WOMEN'S HEALTH AND SPORTS PERFORMANCE

We had the opportunity to talk with various team members from Women’s Health Sport and Performance (WHSP) Institute which was Co-Founded by Dr. Kate Ackerman which integrates research, education, and specialized clinical care under one roof to advance female athlete health. With over $50 million in funding, it focuses on closing the gap in sports science, offering evidence-based, personalized care for female athletes across all ages and levels.

We wanted to find out a bit more about her background, her connection to athletes, and what we can expect from the institute.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Before we delve into WHSP Institute, can you tell us about your athletic background as you rowed in college and still row currently as well?

DR. KATE ACKERMAN: Yes. While I was an active kid, I was much more into music and theater before I got to college and discovered rowing. Rowing has been an integral part of my life ever since. I rowed throughout college, competed on the national team after I graduated, made lifelong friends and met my husband through the sport. I’ve been one of the US Rowing team physicians for almost 20 years and continue to row and sometimes compete as a masters athlete. That lived experience informs how I care for athletes and understand the physical and psychological demands of high-performance sport. It also reinforces my commitment to improving athlete health and safety across all levels.

AM: As a doctor, you have such an impressive background. Can you tell us about that and what led to you becoming the Co-Founder and Director of WHSP Medical and WHSP Institute?

DR. KA: My academic background really just evolved from curiosity. I believe in lifelong learning and I’m fortunate to have found things I’m passionate about. My clinical and academic career has focused on sports medicine and endocrinology, with a particular focus on female athlete health, and advocacy for women’s health and participation in general. Over time, it became clear that there were significant gaps in how we understand and care for female athletes and active women, from research to clinical practice. When generous donors with aligned interests came along (Clara Wu Tsai and Jane and David Ott), founding WHSP Medical and the WHSP Institute was a natural extension of that work. Our goal is to bring together clinical care, research, education, and advocacy in a way that is truly interdisciplinary and evidence-driven, while centering the unique physiological needs of women.

AM: You chair a number of committees from US Rowing Medical Committee, Co-Chair of the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee Women’s Health Task Force, member of the World Rowing Medical Commission, member of the Women’s Tennis Association Women’s Health Taskforce, and are a Deputy Editor of the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Why do you like focusing on female athlete health?

DR. KA: For far too long, female athletes have been underrepresented in research and underserved in clinical care. That gap has real consequences from injury risk to long-term health outcomes. I focus on female athlete health because it is a health equity issue and a performance issue.

When we better understand female physiology (for example, hormones, biomechanics) and girls’ and women’s sporting environments (such as access to resources and how they’re treated), we can learn how biology and environment interact and work to optimize health and performance.

So much of our sports medicine and sports science has been based on men. I’m happy to continue to care for male athletes. But it’s incredibly rewarding to be part of advancing the field of female athlete health, which is finally gaining the attention it deserves.

AM: What are your day-to-day roles and responsibilities at WHSP?

DR. KA: That part is a bit daunting! My role spans clinical care, research leadership, education, and organizational strategy. Clinically, I care for athletes with basic sports medicine musculoskeletal injuries to those with complex conditions, such as REDs, hormonal dysfunction, bone health issues, and medical mysteries. I love teasing apart complex medical conundrums– a collection of signs and symptoms that seemingly don’t have a connection, but may all fit together with the right investigation. I also enjoy working with our team of providers (sports medicine, nutrition, psychology, rehabilitation) to ensure we’re delivering comprehensive, evidence-based care. It is deeply satisfying to be able to provide quality care all under one roof, putting the needs of the whole patient first. On the research side, I help set our research agenda and guide projects that advance our understanding of female physiology and performance– from sample collection to writing protocols, study manuscripts, and eventually clinical guidelines. In addition, a large part of my role involves building partnerships, mentoring trainees, and shaping the broader vision of the Clinic and Institute.

AM: What are some of the research projects that you are excited about or that have been released?

DR. KA: We’re particularly excited about work focused on energy availability, menstrual health, and bone stress injuries in athletes. We’re also advancing research on how hormonal fluctuations may impact performance and recovery, which is an area that has historically been overlooked. Another key area is improving screening and early identification of relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs) and related conditions, so we can intervene earlier and more effectively. As we continue to expand our team of WHSP-based researchers and our team of international collaborators, we’re growing our work in the postpartum and postmenopausal athletes space, as well. All of this is with the intention of translating scientific discoveries into practical tools that clinicians, coaches, and athletes can actually use.

AM: What are some topics that you are looking forward to finding more about?

DR. KA: There is still so much to learn. I’m especially interested in better understanding the interaction between hormones and performance, particularly across the lifespan from adolescence through menopause. There is a lot of noise in the media and online about what girls and women should do to train, what they should eat, what supplements they should take, what they should be tracking. So much of it is at best, anecdotal. At WHSP, we’re testing theories to advance the science, in addition to creating a space where people can come for honest answers about what is really known thus far. At this stage of my career, I’m fairly good at reviewing data, understanding the limitations of certain hormonal assays and sports science study protocols, and interpreting scientific literature. And I’m humble enough to know that I want to be surround by excellence in other fields to make sure we have lots of talent investigating an issue. I love working on interdisciplinary research teams, because we all know a bit about each others’ fields, but together we bring much more depth to a project, which always makes the work better and more reliable. I have a deep sense of responsibility for ensuring we enlist diverse expertise, so that we can to do quality work and share findings in an accurate way.

AM: As we navigate 2026, what can we expect to see in terms of WHSP, whether it’s studies that have been released, activations, etc.?

DR. KA: In 2026, you’ll see continued growth in both our research and clinical programs, as well as the expansion of the WHSP Academy within the WHSP Institute. We are launching new studies focused on female athlete health and performance, while also increasing our educational initiatives for clinicians and athletes. Additionally, we’re building strategic collaborations across sports organizations and research institutions to accelerate progress in this field. Our goal is to continue leading with data-driven, impactful work that improves outcomes for female athletes globally.

AM: Tell me about the Biennial International Female Athlete Conference and what takes place there.

DR. KA: The Biennial International Female Athlete Conference is a cornerstone of our educational mission. Before WHSP was even a figment of our imagination, I co-created the FAC in 2013 to bring athletes, coaches, parents, health providers, researchers, and other experts together every other year to connect and share the latest science and best practices for female athlete health and performance. It was the first of its kind, and like what we’d like WHSP to be, it has become a bit of a mothership for how to bring people together to connect, collaborate, and learn from each other about female athlete health and performance issues. What started as a 2-day conference with under 300 attendees has grown into an inperson and virtual, 4-day, international event that sells out during early-bird registration and draws about 1500 people representing over 40 countries. We’re currently deciding if it should keep its present size and location for consistency and opportunities for people to effectively meet and connect. Like everything I’m excited about, the conference is highly interdisciplinary and relationship-building is an important element there. The FAC covers topics such as REDs, hormonal health, mental health, injury prevention, and performance optimization. I hope the FAC and WHSP continue to inspire and foster advanced knowledge for female athletes and positive change for women.

IG @whsp_institute

@drkateackerman

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | WHSP Institute

Read the APR ISSUE #124 of Athleisure Mag and see WOMEN’S HEALTH AND SPORT’S PERFORMANCE.

SPRING STAYCATION AT MUSE NEW YORK

A Spring Staycation taken during the week is peak refresh vibes. We stayed at Muse New York where we previously shot an editorial photoshoot a few years ago for our MAR ISSUE #87. We looked forward to our suite, private balcony, and a spacious bathroom as a way to reset!

Since our last time being at this hotel, Little Opus has opened for a great restaurant option throughout the day as well as to enjoy cocktails, there are a number of events to enjoy at the hotel as well as amenities. It’s also located to enjoy and navigate a number of restaurants nearby. We chatted with Natalie Bogan, the property’s General Manager to find out what we need to know about the property as well as why travelers, staycationers, and even those who live and work in the neighborhood should swing by.

ATHLEISURE MAG: As we navigate the Spring and get ready for the Summer, The Muse Hotel is in the heart of the city! What is the vibe of this hotel whether you’re on a staycation, traveling for business, on vacation or swinging by for a meeting?

NATALIE BOGAN: The Muse is a boutique Midtown retreat. Intimate, design-forward, and quietly polished, it offers a more personal New York experience just steps from the energy of Times Square. Whether visiting for business, leisure, or a staycation, guests enjoy the feeling of being in the center of it all while tucked away in a refined city escape.

AM: Tell us about the common areas of the property that guests can enjoy.

NB: Our common spaces are designed to feel warm, inviting, and effortlessly stylish. The lobby flows into Little Opus, our all-day café, bar, and restaurant, where guests can enjoy morning coffee, casual meetings, cocktails, or unwind throughout the day. Debuting June 2026, we are also excited to introduce The Pocket, our intimate new jazz venue that will bring live music and vibrant energy to the hotel experience.

AM: You have a number of room options available for guests, can you tell us about them?

NB: Our guestrooms are designed as a calm retreat above the energy of Midtown, blending comfort, style, and thoughtful details. Each room features a working desk, mini fridge, smart TV, in-room safe, and make-up mirror, with still and sparkling water stations available on every other floor. Guests can choose from a range of accommodations, including Grand King rooms with a custom king bed and suites with pull-out sofas for added flexibility. We also offer eight spacious balcony rooms with private terraces ranging from 200 to 500 square feet, perfect for stepping outside, unwinding, and taking in sweeping city views.

AM: What amenities are offered for guests staying at the hotel?

NB: A curated collection of amenities ensures a seamless and memorable stay, including high-speed Wi-Fi, a 24-hour fitness center with Technogym equipment and Pelotons, in-room dining, and concierge service with curated local recommendations. Little Opus, our all-day café, bar, and restaurant, and The Pocket, our intimate on-site jazz venue debuting in June 2026, further enhance the experience, along with exclusive discounted partnerships across wellness, lifestyle, and city experiences.

AM: What can you tell us about Little Opus?

NB: Little Opus is the social heart of The Muse and a favorite hidden gem for both guests and locals. Our all-day café, bar, and restaurant transitions effortlessly from morning coffee and breakfast to lunch, evening cocktails, and dinner. Warm, stylish, and inviting, the space is elevated by signature artwork from Markus Sebastiano, adding to its creative New York energy. Guests can also enjoy live jazz music on the last Tuesday of every month, along with rotating weekly specials that bring something new to discover with each visit.

