TAKE A DIP AT THE GRIFFIN CLUB LA

We're in the middle of summer where being near the water is an essential for fun as well as to stay cool! Adulting can be tough and even we need to be reminded of pool safety! We talked with Aquatic Director, Susanna Lubinsky Of Griffin Club LA to make sure that we all know the do's of water safety!

ATHLEISURE MAG: Why is swimming a great activity for fitness and what are its benefits?

SUSANNA LUBINSKY: Swimming is very different from working out on land. Since water is over 700 times denser than air, swimming forces your body to constantly work through
resistance through muscular contraction. This kind of resistance training is unique in that it strengthens your skeletal muscles, improves your muscular mass and tone, and builds endurance while also strengthening your involuntary muscles, like your heart and lungs. Furthermore, since swimming is low impact, you can swim at higher intensities at a more regular basis without feeling the wear and tear that some land-based workouts may cause. Swimming is also a full body workout: training the large muscles of your back, core, shoulder and arms, glutes, hamstrings, wrists, ankles and feet, as well as many small, stabilizing muscles that other workouts miss. Swimming also affects your central nervous system, your sense of balance, proprioception, cognitive functioning, as well as your cardiovascular health.

AM: What tips would you provide to those that are adults that have never swam, but are looking to include this within their routine for fitness?

SL: Have fun and explore different pathways of movements. Not all adults have to swim traditional laps in order to get the physical benefits of working out in the water. If you’re a runner for example, try wearing a weighted belt, and go jogging through the water. It’s gentler on your joints while also giving the added benefit of a massage—as you move through water, it naturally channels and swirls, creating a whirlpool effect on the muscles. Also, don’t be shy to take a class or a lesson from a swim coach. They are like personal trainers; they will guide you to avoid bad habits and unnecessary injuries.

AM: Is swimming also therapeutic in terms of assisting in reducing injuries that may have taken place from other activities?

SL: Absolutely! Since it is a low impact sport, it’s easy on the joints and many physical therapists include swimming for rehabilitation. Furthermore, you get the added benefit of mental clarity and stress reduction. Being submerged in water has the benefit of sensory deprivation—all this means is that if you’re looking for a place of quiet and calm, diving under water may just do the trick. There is new research out there that shows the benefits of floatation tanks, relieving symptoms such as chronic anxiety.

AM: What are the best foods to eat before and after swimming and what should be avoided?

SL: What’s important to note here, is that everybody is different. What works for one person may not work for another. It’s important to experiment and notice which foods work for your body. An easy rule of thumb is you want to consume simple carbohydrates before exercising, like fruit, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or an energy bar, for quick, immediate fuel. It’s also super important to remember to stay hydrated, which many swimmers may not think about since they are immersed in water. Feed your body post workout with a lean protein to rebuild muscle as well as a complex carbohydrate, such as leafy green vegetables, rice, or pasta to replenish sugar levels.

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AM:  What are the benefits that swimming can provide?

SL: It’s an amazing lung strengthener, and who wouldn’t want strong, healthy lungs? When your body and face is immersed in water, there is greater pressure on the diaphragm and lungs, making oxygen a premium commodity. Therefore, the body learns to adapt with the pressures by optimizing the air it does take in, while expelling more carbon dioxide. This alone improves pulmonary health while increasing blood flow to the brain. Furthermore, studies have shown that regular swimmers have lower resting heart rates and blood pressure as well as greater elasticity in the lungs and skin.

AM: Are there injuries that are common to swimmers and how can you avoid this happening?

SL: The most common injury is the swimmer’s shoulder, which manifests most frequently with the freestyle stroke, and to a lesser degree with backstroke and butterfly. It shows up as inflammation and pain most often in the deltoids and rotator cuff. It is often caused by improper technique, excessive downward force of the arms, or pushing through against the onset of fatigue. 

Overtraining, unbalanced strength, such as with unilateral breathing, and the overuse of paddles can exacerbate the condition. Best prevention is make sure your swimming technique is sound. Take lessons with a qualified professional, brush up on drills, and pay attention to your body, rather than move from habituated patterns. Make sure you familiarize yourself with and incorporate hydrodynamic principles into your practice. Rest when you are tired, as overtraining tired muscles weakens the integrity of the small, stabilizing muscles. Also, it’s important to stretch the chest and strengthen your latissimus dorsi regularly.

AM: What are popular water sports that are available at Griffin Club?

