Latest news with #JacobLund
New York Post
6 days ago
- New York Post
One of the most common ways couples meet is also the least ‘satisfying' — and leads to marital troubles: study
Dating app algorithms haven't cracked the code on heaven-made matches just yet. Collectively, dating apps like Tinder, Hinge and Bumble have amassed hundreds of millions of users, and increasingly, they're becoming a more popular way for singles of all ages to date. 3 For many online daters, long distance or excessive travel can result in lower relationship satisfaction. Jacob Lund – Indeed, dating apps are arguably the best way to find first dates and no-strings-attached lovers, but psychology researchers wanted to know whether committed relationships born online are built to last. In light of this growing demographic of digitally devised married couples, a new study, published in Computers in Human Behavior, explored how the place a couple meets impacts their relationship down the road. The study revealed that not all of these marriages born in the mainframe hold up to couples who began their relationships IRL. The study issued a survey to 923 married adults based in the US, and around half of the studied adults met their spouse online. According to the study, online daters consistently reported less satisfying and stable marriages than offline daters did, leading to what the researchers called the 'online dating effect.' While differing individual factors like age, prior dating experience, and personality traits can all do their fair share of romantic wreckage, the study focused on 'external influences on courtship such as societal marginalization and geographic distance.' These external influences can impact emotional and physical vulnerability as well as conceptions of external approval. 3 In a 2013 study, researchers found that online daters reported more satisfying marriages than traditionally introduced couples did. Kaspars Grinvalds – With online dating, couples are typically matched up via an algorithm that detects user data and previous activity to suggest potential compatibility. These couples also typically don't face the same initial pressure from friends or families as online daters tend to introduce their partners to their loved ones after the relationship becomes more established. 3 For many couples, familial approval can be a make-or-break factor. djile – While this phenomenon can be liberating for the couple at first, it can also lead to a sense of insecurity among one or both partners, especially when considering the lack of initial external approval and the amount of time already invested in the relationship — which may lead an individual to tough it out, though these couples are admittedly less likely to make it to marriage. Typically, the couples in the study who met online were younger and more recently married, which could also factor into feelings of instability. Although the study's pool of online daters reported less satisfying marriages overall than couples who met in person, the quality of these connections was still considered relatively higher than in comparable studies in the past, the researchers clarified. Not all couples who meet online are guaranteed to glitch. As The Post previously reported, online dating can take on a dark side. Those who are insecure about their looks, socially anxious or extra-sensitive to rejection are more likely than others to use dating apps in a problematic way, and often, become obsessed with these platforms. In some cases, a preoccupation with online dating can result in chemical imbalances that can even affect libido levels, so swipe carefully — depending on how you operate, you could end up with a future spouse or hormone instability.
New York Post
01-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- New York Post
Survey reveals the most iconic sensations of summer
The most quintessential sensations of summer are the smell of a grill, relaxing at the beach, and diving into the pool, according to a new survey. The nationally representative survey of 2,000 American grill owners found that grilling scents (87%), time near the water (68%), and pool hangs (68%) top the list of iconic summer feelings. Advertisement So it's not surprising that the majority of Americans (80%) agreed cooking outside is one of the joys of the season. 8 The most quintessential sensations of summer are the smell of a grill, relaxing at the beach, and diving into the pool, according to a new survey. Jacob Lund – This year, respondents said they've been looking forward to the best things of summertime for four months on average. And some of the activities they've been anticipating the most are soaking in as much time outside as possible (66%) and hosting backyard parties and cookouts (46%), with Gen Z being particularly stoked about backyard cookouts compared to other generations (59%). Advertisement Conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Tyson Foods, the poll found that summer is the favorite time of year for more than a third of Americans (36%), including more than half (52%) of Gen Z. 8 The survey of 2,000 American grill owners found that grilling scents, time near the water, and pool hangs top the list of iconic summer feelings. BalanceFormCreative – And seeing how grillers are hoping to get the most out of the summer months, more than half (53%) are working on leveling up as grill masters this year. Hoping to not heat up the house during the hottest months of the year (52%) and enjoying time spent outdoors (52%), almost two out of three respondents (61%) plan to grill meals at least once a week during the summer. Advertisement And most (69%) also said they're motivated to cook outside simply because they enjoy all the smells wafting off the grill. 