FIT CLUB

Our ATHLEISURE LIST features premier fitness gyms and spas with you. We share the methods, offerings, amenities and more. On Oct 17th, we launched ATHLEISURE LIVE which features a fitness method of note that we host a session and select curated goodie bags for our fitness and fashion influencers and media. We kicked off our first one at IMAXShift and took a moment to find out more about this DUMBO gym.

ATHLEISURE MAG: What is IMAXShift and what is the meaning behind the name?

BRYAN MARCOVICI: IMAXShift is all about getting away from the repetitive and monotonous workout routine. The name is about getting people to ‘shift’ their expectations about what fitness can be and expect more from their ride. We want people to expect the magic of IMAX, to understand how being fully immersed in a visual experience can change the way they perform, the effort they give, and the enjoyment and results they get back.  It’s about transporting your mind while you transform your body.  
 
BREE BRANKER: IMAXShift is indoor cycling powered by IMAX. We have the great fortune of IMAX branding, giving us their theatre geometry, sound technology, and that big famous screen. Our goal is to use the screen to enhance your workout, immersing you in inspiring footage to help you achieve next-level results.
 
JESSE ALEXANDER: IMAXShift is a visual, physical, emotional, visceral journey that takes you sprinting, jogging and climbing all over the world BEYOND it. Our name comes from the basis of "Shifting" your reality.  Prepare to lose yourself and gain everything.

AM: Who are the creators of IMAXShift and what are their backgrounds?   

BM: Mark Weinberg (COO) and I (CEO) are seasoned managers who look for opportunities to disrupt existing businesses or industries that all seem to follow the same approach.  We partnered with two of the leading indoor cycling instructors in NYC, Jesse and Bree, to ensure that IMAXShift is a performance-driven workout that is as fun as it is effective.
 
AM: In addition to the current location, are their plans to open additional ones?

BM: The first IMAXShift location in DUMBO is a pilot designed to prove out an entirely new approach to fitness.  Early customer response has been extremely positive. If this concept proves successful, our goal would be to expand to several new locations along the east coast such as Boston or DC in the backend of 2017.
 
AM: What amenities are offered?

BM:  In staying true to the IMAX brand, we sought to make the entire experience in our studio a premium one.  We offer Redken products in the locker rooms as well as Detox Dry Shampoo.  More importantly, we’ve partnered with Glam&Go to open a salon within our space that offers express styling services to our riders.
 
AM: Do you sell apparel in your studio?

BM: We have a small, but growing, line of private label apparel designed to showcase our brand and give a shout-out to the amazing DUMBO community around us.
 
AM:  What types of workouts are offered?

BB: We have our signature ride, which is an eclectic blend of scenic footage, digital performance based worlds, and music videos; giving you a variety of high intensity bursts of energy balanced with internal and emotional moments. We have a music video ride which is a mix of fun and current music videos, inspiring more of a let go and have fun vibe in the studio, never leaving out our beloved intervals. 

And lastly we have theme rides, some based in music such as a Beyonce ride, and some based in visuals such as the Around the World in 45 Minutes Ride. We have also done current event themes such as the Olympics Ride showcasing all of the summer events as well as a Suicide Squad ride, featuring footage from the movie and the soundtrack. Last but not least we have strength and recovery workshops in the lobby after certain classes in a series called FLOORPLAY, educating our riders on their bodies and ways they can use the studio space before and after class to enhance their performance and increase their social activity.
 
JA: At IMAXShift we offer our "signature ride" where you will hear all the beats from Hip hop, Pop, remixes, EDM and a throwback or 2 that will make you either shout, smile or flex (I like to flex!). You'll see visuals ranging from racing over the oceans in Hawaii, riding the beat through the Galaxy (note-avoid the asteroids!), or sprinting through our music reactive digital worlds.  Theme rides for the holidays include Disclosure V Diplo, East Coast v West Coast Hip hop (we will be TAKING YOU to those coasts), and of course Beyonce V Jay Z. Not like any theme ride you've taken before.  Come Ride Beyond.  

Read more from the Oct Issue of Athleisure Mag

Music Sounds Better With You

by Ed Maguire

Want to improve your memory? Sleep better? Improve your visual and verbal skills? Improve your mood and reduce depression? Exercise better and have more energy? What if you could gain these benefits at no cost to you? Music is the answer – the benefits come from listening, and particularly from learning to sing or play and instrument.  There’s a reason why we use music in rituals – in religious ceremonies, chanting and mediation. Athletes use music to get themselves pumped up (look at Michael Phelps’ pre-race rituals for example).  

The benefits of music are multi-faceted, and there’s a growing body of scientific evidence exploring the how listening and playing music benefit mind and body.  I’ve been a musician most of my life, growing up in a household full of music. I picked up violin and piano from the time I was 7 years old, and the skills and experiences from listening and playing – both for fun and professionally.  There’s nothing quite like the high one experiences when playing music – it’s a sensation of getting “in the zone” – a state of heightened awareness, where you feel like you’re floating. 

It's great for your mood. Neuroscientists have found that listening to music improves positive emotions through stimulating hits of dopamine to the reward centers of our brain, making listeners feel good or elated. Listening to music impacts almost every brain center, suggesting there are widespread unexplored effects and potential uses for music.

Music helps with language learning. A 2013 study of adults learning a foreign language (Hungarian) found evidence that singing can facilitate short-term phrase learning in an unfamiliar language. Sixty adult participants were assigned to one of three “listen-and-repeat” conditions: speaking, rhythmic speaking, or singing. Participants in the singing group showed the best recall on a collection of Hungarian language tests after a 15-min learning 

Music can preserve your brain power. A recent study found that in people over the age of 65, 4 or 5 months of playing a musical instrument for an hour a week resulted in changes in parts of the brain that control hearing, memory and the part that controls the hands. The effects are long-lasting too: adults aged 65-80  performed better on tests of word recall, nonverbal memory, and cognitive flexibility the more years they had spent playing an instrument.

There’s growing evidence that music helps with memory.  In a 2008 experiment, stroke patients in rehab were assigned to listen to music, audiobooks or nothing in addition to regular care.  Based on follow-up testing on mood, quality of life and several cognitive measures a week, 3 months and 6 months post stroke, those in the music group improved significantly more on verbal memory and focused attention than those in the other groups, and they were less depressed and confused.

Musical training improves verbal skills in kids. A 2008 study found that children who received at least three years of instrumental music training outperformed counterparts on two outcomes closely related to music (auditory discrimination abilities and fine motor skills) and on two outcomes distantly related to music (vocabulary and nonverbal reasoning skills).