SL: Griffin Club Los Angeles offers a Cross Training H20 class, a creative, fun and wet way to spice up your workout this summer. Taught by our Athletic Director Derek Capps and myself, participants are divided into 2 groups and alternate between land and water for an enhanced metabolic training experience. The land-based sequences are comprised of multi-joint movements like burpees, pushups, squats and jumps. The swimming portion will utilize a variety of strokes for an aerobic workout. Combining these two different workout methods will assure a high caloric burn both during and after the workout as well as improve overall performance. This class is suitable for all fitness and swimming levels. Griffin Club Los Angeles offers classes for children as well, including a Parent & Me swim class for children 6 months to 2.5 years of age.

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HER ROAD TO RIO

The Olympics™ are just around the corner and in addition to seeing our favorite athletes compete, it's also a great time to see former Olympians who have taken on new roles. We spoke with Nastia Liukin on the road during the Olympic Trials to talk gymnastics, commitment and her role as a commentator for NBC during the games at Rio!

ATHLEISURE MAG: Growing up in a family of Olympians, how did this craft your interest in the sport and how did you get into it?

NASTIA LIUKIN: Well, believe it or not, my parents didn't even want me to do gymnastics. They knew how hard it was and they just wanted their one and only child to be happy. But for me, my happiness came from gymnastics. I never wanted to leave the gym. I fell in love with the sport at such an early age.

AM: As someone who trained from an early age, how did this affect your outlook on life in terms of commitment, dedication etc?

NL: Commitment and dedication where both two major factors that helped me achieve my goals. Ever since I was a little girl, I knew I had to be committed in order to achieve those dreams. Nothing would be handed to me. I was never the strongest gymnast, so I had to work extremely hard on conditioning in order to perform a lot of the skills.

AM: What was your training like heading into the 2008 Olympic games and how did you maintain balance while you were at the games?

NL: Training heading into the 2008 Olympics ™ was pretty intense. 7 hours a day, 6 days a week (sometimes 7 days a week) depending on the competition schedule. I really didn't think or do too much else besides training, physically therapies, extra cardio or conditioning. My life revolved around the Olympics that entire year, and most years as well. But specifically 2008. 

I didn't want to look back in September of 2008 and think what if, what if I would have trained more, done more routines? Those thoughts started to haunt my mind, so I made sure to not let them creep into my mind too much.

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AM: As an athlete, you never know where your career will go, since then you have created clothing lines and been a spokesperson for other brands, how exciting has that transition been and do you have other projects coming up that you can tell us about?

NL: To be honest if you would have told me that 10 years ago, I would have never believed you. I started gymnastics because I had such a huge passion for the sport. It was never to make it a career or build a brand, or even win gold medals. I loved flipping, and learning new skills. It all gave me a thrill. Now at 26 years old, I look back at everything I have done and continue to do and am so thankful for it all. But, I do have to say it hasn't all been handed to me. I feel like it’s a full-time job trying to continue doing what I’m doing with my career and I’ve had the chance to work with some amazing people in the industry that have helped shape my career into what it is now. I am working on a few projects that I’m so thrilled to be working on, but for now I have to keep them a secret.

AM: We've listened to you commentating on the Men's and Women's Gymnastic Trials and know you are doing this throughout the games, how exciting is it to be the NBC Commentator for Gymnastics?

NL: I was so honored when NBC offered me this role. To be able to continue being involved in something I love so much has been incredible. It has definitely been a learning experience and with each time we are on air, I learn more and feel a little more confident. This is now my fourth year, but there is nothing like an Olympic™ Games. So I’m extremely excited for Rio!

AM: Going into Rio, who are your favorites for the US Men's and Women's team that you can't wait to see - who should we be watching out for?

NL: Simone Biles, without question, is the heavy favorite on the women’s side. She has the chance of winning 5 GOLD medals in Rio. Aly Raisman and Gabby Douglas are trying to make their second Olympic™ Team and have a great shot. So it will be a very fun competition on the women’s side.

On the men’s side, Sam Mikulak is the favorite for the US. He is the 4 time National Champion going into the Rio and will be competing in his second Olympic™ Games.

AM: As a gymnast who has competed on the Olympic™ stage, do you share any words of wisdom to the gymnasts that you share with them when you've been traveling with them?

NL: Most of them don’t need too much advice. They are more prepared, physically than they will ever be in their lives. But mentally, it’s important to stay calm and treat it like any other competition. Also, enjoy it. It goes by so quickly, you blink and it’s over.

AM: What are you looking forward to in Rio (whether within the gymnast category or outside of it)?

NL: Definitely the gymnastics but also getting a chance to see the other sports. When I was in Beijing, I didn't get that chance to go to other events, so I’m looking forward to that. I also love trying to experience the culture of every city/country I visit.

AM: What's it like when you've been on the circuit with the gymnast as a broadcaster?