8 More than 53% of respondents are working on leveling up as grill masters this year. vach – Seeing what Americans have cooking up this summer, classics like hamburgers (82%) and hot dogs (73%) are popular, along with fancy fare like steaks (74%) and seafood (36%). A third (33%) even said they like to toss literally anything that's 'grillable' on the grill. Advertisement Grillers reported they've already spent three hours in the last month consuming grilling content in hopes of improving their skills, and seeing where they're focusing their attention, grill masters are looking to perfect their ribs (28%), grilled chicken (27%) and brisket (25%) recipes this summer. 8 Seeing what Americans have cooking up this summer, classics like hamburgers and hot dogs are popular. Joshua Resnick – Two-thirds (67%) of Americans are planning to be more budget-conscious this summer. With finances top of mind, most of those looking to cut back spending (74%) are planning to cook more meals at home this summer, rather than dining out, in order to save a bit of money. One-in-five (22%) are looking to spend less on food this summer. And looking at how they'll pull this off, many are shopping in bulk (42%), meal prepping (39%), and trying new recipes (39%), while the majority (77%) are keeping a watchful eye on food prices. The Fourth of July could be dubbed the biggest grilling event of the year, and more than half (56%) of Americans plan on grilling this Fourth of July. 8 Two-thirds (67%) of Americans are planning to be more budget-conscious this summer. Adobe stock Independence Day menus will feature the classics this summer, and hamburgers (68%), hot dogs (60%), and grilled chicken (45%) will be the most popular main dishes per the survey. Alongside those, potato salad (56%), chips (51%), and baked beans (50%) are the favorite sides. Advertisement Many even said they'd be let down if their Fourth of July gathering was missing classics like hot dogs, hamburgers, and chicken (49%). 8 The Fourth of July could be dubbed the biggest grilling event of the year, and more than half of Americans plan on grilling this Fourth of July. wavebreak3 – And activities-wise, they'd be bummed if their Fourth of July party was missing fireworks (42%), great music (34%) or outdoor games (21%). TOP FOURTH OF JULY MAIN DISHES Advertisement Hamburgers (68%) Hot dogs (60%) Grilled chicken (45%) Ribs (35%) Sausages (30%) Kebabs (18%) Pulled pork (16%) Pork chops (15%) 8 Independence Day menus will feature the classics this summer, and hamburgers, hot dogs, and grilled chicken will be the most popular main dishes per the survey. Drazen – TOP FOURTH OF JULY SIDES Potato salad (56%) Chips (51%) Baked beans (50%) Deviled eggs (37%) Coleslaw (33%) Mac and cheese (33%) Fruit salad (31%) Broccoli salad (14%) Advertisement 8 Spending time at the beach or lake is the second most iconic summer sensations, according to the survey. karelnoppe – MOST ICONIC SUMMER SENSATIONS The smell of a grill (87%) Spending time at the beach or lake (68%) Swimming in a pool (68%) Driving with the windows open or the top down on a car (58%) Going to fairs or festivals (52%) Staying up late at night (49%) The smell of sunscreen (45%) Chasing fireflies (24%) Advertisement Survey methodology: Talker Research surveyed a nationally representative sample of 2,000 Americans who own a grill; the survey was commissioned by Tyson Foods and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between June 4 and June 9, 2025.
New York Post
03-06-2025
- Business
- New York Post
AI recruiting is all the rage — as employers hand the screening of new hires over to robots: ‘Seemed insane'
It's the rise of the robo-recruiters. Employers are turning to artificial intelligence to screen potential new human hires. AI recruiting software is increasingly subbing in for actual people during preliminary interviews — with a fake person quizzing candidates and inquiring about their skills, before delivering their findings to managers. Replacing recruiters with AI technology to screen new hires is becoming popular with employers. Jacob Lund – 'A year ago this idea seemed insane,' Arsham Ghahramani, co-founder and chief executive officer of Toronto-based AI recruiting startup Ribbon, told Bloomberg. 'Now it's quite normalized.' Companies say the goal is to ultimately make the interview process more efficient and accessible for candidates — without needing human recruiters to be online all day. For employers, particularly those hiring at high volume, the switch can save hundreds of hours of manpower per week. For others who've seen a dramatic rise in candidates employing AI to answer interview questions, they're simply meeting the market where it's at. Canadian nonprofit Propel Impact, a social impact investing organization, said the rise of the use of ChatGPT for application materials had become widespread. 'They were all the same,' Cheralyn Chok, Propel's co-founder and executive director, told Bloomberg. 'Same syntax, same patterns.' Recruiters at companies hiring at high volumes can spend hundreds of hours a week screening candidates. Atstock Productions – The shift comes as a majority of Americans polled last year by Consumer Reports said that they were uncomfortable with the use of AI in high-stakes decisions about their lives. The implementation of using AI to interact with job candidates on screen has been in the works for years at this point, according to Bloomberg. 'The first year ChatGPT came out, recruiters weren't really down for this,' HeyMilo CEO Sabashan Ragavan said. 'But the technology has gotten a lot better as time has gone on.' But with all things tech, it's not always 100% glitch-free. Some TikTok users have posted their experiences with AI recruiters, with one in particular going viral when her interviewer at a Stretch Lab in Ohio malfunctioned and repeated the phrase 'vertical bar pilates' 14 times in 25 seconds. 'I thought it was really creepy and I was freaked out,' she told 404 Media in a recent interview about the AI interviewer, powered by startup Apriora. 'I didn't find it funny at all until I had posted it on TikTok, and the comments made me feel better.' Aaron Wang, Apriora's co-founder and CEO, claimed that the error was due to the model misreading the term 'Pilates,' Bloomberg reported. 'We're not going to get it right every single time,' he said. 'The incident rate is well under 0.001%.'