Music is good for the heart.  Studies of adult choir singers singing the same piece of music found they synced breathing and heart rates which produced a group-wide calming effect. A 2015 study of heart patients in India found that listening to calm music benefited the patients in multiple ways. The study found that music-listening produces significant decreases in the blood pressure and heart rate of coronary patients, music-listening reduces stress, anxiety, and depression, enhances life satisfaction, optimism, and hope, and makes life more meaningful in both coronary patients and healthy controls. Notably, the benefits -  decrease in blood pressure and heart rate were more intense in coronary patients than healthy controls.

Music helps to control pain. There are a number of studies that show the beneficial impact of listening to music for patients dealing with chronic pain. A 2013 study of 60 patient diagnosed with fibromyalgia — a disease characterized by severe musculoskeletal pain found that patients were randomly assigned to listen to music once a day over a four-week period experienced significant pain reduction and fewer depressive symptoms. A recent study of patients undergoing spine surgery found that patients that listened to music before and after surgery experienced less pain than those that didn’t. 

Music can improve the immune system.  An intriguing development from a Wilkes University research study found that music affects levels of IgA, which is a ley antibody for the immune system to defend against disease. The study measured undergraduate students’ salivary IgA levels measured before and after 30 minutes of exposure to either listening to a tone click, radio broadcast, soothing music or silence. The students exposed to music had significantly greater increases in IgA than any of the others.

Music is great for exercise. Why do you think aerobics and Zumba classes blast up-tempo music. Listening to fast paced music can help improve your performance when you are running or biking, especially if you listen to “pump-up” music to improve your motivation beforehand.  Listening to music also can increase endurance in a demanding workout.  This works through distraction – when concentrating on favorite music, it's easy to run an extra mile without realizing it.  

Lastly, listening to calm music can help the body recover faster by enhancing a relaxation effect post workout.

A key point is that it really doesn’t matter what style you want to listen to – whatever genre works for you is good. Certain styles like classical music, have been proven effective to enhance learning or for relaxation, but any style that connects with you can create benefits. If you really want to get maximum benefits, pick up that instrument you played in school and give it a whirl. If you’re a beginner don’t be intimidated.  You can get a starter guitar for around $100 and start taking lessons off YouTube. It’s the process of learning music as a new language that spurs new connections in your brain and fires up your pleasure centers.

Ed Maguire has worked as an equity analyst covering the technology sector since 1999 for a variety of firms including CLSA Americas, Merrill Lynch and CIBC. Previously he led sales for independent music distributor Twinbrook Music while working as professional musician performing on bass, violin and keyboards, composing, arranging and producing a variety of styles of music. Ed holds a B.A. in Music from Columbia and an M.B.A. from Rutgers in Finance and Management Information Systems. He lives in Millburn, NJ with his wife Lily, their two kids and the dog Spock.

Trai Turner: Living in the Moment

The regular football season comes down to a little over 3 months - 13 weeks. The preparation, strategy, and focus is intense. For every NFL player, their story, journey and reason for being on the field is as varied as those who play the game. We took a moment to chat with New Orlean's native, 2015's NFC Champion Carolina Panther  (#70) and Pro Bowler, Trai Turner. In his 3rd season in the league, he has been noted by Sports Illustrated (he also nabbed a cover) as one of the NFL's best guards. He's also a man who knows how to live in the moment, stay humble and loves wowing off the field with his sense of style. 

ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you know that you wanted to be a football player? Share your journey of what the past few years have been like? 

TRAI TURNER: I started playing football around 6 and I was like, I just want to do this. In short, I didn't really know how I would get there, but I knew that that was where I was going to go and I was going to do it. Some of my steps included playing football at St Augustine Highschool, which helped me out. I started in 7th grade and continued until 12th grade, excluding the crazy period of time with Hurricane Katrina that came. After the hurricane, I came back and finished up and got a scholarship to Louisiana State University for 3 years and boom here I am! That's what happened.
 
AM: You run a mean 40 yard dash - how did you get so fast?
 
TT: I think I credit that to my mom and dad and just having good genes. Being the big guy that I am (6'3" 310lbs), you don't really expect that I think - especially from an Offensive Guard at least. My parents gave me the gift and I just work hard.

AM: What was it like going to Super Bowl 50 and how did you prepare for that?   

TT: You couldn't prepare yourself, it was one of those things where each time, I was stuck in the moment. So when I was at practice, I was focused on preparing for the Super Bowl. When I was doing media, my mind was focused on talking with the press about the game. When it was time to chill, I was in the mode of chilling before the game. 

When you play, you always think about the moment of being able to play one of the biggest games, but I always stayed focused in my moments and mode. It's ultimately the greatest day of my sport.
 
AM: Your nickname is "The Professor" - how did you get the name and who makes your eyewear?

TT: My GM, Dave Gettleman gave me that nickname. I don't really like to go through a lot of he say, he works for me. It just came about one day (his glasses). I try to  go a little square, because I'm a big guy and I have a pretty big face. I like to go with the square as it offsets everything else. 

As far as brands, I have been wearing Tom Ford frames. What I usually do is I get sunglasses and then get my lenses perscribed to them. Before that, I had some Gucci's - I love adding various frames to my rotation. My favorite frames would have to be from Cartier - I love the elongated square frames that they make.
 
AM: Clearly you're a man who makes statements (which our Style Director, a Statement Stylist can appreciate) - s0 we have to ask about your red carpet appearance at this year's ESPY Awards, who were you wearing and what was the thought process behind the look - you're definitely comfortable in your own skin!

TT:  I appreciate that. I know a lot of people look at big guys in a certain mode. I know I don't fit that mode but I'm just trying to build my own - that's all.

Elba designed the suit. I just told him that I wanted something in green (green is my favorite color). I looked at Kenneth Love's suit which was real casual and that's me, I'm not too over the top with too much going on. I just wanted something simple, nice and clean. The shoes were a special snakeskin print from Gucci. 

AM: Will we see you design your own suits or do a collaboration?

TT: As far as my own line, right now I don't really think about that kind of stuff. My ultimate goal is to be some kind of brand ambassador - I would love to as I don't see many people who look like me doing those kinds of things. I would love to take on that task. 

If I could take on a collab and just share my input as well as have my name on it - that works too. But as far as me having my own name on it, I'd rather to stick to wearing other people's nice clothes.
 
AM: Besides eyewear, do you have other accessories that you like to include in your style? 
 
TT: I like watches - I think everyone has a go to watch. Mine is a simple gold one. I have 2 chains that I like to wear that signifies me - my SuckaFree chains which I wore at the ESPYS. But my glasses - that's my thing. I'm really getting into my frame game now and I'm starting to expand them.

AM: What is your personal style when you're off the field?