NL: Well the current group of athletes I’ve known them and even competed with most of them. So I really have to remove myself from being friends with them and just do my job as an analyst. Of course I’ve been in their shoes, so I know how it feels when someone is a little too negative or could say something that really puts you down. I feel like there is a difference with analyzing something, even if it’s a fall, and being negative.

AM:  What do you do in terms of your personal training and how is it different than when you competed?

NL:  Well it’s definitely quite a bit different now. I used to train 7 hours a day, 6 days a week. Now I workout about 4 times a week for about 30-60 minutes, depending on my schedule. I’m on the road a lot so that makes it difficult, but not impossible. I love mixing it up. Pilates, yoga, spinning, circuit training.

AM: How do you stay balanced with your busy schedule to ensure that you take the time that you need for yourself?

NL: I always make sure to take time in the morning, even if I have a busy day ahead. I like waking up extra early to have my coffee, get in a workout, even if it’s only 20 minutes. That keeps me balanced and make me feel great the rest of the day too.

AM: What's your personal style (items that you would wear when running errands, heading out to brunch and/or for a night out on the town)?

NL: As much as I love dressing up for events, red carpets and photo shoots, my day to day life is definitely athleisure wear. From the gym to running errands to brunch, I love Stella McCartney for Adidas. She’s one of my favorite designers both in the sports world and fashion world.

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5 CLEAN EATING SPOTS

Clean eating includes plant based options, organic/grass fed meat options, etc. We did a roundup of some of our favorites in LA and in NYC that are perfect for the summer.

Read more from the July Issue 

LIVING HER WORDS

We chatted with Halstead's powerbroker Louise Phillips Forbes who has sold over $2.5 billion in sales over her 27 year career. In addition to selling some of Manhattan's and Hamptons most coveted properties, she is known for her focus on philanthropy, family, fitness, and "living her words". We sat down to talk with her at one of her current projects, 498 West End in NYC, to get an inside scoop on how she stays present and juggles it all.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Please share with our readers what it's like to be a power broker and what your day to day life is like in that career?

LOUISE PHILLIPS FORBES: Powerbroker – wow, I’m not sure that I think of myself in that way. I think one of the things that I am passionate about in my life professionally, is in following my heart and happened to be tremendously successful. When you live what you love, then it’s not work. What I do is such an intimate personal experience and being of service in that way. When I think of what my home means to me, it’s a privilege to be a part of that process to someone. Coming from that premise and building my business with no Rolodex and building my team with 8 people - we do 100s of millions of dollars a year, I guess that constitutes being a powerbroker. 

The greatest gift is to be able to do what you love and to have the balance of your family. There is no reason why you can’t have a family and a career. I kissed a lot of frogs before I found my prince. Part of it is that I have had a loss in my life. I lost my mom in my 20s and my brother passed away from AIDS and died in my arms when I was 30. I had a boyfriend in London who died of cancer when I was 38 and my father died from Alzheimer’s. So I also feel that those life moments recalibrated me each time – which is to say that you should truly live each day to the fullest and to make an imprint on the world around you. I can’t change the world, but I can make someone’s home precious to them. I can make my time with my children impressive and influential to help them be good citizens. I live my beliefs.

AM: How did you know you wanted to be in real estate?

LPF: I didn’t at all – I came in through the back door. I came to New York from Tennessee. Although I had southern roots, I was ready to go from being a big fish in a little pond and when I would go to dance auditions instead of being one amongst 23 people, I was one among 427. So we did what we needed to do to pay the rent, so I modeled, bartended, waitressed, did industrials (corporate entertainment for events), but I injured my back and was working in a restaurant. There was a baseball/softball team that used to come in every Wed after their games and I always remembered what they ate or drank. This girl was like, "you would be so good at real estate" and she suggested that I should call her friend. I mustered up the courage to call him and he said that I should come in and he would give me a job. Of course, I didn’t know it was commission only. My first year in real estate I made $8400 and it just fit. It fit, when I recognized how I felt about my home, knowing that I had left home as well as losing my family members. To be able to be a part of the privilege and to recognize that and to feel fulfilled was rewarding.

AM: How important is female empowerment, whether it’s being taught to the youth or with your peers at work?

LPF: Well, God gave me a household full of men. As much as a tomboy as I was growing up, I’m really a girl’s girl. I have friends from fourth grade that are still in my life today. When I look at the women – particularly at my mother and those who were my mentors, they were strong, purposeful women. To be able to continue to learn – there are 2 things that have to happen. You have to be willing to surround yourself around people and for myself, young professional women. In watching my mother raising her children and having (in the 60s) her own career as a writer as well as being professional fundraiser – she was able to juggle it all. Surrounding myself by women who are leaders – (I am in a women’s president’s association) and I am married to a serial entrepreneur. What I get from those women in the group is different than what I get from my husband. 