AM: For those coming for Breakfast, what are 3 dishes or items that we should have in mind when we are swinging by?

NB: Breakfast at Little Opus is the perfect way to ease into the day. Three favorites to have in mind are our Farmer’s Market Avocado Toast, the Savory Breakfast Bowl with seasonal vegetables and chili lime yogurt, and our seasonal Honey Oat Cinnamon Latte, which is a personal favorite and the perfect cozy start to the morning.

AM: When it’s time for Lunch, what are 3 items that we should think about enjoying with friends and family?

NB: Lunch at Little Opus is fresh, satisfying, and perfect for a Midtown break with friends, family, or colleagues. Three favorites we love are The Opus B.L.T. with thickcut applewood bacon, our Vegetarian Composition with grilled seasonal vegetables and house-made balsamic glaze, and one of our Seasonal Grain or Salad Bowls that are light, flavorful, and city-ready.

AM: As we shift into Dinner, what are 3 dishes we should be thinking about at this time of day?

NB: As the evening unfolds, Little Opus takes on a warm, inviting energy. Notable dishes include our Pan-Seared Salmon, cooked to perfection and beautifully balanced, K-Town Chicken Wings with bold flavor and just the right kick, and our wagyu sliders. Or, if you’re like me, just order truffle fries, a Caesar Salad, and a Diet Coke for the ultimate girl dinner.

AM: For those that are looking to swing by for Happy Hour or pre/post dinner drinks, what are 3 cocktails that we should consider when relaxing?

Our favorite seasonal cocktail is the Honeyed Eleanore crafted with honey sourced directly from our rooftop hive. Bright and refreshing, it highlights natural sweetness balanced with citrus for a distinctly local and memorable sip.

For timeless favorites, the Marquee Martini remains a crisp, refreshing guest staple. We’re also proud to continue our partnership with Woodinville Whiskey, an award-winning Washington State bourbon rooted in craftsmanship and estate-grown grains from a three-generation family farm. Showcasing that collaboration, our Good Morning, Tonight offers a playful, breakfast-inspired Old Fashioned that guests can customize to their taste.

AM: Tell us about the bees on the roof, your partnership with Alvéole, and the Bees Knees Cocktail.

NB: The 19th floor is home to our active beehive, maintained in partnership with Alvéole, a leader in urban beekeeping focused on sustainability, education, and pollinator health. These rooftop bees support local biodiversity, and their honey is harvested seasonally for use throughout our food and beverage program.

We also celebrate this ingredient through the Bee’s Knees, a classic Prohibition-era cocktail made with gin, fresh lemon juice, and honey. Simple and refined, it highlights the natural sweetness and versatility of honey in a bright, citrus-forward drink.

AM: For those bringing their dog to stay with them, what can you tell us about the Welcome Package for them?

NB: Our welcome package is designed to make four-legged family members feel right at home from the moment they arrive, featuring a plush bed, water bowl, and a special keepsake gift to remember The Muse long after their stay. Through our partnership with Procure Impact, we source select items from Turn2U Productions, supporting a mission that creates meaningful employment opportunities and promotes inclusive growth.

AM: We love getting into the gym, what can you tell us about the Fitness Center?

NB: Our 24-hour fitness center is designed for travelers who want to maintain their routine without compromise. Featuring brand new Technogym equipment and Peloton bikes, the space offers a sleek, elevated and highly efficient environment, ideal for everything from an energizing early morning workout before meetings to a restorative reset after a day in the city. Guests can also enjoy personalized Muse workouts available both in the fitness center and in-room, with the option to further enhance recovery and overall wellbeing through our Muse Wellness partnership with Technogym.

AM: Are there any special packages that we should have in mind when we are thinking about booking our upcoming stays that you would like to highlight?

NB: We love packages that help guests experience more of both the hotel and the city. One seasonal favorite is our Midnight Muse package, inspired by Times Square’s Midnight Moment, the world’s largest and longest-running digital public art program. Each night from 11:57 PM to midnight, contemporary artwork is displayed across 92 digital screens from 41st to 49th Streets, creating a true only-in-New-York experience just steps from our front door.

We also offer our Picnic Package in partnership with PikNYC, designed for effortless exploration of the city. It features a thoughtfully curated picnic selection perfect for enjoying in nearby parks or along the waterfront, making it easy to step outside and experience New York at your own pace.

AM: Are there any perks that we should be aware of that guests can enjoy when booking?

NB: Guests are in the center of it all, with direct access to Broadway, Bryant Park, Fifth Avenue, and Midtown’s most iconic attractions, while still returning to a hotel that feels intimate and tucked away. Through our neighborhood partnerships, guests receive exclusive discounts and preferred access with RiseNY, Comedy Village, GlamSquad, and Joanna Vargas Spa.

Our concierge team is always on hand to curate these experiences, creating a more personalized and connected New York stay.

AM: Tell us about Shiny and why you wanted to have this as an option for guests.

NB: Shiny is our digital tipping platform, created to make guest recognition easier in an increasingly cashless world. It gives guests a simple, seamless way to thank the team members who helped make their stay special, even without carrying cash. For us, it was important to offer a modern option that supports our associates while keeping the guest experience thoughtful and intuitive.

AM: What can you tell us about the neighborhood and what we should know about it?

NB: Our neighborhood captures the essence of New York. Located in the heart of Times Square, guests are steps from Broadway theaters, world-class shopping, and the city’s most iconic energy. We are also just off Sixth Avenue, making the hotel especially convenient for corporate travelers with offices along the corridor. It offers the perfect balance, allowing guests to be in the center of it all while returning to a space that feels calm, intimate, and removed from the pace outside.

AM: Are there any special events coming up that we should know about whether we are staying on property, or we happen to be in the neighborhood?

NB: We are eagerly anticipating one of the most exciting additions to The Muse this summer: the arrival of The Pocket. Launching in June, it is the newest project from Grant Gardner and Martin Porter, Michelin-starred hospitality veterans behind Jazz Standard, Crane Club, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and Blue Note.

Designed to evoke the intimacy of New York’s legendary 52nd Street jazz rooms of the 1940s and 1950s, The Pocket places music at the center, with exceptional acoustics and some of the finest sightlines in the city, creating a truly immersive experience. The opening roster features world-class talent including Wynton Marsalis, The Mingus Big Band, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Donny McCaslin, and Lakecia Benjamin, setting a sophisticated tone from the very first performance. True to the founders’ hospitality background, the venue will also offer an elevated food and beverage program, inviting guests to begin the evening with dinner and cocktails before settling in for a refined and unforgettable night of live music.

IG @musehotelnyc

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Muse New York

Read the APR ISSUE #124 of Athleisure Mag and see SPRING STAYCATION AT MUSE NEW YORK in mag.

NRTHRN STRONG WITH NICOLINE ROTH

Last Summer, we first learned about NRTHRN Strong a cross-country skiing inspired method when they were doing a pop-up throughout the Summer in the Hamptons. We also learned that they were having a permanent studio in Flatiron and attended their preview last Fall to check out the studio. We went back a few weeks later during the Food Network NYC Wine & Food Festival, and we took an early morning class and it was great to see how this low impact workout is a total body workout!

Flash forward to this month when we held our Athleisure Mag Summit® Series event on Apr 6th where we had readers and members of our community, to try out a class! We took some time to chat with Founder, Nicoline Roth to hear about the method, why she created it, and her studios here in NY and in Copenhagen!

ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us your background and how you came to the fitness industry?

NICOLINE ROTH: So my background is originally not within the fitness industry. My background is in business, but I grew up as an athlete. I played golf at a relatively high level and I played handball as well on a high level. So I’ve always been into sports. I’ve always been into doing things outdoors. I’ve just in general always been very active. My whole family has always been very active. All of our vacations, we’ve never done like a sunbathing vacation. It’s always been like hiking or biking or skiing.

So I just always loved movement. So, being active and also just you know always being interested in various concepts. When I came to New York 10 years ago to go to Columbia University, that was my first introduction to boutique fitness and I was so mesmerized especially by SoulCycle. It was about the design, the lights, the instructors, and the sound. I like when you walk into a space, just like a restaurant, and you feel that there’s a purpose to everything in the space. And they’ve been very intentional about that design.

So that’s kind of like the way I’ve gotten into fitness. During COVID, I was living in Copenhagen. My brother had this machine that was developed for cross-country skiers that we today know as the Northern Trainer. He was training on it at home for a 90 kilometer cross-country ski race called Vassaloppet in Sweden. I started training on it myself and I just instantly felt that it was the best training I’d done for my life. I’d never try to work out where I simultaneously uses, so many muscles. I never tried an endurance training that really pushed me without making me feel like crap!

You could do it, but you didn’t feel like it was like running you know a marathon. You could do it and you got a really good endurance, but it didn’t kill you. You could work on your balance. I loved all these slow movements I started doing that was giving me the sculpting effects of it. It was just so fun. So I got in touch with a Pilates instructor and we started trying to do some programming around the machine. The machine had existed for 15 years before we took it over and then kind of like an idea started to grow in me. What if I owned this machine and I changed the design of it and then I created a workout around the machine that went beyond just like a workout for triathletes or cross-country skiers and that was the start of it. So it’s kind of like my background in business, seeing what was happening in the U.S. taken together with what I already knew of fitness that led me to NRTHRN Strong.

AM: We thought you were a track girlie. But hearing your story, we see that too!

NR: Yeah, no, I was a handball girl.

AM: Wow.

NR: Which is not a big sport here, but it’s a huge sport in Europe. I actually miss playing.

AM: What led to the creation of NRTHRN Strong?

NR: Well that was my former experience and then finding the machine. Then during COVID, I started thinking about what if we created a concept that would be rooted in Nordic values. It should be rooted in my relationship with nature. Of course, it should be centered around this incredible machine.

So my family and I, we acquired the global patent for the machine and we bought the company that manufactures it. And then I spent a year learning manufacturing, redesigning the machine, creating the interactive tablet that there is on the machine. And then we knew the goal with the concept was to take it to the US. But since I had no experience of running a studio, we wanted to do a proof of concept in Copenhagen first, which we opened in 2022. And then shortly thereafter, we started looking for a location here in New York City. It was really about bringing kind of the Nordic feel to the US, but of course still... do it in a way that speaks to the American people. So our Copenhagen studio is very international the way that the instructors teach is also in a very American way. So we try to do that first there and people love it!

AM: It’s great hearing how all of this came together.