TT: I like to put on clothes. I feel when you put on clothes, you look good and you feel good. I started thinking that I have all this stuff, but then it just sits there - so I just put it on. So I try to look snazzy wherever I go - even when I go to work. I shop by pieces and not by the outfit. When I select my outfit, I say "I want to wear this piece today" and I throw on this look and it just looks nice. A lot of people don't see someone of my stature doing those kind of things. It's eye opening because of my size but it also looks good. 
 
AM: What's your day like when you're practicing for the big game and what's the week look like?

TT: Mon we come in to see what happened - what went right and what went wrong. Just to see what happened in the game. Tuesday will be updates. We have practice on Wed through Fri. Sat you come in and put it all together and fine tune it. Sunday is go time and how you put it all together.
 
AM: I'm sure it's less intense, but what are your off-season days like?

TT:  Off is not the same type of intensity, but it is still a pretty good work. I get up early in the morning to workout, take a nap in the afternoon and then kind of go shopping or something!
 
AM: You really liked how accessible Curren$y was to you and how you felt that was important - to be accessible to your fans. How do you do that with your fans?

TT: I'm trying to do a better job through social media. It's kind of tough in my position as I play Right Guard as people are not always looking at me necessarily. People who do look at me and do recognize me, I try to be open and approachable. I feel like I just play football honestly. My job is just broadcasted. Everybody has a job and so do I - I just don't watch you file papers or write articles - you watch me play football.
 
AM: When Cam Newton is celebrating with his Dab, how do you jump in?

TT: I kind of take the background on all of that. That's not really one of my fortes to get involved in the celebration. The reason why I say that is so much stuff be going on because of the rules and I don't want to make any mistakes. 

I'd rather just do my job and once we get to the sidelines - we can cut up. Then when we get to the locker room, we can go all the way to get celebrations going.
 
AM: How do you stay balanced with so many things going on? 
 
TT: I think it goes hand in hand with me putting on clothes. Think about it, you have to work extremely hard to afford nice clothes. I don't care what pricepoint you're at. To afford nice clothes on a daily basis you have to work extremely hard. Then the feeling that you get when you put them on, it just feels good - you look good. All of my energy is there. My vibe and my smile is there. It just brings them together and it makes my day that much sweeter.

More from the Oct Issue here 

BINGELY BOOKS

From Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner, Taraji P. Henson, comes an inspiring and funny book about family, friends, the hustle required to make it from DC to Hollywood, and the joy of living in your own truth.

With a sensibility that recalls her beloved screen characters, including Yvette, Queenie, Shug, and the iconic Cookie from Empire, yet is all Taraji, the screen actress writes of her family, the one she was born into and the one she created. She shares stories of her father, a Vietnam vet who was bowed but never broken by life's challenges, and of her mother who survived violence both in the home and on DC's volatile streets. Here too she opens up about her experiences as a single mother, a journey some saw as a burden but which she saw as a gift.

| HUNGRY HEART | Jennifer Weiner | Simon & Schuster |

Jennifer Weiner is many things: a bestselling author, a Twitter phenomenon, and an “unlikely feminist enforcer” (The New Yorker). She’s also a mom, a daughter and a sister, a former rower and current clumsy yogini, a wife, a friend, and a reality-TV devotee. In her first essay collection, she takes the raw stuff of her life and spins it into a collection of tales of modern-day womanhood as uproariously funny and moving as the best of Nora Ephron and Tina Fey. Born in Louisiana, raised in Connecticut, educated at Princeton, Jennifer spent years feeling like an outsider (“a Lane Bryant outtake in an Abercrombie & Fitch world”) before finding her people in newsrooms, and her voice as a novelist, activist, and New York Times columnist.

| THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH | Kermit Alexander |
Simon & Schuster |

In this gripping memoir, former San Francisco 49er Kermit Alexander shares his thirty-year-journey to redemption after the brutal murder of his family in South Central Los Angeles.

With vivid detail, former NFL All Pro and president of the NFL Players Association Kermit tells the full story of the murders that took his mother, sister, and nephews.

The Valley of the Shadow of Death begins when his father moves the family from Louisiana to LA. After his career with the San Francisco 49ers, the Los Angeles Rams, and the Philadelphia Eagles, Kermit returned to LA and lived a short drive from his beloved mother.

INDIAN SUMMER

ATHLEISURE KITCHEN | LEWD FOODIE

The temperatures are beginning to shift to cooler weather. That means, it's all about your favorite soups as you stay in for a cozy evening.

In the spirit of the fall, Athleisure Kitchen presents Pumpkin Soup with Spice Pumpkin Seeds. This dish uses almost all of the pumpkin - including the seeds which can be roasted and enjoyed in the soup or eaten separately for a perfect snack. In addition, to showcasing a number of vegetables and fall finds, this shoot is accented by great cooking and plating options as well. This recipe was adapted from Williams-Sonoma Soup of the Day, by Kate McMillan (Weldon Owen, 2011) and made by Chef Rosalie.
 
PUMPKIN SOUP WITH SPICY PUMPKIN SEEDS

Prep Time: 35 minutes  

Cook Time: 75 minutes  

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

1 small pumpkin, about 3 lb., such as Sugar Pie, peeled, seeded and chopped (seeds reserved)
2 tbs. olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
3 tbs. unsalted butter
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. ground coriander
4 cups chicken broth
For the spicy pumpkin seeds:
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds, cleaned
1 tsp. canola oil
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. ground cumin
Pinch of ground cinnamon

Directions:

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BEAUTY ESSENTIALS WITH CELEBRITY MUA, RAE MORRIS

We took a moment with Celebrity Makeup Artist, Rae Morris who is renowned as one of the most influential Makeup Artists in the world. She is not only a number one best-selling author, but also a four times Australian Makeup Artist of the Year, the longest serving Makeup Director for L’Oreal Paris (2003-2013) and has been inducted into multiple Halls of Fame.

With the success of her new book, Makeup Masterclass, which took 2 years to shoot in Australia as well as NYC, we talked about her new release, her must have tools that she designed and what makeup is an essential that we should know about.

ATHLEISURE MAG: How did you know that you wanted to be a makeup artist and who were your inspirations?

RAE MORRIS: In the 80’s, I was a model for about 5 minutes, and that was a time when faces were transformed to look “unrecognizable.” That’s when my love for makeup began. I was also blessed to be around the birth of Culture Club, Marilyn, and Ziggy Stardust, where men wore as much sometimes more makeup than women!

AM: Makeup Masterclass is such a powerful and comprehensive book that showcases tools, maintaining skin, methods and the end result of creating a large number of looks that are popular whether they are rocked on the streets, or in a number of shows/movies that we watch.  How did you go about putting this project together?

