You may have heard that the Moscow city officials are offering free rides on its subway system for passengers who perform 30 squats before passing through the turnstiles.
The effort is to promote fitness and get folks excited for the Winter Olympics, which will be held in Sochi, Russia in February.
"We wanted to show that the Olympic Games is not just an international competition that people watch on TV, but that it is also about getting everyone involved in a sporting lifestyle," Alexander Zhukov, president of the Russian Olympic Committee was quoted by the Russian-run news wire RIA-Novosti.
Metro Transit spokesman John Siqveland said the agency is not planning a similar promotion here, but that the agency does partner with the American Heart Association to promote the benefits of using transit. This year it gave free rides to those participating in the Heart Walk at Target Field.
Transit customers might pass on doing squats to save bus fare of $1.75 to $3, but they are already getting some exercise. A study from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention found that transit users get about 20 minutes of exercise a day walking, biking or jogging to and from bus stops. The daily recommended amount of exercise is 30 minutes.