How do the Nordic principles of balance, connection, and resilience come together in NRTHRN Strong?

NR: I think in the Nordics, people have a very deep relationship to being in nature and being active in nature. It’s just a part of like how we grew up. You meet together with people and you create communities not to train your bodies, but to be outside and all the joys that come with that. I think we try to kind of bring that into the studio. Resilience shows itself through the machine and the training. As you know, it’s developed for cross-country skiers which is one of the most complete and hard workouts that you can do. It trains the full body, but besides cross-country skiing it’s transferable to so many other sports. You have strength aspects, you have coordination, and you have endurance. You can transfer that to biking, to swimming, to running. In that way, we kind of bring the resilience together. Balance is also at the core of Nordic culture. We bring that through in our workouts by saying you don’t have to go all out every single day. That’s also why we have different formats. So you have the Sculpt format that’s more like resetting, slow, working on mobility, working on your balance, working on your course ability, but it’s not like you walk out of the class and you’re dead! You feel really good after that class.

AM: High endorphins when we left!

NR: Exactly! In terms of connection, we’ve tried to be very intentional through our studio, how we build our community, and how we speak to our members. I personally try to be very present in the studio here and to get to know people, like truly who they are, get to know their names, where they come from.

And then it’s obviously also through a lot of the design choices that we’ve done. I find the Northern Lights to be one of the most beautiful natural phenomenon that you can find. We’ve tried to capture that in the studio room where the lights are changing in the purple, the blues, the greens kind of hues that come from the Northern Lights. And the rest of the space we’ve tried to make it very, very simple, minimalistic - yet warm. So it doesn’t have a lot of things in there you know you come in, you’ve got exactly what you need, but the coloring and the materials is done with that Scandanavian minimalism in mind, but it doesn’t seem cold.

AM: Exactly.

NR: It’s a warm gray, but it’s also like a mountain color. So again, we’re thinking about how it is in nature and bringing that into the studio.

AM: Well, you’ve talked about the machine. It feels like the first time that we were on the machine, we used it in a number of different ways because we were even standing behind it and doing the pulls from there, and then this time we’re doing a lot of cross.

Can you tell us more about the machine and the poles? It’s interesting because it seems to be 3-4 different poles that can be used.

NR: Yeah, so the machine has more than 15 different exercises. The foundational move on the machine is called Double Pulling. That’s a classic cross-country skiing technique. And the machine mimics this with a near perfect correlation. So that would be, like, you on the slopes. Same goes for Diagonal Pulling. It’s also very similar to Diagonal Pulling on the slope. The rest – when we’re working, we push with the poles, we pull with the poles, we do sides with the lateral and we do rotational moves. So the machine kind of works in the way that you would move your body on a normal basis.

So it’s in a multi-planar motion. So it’s a full range of motion around. All of the exercises that you do at the front of the machine, you can do it at the back of the machine in the opposite direction. If you’re working your triceps at the front, you turn around, you’ll be working your biceps.

Same goes with your Double Pulling. So you’re using your core. If you do that at the back, you’ll be working your entire back. If you did a workout where you did 10 tricep extensions at the front, followed by bicep curls, right? You’ll have a very balanced workout. So that way it’s super good for your body.

AM: For those who’ve yet to try it, what are the class offerings that you have?

NR: We have three.

We have Strong, which is our signature format. That’s strength infused with cardio. You’re 60% on the machine, 40% floor. So you alternate. It is heavy on resistance. There are small cardio intervals throughout the workout and on the floor, you do use heavy dumbbells so this is a high intensity vibe. It’s still low impact.

Then we have our Sculpt format, which is Pilates inspired, but it integrates a lot of mobility work and balance work as well. You do a lot of exercises standing on one foot so you’re working all the smaller muscles on our knee for example. This is all about mind to body connection. You always start the workout with a small breathing exercise. And then you end the workout with a small breathing exercise. So it’s kind of like a full circle moment where you’re really trying to center yourself.

Then we have our Cardio format, which is endurance training. So this is 70% on the machine. A lot of interval training, a lot of Double Pulling. This is all focused about training your VO2 Max. Your VO2 Max is how well your body uses oxygen during exercise. It’s one of the most important longevity markers for your body. There’s so much focus on strength training but that must not be overlooked. It’s so important to train your VO2 Max and that’s what we do in the cardio format.

So they’re very different the three formats. What’s similar in them is that it’s all low impact. There are no high impact moves in our workouts at all.

AM: It’s great that there aren’t large jumping movements.

NR: No, exactly.

AM: A number of our readers are athletes, semi pro’s etc. and they have acquired injuries in their knees, lower back, and wrists. And the fact that you can do the workout and when you leave, you may have I have certain parts of your body that you know definitely got a workout, but it doesn’t feel crazy. Because there’s certain workouts where you leave and you know you will have to strategize how to lift a glass of wine and to get your legs up on your couch!

NR: Oh yeah!

We actually get a lot of people that have running injuries and then they thought they could never really push themselves endurance-wise again. And then they realize you can here without feeling that impact.

AM: We were speaking earlier about lighting and even the music. Can you talk about, what your focus was in that area?

NR: When I work out, I want to be in a zone. I want to get outside noise and everything from your daily life, I want it out of my head and I want to be there in that moment.

AM: Right.

NR: When you’re in a dark room that’s immersive, it has this effect on you where you just get into your zone.

AM: Absolutely!

NR: I find that if I am in a very light room training, it takes nothing for me to get distracted. You’re looking around and so on. When you’re in that dark, immersive room, you really get into your zone. The movement on the machine is so fluid. You have that flow when you’re going.

So it’s so easy to get into your zone, especially when you have the lights around. I am personally very inspired by the Northern Lights and so that’s why we chose those lights. The lights are a little different from every class. So when I chose the colors from the Northern Lights, I tried to match them up with where you are heart rate-wise. So you have a higher heart rate in our stronger cardio classes. So if you look at the heart rate zone colors, they’ll start in the green and the blue, and then they go up, and you have the orange, your pink-orange, and then you go up to the red, right?

AM: Wow.

NR: So we kind of match the lights in every class with the heart rate zone. In our Copenhagen studio, we actually have a full-on red for our cardio class. We don’t do it this year because the red is not in the Northern Lights and it needs to match. But we have one that’s very close to it here. We still have the interactive tablet so you can follow your stats, but I don’t want it to become a driving force for the entire room. You would need to be able to choose to look at it, but you can also just like be in your zone, right?

AM: So you have themed classes. What are the theme classes that are coming up for the Spring and Summer? You’re currently in a challenges going on right now for April.

NR: So right now we have a two minute Double Pulling challenger in every Strong class. We are planning a very fun event coming up. It’s going to be a marathon challenge. So it’s going to be outdoors in New York City and it’s going to be like a 4 hour event. You do 42 kilometers Double Pulling on the machine. We’ve done it 4 times in Copenhagen and it is the most fun workout. So we gather around 20 machines. You sign up with the crew as a team of 1 up to 5. So, most people can’t do a full marathon on the machine. I would go in a team, right? And I do the workout for us in the office. So you can sign up in a team and do it. But it’s such a fun event. So that’s a big thing that we’re planning. We will have challenges coming next month as well in every class.

And then we sprinkle in fun. In March, we had a lot of themes in terms of music in the classes, we’ll bring that back again that was very popular. The Taylor Swift were obviously sold out. So maybe we bring Taylor Swift back again.

AM: Last Summer, you launched in the US with your Hamptons pop-ups. Are you going back to the Hamptons this Summer?

NR: We will go back to the Hamptons, but not in the same way. We’ll focus on unique events throughout the Summer. So we have some fun partnerships coming up. We’re not ready to announce it just yet, but we’ll be at various beach clubs, hotels, outdoor events close by water.

AM: Our readers and community travel. For those who are going to Copenhagen, can you tell us more about the Copenhagen studio?

NR: So we have people, when they start here and go there, they’re like, why don’t we live there? So the Copenhagen location is quite big. It’s on the water so we have a sauna club. We do guided sauna sessions as well. It’s on the canal so you cold plunge and then you go back to the sauna. So you go back and forth, but it’s compared to going to a sauna here in New York, you can’t even compare the experience because you’re jumping in with a morning view or an evening sunset. It’s a totally different thing so we have that. Then we have this concept here - the Strong concept, we have a recovery room, we have an open gym space as well, we have a café, and then we have a studio that we call Revival that’s more focused on breath work, meditation, and mat work. So it’s quite a big place. But it’s incredible. On a Saturday or a Sunday there, you’ll see people that are there for, I’m not even lying, like 3 hours.

AM: We can imagine that.

NR: They go from concept to concept, and then they hang out in sauna. They buy coffee in the café and they hang out with friends. It’s like a wellness oasis.

AM: Are you thinking about additional locations for NRTHRN Strong?

NR: We are looking around the city. We haven’t found a location yet, but it is something that we’re considering.

AM: When you’re not in the studio, how do you take time for yourself?

NR: I like to go golfing on weekends. I go to Chelsea Piers, they have a driving range there. I like to spend time with my friends here in the city. I like to be outdoors. You know, it’s New York, I walk everywhere. In Copenhagen, I drive everywhere. Here, I walk everywhere. I never get uninspired by walking around the city. I think that’s what I do more, mainly. And then on some weekends, if I can, I love going out to the Hamptons and just relax. If I go there, I make sure to do a lot of ocean swimming. It’s what I miss the most about Copenhagen. So I do that when I’m in the Hamptons.

IG @nrthrnstrong

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | NRTHRN Strong

Read the APR ISSUE #124 of Athleisure Mag and see NRTHRN STRONG with Nicoline Roth in mag.

ATHLEISURE LIST | NEW YORK PILATES

New York Pilates opened in 2013, at a time when Pilates was basically locked behind private sessions. With locations in various neighborhoods in NYC as well as in a number locations in the Hamptons, it is a destination that many people talk about when they are hitting the studio!

Former ballerina and Celebrity Pilates Instructor Heather Andersen created a class-based format that made it easier to book, easier to show up, and easier to stick with, while still staying completely true to the method. It made Pilates feel more athletic, more part of your lifestyle, without losing what makes it work.