RM: The experience from the previous five books really helped, but the aim was to create a book that not only combined but also eclipsed all my previous books into one big bible. Probably the hardest bit was putting into words some of the creative processes and techniques that I’ve developed and use everyday. Normally, I would just demonstrate them, but for the book I had to illustrate with words and diagrams. I’m really proud of how my “Eye Phi” turned out. The project itself ran over 2 years. We shot first in Sydney and then in New York. Then the real work started. In the end, it was almost over-engineered. It had the best paper, rose gold embossed hard cover, dust cover… Our lead designer even flew to the printer and slept there for five days to make sure they got the color grading right!

AM: It's been 7 years since you wrote your first book, what do you feel has changed in the industry since then?

RM: I can't even believe how much has changed in the industry in the last 7 years since Makeup Guide was released. If I could turn back the clock and be told in that seven year’s time, 13 year-olds will have their own “channel” in the form of youtube, etc and women who never even knew what a contour cream was, would not only know ten types, but they would also know the makeup artist’s secret of applying it. There is so much “free information” available.

AM:  You have your own line of tools, and in the book you go through the kinds of brushes. that one should have - what are 3 tools from your collection that you suggest that every makeup kit should have?

RM: No.3 Ultimate Cheekbone - I believe the most powerful anti-aging thing a woman can do is contour, but it can be confusing. This brush takes all the guesswork out of it for you. It carves the perfect cheekbone in less than 3 strokes.
 
Radiance Brush (26) - I honestly believe no foundation brush comes close to this one. It’s the softest (but still firm) and it works with all foundation types (from liquid to cream to powder) by applying foundation in seconds. It is a favorite of Kelly Roland, Paula Abdul, and Sarah Jessica Parker just ordered one. Also, the Radiance was seen all over the back stage atthe McQueen show in Paris.

No 7. Deluxe Point Shader - This brush will change the way you do your eye makeup. It’s super soft, perfect for creating the perfect socket, but just by adding pressure to the brush you can create the best Smokey eye in seconds.

NO.14 Perfect eyeliner - Eyeliner brushes are essential, you can use them for the obvious “Eyeliner” tasks or just to intensify your chosen eye shadow around the lash line. I have three sizes in my brush range, as one size does not fit all! You may want a precise fine line or a bold "Audrey Hepburn” line, so I recommend using the the right size brush to achieve the line size that you want.
 
AM: Even skin tone is something that is essential to any makeup look. You share a great tip on how to ensure that you are matching your skin correctly; can you share this with our readers?

RM: It’s a myth to match your foundation to your jawline; your neck is usually much paler than your face due to it being blocked from the sun. You always want your face and body to be the same color, so always match it on the décolletage area and if you fake tan you need to darken your base.

AM: What makeup/skincare brands do you personally advise that we should have?

RM: For makeup I love Nars, M.A.C. and I’m so in love with the I.T concealers and foundations, and Ellis Faas creamy eyes are my favorite. For skin care I love Ultra Cuticles MD, or anything that’s active, I love the little tingle I get when I use the vitamin “A’ and “C’s” and I love having omilux light and gentle peels, I would rather spend the money and go to a dermatologist or a cosmetic physician and see results, than spend so much money on hype.

AM: Of the looks that you create in Make-up Masterclass, which ones are your favorites and which ones do you personally wear yourself?

RM: I do love the cover of Shanina Shaik. I love the femininity and the prettiness of the makeup. For me, I don’t actually wear makeup (rarely) to work. I don’t want to show off to my clients what I’m capable of, but if I had to pick a look it would be the second look I did on Shanina. It’s all about the eyeliner, with everything else paired back.

AM: What is a day in the life for you as a Celebrity Makeup Artist?

RM: Four makeup bags, two assistants, and everyday is different. It’s a balancing act between the photographer, the client, and the model; what they want me to do and what I want to do. So it’s constant consulting and decision-making. It’s more stressful than you might think, especially with all the egos involved (including mine). The makeup is the easy bit.

AM: Are you able to tell us celebrity clients that you have worked with and/or those that you would like to work with?
 
RM: Some I can tell. Others I keep quiet for confidentiality reasons, so I don’t get hammered with questions about them when the cameras are off. My “keeping them private policy” is why these clients keep booking me.

So here are a few of my faves: Pink, Jessica Biel, Ellie Goulding, Kelly Roland, Paula Abdul, Shanina Shaik, Miranda Kerr, Cyndi lauper, just to name a few…

AM:  Paula Abdul wrote the forward for your book and we know that you did her makeup on So You Think You Can Dance, Australian edition - how did you get her to be involved with your book?
 
RM: Some celebrities you work with become close friends. I consider Paula a friend, rather then a client now.

Yes, it was on that show that we met and we just started a great friendship. She always had this way of complimenting me and my work. She would say the best quotes about me, to me, so she just was perfect for the job.

AM: How do you stay balanced with so many projects that you work on and what fitness methods do you do?

RM: I’m actually completely out of balance (balance has never been a word anyone has used to describe me) and I have never exercised. I'm always too exhaust-
ed. I was brought up in a gymnasium, my mother was an instructor so it traumatized me for life. It’s always all or nothing, so I’m either working on the most creatively challenging jobs with 5 assistants, or I’m sitting at home watching “Peppa Pig” and playing Play Dough with my two year-old. Or I’m sleeping, so I suppose that’s balance?...

EVERYTHING IS APOCALYPTIC

By Ron Mwangaguhunga

As we move uneasily through this season of Election and Halloween as well as All Souls and All Saints, the veil between the living and the dead is now at its most narrow. It is perhaps instructive in this season to be a little reflective about the apocalyptic tone of all and everything nowadays.

Clearly we are in the midst of a post-apocalyptic TV renaissance. Some of the finest examples of this chilling genre, suffused with icy elements of dystopian-realism are, in no particular order: Black Mirror, Mr. Robot and The Leftovers. Two television shows I personally admire the most are the ratings record-breaking Walking Dead and The Strain. Both shows fearure guts galore but also reanimated corpses, perfect metaphors, one cannot fail to note, for the zombie banks which depressed Japan two decades ago, ravaged the global economy in 2008 and that now haunt the shell-shocked European landscape still.

Things Sci-fi, visions dystopian as well as this whole post-apocalyptic gamut overwhelm not just our televisions and mobile devices. Twenty-two of the highest grossing domestic horror films of all time on the big screen have occurred since the Great Recession of 2008. That number shouldn't be entirely surprising, however. Films that most accurately reflect the political and economic realities of their age generally do well at the box office. The horror genre, as an art form, reflects the country’s psychic trauma. The Exorcist, according to that little theory, is perhaps the most magnificent artistic representation of post-Watergate America.

