Brian O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson, and Jason Mewes, this cult Kevin Smith movie is perfectly representative of the slacker 90s genre. “I worked in six convenience stores in New Jersey from 1989 to 1993, which is where Clerks came from,” Smith told The Guardian. “It was an appealing, easy job, like being a bartender: it puts you nominally in charge and people have to socialize with you.”
Harold and Maude (1971)
Paramount Pictures
Starring Bud Cort, Ruth Gordon, and Vivian Pickles, this love story still has a devoted following. “The film was written for L.A., but none of us felt that the ambience was right,” producer Charles Mulvehill told Variety. “So we found an estate in Hillsborough instead. Hal wanted to be away from the studio, and he didn’t want people showing up at the set all the time.”
The Cable Guy (1996
Sony Pictures
Jim Carrey, Matthew Broderick, and Leslie Mann star in this dark comedy directed by Ben Stiller. Carrey gives a typically unhinged performance as a demented cable installer in this cult movie.
The Goonies (1985)
Warner Bros. Pictures
The ultimate 80s classic coming-of age story, The Goonies is still beloved by movie buffs. Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Ke Huy Quan, and Jeff Cohen are magical in their roles as friends looking for pirate treasure.
Ghostbusters (1984)
Columbia Pictures
Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Harold Ramis give career-cementing turns in this supernatural comedy. Murray is his typical sardonic best in this classic 80s movie.
Beetlejuice (1988)
Warner Bros. Pictures
Starring Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Geena Davis, this wonderfully weird movie put Ryder on the map. A Tim Burton classic that still stands up today, with Keaton giving an iconic performance as the titular character.
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988)
Allied Filmmakers
Starring John Neville, Eric Idle, and Sarah Polley, this Terry Gilliam’s film is imaginative and whimsical. A classic fantasy adventure rightfully beloved by movie buffs.
Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
Paramount Pictures
Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, and Mia Sara star in this funny, unique high school comedy directed by—who else?—John Hughes. “He was not easygoing in some ways,” Broderick told The Hollywood Reporter. “He was nervous it wouldn’t come out right.”
Labyrinth (1986)
Tri-Star Pictures
Starring David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly, and Toby Froud, Labyrinth is one of the most beloved fantasy movies ever made. It’s hard to pinpoint what makes this film so iconic but Bowie’s performance elevated the Jim Henson classic.
Spaceballs (1987)
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Mel Brooks, Bill Pullman, John Candy, and Rick Moranis send up movies like Star Wars in this hilariously offbeat science fiction parody. “Rick was hysterically funny in the role,” Brooks says. “He cost me a lot of money because I ruined so many takes he was in by helplessly breaking into loud laughter.”
A Christmas Story (1983)
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, and Darren McGavin star in the ultimate holiday movie. Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without watching this nostalgic, heartwarming comedy.
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
Buena Vista Pictures
Starring Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, and Gwyneth Paltrow, The Royal Tenenbaums is Wes Anderson at his quirky and wonderful best.
Rushmore (1998)
Buena Vista Pictures
Another Wes Anderson delight, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, and Olivia Williams light up the screen in this coming-of-age comedy. Funny, unique, and endlessly rewatchable.
My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Toho
Starring Noriko Hidaka, Chika Sakamoto, and Shigesato Itoi, this Hayao Miyazaki classic is beloved for its charm and gentle storytelling. My Neighbor Totoro is easily one of the best animated films ever made.
The Birdcage (1996)
United Artists
Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, and Gene Hackman are perfectly cast in this very, very funny movie about a gay cabaret owner pretending to be straight for the sake of his son. The movie is not witty but full of heart and pathos.
Tootsie (1982)
Dustin Hoffman, Jessica Lange, and Teri Garr star in Tootsie, one of the best comedies from the 80s. The movie’s themes are still very relevant today, and it’s Hoffman at his finest.
It's no secret that a well-laid-out workspace can do wonders for your productivity. But even outside getting all the tools you need and eliminating distractions, your design decisions can also have an impact on your work—including what shade you have on your walls. If you want to ramp up your output, you might want to consider grabbing a roller and going with one of these options. Read on for the best colors to paint your office, according to productivity experts.
There's nothing wrong with wanting your workspace to feel a little lively. That's why a pale yellow might be one of the better options for keeping your spirits lifted throughout the day.
"Scientifically, this warm, sunny color has been shown to increase office creativity and output," Mary Poffenroth, PhD, a biopsychology faculty member at San Jose State University, tells Best Life.
Research also shows yellow is connected to better recall and memory. "Studies find that participants exposed to yellow backgrounds did better on memory tests than those exposed to other colors. Yellow's capacity to activate the left side of the brain—associated with logical thinking and memory—is thought to be the source of this effect," she says.