Her husband Brion Isaacs comes from the nightlife scene and designed the studios to be spaces people want to be! They are open, airy, clean, and honest, each one reflecting the raw, individual nature of their history and neighborhood. Always timeless and never trendy - like New York. Each location has its own personality. You might find yourself in Bob Dylan’s old rehearsal studio at their West Village location or in a loftlike apartment setting at their Bowery location. Montauk is so beachy and relaxed with it’s water views, while Bridgehampton is elevated and chic. What ties them all together is their signature pink lighting.

When attending a session, NYP uses traditional Pilates reformers. They give you range, control, and so much room to actually move with intention. It’s giving you resistance and support at the same time, so you can make something feel insanely hard without ever losing precision. And that precision is where the results actually come from.

For those taking their first class, start with your breath. That’s the foundation of Pilates and what keeps you connected to everything you’re doing. Stay with the baseline version of each exercise. Don’t rush to level up. It’s not about doing the hardest option, it’s about doing it right. Understanding the movement and dialing in your alignment is what actually changes your body.

And don’t worry about being perfect. No one is. The goal is to feel the work, not just get through it. It clicks over time, and when it does, it’s kind of addictive.

We offer one signature total body class, Abs Arms Ass, and it’s very intentional. Pilates was always meant to be a full-body system, not split up like a gym workout. It’s one body, one flow.

They have some big Hamptons events planned that feel more like full experiences than just classes. They’re fun, social, and a little elevated.

In the city, they keep things smaller, more spontaneous pop-ups, little moments, things you have to be in the mix to know about.

NEW YORK PILATES

17 W 17 th St Ground Floor

NY, NY 10011

Check the website for additional locations in NYC and the Hamptons.

newyorkpilates.com

IG @newyorkpilates

PHOTO CREDITS | New York Pilates

Read the MAR ISSUE #123 of Athleisure Mag and see ATHLEISURE LIST | New York Pilates in mag.

9LIST ROUTIN3S | DINO MALVONE

Read the MAR ISSUE #123 of Athleisure Mag and see 9LIST ROUTIN3S | Dino Malvone in mag.

THE PICK ME UP

Read the MAR ISSUE #123 of Athleisure Mag and see THE PICK ME UP in mag.

ATHLEISURE MAG SUMMIT® SERIES X NRTHRN STRONG

Join us for our Athleisure Mag Summit Series for a fitness class at NRTHRN Strong in NYC’s Flatiron! In addition to taking this low-impact, full-body, Nordic-inspired workouts that center on the Nordic Trainer machine and mimics cross-country skiing, and cardio with strength training class, you’ll receive a goodie bag that will be perfect for your upcoming Spring workouts.

Join us on 04.06.26 at 5:30pm (make sure to show up 15 minutes early to check in).

Thank you to our goodie bag sponsors Goody, Gruns, AG1, ESW Beauty, Iris Nutrition, and Elemis.

​FOLLOW US ON IG | @athleisuemag @nrthrnstrong

JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER | Athleisure Mag Summit

​​ABOUT ATHLEISURE MEDIA LLC

​​A leading voice in Athleisure Culture, Athleisure Mag features celebrity, athlete and artist covers, high editorial, and active lifestyle stories. Athleisure Mag receives 30M+ Imp/mo, and is carried on airlines, luxury hotels/resorts, cruises and lifestyle distribution partners. Catch our Athleisure Studio podcast shows featuring Top Chef judge/restaurateurs, athletes, artists, trainers, actors and entrepreneurs at your favorite podcast platform.

​​ABOUT NRTHRN STRONG

NRTHRN Strong is a boutique fitness concept born in Denmark — rooted in Nordic values, inspired by nature, and built on the foundation of cross-country skiing, one of the world’s healthiest sports. Grounded in functional training and fueled by community, NRTHRN brings the strength, resilience, and spirit of the North into every workout.

ATHLEISURE MAG SUMMIT® SERIES X SALTDROP

Join us on 03.23.26 at 7:30am for our Athleisure Mag Summit Series for a fitness class at SaltDrop in NYC’s East Village! You’ll get to kick off the morning by taking SaltDrop’s Heated Sculpt 45 in their 90 degree studio focusing on targeted sculpting. In addition, you’ll receive a goodie bag from the Athleisure Mag team that will be perfect for your upcoming Spring studio to street.

Thanks to our goodie bag sponsors Sticky Be Socks and Aeston West!

RSVP here as there are limited slots that are available for this event.

FOLLOW US ON IG | @athleisuemag @thesaltdrop

​​ABOUT ATHLEISURE MEDIA LLC

​​A leading voice in Athleisure Culture, Athleisure Mag features celebrity, athlete and artist covers, high editorial, and active lifestyle stories. Athleisure Mag receives 30M+ Imp/mo, and is carried on airlines, luxury hotels/resorts, cruises and lifestyle distribution partners. Catch our Athleisure Studio podcast shows featuring Top Chef judge/restaurateurs, athletes, artists, trainers, actors and entrepreneurs at your favorite podcast platform.

ABOUT SALTDROP

Ther beat-driven, mat-based classes push and inspire every fitness level, helping you build functional strength, endurance, and a real understanding of your body’s capabilities. Classes are inclusive, welcoming, and non-judgmental, creating a safe space for everyone to move, sweat, and explore their own stories. At SaltDrop, they’re deeply grateful for the opportunity to move, which is why they prioritize genuine self-expression and personal reflection over empty platitudes.

The SaltDrop Heated Sculpt 45 class is held in the warmth at 90 degrees for SaltDrop Heated Sculpt, a 45-minute experience focused on targeted sculpting through our signature choreography. This class builds heat and strength progressively, guiding you through intentional, muscle-activating sequences that leave you feeling powerful and energized—perfect for those wanting a steady, focused burn.

9LIST STORI3S | BEA KIM

Read the FEB ISSUE #122 of Athleisure Mag and see 9LIST STORI3S | Bea Kim in mag.

THE PICK ME UP

Read the FEB ISSUE #122 of Athleisure Mag and see THE PICK ME UP in mag.

THE 9LIST

Read the JAN ISSUE #121 of Athleisure Mag and see THE 9LIST in mag.

THE PICK ME UP

Read the JAN ISSUE #121 of Athleisure Mag and see The Pick Me Up in mag.

NAVIGATING CHANGES | HERS X PVOLVE

We all know that working out is essential whether, you are maintaining various goals, ensuring that you have movement, or a means to hang out with others while doing an activty together. As we navigate our life cycles, we know it’s essental to continue to work out. For those that are hiting menopause, it’s essential to continue your efforts as well as to figure out how to optimize this in this stage of life. Earlier this month, we went to Pvolve’s studio to take a class that focused on this while learning about how Hers plays into this as well.

We sat down with Dr. Jessica Shepherd, Board-Certified OB/GYN, Chief Medical Officer at Hers, and Pvolve Advisory Board Member for Women’s Health & Longevity. We talked about Hers and how they are focused on menopause initiatives.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us about your background and how you became the Chief Medical Officer at Hers.

DR. JESSICA SHEPHERD: Joining Hers as their first Chief Medical Officer is helping me reach more women on their healthcare journeys in a way I never could before. Hers shares my vision: to break down barriers and make personalized, effective healthcare accessible to every woman, wherever she is on her journey. We’re not just offering solutions; we’re building a community and platform that equips women with the knowledge, resources, and confidence to take charge of their well-being. This isn’t just about health; it’s about empowering women to show up fully in their lives, confident and strong. Whether it was building my own practice in Dallas, or writing my first book, Generation M, to guide women through menopause, my driving force has always been empowering women to live their healthiest, most vibrant lives.

AM: For those that are not familiar with Hers, what is this brand and what are the kinds of products that we can get from them?

DR. JS: Hers is a 100% online, one-stop platform for women’s health and personal care that connects patients to licensed healthcare professionals for support for weight loss, hair regrowth, mental health, and skincare.

Through Hers’ simple online process you can connect with licensed medical providers who can recommend customized treatment plans including prescription treatments, if appropriate, shipped right to your door.

Some products include treatment for perimenopause and menopause, GLP-1s for weight management, treatment for anxiety and depression, treatment for hair loss, and much, much more.

AM: Why is Hers expanding into menopause care and what products are available in this category?

DR. JS: For too long, women have been forced to navigate an outdated healthcare system that’s often impersonal, inconvenient, and dismissive – a system fundamentally built for men, by men. This is precisely why women need access to healthcare that offers holistic, empowering healthcare treatment plans and support that are discreet, accessible, and tailored to their unique needs and dynamic lives.

Menopause impacts every woman. When estrogen levels drop too low, imbalances lead to a mix of symptoms — like mood changes, sleep problems, and dry skin and hair. But only a third of OBs are trained in menopause care. This can leave women feeling dismissed and left to find solutions on their own. In October, Hers introduced access to a new line of treatment plans built specifically for women experiencing perimenopause and menopause. Based on health history and personal preferences, patients can work with a provider to get a combination of treatments tailored to their needs. If eligible, tailored kits could include estradiol, a hormone naturally made in the body, in a patch or pill to help alleviate symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. Tailored kits may also be combined with progesterone to help protect the uterine lining and improve sleep quality, and estradiol vaginal cream to alleviate discomfort as-needed.

AM: What can you tell us about menopause and its 3 stages, and at what age does this tend to happen?

DR. JS: Menopause is a hormonal transition that happens in three distinct stages, typically between ages 40 and 55, and each woman experiences it differently.

The first stage, perimenopause, can begin in the early 40s, or even late 30s. During this time, estrogen levels fluctuate unpredictably, leading to irregular periods, mood changes, sleep disturbances, and subtle shifts in metabolism and body composition.

Menopause is medically defined as the point when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual cycle. During menopause, hormone levels, particularly estrogen and progesterone, are at their lowest, and symptoms tend to peak.

Post-menopause is everything after that 12-month mark. While symptoms may continue, they do often stabilize at this point. During this stage, long-term health truly becomes the focus: protecting bone density, preserving muscle, maintaining heart health, and supporting metabolic and cognitive function.

Understanding these stages allows women to anticipate changes instead of being surprised by them. It’s also why having trusted guidance, whether medical, nutritional, or movement-based, is so important.

AM: What symptoms are associated with menopause so that we can be aware of coming into that phase of life?

DR JS: Symptoms vary widely from person to person, but there are definitely some that are more common:

• Irregular periods

• Hot flashes and night sweats

• Sleep disruptions

• Brain fog or difficulty concentrating

• Mood swings, irritability, or increased anxiety

• Weight changes, especially around the abdomen

• Loss of muscle mass

• Vaginal dryness or discomfort

• Decreased libido

• Joint aches or stiffness

• Changes in skin elasticity, energy, and stamina

While these symptoms are common, I always emphasize that women are not meant to simply “push through” them. With modern science and technology, we have far better solutions than past generations ever did.