To find the reasons for the horror/dystopian/post-apocalypse saturation one need only look to our most recent economic trauma. The last time the horror genre in particular was so culturally relevant in these United States was during the 1980s, at the height of Ronald Reagan’s then-astonishing budget deficits. Is there, one might ask, some direct mathematical correlation between our collective national financial peril – underemployment? The industrial and manufacturing job suck? Our alarming budget deficits? – And our felt-need as a people for sanguinary satisfaction? Is there some phantom algorithm that could solve the link between Trump and gore?

That brings me to the goriest of all blood sports: Election 2016. It takes a strong stomach to handle this hot mess. In the gladiatorial fundament this year we have Donald Trump representing the freakishly Third Reich-Ian alt right and, on the other, more Establishmentarian side, another Clinton in that dynastic, power-hording succession. Charmed, I’m sure (Averted Gaze). In this most unusual and unprecedented of elections – when was the last time the Grand Old Party chose a previously unelected businessman to represent the party nationally – we have been “treated” to an ugly, low-rent reality TV show with Weiners and (Billy) Bushes aplenty. Even The Learning Channel, which always stoops to conquer (Exaggerated cough), would pass on this … probably.

What about Bernie? It is no surprise then that Mr. Robot (catchphrase: “Our democracy has been hacked”) was and is so popular still with the Bernie Sanders demographic. Bernie, to pure to be a winner, reminds me most of the quintessential farmer Hershel Greene of The Walking Dead, killed (of course) in Season Four. The virtuous death of Hershel, however, was executed slowly. In Season Three, he had his leg amputated on the grounds of the old pig-with-a-pegleg joke: you don’t kill a good pig like that all at once. Evil Corp might as well be Goldman Sachs (wink, wink) where Hillary Clinton gave three closed door speeches at $225,000 apiece (nod, nod).

Finally, no figure in the history of American politics embodies so perfectly the sleaziness of the post-apocalyptic landscape more than the Dickensian-named Trump. If this were indeed a musky, unholy, catastrophic Walking Dead-like scenario Trump would clearly be a regular old “Immortan Joe,” with an assortment of wives and grasping heirs to take up the cause after he ascends to the chrome-plated afterlife in Valhalla. An so let us all hope, hand-on-heart and tongue-in-cheek, that one dynastic Establishmentarian defeats the wretched right-wing Great Beast that riseth up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, hoping to establish his own dynasty. Apocalypse, apocalypse forever!

Ron Mwangaguhunga is a Brooklyn based writer focused on media, culture and politics. His work has appeared in Huffington Post, IFC and Tribeca Film Festival, Kenneth Cole AWEARNESS, NY Magazine, Paper Magazine, CBS News.com, and National Review online to name a few. He is currently the editor of the Corsair.

More from the Oct Issue

ESCAPE TO FITNESS PARADISE; IN THE ART OF YOU LUXURY RETREAT WITH TERRI WALSH

by Joseph Pastrana

The cooler, winter months, hectic with festive and indulgent holiday parties and dinners, make itparticularlyeasytogainweight.  Youcanavoidthisalltoocommonlikelihood,  getintothe best shape of your life, and enjoy a week-long getaway to a tropical paradise at the same time. TheArtofYou –  createdbyacclaimedNewYorkcelebrityfitnesstrainerTerriWalsh – is luxuryfitnessretreatinsun-drenchedCostaRica.  Customdesignedtosuitindividualneeds, Terri takes you on an eight day and seven night journey that explores your strengths, challenges your stamina and ultimately leaves you feeling and looking amazing.

"Idesignedthisretreatasatotalexperiencethatbringstogetherthebestcircumstancesfor achievingincredibleresults," saysTerri. Havingtrainedsomanydifferentpeople through the years, I know how important it is to engage, not just your body but your mind and soul as well. First, removing   you   from   your   natural   environment   and   surrounding   you   with   nature’s breathtakingbeautygivesyouasenseofrenewedpurpose,  tohelpfocusyouremotionsand intent. My assessment of your physical state then allows me to create a program suited to your needs.

Theretreatincludesyourstayandhealthymeals(fresh,  locally-grownfood,  alsocarefully plannedbyTerriwithdueaccommodationofspecificdietaryrequirementsandpreferences - includingglutenfree,  dairyfree,  vegetarian,  veganandpaleo baseddiets),  overallfitness assessment,  dailymeasurementswithimagestovisuallytrackprogress,  customworkout and strength training prescription based on a prior Facetime or Skype consultation with Terri.  

As a base of determining precisely what you need, Terri provides three fundamental categories fromwhichtochoose: Detox&  Push isintensiveandgoal-specificforbrides-to-beorthose with upcoming photo shoots or events in mind; Reset & Renew is for rebooting healthy habits and overall rejuvenation; and Jump Start & Focus is geared toward serious fitness and weightloss.  YourneedswilldeterminehowTerriwilldesignsan appropriateregimen,  usinghervery own ART (Active Resistance Training)® Method  –  a definitive fitness practice that engages the body’s four active resistance points.

TheArtofYouLuxuryFitnessRetreatstartsat$15,000.00 forindividualsto$20,000fora couple(there’sonlyonevilla)  Sunday to Sunday(orcustomdaterangeavailableatadditionalcost)  and requiresbooking30-daysinadvancetoproperlyplaneverything.  TheflightintoJuanSanta MariaInternationalairport   inAlajuela,  CostaRicaisnotincuded, butafterarrival,  the connectingdomesticflighttotheretreatiscoveredandwill bearrangedbyTerri.  Fromthe momentyouarriveataprivatevillainManuelAntonio,  youwillbesweptawayto a meticulouslycraftedblendofstrengthtrainingandconditioningwork- outsamidstabeach,  waterfallor jungle setting,  alternated with endurance adventure hikes, activities, and massage treatments to support energy levels and recovery. After a transformative week, you may never want to leave.

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LIGHTBULB MOMENT: A CONVERSATION WITH STACY LYON

We truly enjoyed chatting with the founder of Healthy HooHoo, Stacy Lyon who is a 20 year ski veteran turned, feminine care brand. As we chatted about parabens, women's bodies, fitness and her gypsy soul - time and time again she continued to echo her sentiment of "you can't pick your lightbulb moment."

ATHLEISURE MAG: Why did you create Healthy HooHoo?

STACY LYON: I always say, it was the perfect storm. One of the main reasons I started a few years ago when my roommate from college called me up and said she had breast cancer. It was one of those conversations where your inner eagle comes out. I had never had a friend who had cancer and so you start asking all of these questions.  You want to know, what did she do that I don't want to do that causes cancer?

So I asked her, "now that you know that you have cancer, what are you doing to change your diet - what are the doctor's saying?" She explained that the doctors found a paraben in her breast tissue biopsy. I had never heard of that word "paraben" before and I felt that I was pretty aware - but it caught me off guard. She explained that it is a preservative that is found in a lot of our products and that they found this toxin in her breast cancer tissue. It lives in fatty tissue like in our breasts and reproductive areas where women carry all these fats.