Other experts agree that it's also an overlooked color for offices. "Yellow is naturally an inspiring color, as it reminds our body of the energy of the sun, and it is also calming to our nervous system, as it is close enough to a neutral color to not overstimulate our senses," says Olivia Howell, a clinical hypnotherapist and certified life and success coach.
2. Light Blue
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Stress can be the biggest enemy of productivity. If you're feeling too much pressure in the office, you might want to choose a soothing paint color.
"Light blue is known to be very calming, as it reminds our body of both the sky and the ocean, and our primal brain responds well to anything nature-related," says Howell. "It's both stimulating enough to keep us motivated during the work day and always keeps our nervous systems from feeling overwhelmed and overstimulated."
3. White
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Some people look at white walls as an easy way out from making a decision on a paint color or picking up a brush. But Poffenroth says the neutral choice can actually be fairly effective at helping you get things done.
"This simple and adaptable color scheme can greatly improve workplace output," she explains. "Effective reflection of light by soft white walls maximizes both natural and synthetic lighting in the office."
Research has also linked greater alertness and cognitive ability to this enhanced brightness. "White light exposure during working hours enhanced alertness and performance on cognitive tasks, according to studies," says Poffenroth.
4. Light Green
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Looking for something that can help keep you going throughout the day besides that afternoon cup of coffee? Consider picking a paler shade of green for your workplace for a consistent boost.
"Light green is another nature-inspired paint color that will help our senses feel calm and also help our body stay active and motivated throughout the day," says Howell. "Green is known to be a color of abundance and happiness, as well as a nature-inspired color, of course, and it's very motivating to surround ourselves with the color of abundance every day!"
It can be all too easy to focus on specific color schemes for your office in an attempt to keep things looking professional. But if you are willing to be a little playful with the possibilities, Poffenroth says pink is a standout option.
"The uplifting but not overpowering character of soft pink makes continuous productivity possible throughout the day," she says. "Because of their connection with ideas like peace, relaxation, and compassion, lighter pink tones—like blush or rose—cause emotions of calmness. Soft pinks help the mind to enter a condition of calm focus by releasing tension and anxiety."
6. Gray
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Neutral tones might seem like a default choice for wall color. However, they can still affect one's mood and output.
"Gray is an excellent color that determines a sophisticated and professional atmosphere," says Lucas Botzen, a human resources expert and CEO of Rivermate. "It is the most flexible color to blend with other colors to strike a perfect balance and harmony in your working space."
He adds that gray can help reduce visual distraction by providing a clean slate "through which one may focus and be productive."
There’s no denying that the rise of Netflix has forever changed how we watch our favorite shows and movies. Anyone who has ever lost an evening—or even an entire weekend—to a binge-watching session can attest to just how easy it can be to get sucked in and hit that “Are you still watching?” prompt again and again. But even though the streaming service has made it simpler than ever to access content on demand, there are still some handy tricks you might not know about. Read on for eight cool and useful Netflix features you’re probably not using.
Big names have long been a way to draw audiences to the box office, and streaming hasn’t changed that. However, staying on top of the latest releases has made it somewhat more complicated to follow some of your personal favorites’ careers—unless you have a Netflix account.
One of the service’s most overlooked features is the ability to search for content by actor or artist. Besides typing their name into the app’s search bar, you can also dive deeper by clicking the “More info” button after you’ve finished a program and selecting their name from the “cast” tab, according to MakeUseOf.com. This will bring up their entire body of work that you can dive right into or bookmark to watch later.
2. You can play games.
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Most people are entertained by Netflix’s broad catalog of content that they can access simply by pressing play. But did you know you could also use your membership to literally play?
Besides being a streaming platform, Netflix users are also usually surprised to discover that they also have access to about 50 different games. The titles are available for download to mobile devices and tablets as part of your membership, with options like vintage versions of the iconic Grand Theft Auto series, arcade-style games, sports, puzzles, and more.
3. You can reboot your algorithm.
Dean Drobot / Shutterstock
Even though Netflix started cracking down on password sharing not long ago, there’s a decent chance that the algorithm that’s supposed to help you find your next binge-watch has gotten seriously derailed. But instead of slogging through lackluster recommendations, use a handy feature to get back on track.
Members can easily reset their algorithm by going through their viewing history and removing titles they don’t want to be associated with their account, according to MakeUseOf.com. Simply click on the account icon and select “viewing history” to access yours and begin dropping shows and movies that don’t appeal to you or were abandoned mid-watch. This can be especially helpful if your interests have changed in recent years or if you share the account with someone you live with.
4. Don't neglect the rating option.
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Your viewing history isn’t the only way Netflix decides what it wants to serve up to you next. The service has also long provided a way to rate content, providing users the option to mark titles as “did not like,” “liked it,” and “loved it.”