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Those Squat Pulses Burn Like Fire...But Do They Actually Boost Your Workout?
Jacob Lund/Adobe Stock Whether you're in pre-brunch Pilates or your lunchtime HIIT class, you've probably been tasked with a certain directive that makes the four-letter words fly (in your head only, of course): Squat! Then…squat pulse! While you're dutifully performing those small but spicy movements, you can't help but wonder—do squat pulses actually do anything!? We're all for adding a challenging element to uplevel your workout, but it's key that it actually has a purpose (and just isn't hard for the sake of being hard). So: Do squat pulses fit the bill? We reached out to the pros to get the lowdown. A squat pulse is similar to the traditional lower-body compound movement we all know and love, but with a couple tweaks: The range of motion is much smaller and you don't fully stand up between reps. This move involves both the eccentric (lowering) and concentric (raising) movements of a squat, done in quick succession, but because you won't come back to start until the very end, your muscles don't really get a 'break'—which is why it can feel so freaking hard to do it even with just your bodyweight. To perform a squat pulse, start with your feet hip-width apart. Push your hips back and bend your knees to lower down, keeping your chest up and core engaged. Once you're at the bottom of the squat, rise about half way back up, then drop back down to the bottom position. Quickly repeat this pulsing movement, Brittany Watts, NASM-CPT, head coach at Tone House, tells SELF. You'll likely do this multiple, multiple, times—in her classes, for 30 seconds straight, after a 30 second hold—and if you do it correctly, your lower body muscles, including your quads, glutes, and hamstrings should be feeling it. (Additionally, your core and calves help stabilize you throughout the movement, so you may feel the burn here as well, Meredith Witte, MS, CSCS, founder and owner of The Playground Fitness, tells SELF.) You'll likely encounter squat pulses most frequently in your HIIT, barre, or strength training-based classes, like boot camps. But if you're not a group fitness fan, no worries, because you can add a pulse to your solo workouts, too. Sydni Arnett, NASM-CPT, a principal instructor at Barry's Philadelphia, uses the move as a 'burnout' at the end of her set when she wants 'a little something extra juicy,' as she tells SELF. 'I'd add a pulse at the end of a set of 10, for example.' Squat pulses can help build muscular endurance and strength—and can help you gain muscle overall. They do this through a strength training tenet called time under tension (TUT), which simply refers to how long you're working a muscle during each rep. Because of the added small movements of a squat pulse, your time under tension is going to be higher, since your muscles are firing for a longer time before relaxing than they would if you were doing reps of a regular squat. Plus, since you normally do squat pulses with just your bodyweight or a light weight, this allows you to do more of 'em, which follows the formula for building muscular endurance. Like we mentioned above, squat pulses are also great as a finisher after more traditional lower-body strength training. Because the movement is so small and you maintain tension throughout, your muscles remain activated for the entire duration of your reps, which really helps 'burn out' the muscle, Arnett says. This supports hypertrophy—the fancy term for muscle growth—due to the added metabolic stress and muscle damage, and also helps you close out your workout on a high(ly sweaty) note. Before you start dropping it low, consider your goals. Because while squat pulses are in some ways similar to their more traditional cousin, they don't affect your body in quite the same way. For one, a full range of motion squat is simply more functional than a squat pulse, says Witte—meaning they better mimic everyday movements like standing up and sitting up. And when talking about muscle strength and size, time under tension—and that hurts-so-good burn that comes with it—isn't the be all, end all. With squat pulses, the particular kind of strength you'll build with squat pulses is muscular endurance. The longer you perform the move, the more you're challenging those slow-twitch muscle fibers, or the ones that help you work for an extended period of time without tiring, says Arnett. But if your goal is to build absolute strength (for instance, how much weight you can lift at your one-rep max), a squat pulse likely isn't going to get you there. That's because the protocol for max strength gains includes heavy weight, low reps, and the squat pulse (which usually has you performing a whole bunch of reps with lower weight or just your bodyweight) isn't conducive to that. On the other hand, a regular squat—whether we're talking a barbell back squat, a goblet squat, or any