She joked that she had changed all of her products, except for her feminine wash. I thought, "who still uses that?" That was early in the week and by the middle of the week my triathalete buddy was training with me for the Danskin Triathalon and she complained that she had issues down there and what I had done. I explained that you should let it be and not douche.  But it made me research this. Then that Fri, my gynecologist said she was getting out of the practice and that a lot of peoplewere getting vaginities and vagitosis. She said that 10 - 20 years ago she didn't see this because women now have a high sugar diet, we're over cleansing and we wear tight synthetic fabrics. At the time, she was referring to the tight polyester thong. As the pelvis moves, the thong moves from back to front as you walk and it relocates microscopic bacteria.

I'm here in Bend, Oregon, home of the most fit human beings - and I will be heading to the gym and am already in my active clothes. Everyone runs around with kinseology tape because we're home to some of the best runners and it's all about active leisure. I walk a fine line, because I wear all of this stuff but then I have to also tout the fact that I am here for one thing only - vulva and vaginal health.

AM: We love wearing the gear when we're running errands or hitting our studio fitness centers. Various workouts put you in more contact with bikes and other apparatuses.

SL: You hit it right on the head. I found this because I had a light bulb moment after this strange week of hearing from women. My background comes from spending 20 years in the ski industry. I came up with the idea 7 years ago and we launched 4 years ago. All my ski industry buddies now joke that I used to talk verticals and now I talk vagina! I always joke that I wished it had been something in the wine industry but you can't pick your lightbulb moments.

Parabens actually do their job as they keep bacteria from growing in our products. Many times, the bacteria is worse then the parabens. My semi-business partner who is a retired gynecologist, she figures out that the parabens' fragrance is the worst chemical of them all. We run into problems when we layer this stuff on everyday. So think about your makeup, skincare, hair products etc - it's not just one product that we're using but the culmination of the mass use.

I had never used any wipes before. Years ago,  I did a long backpacking trip in Nepal which meant being out there for weeks without showering. So I thought I would use a feinine wipe and I literally used one and immediately got a rash! I threw them out.

So the wipes were created as I love to travel and have a gypsy soul and needed something for those times. The other products are for the shower obviously. What I like to say is that my gynecologist and partner says that we should all be washing with water, but the vulva has a lot of sweat glands and creates a lot of heat. When you are sweaty, you need to remove the sweat as that is where the bacteria grows.

So if you are working out, you have to do a little more then just water and this is the healthiest option out there.

AM: What is pH and what is the best range?

SL: pH is the alkalenity of the vagina. The big thing here is, I spend much of my day educating people on the difference between the vagina and the vulva.
 
The vagina is all the inside bits. It's a self cleaning oven, we leave it alone and don't need to touch it. It's really similar to the inside of the nose (we wash our faces but not the inside of our noses). You wash your vulva. So it's the vagina's pH that is the whole key to keeping everything happy. If you can keep the pH of the vagina in a certain range - it keeps it at its age appropriate acidic environment.

I say age appropriatebecause it changes. We're very alkaline as little girls and then when our periods start, we drop to a very acid state sometimes as low as 4.2/4.3. That acidity goes up and down everyday based on our thyroids, hormones, stress levels, what we have eaten etc. The pH can change without our massive intervention by messing it up with soap and other things like that. Periods really can kick off the alkaline and some people receive yeast infections at that time because during menses the pH can rise. As she goes into menopause, the acidity starts to climb and she will go from the low 3s to the low 5s. 7 is right down the middle (it goes from 0 - 14). So if you think about it this way, the vagina's acid environment is there as a protective barrier. The bacteria can't multiply in this environment so it is brilliant by design. It's there because the neanderthal gal was getting bread and she was protected by her acid environment. The key is to keep it as acidic as possible and it is affected by dozens of things. We can control it by our diet, exercise, what we wear and how we cleanse ourselves.

AM: Will there be additional products?

SL: These products are the core and I have 3 products that are in development now in the hands of the coolest gal who really loves to work out! She's a Yale graduate and natural product chemist and she is the one that comes up with the formulas. She tests them and then we test them on friends and then perform stability tests, pH tests, paraben tests - and third party laboratory tests. These care products will be out late Spring '17. They are there to help women who have a few more issues. They are not FDA - they're really gentle and mild.

AM: Where is Happy HooHoo sold?

SL: Right now we're expanding within Whole Foods as we're in 5 regions currently. We're not in the NYC region just yet, but from Connecticut all the way to Maine. We have been expanding in the natural world. I love my products being sold in natural homeopathic clinics as it seems to be doing really well there. Since we're there, the doctors will say, we know you're using something more then just water and you can't talk many patients into just using water.

We're weeks away from launching our brand new Shopify website. So we've always been wholesale, pharmacy, etc but this is one of those products that women want to buy from the comfort of their home. We know that we do well on Amazon so we were like, ok if we're doing this well, we need to sell direct.

Anna Kaiser just called me up as she has our bottles in her gym shower. We did a trunk show with her last fall so we included the single wipes within her AKT in Motion Road Show swag bag. She's a big fan and she has that great A list clientele.

AM: Do you guys work with any charities?

SL: I don't have a direct charity but we do a lot of philanthropy. We work with #HappyPeriod, they do menstrual kitsfor homeless teens and women. We donated 20,000 wipes to Togo Africa for their Clitoral Mutalation Clinic. We work with a lot of homeless shelters!

See more from the Oct Issue

KOMBUCHA REVOLUTION

Whether you purchase your favorite Kombucha from your local Whole Foods, Farmer's Market or make it yourself, there has been an increase in demand of this beverage has taken with a wellness plan for your lifestyle. Stephen Lee, co-founder of Tazo Tea and the founder of Wonder Drink, created a book that looks at Kombucha as a lifestyle with over 75 recipes of homemade brews, elixirs, mixers and even sauces for meals.

In his own words, Stephen shares insight on what led him to creating this book and sharing the revolution with fans around the world. In addition, if you're looking for ways to infuse Kombucha in different ways, we have selected a recipe worth trying.

Kombucha. It’s been called the “elixir of life,” a cure-all that detoxifies the body, aids digestion, reenergizes the mind, and even helps reverse the symptoms of cancer. Drink several glasses of this fermented tea a day and, according to some, its healing properties will lower cholesterol, help with weight loss, reduce hot flashes, and create a general sense of well-being.

Its origins are shrouded in mystery. Two-thousand-year-old fables tell of exhausted warriors rejuvenating their weary bodies by drinking a fermented concoction infused with tea leaves. Even its name, pronounced com-BOO-cha, connotes something both alien and ancient. Nobody seems to know where it came from or how long it’s been around.