For example, at Hers, we offer personalized menopause treatment plans that help women manage symptoms with modern, individualized care. From a physical perspective, Pvolve’s functional movement programs help address muscle loss, stability challenges, and energy fluctuations that often accompany this life stage.

AM: What is the link between nutrition and movement when you are entering these stages?

DR JS: Movement and nutrition form the foundation of how well women navigate menopause. As estrogen declines, we naturally lose muscle mass and bone density, which slows metabolism and impacts energy, strength, and even cognition.

From a nutritional standpoint, women should focus on:

• Protein at each meal to maintain muscle and stabilize blood sugar

• Fiber to support digestion and metabolic health

• Healthy fats, especially omega-3s, to support hormonal balance and reduce inflammation

• Hydration and minimizing ultra-processed foods to keep energy and mood more stable

  From a movement standpoint, women benefit most from a combination of:

• Strength training to rebuild muscle and support metabolism

• Mobility and stability work to protect joints and maintain balance

• Short, strategic cardio bursts like SIT training for heart and bone health

• Intentional recovery to regulate stress hormones and improve sleep

This exact combination is what inspired the Menopause Strong program at Pvolve. It’s a six-week progressive movement plan that blends all four pillars – strength, mobility, stability, and recovery – to help women feel strong, energized, and in control.

AM: What are the challenges that women face when they are entering menopause?

DR JS: Women typically face challenges on three fronts: physical, emotional, and informational.

Physically, declining estrogen leads to changes such as muscle loss, slower metabolism, weight redistribution, sleep disruptions, joint stiffness, and lower energy or stamina.

Emotionally, women may experience mood fluctuations, increased anxiety, irritability, brain fog, and a general sense of “not feeling like myself.”

I always emphasize that these experiences are very real and a result of hormonal and biological shifts. On that note, perhaps the biggest challenge is the knowledge gap.

We’re still battling decades of silence and stigma around menopause. Many women feel dismissed or unprepared because fewer than one-third of OB/GYNs receive dedicated training in menopause care.

That’s why work like ours is so critical. Hers provides accessible, personalized medical support, while Pvolve delivers movement programs like Menopause Strong that help rebuild strength, improve mobility, and support hormonal and emotional well-being. When women have access to both quality health care and science-driven movement, they’re equipped not just to manage this transition – but to thrive in it.

Now that we understand more about menopause, its phases, and why Hers partnered with Pvolve and Dr. Shepherd’s role in the Menopause Strong program, we wanted to find out more about Pvolve’s role and why this specific workout is great to incorporate in your routine. The fitness brands’ Chief Training Officer Antonietta Vicario talks with us about this and more.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us about Pvolve and your role as the Chief Training Officer of this fitness method.

ANTONIETTA VICARIO: Pvolve is a clinically backed functional fitness method that uses resistance based equipment to build strength, mobility and stability, helping people both look and feel better now and long-term. Our Method is truly in a league of its own, helping our mostly female client base embody strength in every capacity. We build muscle, the powerhouse for our metabolism, energy, and power. Our mobility work opens up the joints of the body by taking them through their full ranges of motion to help us prevent injury and feel good! Last, the stability work fires up the deep core and helps to create better balance, giving people greater control over their bodies.

As Chief Training Officer, I oversee all things Method, from our on-demand platform to our growing in-studio footprint with studios throughout the U.S and Canada. I ensure that everything that relates to our trainer team and this method delivers on our brand promise- to help people feel the transformative power of our method and community. This means I create class content, learning and development plans for our trainers, grow our class offerings, lead instructor training, and ensure every experience is truly second to none. I also ensure our content reflects what science shows to improve longevity, joint health, and functional strength, as proven in our Healthy Aging Clinical Study. The study found benefits, like building lean muscle without weight gain, a 19% increase in lower body strength, 10% improvement in balance and mobility, a 21% increase in flexibility,and 23% overall enjoyment of exercise and improved quality of life!

I work closely with an amazing team of core trainers and our medical advisory board, including OB/GYN Dr. Jessica Shepherd, to ensure our programs are grounded in evidence and meet the needs of women at every life stage.

AM: Tell us about the classes that are offered at Pvolve.

AV: Our three core class offerings at Pvolve are Strength & Sculpt, Progressive Weight Training, and Sculpt & Burn. In Strength & Sculpt, we build the foundation on our movement pillars – mobility, stability, and strength – the tenets of a body that moves and feels better at every age. This is a sculpting class that moves the body in 3D- through diversified movements in all planes of motion that feel energizing, opening and intense all at once.

Our Progressive Weight Training class adds heavier dumbbells to these functional movements to help build muscle. As we age, we lose 3-8% muscle mass each decade starting in our late 30’s and so preserving and building muscle is vital to increase not only our lifespan but our healthspan. Muscle is key for optimising our metabolism, it helps us maintain bone density, fuels mitochondria to keep us energized, supports our joints, helps regulate blood glucose, and truly is our tissue of longevity.

Last, Sculpt & Burn layers cardiovascular bursts throughout to build bone density and protect our most important muscle - our heart! It is also proven that regular cardiovascular exercise improves our brain health and can reduce the risk of cognitive decline in later years!

We offer both in-studio classes and a robust Digital Streaming Experience platform, giving members access to thousands of workouts they can do anytime, anywhere.

In our studios, classes typically run 50 minutes and there is nothing like the accountability of moving in person with a trainer and the community! The music will be cranking, the vibes will be high, and the form adjustments will help make the movements even more effective.

Online, the experience becomes fully customizable. Our streaming platform includes workouts ranging from 5 to 60 minutes, so members can choose the exact intensity and duration they’re looking for on any given day. It’s the ultimate “choose your adventure” model with everything from a quick energizing burn to a full-body strength session or a calming recovery class.

Every workout is designed to meet members exactly where they are, whether they’re total beginners, returning to movement after time away, or seasoned fitness lovers who want a smarter way to build muscle. The goal is simple: movement that fits your life, strengthens your body, and supports you at every stage.

AM: Prior to attending the event, we knew that Jennifer Aniston has been a fan of this particular fitness method, and we have various accessories from the brand to do a workout, but have never done it with the mat. Can you tell us about the mat as it’s interesting how it is incorporated into the workout.

AV: The Precision Mat is one of my favorite teaching tools because it helps members understand proper alignment and foot placement, essential for good form. The numbers and lines act as visual cues, making it easier to hit consistent positions with exact foot placement. Because we integrate some very unusual hip rotations throughout the class to unlock mobility, proper placement referencing the mat is especially helpful!

I always say it’s not what you are doing but HOW you are doing it that really makes a difference. You can track progress and challenge yourself to get deeper as you progress, using the mat as an accountability tool. I love the Precision Mat for streaming workouts at home or for anyone new to functional fitness, because it removes the guesswork and helps you nail form.

AM: Tell us about the Pvolve’s Menopause Strong Plan as it was a great workout to do that we definitely felt the next day.

AV: The Menopause Strong Plan is a six-week, science-backed program we created specifically for women navigating perimenopause through post-menopause. The calendar consists of 24 workouts with 6 optional recovery videos to help mitigate some of the physical symptoms of menopause. We also include educational bonus content with Pvolve’s Head of Medical Affairs, Dr. Jessica Shepherd, a leading expert in women’s health and longevity.

The plan is built around four pillars:

• Strength Training – To build lean muscle, boost metabolism, fuel energy, manage blood sugars and support joint health

• SIT (Sprint Interval Training) – Short, powerful bursts of plyometrics to increase bone density, and for heart and brain health

• Mobility & Stability – To maintain balance, protect joints, prevent debilitating falls and improve overall movement

• Recovery & Pelvic Floor Health – To regulate stress, support hormone balance, and restore energy

It’s progressive, empowering, and designed to help women feel strong, capable, and more connected to their bodies. The goal is to arm women with all the information they need to move into this life phase feeling empowered with an exercise plan based on their changing physiology. My hope is it is an act of defiance against notions that the best years are behind us, but rather that we can be our strongest and most radiant selves yet, redefining misconceptions of women in midlife!

AM: For those who can’t come to the Soho Studio, how can they access Pvolve’s Menopause Strong Plan?

AV: The entire Menopause Strong Plan is available through our Digital Streaming Experience platform, which includes thousands of on-demand workouts, structured programs, and new content added weekly. You can follow the full six-week calendar from home!

For those who want the full experience, I recommend the Longevity Bundle, which includes all the equipment used throughout the program. It allows you to train exactly the way we do in-studio, with necessary resistance, diversified programming, and proper weekly progressions. All you need is space for a laptop or phone, and we’ll guide you through the rest.

AM: How important is movement for those specifically entering menopause?

AV: Movement isn’t just “helpful” during menopause; it’s one of the most powerful tools women have. As estrogen declines, women naturally experience faster muscle loss, decreased bone density, changes in body composition, higher inflammation, joint stiffness, lower energy and slower recovery. Functional movement and strength training counteract all of those changes.

In our Healthy Aging Clinical Study, women who followed Pvolve’s program saw significant improvements in muscle mass, balance, flexibility, and strength across pre-, peri-, and post-menopause. Hormonal shifts didn’t blunt the results; in fact, the women gained strength and felt more capable than they had in years.

Movement supports not just physical health, but mental clarity, emotional resilience, sleep quality, and confidence – areas that can feel disrupted during this transition.

That’s exactly why we built Menopause Strong: to give women a roadmap for feeling good in their bodies again and to show that this phase of life can be one of power, strength, and deep renewal.

IG @pvolve

@hers

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Pvolve + Hers

Read the NOV ISSUE #119 of Athleisure Mag and see NAVIGATING CHANGES | HERS X Pvolve in mag.

FITNESS ANGELS WITH KIRK MYERS

The month of Oct has a number of events that are iconic and one of them is the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show that blends the brand, models, personalities and entertainers together here in NYC. Walking the runway, rocking the wings and harnassing all of that energy means preparation. Some of that preparation involves working out so that each person has the confidence in how they feel and look. Kirk Myers, founder of DOGPOUND Gym has been working with models since 2016. We wanted to know more about how he approaches this show with his clients, how we can incorporate their workouts into our own sessions, and the power of recovery and hydration! If you missed the show, we have soem of our favorite moments.