other variation you can load—can come in clutch here, since you can go so heavy you can only eke out a couple reps. You're also able to use progressive overload with OG squats. By continually upping your weight and challenging your glutes, quads, and hammies to lift more over time, you're creating tiny tears in the muscle that mend back together and become stronger. Finally, if you really want to max out muscle gain, a full range of motion is probably going to be a better bet compared to a limited ROM (like what you'd get with a squat pulse), says Witte. In fact, according to a 2020 review, strength training through the full range of motion is likely better for growth of your lower-body muscles. (And if you slow it down, even better: Research published in Fronters of Physiologist suggests that a slower tempo during a full range of motion squat can help build muscle and strength.) All this holds true even though the squat pulses burn so freaking bad: In fact, it's important to recognize this uncomfortable feeling due to the sustained tension is not a direct indicator of muscle growth, says Witte. 'To effectively build muscle, you need to focus on progressive overload and training close to muscular failure.' All this isn't to say that the squat pulse shouldn't have a place in your workout routine, though. Because it doesn't require heavy weight, it might be a better choice for those who want to work hard, but are newer to strength training or those building back strength after a hiatus. 'The goal here is to maintain high muscle engagement and increase workout intensity without having to increase load,' Watts says. What's more, because of the quick nature and duration of the move, it can help athletes build coordination and explosive strength, even without lots of external weight. And while many folks program explosive or jumping-based moves as finishers to their workout, those who have joint issues or who need to avoid high-impact exercises might be left looking for an alternative. Enter, the squat pulse: Like we discussed earlier, this can be a great, lower-impact way to burn out your muscles, says Watts. Squat pulses can also have a place in your workout as a 'hero' moment, helping you end a gym session feeling strong. Arnett says she programs the move in her classes to build to the final moments of a workout—and she incorporates it in her own when she wants to finish on a note that makes her feel like she really crushed it. Adding this final low-impact burst of effort at the end of your routine can simply help you feel physically and mentally tough. Squat pulses certainly can have a place in your program, and if your goals line up with the benefits they confer, it can be a match made in workout heaven. If you want a simple, equipment-free way to bring challenge to your routines that really makes you feel like you left it all out there, squat pulses can be a nice add. Even if everything doesn't match up completely, you still don't need to stop doing them—particularly if you enjoy them! After all, you want to have fun while sweating (or at the very least, not completely hate your life) so you keep coming back for more. What's more, it doesn't need to be an either/or situation with squat pulses and traditional squats. Even if the main benefits of squat pulses don't fit in with your particular strength goals, they can be a great supplement to more traditional strength training, says Witte. In this case, you might want to add them in as a drop set after regular squats (where you reduce the weight and perform the move to failure) or simply to mix up your routine. For instance, if you're bored with a traditional squat, try incorporating a banded squat pulse, or changing up your foot position—say, a sumo squat with pulse, or a narrow squat with a pulse—for an added challenge. But if you find yourself dreading the squat pulse, and would really rather spend your exercise effort somewhere else—particularly if you're uber-focused on max muscle or strength gains and would rather devote your time to that—consider it something you can cross off your list. There are tons of other ways to work your butt (and lots of squat variations out there!) that you may find a better fit. Related: Do I Get a 'Better' Cardio Workout If I Go Faster or Longer? 19 Signs Your Fitness Routine Is 'Working' That Have Nothing to Do With Weight Loss Does Pilates 'Count' as Strength Training? Get more of SELF's great fitness content delivered right to your inbox. Originally Appeared on Self
New York Post
08-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Moms reveal what parenting advice they would give themselves if they could go back in time
