THE NETHERLANDS — Yesterday was an entirely different kind of workout experience for Dutch physical fitness enthusiasts who enjoy toning their bodies at the Fitworld gym in Heteren, the Netherlands. Instead of fretting about which pair of shorts or what tank top to wear, the gym’s members were able to enjoy the first-ever “Naked Sunday.”Unlike domestic “Porn Sundays,” this event actually served up what it promised.
The gym’s owner, Patrick de Man, came up with the idea after talking to two of his customers, who just happen to be nudists keeping their bods fit thanks to his weight and cardio machines.
According to de Man, after hearing “that some of the other gyms are offering courses in ‘pole dancing’ as a sport, I thought ‘Why not bring something new to the market.'”
In his case, the hot new thing is one of humanity’s oldest practices: nudity.
The Dutch Federation of Naturists, which counts 70,000 members — so to speak — expressed curiosity about how the offering would be received. “We recently conducted a large survey among our members and most prefer to exercise with their clothes on,” representative Bernd Huiser observed. Instead, Huiser says that he believes his group prefers outdoor events such as walking on the beach, swimming in a natural body of water, or gardening for their clothing-free exertions.
De Man assures those concerned that all that sweating nudity might somehow be less sanitary than all that sweat clinging to skimpy exercise togs that towels are required between any weight machine and any bare rump, as well as the use of disposable seat covers on exercise bicycles. Besides, as he points out, “We clean them every day, anyway.”