ATHLEISURE MAG: How long have you been doing this runway-model prep work? What’s your ideal timeline when a client has a target date?

KIRK MYERS: I’ve been a trainer for over 20 years, and The Victoria’s Secret Angel work began around 2016 when I was introduced to Jasmine Tookes by her hairstylist Marty Harper. The ideal timeline would be around 12 -16 weeks, but can be adjusted according to their goals. If I know ahead of time that someone has a runway show, we can adjust quickly.

AM: What are your go-to tips you give in prep for the show?

KM: My go-to tips are:

○ Core control & breathing over “abs for show.” Engaging the core properly (with breathing) supports everything—not just aesthetics.

○ Train for function and movement, not just isolation. For models, strength, mobility, stability, sometimes boxing, and other low-impact work, like resistance bands, help keep the body balanced.

○ Volume + consistency wins. We usually go through repeated higher-rep cycles (bands, sliders, and bodyweight) to fatigue.

○ Recovery & rest built in. Models don’t want to be constantly sore. So I suggest rest days, lower-impact exercises, stretching, and hydration to aid recovery. Replenishing electrolytes with something like Vita Coco helps restore balance and supports muscle repair after training.

○ Tailor every plan - I like to tailor each plan to the client. Taking into account what they’ve done before, while adapting our training to include what they enjoy most.”

AM: For a beach-body runway feel (or just prepping for a vacation), what are 3 workouts to include?

KM: Here are three I would include with some variation:

○ Circuit of Resistance Bands + Bodyweight Supersets - Combine exercises like banded glute bridges, lateral band walks, pushups, inverted rows, core planks, etc., in supersets. Very model-prep friendly.

○ Core & Anti-Rotation Movements - Moves like planks, side planks, and medicine ball slams. These help define the waistline and improve posture.

○ Low-to-Moderate Load, Metabolic Strength Rounds - Use lighter weights with higher reps in a circuit style (e.g. walking lunges, dumbbell swings, overhead presses) to build lean muscle while metabolically challenging the body (i.e., burning fat). You can layer those with mobility work, active rest, and light cardio (walking, incline treadmill, etc.) for extra burn without overtaxing the body.

AM: How important is functional strength training and what does that look like?

KM: It’s pretty important to help create a balanced look. Functional strength means strength you can use: stability, balance, core control, coordination, and mobility integrated for daily life.

What that entails:

○ Multi-joint movements (squats, deadlifts, lunges, and presses)

○ Single-leg, unilateral work (e.g. single-leg deadlifts, Bulgarian split squats)

○ Core + anti-rotational work (to resist twist and torque)

○ Mobility + stability paired (e.g. loaded carries with anti-lateral fl exion as well as crawling patterns)

○ Dynamic & reactive work (e.g. plyometrics, mini bounds, and stability challenges) where appropriate

AM: Recovery is essential. What recovery rituals do you suggest?

KM: I would suggest the following:

○ Active recovery and mobility days (light movement, yoga, stretching, as well as foam rolling)

○ Massage, soft tissue work, and percussion devices

○ Quality sleep

○ Hydration + electrolytes through beverages such as Vita Coco

○ Compression and stretching post-workout

AM: Let’s talk hydration! How important is it before, during, and after a workout?

KM: It is important before and after! I recommend hydrating well in the hours leading up, especially with something electrolyte-heavy like Vita Coco. Coconut water is one of the most effective natural ways to hydrate since it is packed with potassium, magnesium, and sodium to help your muscles perform at their best. Bring a water bottle filled with Vita Coco to sip on throughout your workout; it’ll keep you refreshed without the artificial dyes found in many sports drinks.

Post-workout, hydration is just as key. Vita Coco helps replenish electrolytes lost through sweat, supporting faster recovery and preventing that sluggish, dehydrated feeling that can follow a tough session. Think of it as the natural way to power your performance and bounce back stronger.

AM: How can we juggle fitness goals and holiday season indulgences?

KM: I don’t want clients to go into guilt mode. We can plan to be smart, be fl exible, and stay consistent with habits even during the holiday season. Clients do virtual training to maintain balance and also focus on nutrition so they can continue to make healthier choices, even while traveling. Going for a walk is always a good idea!

IG @kirkmyersfitness

@vitacoco

@victoriassecret

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | PG 156/Kirk Myers | PG 159 - 161 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show |

IN PHOTO | CANDICE SWANEPOEL

IN THE PHOTOS | L: Angel Reese + R: Emily Ratajkowski

Read the OCT ISSUE #118 of Athleisure Mag and see FITNESS ANGELS WITH Kirk Myers in mag.

SONGS TO LIVE BY | ROB THOMAS

There are certain songs on our playlist that transcend just being songs. They’re moments, portals to place and time in our lives, and in many cases the sound is timeless no matter how many decades have passed. When we heard Push the 2nd single on Matchbox 20’s debut album in 1997, we were hooked not only to the sound, lyrics and visuals of the video - but we knew that vocalist, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Rob Thomas had something to say that was relevant to where we were and where we’d be in the future!

This sentiment hasn’t changed with countless hits from his band as well as his solo career that has included Smooth with Carlos Santana, Lonely No More, and This is How A Heart Breaks which continues to connect with people at a visceral level.

As this month’s cover of Athleisure Mag, we talked with Rob while he is on tour for his 6th non-holiday solo album which drops on Sep 5th. We wanted to know more about the band, his creative process, All Night Days, his tour, and more!

ATHLEISURE MAG: You were in my hometown in Indy a few days ago and I know you’re traveling throughout the Midwest right now.

ROB THOMAS: We were just there. We were just through Indianapolis and then last night, we were outside of Detroit and today, we have a day off on the bus just chilling out in St. Louis!

AM: When did you realize that you wanted to be an entertainer.

RT: I think when I exhausted all of the other options and I wasn’t good at anything else, you know? I think that when you’re lucky enough to find something that you feel like you’re good at and also – you know, when I was a kid growing up, I was in the South and I didn’t understand cars or sports and so trying to figure out where I fit in – it wasn’t until I found other people maybe in high school when I met the drama kids and the musical theater kids and they kind of spoke to me. Maybe it was the outcasts and the kids on the fringe. As I got a little older, it was musicians that were that way. It was like this fraternal group of the people that I felt like it just made sense to me.

So it was like at some point, maybe when I was like 19 or 20, it was like, I think that I want to do this as I was really writing songs. I thought, “I think that I want to do this.”

AM: Wow!

You’re so talented as a songwriter, a vocalist, and you play multiple instruments. Were you formally trained or did you just come across it all – how did all of this come together?

RT: Yeah, no – when I was a Freshman in high school, my buddies in my band were Seniors and then they all graduated and they went to Berklee College of Music and they would come back and they would bring me their music books. So I started to learn how to sight-read (Editor’s Note: It is the ability to read and perform a piece of musical notation you’ve never seen or played before, without any prior preparation or practice) chords and trying to understand relationship between notes and they would give me some of their books and I would kind of learn from that. So it’s pretty self taught and if you put me next to someone who is a really good player, it’s pretty obvious that I am self-taught.

I was alone with a guitar, I was alone with a keyboard, and I needed to learn how to write songs. I had melodies in my head, and I had songs in my head so I had to learn how to play just enough so that I could be able to write.

AM: Wow that’s interesting how you were able to access all of that as Berklee College of Music is a great school known for its jazz and popular music. My great uncle was Joe Henderson and I know that they have courses about him there.

Before we delve into your latest solo album, I can’t talk to you without talking about your band Matchbox 20. I remember when the debut CD came out, I was a Freshman in college when it came out. So for me, it was like all the things that I needed to learn about adulting and how to navigate emotions and scenarios that I hadn’t had to do before, it came from listening to your music and realizing that these things are normal! How did you come together as a band and did you think at the time that you would have this impact that resonates with so many people over all these decades?

RT: No. I mean, I think it’s funny. When you’re starting out, you have to have some sort of naïve suspension of disbelief that you’re going to make it – right? If you really thought about the odds, it would be so daunting that you would collapse under the weight of it. So I think that there was always this idea that we were going to be successful. I don’t think that we understood what that meant.

AM: Right.

RT: And I certainly don’t think that we had the ability to look forward 30 years later and realize the gift of being someone’s nostalgia. Like having this song like you said, that you went to college and this was your CD and that some people for one reason or another, at an event – someone’s wedding or their graduation and there was a song that was tied to it.

So I think that like, the gift of longevity and the ability to be around for awhile is bigger than like a level of success! It’s more of like being woven into the fabric of these fans and these people and I think that that’s a pretty special part of it.

AM: Is there going to be anything coming up that highlights the 30 year anniversary – that’s literally around the corner!

RT: Yeah, I mean, listen – we’re out on the road right now with the solo work and we’re still back and forth with Matchbox trying to plan out next year! Luckily, the end of next year marks when we put out our first record 30 years ago so we’re probably going to do some festivals next year to start gearing up for something really big at the end of the year and then touring 2027 around the world!

AM: Oh wow!

When it comes to creating music, where do you start in terms of the creative process and how is that different with you as a solo artist, you with your band, or when you’re collaborating with other artists?

RT: I mean, most of it is the same right? I write all the time. When I’m sitting down to work with someone – when I worked with Willie Nelson, we just sat down for 2 days and played each other’s songs. And then when I was done, he had written down 3 songs and he said, “I want to do these 3 songs.” If I’m writing with somebody else, maybe they come in with an idea and we can build on that. As far as if I am writing for someone or with someone, I’m just kind of drawing from this bucket of songs that I have worked on. If I go to Matchbox, I’m like, “do you guys like this song or how about this song?” I think that we all work that way so it’s never really like, gearing up for – well, I’m writing this song for this person so I need to get into this mindset. At some point, if someone wants to write with me, they probably want my point of view. So they will put their spin on my point of view.

AM: How would you define the Rob Thomas sound?

RT: Geez. I don’t know! I’ve been really fortunate that fans have allowed me to step outside and just do – I mean, if you listen to 3AM say 30 years ago, and you listen to Hard to Be Happy now, or if you listen to Lonely No More – those sound like different bands. They could be different artists. But I think that my voice is my voice and it ties them all together. So I don’t know that I have a certain – I write songs and I think about people and how people interact with each other. It’s just a very normal thing, right?

AM: Mmm.