I discovered kombucha on one of my many tea-selling trips to Russia. I had been in the tea business for more than twenty years at the time, and while I had heard about this exotic tea drink called kombucha, I had never tasted it. One night I was having dinner with an associate at his St. Petersburg apartment. Peter lived with his mother—I knew her only as Mrs. Lisovski—and after a wonderful meal of borscht, piroshkies, and lots of pickled vegetables, I excused myself to use their loo. On my way down the narrow hall, I looked through an open door on my right and saw something strange.

There, on the nightstand next to Mrs. Lisovski’s bed, was a one-gallon jug of brownish liquid with cheesecloth stretched over the top. I felt ridiculously guilty peering into the bedroom of an eighty-year-old woman, but I couldn’t resist taking a closer look at that jar. Straining my eyes in the dim light, I saw something really odd. There was a pancake-sized gelatinous blob floating on top of the fluid.

When I returned to the kitchen, I admitted to Peter that I had looked into his mother’s bedroom, and then rather sheepishly asked what was in the glass jar. He laughed and then reached into the refrigerator. He pulled out a pitcher and poured us both aglass. “It’s kombucha. My mother calls it mushroom tea,” he told me.

When I tasted Mrs. Lisovski’s brew, I was amazed. There was effervescence to it—the lightly carbonated beverage tickled my tongue—with a tanginess that my taste buds told me was like an apple cider flavor. The finish was slightly acidic, yet the overall mouth feel was very pleasurable. I had never experienced anything like it.

I begged for the story behind this wonderful drink. Through Peter’s translation, Mrs. Lisovski related the story of how her great aunt from Siberia had passed down the recipe for her chainii grib. She received her “mother” culture in 1939 and had been making a batch every week since. I later did the math and marveled at the fact I was drinking batch number 2,860 of Mrs. Lisovski’s personal brew. What blew me away was before I left the apartment, the lovely little lady presented me with a peeled-off section of this grayish-white patty (think bottom half of a hamburger bun). I knew what it was (after all, I had spied it on her nightstand), but I didn’t know what I was supposed to do with it. Peter explained that it was common practice for anyone who made “mushroom tea”
to peel off the top layer of the “mother” and give it to a neighbor or friend so they could use it to make their own batch of kombucha.

GREEN PAPAYA SALAD

The two papayas commonly grown are red and yellow in color, but pick either early, and it’s called a green papaya. The unripe green fruit isn’t sweet; it is actually kind of sour, which works well with the tanginess of kombucha in this ultimately savory dish. Combine with tastes common to Thai cuisine— fish sauce, hot chiles, salt, sugar, and sour lime—and you have a bowlful of complex flavors sure to please as a precursor to dinner or as an entrée that can stand alone. If available, you can substitute fresh Thai chiles for the chili paste. Serves 4 to 6

1/2 cup plain kombucha
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
2 tablespoons Thai or
Vietnamese fish sauce
1 tablespoon sambal olec chili paste
2 tablespoons lightly packed brown sugar
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 large green papaya, peeled and shredded or finely julienned
2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
1 bunch cilantro, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup macadamia nuts, chopped and toasted

Combine the kombucha, lime juice, fish sauce, sambal olec, brown sugar, and garlic in a bowl and mix. Add the papaya, tomatoes, cilantro, and macadamia nuts and toss until well mixed.

CREDIT | Kombucha Revolution, by Stephen Lee and Ken Koopman (Ten Speed Press, 2014) PHOTOGRAPHY COPYRIGHT 2014 by Leo Gong

THE ART OF THE SNACK: OATMEAL

TUSCAN BEAN AND KALE

Via Grainful

Ingredients:

Water
Kidney Beans
Garbanzo Beans
100% Whole Grain Steel Cut Oats (Gluten Free) Tomatoes
Kale
Tomato Paste
Onions
Garlic
Olive Oil
Salt
Granulated Garlic
Parsley
Oregano
Basil

Directions:

The Art of the Snack always looks at various treats that one can enjoy with shared ingredients and we include a recipe so you can make it yourself! But every now and then, it's nice to have something that is already made.We love that Grainful focuses on savory meals using Steel Cut Oatmeal. For our Gluten Free friends, this is a must to have in your freezer!

Simply follow the directions on the back of the box to heat this conveniently (and easily) in your microwave.

MAPLE AND OAT BANANA ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

Via Lorie's Mississippi Kitchen

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup maple syrup
3 cups quick oats
1 1/2 cups finely chopped walnuts
5 medium very ripe bananas, peeled and cut into small chunks and completely frozen
5 teaspoons maple syrup

Directions:

Heat butter and 1/2 cup maple syrup in a small sauce pan, whisking until melted and smooth. Place the oats and walnuts in a large mixing bowl. Add the maple syrup mixture and mix to evenly coat.  

Line two 8 x 8 inch square pans with foil letting foil hang over sides, then lightly spray with cooking spray.  Divide the oat mixture between the two pans, pressing firmly and evenly into the bottom of the pan.  Freeze until very firm, about 3-4 hours in deep freeze.

Place the bananas in a food processor with 5 teaspoons maple syrup and process until smooth and creamy.

Immediately spread the banana ice cream evenly over one frozen oat layer.  Carefully lift the other frozen oat layer out of the pan by using the foil, then peel the foil off and place on top of the ice cream, pressing down slightly.  Freeze until firm.  Remove from pan using the foil to lift it out, then cut into bars quickly.

Tip: Peel very ripe bananas and freeze them on a baking sheet that has been lightly sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.  When they are frozen they go into a ziplock bag to store in the freezer for smoothies or ice cream.

AGUA DE AVENA

Via Vida Bienestar

Ingredients:

1 cup of oatmeal
1 green apple
1 tablespoon of flaxseed
2 cups water

Directions:

Cut the apple into cubes with the skin and seeds. Blend all ingredients.

See more from the Oct Issue.

ATHLEISURE LIST: PHYSIQUE 57; NYC, HAMPTONS, BEVERLY HILLS, DUBAI + BANGKOK

Physique 57 is a boutique fitness studio that offers group fitness classes with its signature barre method. The first studio opened on East 57th Street in Manhattan with a signature class of 57 minutes, so it seemed like a perfect name.
 
Jennifer Vaughan Maanavi and Tanya Becker are the co-founders of Physique 57.  Jennifer came from a background on Wall Street and Tanya has always been a dancer and fitness instructor.  Physique 57 was born when Jennifer’s favorite studio, The Lotte Berk Method, announced it was closing its doors. Jennifer recruited Tanya, a beloved and leading Lotte Berk instructor and the two joined forces in an effort to reinvent the fitness industry.

