Exploring the Copacaba neighborhood in Rio we stumbled upon an interesting little beach cove, sandwiched between a main beach and a Military police occupied zone of beach that is off limits to pedestrians.
I didn't know the name of this beach before writing this post, but as you read in the title its called Devil's beach, or Beach of the Sun.
Its a lovely little beach. perfect size for a quick swim but what is better, is that it provides a place to cool off after working out at the Flinstones Gym on the clif right behind it.
It's an outdoor gym with homemade workout equipment. I have been going to this gym every few days since I have been staying in Copacabana and its a great resource to get some sun and convert the protein that I have been eating into upper body arm strength.
The beauty of having a gym with home made weights is that there is no incentive for people to steal them. This gym is always occupied by all kinds of people, all age groups, people working out.
@xvlad and I tried to make a habit of going here early in the morning every day but we have not been able to keep to that scedule. The earliest I went there was 7Am and there were still a decent amount of people there.
It's cool how its on a clif like that with no guard rail or anything. I want to try to jump from that cliff on to the beach sand below, and then run into the water.
have a Closer look at some of these DIY weights.
There are signs that say "Do Not Drop The Weights!" because if you do, they will probably break. They are made out of cement. There was a pile of barbells that were damaged that i thought looked cool.
The main exercise that i do is with the smallest weights, I hold one in each arm and I hold my arms out like Christ The Redeemer. I then rotate my shoulders in a circular motion. This builds up my shoulder muscles which don't get used much as a skateboarder.
My legs are strong but my body looks imbalanced because my arms don't get nearly the exercise that my legs do.
My pectoral muscles are underdeveloped. I wouldn't stand a chance against a strong brazilian in a fight. A strong brazilian could punch right through me with ease.
I must build.
I could feel the neglected muscles ripping through what once held them at a state resembling a prepubescent boy. But no more, I am on a mission to transform into a beast.
The hot south american sun beating down on my newly worked out muscles were perfect for being dipped into the cold ocean behind me. nothing is better for inflamed muscles that cold ocean water.
I wanted a private beach all to myself but there was one problem, it was being guarded by a military man listening to a grandma tell him about the good old days.
I thought maybe I could sneak around them but there was another guard with a machine gun on top of the rock who spotted me.
One last look at the private beach preserved by the millitary. Only the soldiers can swim there. The soldiers and their wives, but certainly not a gringo like myself.
To get to that private beach the only way is to go by water. You can occupy the water beyond the fence, but you are not allowed to touch the sand. At this point, my team consisted of 2 who are somewhat out of shape. I need them strong if they are going to help me take control of the private military beach.
Lets build.
What is the true name of this beach? the Devil's Beach or the Beach of Sol? The more cement you pump the more demons you eradicate, the sun is your assistant. Deliver your purpose from the Lord above and all shall be buff.
I've know it forever (since a little kid) as Devils Beach (Praia do Diabo), I have never heard Praia do Sol before.
The military beach is called "Inferno".
that name is gnarly. i wonder if the name has anything to do with how if you take one step over the invisible line (like i did), since there is no fence down on the sand lol, why a military guy appears out of nowhere and wags his finger at you?
I like more beach of sol name, free gym for everyone is great not a devil thing!
i agree i like the beach but now i wonder if the devil name has something to do with the military presence right next to it, especially if the beach on the military side is called "inferno"
Oh yea Brazilian military must be not that gentle there
they didnt seem mean or evil, just doing their job i guess. who gives them the orders? maybe that is the root of some things problematic...