RT: Like if I write about something going on in my life, it’s my job to write about how that thing makes me feel because you understand that – that has happened to you. You don’t need to know about me and my wife having a fight, you just need to know, “oh I know how you feel!”

AM: You’ve said that as a kid of the 80s, there are elements of that throughout your work. How do you add that aesthetic into your music while combining the various genres that you have been on and still making it sound current even if some of it is older?

RT: You know, I think part of it is that I have always went into this genreless. I think that that’s because when I grew up in the 80s, 80s radio was genreless. You would have MC Hammer played right after Van Halen and played right after Whitney Houston and then right after Bobby Brown and then Ozzy Osbourne.

AM: 100%.

RT: All of these things would play because MTV, that was our national radio!

AM: Oh yeah!

RT: It was all over the place. I think that growing up in the 80s made me more fearless where I didn’t have to be this kind of a writer and I’m a rock guy. Like, if in my whole career I had stayed 90s alt-rock like our first Matchbox 20 record, it would have been very limiting in all of the stuff that I could do later on.

AM: When I first heard Smooth, like many, I was blown away by so many things in the song and in the video! How was it for you to navigate the concept that you would be able to do both as a solo artist and then popping back in with your band?

RT: I mean, it took awhile! Looking back, Smooth happened between our 1st and 2nd record. Then we made 2 more records until I went solo. So it was 10 years into the Matchbox career before I made my 1st solo record! So it took me awhile even after Smooth! The thing about Smooth was that it opened the doors as a writer. So even when I was with Matchbox 20, I was doing a lot of outside writing for other things with Carlos, Seal, Marc Anthony, Willie Nelson, and Mick Jagger. I was getting a chance to be an anonymous writer for these other voices which was very very cool and then with Matchbox – we went from record to record to record and then on tour for like 10 years straight, so whenever we took that break, then it made sense and we all went out and made solo records.

AM: We were bummed that we were unable to catch your show at the Seaport earlier this month All Night Days is dropping Sep 5th and you’re currently on tour promoting the album. Why did you want to create this album and what can you tell us about it? We listened to Thrill Me which we really love and I enjoyed Hard to Be Happy and it has a fun video.

RT: Thank you! Thrill Me is my favorite. I think that there is almost an OCD to writing in that – like I said, I am writing all of the time. So if I don’t get some of these songs out, it’s a clutter in my head and I feel like there is no room for more material and other things. We were coming up on my 20th anniversary of my first solo record and I couldn’t think of a better way to commemorate it then to just let people know that I was still writing!

AM: I love that!

Since you’re on tour, you have the US portion and then you’re in Australia and New Zealand with a number of dates that takes place this Fall so you have quite an interesting schedule. How do you prepare for such a schedule, the performances, all the different cities, are there workouts that you like to do or must do’s before you hit the stage or after?

RT: Yeah, I mean, I think that I was much more careless about my body and my health when I was much younger. As you get older, you don’t want to look like you’re trying too hard right?

AM: Facts!

RT: You’re limited with your options out here. So I started with – there’s a Beach Body on Demand (Editor’s Note: aka BODi) that has a series of workouts like Insanity, P90X, Shift Shop and all of these things. Those are kind of great because a lot of those are bodyweight, calisthenics, so I don’t have an excuse. If I’m on the bus that day, I can do them on the bus. I can do a full hour long crushing workout! Sometimes they’re harder then just going to the gym with weights.

You know, I get a bonus workout every night. It’s 2 hours of just screaming and running back and forth you know? We love, the whole band – jokes about how we like a good hot night in the Summer! You feel like it’s part of the weight loss plan. It’s great to go out there and sweat off what we had for dinner.

I don’t do after show food. It used to be a big thing you know. After the show everybody orders some food because you’re really hungry and you’ve burned off a lot of that energy, but when I’m on the road, I find that I am probably on an 18 hour fast because I eat around 5:30pm and I don’t eat again until after I wake up and work out the next day. Keeping that, green juices, keeping vitamins – I think it’s your basic upkeep! I don’t think that you have to become obsessive about things, but I think that if you’re mindful, then you wind up – I have a different relationship with food. I have a different relationship with alcohol than I used to – well maybe only slightly!

AM: That’s fair!

RT: Well, every little bit helps!

AM: Your son is also on tour with you as your lead guitarist! What has that been like to have Maison with you?

RT: Well it’s great! He graduated from Berklee as well.

AM: Nice!

RT: Yeah. He went to Berklee and he has a band called The Lucky and they met there and as soon as they graduated, they all moved out to LA.

My guitar player from my solo band, he had just retired from live music. He’s been producing and writing for other people and killing it. It was his idea and he has been watching Maison on IG and sharing his shred videos and so I reached out and asked him if he wanted to do it. It has been the time of our lives! He fits right in although he brings the median age to the band down significantly! Having that energy has been really great. He’s known this band from when it was formed when he was 7. So when he was a little kid, he was on stage goofing with Al and Abe, my rhythm section. Now to see him as an active and integral section of the band, I have to stop sometimes because I almost forget that I’m performing because I will just stop and watch him.

AM: What do you want your legacy to be known as. You’ve had over 40M+ albums sold with the band, you have your 18M+ album sales with your solo career – what do you want people to feel about Rob Thomas?

RT: I mean, I don’t care! I think that I want the songs that I have written that have meant something to people – for them to carry on. If they ever forgot who wrote them, I don’t think that I would care. I like that those little pieces of music exist out there in the world and that they are out there for somebody if they want to use them for good times or for bad. It’s so selfish what I get to do – you know what I mean?

AM: Of course!

RT: I get to make a living doing the thing that I love. Most people, you spend most of your time working. Most people don’t get the ability to spend that time doing something that they really really enjoy. So it is a gift that is never lost on me. I get to do it and it is a sense of catharsis and therapy to write and be able to share it with people – like minded people. People seeing that you feel that way too and that they are not freaks! So, I think that just in general, I want the songs to kind of remain.

AM: Are there any upcoming projects that you would like to share that we can tell our community about?

RT: I’m in it right now! This is it right now! For me, every night we have to pretend that it is our first show!

AM: Right!

RT: For some people, it is the only one that they are going to come to. We don’t think too much farther then, we’re going to crush it tomorrow. That’s our mantra, “let’s just crush is tomorrow.”

IG @robthomas

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | PG 16 - 23 + 32 - 37 Ashley Haer | PG 25 - 27 Andrew Angel | PG 28 - 31 Randall Slavin |

Read the AUG ISSUE #116 of Athleisure Mag and see SONGS TO LIVE BY | Rob Thomas in mag.

THAT IT VIBE | SOMMER RAY

This Summer we have enjoyed a number of our favorite songs, ticked off things on our bucket lists and with a few weeks left, we continue to add to our playlists. We need to make room for Sommer Ray - DJ, fitness influencer, and entrepreneur who has been dropping singles and touring here in NY, Las Vegas, Cancun, and Cabo San Lucas to name a few must visit destinations as she finishes phase 2 of her Summer tour.

We wanted to find out more about her background, her passions, and the importance of fitness in her life. Of course, we explore who she has worked with as a DJ, music she has dropped and what we can keep an eye out for. We also wanted to lear more about projects that she is working on from beverages to Imaraïs Beauty.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Before we delve into your recent tour and DJing, we’d like to get to know more about you. When did you fall in love with fitness?

SOMMER RAY: Fitness has been part of my life since I was a kid. My mom was a competitive bodybuilder, so I grew up in the gym and around that lifestyle. I loved the way training made me feel, both physically and mentally, and that connection never left.

AM: As someone who is constantly on the go, what are 3 workouts that you enjoy doing as we are always looking to add to our routines?

SR: I love weight training, Pilates, and yoga. Weight training keeps me strong, Pilates works my core and improves posture, and yoga helps me stay flexible while giving me a mental reset.

AM: What led to the launch of your fashion brand of fitness apparel and what do you enjoy about designing it?

SR: I wanted to create pieces that I would actually wear myself, things that feel good, move with you, and look great both in and out of the gym.

AM: Tell us about Imaraïs Beauty.

SR: Imaraïs Beauty is a plant-based beauty brand that focuses on gummies for skin, hair, and overall wellness. Everything is vegan, cruelty-free, and made with ingredients that really work. It’s about beauty from the inside out!

AM: We grew up as kids drinking Shirley Temples and have loved the trend of Dirty Shirley. You have Tempted. Why did you want to create this brand?

SR: I can’t share too much yet, but I’ve been teasing something in that space and there are some big things coming. It’s fun, it’s fresh, and I think people are going to be really excited when they see the full picture.

AM: What do you love about EDM music?

SR: I love the energy and the way it can instantly change your mood. EDM brings people together without needing words, it’s all about the vibe and the shared experience.

AM: When did you realize that you wanted to be a DJ?

SR: I used to host club nights, and after a while I realized I’d rather be the one curating the vibe than just sitting in the club. Once I started learning to mix, it clicked for me that this was how I wanted to be part of the energy.

AM: What is your creative process like when you are creating music?

SR: It usually starts with a feeling or a vibe I want to capture. I’ll think about the energy I want people to feel, then start building around that, whether it’s a beat, a hook, or a bass line that sets the tone.

AM: You dropped No Sleep last fall with Martin Jensen and earlier this year LaLaLa (Everybody’s Up) with a remix by HEDEGAARD. What was it like to release these songs?

SR: Both were amazing experiences. No Sleep had a fun, uplifting energy, while LaLaLa was heavier and more club-focused. Seeing people connect with them live has been the most exciting part.

AM: You recently dropped She’s A DJ. Why did you want to create this song and what was the process like for you?

SR: I wanted to make a song that was cheeky and empowering, especially as a female in a space that’s still very male-dominated. The process was fun, I leaned into personality and made sure it captured that “own the room” vibe.

AM: As you continue to navigate your music career, what artists would you like to work with?

SR: Calvin Harris and Martin Garrix are both at the top of my list. They’re legends in dance music who know how to make tracks that hit globally while still feeling fresh. Collaborating with either of them would be a dream, and I think we could create something high-energy that really connects with people.

AM: You have been touring for the past few weeks. What do you love about sharing your music with those in the cities that you are stopping in?

SR: Every city has a different energy. I love seeing how crowds react to certain tracks and how the vibe shifts depending on where you are. It keeps every show fresh.

AM: Since you’re traveling so much, how do you make your hotel and the city you’re in feel like home?