Currently, Physique 57 has 8 locations – 4 in New York City, 1 in the Hamptons, 1 in Beverly Hills, and 2 internationally (Bangkok and Dubai).  It plans to continue expanding to various cities internationally.  In the meantime, anyone can access anytime and anywhere via our VOD platform.

All of the NYC studios have separate locker rooms for men and women with showers, towels, shower caps, hair dryers, brushes and all the essential (and not so essential) toiletries one would need to get ready for the day (specifically shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, deodorant, dry shampoo, hairspray, cotton swabs, etc).

Most Physique 57 locations have retail; they sell both branded merchandise as well as fitness and athleisure brands such as MICHI, Alo, and Spiritual Gangster.

All of the workouts are based on the essential principles of Physique 57: using your own bodyweight as resistance to target all the muscles in your body to the point of fatigue then stretch them for relief. The effective process, called Interval Overload, includes muscle-defining arm exercises, intense thigh and seat sequences, waist-chiseling ab moves, and fluid stretches. Each class blends the most effective elements of cardio, strength training, and stretching to sculpt your body and burn fat. Plus, workouts target all areas of the body, from head to toe, and all the small and large muscle groups in between, to get every inch cinched in just 57 minutes. No two classes are ever alike so you’ll never reach that dreaded fitness plateau. Expert and inspiring instructors make sure your form is correct so you're sure to get in the most effective, safe and challenging workout.
 
Special holiday classes and workshops are offered around the holidays. Some of these include a “Sizzle and Soothe” workshop around Thanksgiving and a “Barre Crawl” around St. Patrick’s Day. Plus special Black Friday promotions in both our studio and on VOD are offered to give our clients some extra motivation to stay committed during the festivities.

See more from the Oct Issue.

ATHLEISURE LIST: EAST END; SOUTHAMPTON + NYC

East End Row is a boutique rowing studio founded in Southampton NY.  The Hamptons is a region of Long Island that is colloquially referred to as “The East End,”  known for it’s world class beaches a perfect spot to conceive a fitness class based on a water rower.
 
East End Row was founded by husband and wife team, Liza and Alan Benson. Liza has been a boutique fitness addict since the late 90s. Liza introduced her husband, Alan, to her obsession and they both found rowing to be the most effective total body workout that treated their joints kindly!

Alan and Liza are joined by master instructor Jess Lynn who designed the unique program that focuses on rowing choreographed to music in “waves.”

Southampton’s premier rowing studio, is opening its first NYC location on Manhattan’s Upper East Sidein mid-October. East End Row launched on to the Southampton fitness scene in May of 2016 and quickly became one of the “hottest workouts in the Hamptons” according to the NY Observer and the “It” workout according to Beaches Magazine.

The first Manhattan outpost will be docked on East 74th Street between Lexington and Third Avenues, just three blocks from the 6 train, making it a convenient fitness destination for more than just Upper East Side dwellers.

East End Row’s classes are conducted on The GX Water Rower, a high-end rowing machine outfitted with a water-filled flywheel.

The new studio will maintain the same high standards and amenities to which East End Row’s Southampton clientele has grown accustomed to including complimentary bottled water and fresh towels in a beautifully executed boutique studio setting. Their own high end apparel is also sold.

The East End Row method consists of an instructor led class on low-impact water rowers, incorporating weight-based strength training. This unique format choreographs traditional rowing pyramids to hit music – these “waves,” as they are known at East End Row, promise a heart pumping work-out.

See more from the Oct Issue.

WORK IT

Our fall style shoot took place at Aalto57 located on the UES. We had to find out what sets these units a part from others.

ATHLEISURE MAG: What is the meaning behind Aalto57? 

AALTO57: The boutique rental building’s name—Manhattan’s prestigious 57th Street—its elegant design. Inspired by Alvar Aalto’s iconic vase, the tower’s sculptural architecture reflects classic concepts of design both inside and out. The curved silhouette is made from Italian glass and gives the 65-story tower a sculptural silhouette from every vantage point, and of course its location

AM: Tell us about the model unit's interiors

A57: (The 2-bed, 2-bath C line model unit) The unit was decorated by Eduardo Rodriguez, the principal of DSGNR, LLC. A Venezuelan native, Eduardo is a former Fashion Designer turned Interior Designer who has designed for television shows and commercials. His modern design style is minimalist with clean lines, bringing in color through furniture, accessories, paint and fabrics to reflect the owner's lifestyle and individuality.

AM: Tell us about the open floor plans in your units? 

A57: The 169 studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom residences redefine luxury rentals with quality, condo-like finishes and high-end appliances. The spacious, open floorplans are complimented by 9-foot ceilings and curved-glass walls designed to flood the residences with natural sunlight. Residences on the ninth floor have private terraces, while a selection of additional units offer private balconies.

AM: Who are the creators/development team behind this property and when did it open? 

A57: World Wide Group and Rose Associates are the renowned New York real estate developers behind the Skidmore, Owings & Merrill  (SOM)-designed glass tower which opened its doors in August 2016.

AM: What amenities are offered? 

A57: Aalto57 sets itself apart from other rentals, and even many condos, due to the second-to-none elite services are offered at the building. It is one of the few rental buildings that will grant residents with exclusive access to the premier concierge and lifestyle management company Luxury Attaché. Residents will have their own onsite Attaché charged with providing them with customized and unprecedented experiences, such as move-in/out coordination, travel, event planning and gifting, and access to trusted child and pet care services. Additional building amenities include exclusive access to a landscaped terrace designed by Mathews Nielson Landscape Architects with a fire pit on the seventh floor, as well as a fitness center, resident’s lounge, business center and conference room, field house with a basketball court, kids playroom, Bosch washer dryers in every apartment, access to Spot 57 for pet care, bike room with a DIY tune-up station, onsite residential manager and a 24-hour doorman. 

AM: What is behind the design of the lobby? 

A57: An atmosphere of calm, comfort and style envelopes you from the moment you step into the SOM-designed lobby. One of the many stand-out elements in the lobby is a wall that is comprised of five glass panes with a banding of mirrors and frosted glass, which creates an abstract moment. The lobby also features a skylight that offers views straight up to the top of the building. 

AM: What are elements of note in the neighborhood that residents will enjoy from a culinary as well as a fitness perspective? 

A57: Aalto57 is located in Manhattan’s most elite Midtown neighborhood: Sutton Place. The area is a true dining mecca with opulent offerings such as Mr Chow, Betony and Le Cirque. The building is within walking distance to Central Park and the East River, popular fitness options such as Soul Cycle (located directly across the street) and Equinox, worldclass shopping destinations including Barneys New York and Bloomingdale's, and famous cultural institutions like MoMA and The Met. Residents can also enjoy the convenience of having a Whole Foods right next door!