While it can be easy to skip over this as the credits roll on the final episode, it can actually help keep the app aware of what you actually want to watch. Making it a point to use this feature can cut down on the time you spend frantically searching for something new to start.
5. Optimize download for travel and mobile viewing.
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Netflix isn’t just a great option for hanging out on the couch: The app is also available on mobile devices, making it a fantastic way to pass the time while traveling or commuting. But unfortunately, it’s only helpful if you’re someplace with a decent cell or internet connection—unless you plan ahead.
According to Tom’s Guide, users can change their settings to ensure they’re never left without another episode on the go. One involves enabling “Download Next Episode,” which will both download the next segment of the series you’re watching onto your device and delete any finished content. And if you trust Netflix’s algorithm, turning on “Downloads for You” will have the app stockpile content it thinks you'll enjoy offline.
Do you have a show or movie you know you’ll want to have access to? You can also always prep specific content ahead of time simply by clicking “download” on its title page.
6. Reset your watch progress.
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Whether you’re prone to falling asleep mid-episode or someone else in your home is better at bingeing shows than you, it can be hard to stay on top of which shows you’ve actually watched. Instead of jumping around trying to find where you left off, you might want to try starting from scratch with Netflix’s helpful feature that allows you to reset your watch progress.
Similar to fixing your algorithm suggestions, you’ll have to access your viewing history to get started, per MakeUseOf.com. From there, you can choose to restart an episode or go back to the beginning of an entire series. This way, you can make your way through your new favorite show at your own pace.
7. Learn keyboard shortcuts.
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Watching Netflix on your laptop? You might be surprised to know you can navigate the experience more easily by using keyboard shortcuts, just like in some of your other go-to programs.
According to Tom's Guide, the relatively straightforward commands include being able to jump ahead 10 seconds by using the left and right arrow keys and controlling volume with the up and down keys. You can also press “M” to quickly mute your content or “F” to quickly enter full-screen mode.
8. Change your subtitles.
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No matter what your hearing level is, many viewers now opt to keep subtitles turned on while watching shows and movies to ensure they don’t miss any dialogue. However, you can go further than just turning them on or off.
According to MakeUseOf.com, users also have the option to change the look of the subtitles on their screen. By clicking on the account button and selecting “subtitle appearance,” you can control everything from font size and type to background color and shadowing. This can be especially handy if you’re watching on different screens or have difficulty making out the text.
Appliances are large investments, and when we shell out for expensive products, we want to feel confident in their longevity and their safety. But now, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning that Samsung Slide-In Electric Ranges are being recalled following 250 fire reports. According to an Aug. 8 recall notice, the Samsung stoves have “front-mounted knobs” that “can be activated by accidental contact by humans or pets.”
The recall, which includes 30 model numbers, impacts approximately 1,120,905 Samsung ranges sold on Samsung.com, as well as at Best Buy, Costco, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and other appliance stores. Different ranges were sold between May 2013 and Aug. 2024, retailing for between $1,250 and $3,050, depending on the model.
According to the CPSC, as of last week, Samsung had received over 300 reports of “unintentional activation of the front-mounted knobs by humans or pets since 2013.” The ranges have been involved in 250 fires, at least 18 of which “caused extensive property damage.” There have also been roughly 40 injuries, including eight that required medical attention—and, tragically, seven fire reports that involved pet deaths.
If you have a Samsung range at home, cross-check the model number on your appliance with those listed in the CPSC notice. The model number on each range is located in the upper left corner of the oven door or inside the storage bin below the oven.
If you find that your range is part of the recall, the CPSC instructs you to contact Samsung for a free set of knob locks or covers that are compatible with your specific model. In the meantime, while knob locks and covers aren’t installed, the agency notes that consumers should keep children and pets away from the knobs, ensure that knobs are off before leaving the house or going to sleep, and avoid leaving objects on the range when appliances are not in use.
For questions or to request a knob cover or lock, call Samsung toll-free at 833-775-0120 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) Monday through Friday, or email the company at rangesupport@sea.samsung.com. If you prefer to submit a request online, you can also visit Samsung’s website. On that page, you can also find video guides for installing both the knob locks and the knob covers.
The CPSC says that those with Samsung ranges that have WiFi can take an extra precaution by opting in to the “Cooktop On” notification in the Samsung SmartThings app. This will send alerts to your phone if your burner is turned on.
In general, the CPSC also advises consumers to follow safety advice to prevent fires.
“Never place, leave, or store anything on the top of your range,” the agency warns. “Such items can ignite if the range is accidentally activated or left on. Fires can occur when items are left on the top surface of any range that is accidentally activated or left on.”