SR: I make time to hit the gym, explore local food spots with my team, and meet people at the shows. Those little routines and experiences make each city feel personal and keep the travel from feeling too repetitive.

AM: What upcoming projects do you have that you would like to share with us?

SR: I have more singles coming this year and a few exciting collaborations in the works. I’m also building out my live shows to make them even more of an experience.

AM: How do you take time for yourself as you have a lot going on as an entrepreneur, DJ, etc.?

SR: I carve out small daily routines that keep me balanced, morning workouts, staying active, and making time to unplug from my phone. Even when life is busy, those little moments to reset are important.

IG @sommerray

PHOTOS COURTESY | Sommer Ray

Read the AUG ISSUE #116 of Athleisure Mag and see THAT IT VIBE | Sommer Ray in mag.

ATHLEISURE LIST | FORZA PILATES

In the Winter of 2023, Sydney Dumler launched Forza Pilates as a high-end space where design, wellness, fashion, and community can coexist beautifully. With her background of being a group fitness instructor for 9 years as well as working with a number of wellness and fashion brands, she wanted a fitness space that was elevated, warm, and welcoming.

The studio features soft wood floors, ornate brass mirrors, and fresh branches from the local flower shop—every detail feels artfully curated. When you walk in, you’re greeted by their custom candle scent and clean linens, a personalized Reformer setup, and a sense that someone has anticipated your comfort even before you arrive.

Reformer Pilates strengthens the body in a way that’s smart and sustainable. It builds core stability, improves posture, and supports mobility—all while being gentle on the joints. Beyond the physical benefits, it trains your mind to move with intention, which translates into every part of your life.

If you are new to this method, it's worth noting that it is a full-body experience. It's about precision over pace - pilates is not about going fast, it's moving with control. Your exercise can be modified or advanced whether it's adjusting spring tension, grounding a hand or knee for support, or limiting your range of motion to protect from a previous injury.

There are 4 classes offered at their dio. Their signature Forte class offers a contemporary, intermediate-level flow designed for clients who love creative sequencing and fresh challenges. Foundations leans into classical principles, focusing on precision and control—proof that slowing down can be just as (if not more) demanding. Aria brings the energy with a cardio-infused workout set to an upbeat playlist, making it the perfect excuse to move, sweat, and have fun. Finally, Recovery is their foam rolling and mobility session—the ultimate “hurts so good” release your body craves after a week of classes.

There are a number of amenities that include a warm and attentive staff, a curated retail selection, and in the bathrooms they have Aesop and Oak Essentials. In many ways, the atmosphere of the space feels more like a boutique hotel versus a traditional gym.

For Soho House members in Nashville, they can enjoy Forza Atelier there. They offer the Forza Method in an intimate setting. With just 6 Reformers, clients enjoy a highly personalized experience—where it’s not unusual to move alongside Nashville’s creative talent, including some of the artists on your own playlist. The Atelier also features a curated retail space, their creative extension that brings the Forza lifestyle beyond the studio.

FORZA PILATES

724 Merritt Ave #103

Bashville, TN 37203

forza-pilates.com

IG @forzapilates

PHOTO CREDITS | Alyssa Rosenheck

Read the JUL ISSUE #115 of Athleisure Mag and see ATHLEISURE LIST | Forza Pilates in mag.

THE 9LIST

Read the JUN ISSUE #114 of Athleisure Mag and see THE 9LIST in mag.

ATHLEISURE LIST | NORDIC STRONG

We're always looking for our next studio fitness to try out. Nordic Strong started in Copenhagan and this Summer will have a pop up in Sag Harbor from Memorial Day - Labor Day before opening a new location in the Flatiron District of NYC this Fall! Nicoline Roth is the Founder/CEO of this studio. She was born and raised in Copenhagen where she enjoyed hiking in the mountains in the Summer and cross-country skiing in the winter. Her workouts were rooted in nature, connection, and simplicity.

Nordic Strong's flagship studio opened in Copenhagen in November 2022. Every part of the brand - from the design to the name - reflects a deep connection to the Nordic “way of life.” Nordic speaks to the founder's roots in nature, movement, and a culture that prioritizes wellness, simplicity, and balance. It's about a mindset as opposed to a geographical reference. Strong refers to both the physical and mental elements. In addition to building physical strength in these classes, it's important to have inner strength, presence, confidence, and community that their training style and physical space help to cultivate.

There are 3 class formats which are different in style and intensity, but are centered around their patented fitness machine inspired by cross-country skiing.

Nordic Strong is their signature class that fuses strength with high energy, offering a full-body workout that combines intervals on the machine with floor-based work using dumbbells.

Nordic Cardio turns up the pace and is rooted in endurance-style training and focuses on getting your heart rate up through fast-paced intervals. You move between the machine and dynamic bodyweight exercises, and it’s all about boosting cardiovascular fitness and stamina.

Nordic Sculpt shifts into a slower, more controlled gear. It focuses on precision, balance, and deep muscle activation. The movements are inspired by Pilates and are designed to strengthen the muscles you don’t always target in high-intensity workouts. Every session ends with breathwork to help reset and ground you before heading back into your day.

The studio is intentional by design. The lounge and reception area are light, calm, and welcoming, furnished with Scandanavian design pieces that make it feel elevated but still cozy. Once you step into the training room, it’s darker, more focused, and designed to help you lock into your workout.

The lighting is inspired by the Northern Lights and changes throughout the class in intensity and color, emulating the parallel physical journey throughout a session.

NORDIC STRONG POP-UP

11 Bridge St

Sag Harbor, NY 11963

nordicstrong.com

IG @nordicstrong

PHOTO CREDITS | Nordic Strong

Read the MAY ISSUE #113 of Athleisure Mag and see ATHLEISURE LIST | Nordic Strong in mag.

UNSTOPPABLE | RASHEE RICE

We're few months out from the NFL being back, and athletes across the league are putting in the work to be ready for the upcoming season as they look at how they will achieve their goals individually as well as on their teams. With that in mind, we're excited to have LVIII Super Bowl Champion Rashee Rice of the Kansas City Chiefs as this month's cover star!

We sit down with him to talk about his love for the game, what it's like playing his position, being on the Chiefs, playing for this team, looking at the season ahead, and what he does entrepreneurially as well as philanthropically off the field!

ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you first fall in love with football?

RASHEE RICE: When I was about five years old, I played for my local community team in Philly called the Island Eagles.

AM: When did you realize that you wanted to play football professionally?

RR: I realized I wanted to play professionally when I got my first college offer. It was

like a testament to me - getting a full ride scholarship showed me that I was good enough, and I felt like I could take it even further.

AM: What can you tell us about being a Wide Receiver?

RR: I think the number one thing is that all eyes are always on you. It’s always you versus the man in front of you. So, you get a lot of one-on-one opportunities to prove yourself. You have to make the most of every opportunity you get when the ball's coming your way.

AM: What does it mean to you to play for the Kansas City Chiefs?

RR: It means everything to me. I have the best quarterback in the NFL, the best tightend, and the right guys around me. I also have the best coach - someone I looked up to as a kid growing up in Philly and an Eagles fan. I love playing for KC because the city doesn’t have a NBA team , so we are all they got to represent the city right now and I really enjoy that. We love that and we continue to embrace that.

AM: You played at SMU and had an amazing rookie season which culminated in a Super Bowl ring! What can you tell us about your football career and what the first year meant to you?

RR: I can tell you it wasn’t easy. It took a while for me to get situated and comfortable with who I wanted to surround myself with on the team and learn from. It was a grind - it was the longest season I have ever experienced, transitioning from college to the NFL. Dealing with the transition and training was hard, but paid off.

AM: You're entering your 2nd year in the NFL with this team, what are you looking forward to?

RR: I’m looking forward to competing and showing the the world that I am one of the top receivers in the NFL.

AM: What is it like playing with Patrick Mahomes II as well as other members from this championship caliber team and what have you learned from them?

RR: Playing with Pat and the rest of the guys has been amazing. They already had that championship mindset that I wanted to learn from. So coming in, working and being able to be around them showed me I am capable of being a champion - all I have to do is follow their lead.

AM: What are 3 workouts that you do to optimize yourself in the sport that would be great for our community who are interested in adding items to their routines?

RR: Ladder drills – These help keep your feet quick and ready.

Catching tennis balls – The smaller ball forces you to focus on the catch, improving hand-eye coordination.

Conditioning – Running and endurance training help me stay in shape and prepare for any route I have to run.

AM: What have the past few months been like for you as you have been preparing for your second season?

RR: I’ve been focusing on by making sure my body and mindset are where they need to be. I have been focusing on my training and workouts, also spending time with my close family and friends.

AM: With the 2025 season coming up, what can you tell us about what game day is like for you in terms of things that you do on Sunday ahead of hitting the field and what you do after finishing your game?

RR: On game day, I wake up and pray, then start to get ready to head to the stadium,

depending on game time. When I get there I usually have some type of meeting or walkthrough. Overall, game day is a relaxed day for me. The most important thing for me is music – it’s everything. I listen to music all day getting my mindset right before hitting the field.

AM: Outside of the game, how do you take time for yourself when you're not training, preparing for the next game etc?

RR: I really love being in the crib and I love watching movies. My perfect day off is sitting on the couch, having some good food and watching a good movie.

AM: Tell us about Sun Walker, your clothing line!

RR: Sun Walker is my passion outside of football. It’s my clothing line that I recently dropped, that symbolizes my life. The sun represents the spotlight, and the Sun Walker represents me - everything I have overcome and will continue to overcome.

It reflects my journey and the transition of becoming the person I always hoped to be.

AM: How do you give back philanthropically?

RR: I do a lot for my community, I try to give back to every city that has been a part of my journey thus far. This past season, I held a Thanksgiving Drive for the families of Kansas City. I held a Christmas Drive for the children of Big Brother, Big Sister of Dallas. We were able to take them shopping at Target for some gifts. In April, I’m having an event for the kids of North Richland Hills, the city where I went to middle school and high school, to come out and have fun. In May, I’ll be having a free football camp in Dallas/Fort Worth, the city I attended college. So, I’m definitely doing some things to give back and going to continue to do some more initiatives in the future.

IG @doub11e_r

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | FRONT + BACK COVER, PG 17 - 21 AFTR-DRK | PG 24 Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire | PG 26 + 28 Rashee Rice | PG 26 Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire |

Read the MAR ISSUE #111 of Athleisure Mag and see UNSTOPPABLE | Rashee Rice in mag.