Nine in 10 moms said being a mother is both the hardest and the most rewarding thing they've ever done, according to new research. The survey of 2,000 moms with a child between the ages of 1–6 found 93% of respondents agreed with this sentiment, recognizing the joy and the challenges that come with being a mother. To help as they navigate motherhood, respondents were asked what advice they'd like to give themselves if they could go back to when their baby was born. 5 Nine in 10 moms said being a mother is both the hardest and the most rewarding thing they've ever done, according to new research. Stella – 'Be brave,' 'be patient,' and 'the kids need a happy mom, not a perfect one' are all things moms wish they could go back in time to tell themselves. Other helpful tips included a reminder 'that your baby loves you unconditionally and you are doing great' — and 'it is going to be okay, and the lack of sleep will be worth it.' Another shared, 'Give yourself grace — perfection isn't the goal. Ask for help, sleep when you can, and know this chaos is love in its purest form.' Commissioned by Sunsweet Growers Inc. and conducted by Talker Research ahead of Mother's Day, the survey found this advice may come in handy, as nine in 10 moms agreed — no one can ever be 100% prepared to be a parent. 5 'Be brave,' 'be patient,' and 'the kids need a happy mom, not a perfect one' are all things moms wish they could go back in time to tell themselves. Jacob Lund – When asked what surprised them about being a parent, about a third weren't expecting the feeling of isolation that can come from being a new mom (35%) or how hard it was to keep up healthy habits for themselves (33%). Part of why it might be hard to maintain healthy habits is because of how different mealtime looks with a little one at home: About a third of respondents' diet is made up of food originally for their kid. Moms surveyed said about 16% of their diet consists of leftovers from their child (the sandwich crusts left on their plates, other foods they don't want to eat, etc.), while 17% is made up of snacks they purchased for their child. 5 Other helpful tips included a reminder 'that your baby loves you unconditionally and you are doing great' — and 'it is going to be okay, and the lack of sleep will be worth it.' Srdjan – After having a child, it's not only their own healthy habits that respondents are worried about: 91% said they want to set their child up for healthy habits at a young age. Parents are encouraging these healthy habits by giving their little ones different kinds of foods to try (61%), encouraging them to play outside (58%), and trying to instill a love of learning in them (58%). That's in addition to teaching them about different emotions (55%), ensuring they have a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and veggies (54%), and limiting the amount of sugar and treats they have (50%). 'Starting healthy habits at a young age creates a routine that when your body feels good, everything else feels good, too,' said Sunsweet's CJ McClellan, Vice President of Marketing, North America. 'We hear often that eating well, for example, including veggies and fruits like prunes and prune juice in diets, began at childhood, and we appreciate seeing this lesson instilled in the next generation too.' To encourage healthy eating habits, moms surveyed are giving their kids different healthy options and letting them have a choice (57%), ensuring their favorite healthy snacks are always on hand (47%), and making healthy options 'fun' (43%). 5 Parents are encouraging these healthy habits by giving their little ones different kinds of foods to try, encouraging them to play outside, and trying to instill a love of learning in them. Konstantin Yuganov – Moms are likely modeling these healthy habits, too. The survey found that 63% of moms surveyed often enjoy the same snack as their child, perhaps to ensure they instill healthy habits from the beginning. When they select snacks for their children, moms are looking for certain qualities: it has key nutrients (fiber, potassium, vitamin K) (21%), is easy to prepare (18%) and has 'clean labels' (no artificial sweeteners, colors, etc.) (17%). Another thing moms look for is foods that will help their child's digestive health (79%). This is also true for juice. The vast majority of kids drink juice, and when picking juice for their children, some of the factors moms look for include 100% juice options (78%), no artificial flavors (38%), and other functional benefits (such as digestive health) (17%). 5 'Give yourself grace — perfection isn't the goal. Ask for help, sleep when you can, and know this chaos is love in its purest form,' other respondents have said. 1000WordsImages – 'Research shows that both kids and adults don't consume enough fiber, yet only 21% of moms are looking for these nutrients in their snacks,' said McClellan. 'Prunes and prune juice are perfect for moms and families who are looking for sweet and tasty options that offer so many benefits.' Survey methodology: Talker Research surveyed 2,000 moms with a child between the ages of 1–6; the survey was commissioned by Sunsweet and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between April 10–18, 2025.