I took a stance when I broke into this business of real estate – it was not easy to navigate as a new kid on the block. I was eager to learn, but very naïve. It is very important for me to make it a priority to sit down and have a coffee and I don’t discriminate to women only; however, I have brought 70 people into the business in my 27 year tenure. It’s not about bringing them onto my team solely, but being able to reach out to them. What I have learned is that 30 mins or that hour is powerful. When they land wherever we have helped to navigate them, I have been on the other side of the table with them in negotiations. So treating people the way you want to be treated and being ultra successful – it’s important to be in the moment and to be kind. Women have taught me these lessons.

AM: We do a number of our shoots in stunning multi-million properties in the city. What are the trends in terms of purchasing properties in NYC versus out in the Hamptons?

LPF: My experience is primary residence for most people. Sometimes I do have those that are international that do not live in NY and are looking to buy into Manhattan as a second home. My two properties that I am building in Montauk and in Bridgehampton are my secondary homes. Although the needs of the two areas are different, the trends are the same. 

Right now when you have the privilege to work on a property like this, it was built in 1910 originally, we had a blank canvas to work with. Where else can you have this kind of frontage with a 30x20 living room, massive family room and a kitchen? For my life, the kitchen is the nucleus. It’s important to have our meals together, congregate, talk, share problems at school, work, teaching my children how to build relationships through communicating as opposed to dinners on the go. I don’t know if everyone functions that way but today, we live more communally. Back in the 20s when they had housekeepers that lived in their 3 or 4 maids rooms, it’s not how we live today. Even if I could live like that, I want to be in the thick of it. I have an island like this in the apartment that I created and my kids to this day – if we’re making cookies or banana bread, they’re rolling it out on this and sitting on the island. I find that the trend of having big open family rooms off their kitchens is something that most people want to accomplish even in an older floor plan. They open up the walls, flip the rooms to have an open kitchen into the dining room. 

While this is a very large home, we have experienced since the recession of 2008 and 2009 – a massive climb financial and although interest rates are low and more and more millennials are buying across the nation – the climb is going to be forcing a new trend of more efficient living. 60% across the country, it’s cheaper to own then to rent (across the nation). Developers are having to rethink the Mac Daddy mansions because people want to own and there is a large untapped market to focus on. I think that we are going to be seeing a new run of things coming with complimented mass full floors across Central Park. The shift in the Hamptons is "taking the inside out and the outside in." So instead of having pocket doors that goes out to your veranda and dining outdoors – they literally have stacking doors that are a wall of windows that literally stack. This is something that we saw in the 90s in Florida. In fact, in this property, I am trying to figure out how to do it in our penthouse that is being built here. I don’t know if I am going to be able to get that structure to work, but I really want it to be that people can just live openly.

AM: How does fitness provide clarity, focus, and energy for you?

LPF:  Fitness really feeds my soul and clears my mind. It starts my day off. I was never a morning work out person. But in the 90s, I used to smoke (which anyone who knows me now is like – wait, you), but in order to stop, I had to change my routine. I used to roll out of bed, have a cup of joe and have a cigarette. I had to do things differently – so rolling out of bed and not smoking to go to the gym became that action for me! It started my day off differently. It really feeds my soul and I think it also – it helps me embrace the 54 years that I am (my mother died when she was 61) with the need to defy nature. Whatever I need to do to do that, is the choice that I choose to do everyday. As a mother and wife – it’s just a part of our life. The best way that I can be a good mother is to live my words.

AM: Are your children into sports and fitness as well?

LPF: Nothing is better for life lessons then a team sport. We threw our kids into everything. I watched my sister who fell in love with her freshman boyfriend in college whom she married after graduating and my niece and nephew who are 22 and 24 – I’d say I was a late bloomer as mine are 10 and 12. When you have focused on your career and self to be who you are, I’m
grateful to not be kissing who I was kissing at 26. You are who you are.

My husband is Canadian and is a Downhill Racer and really was good enough to be an Olympic racer. He loves hockey as he eats, lives, and breathes it. Those were his sports and we tried everything with the kids and they drew towards hockey and chess. 

My oldest son walked onto the beach from our house in Bridgehampton and at the age of 5 he points his finger and says I want to be able to do that. There’s a guy on a surfboard on a ride on a wave and I said let’s put him on it. My kids were good swimmers and water babies. We gave him a lesson and he nailed every wave. Part of the fitness we rolled in - as well as the philosophy, is that families that play together, stay together. So all 4 of us surf together and we traveled all over the world to do so. It started because the surf coach used to call my son – Little Laird because he looked like the famous surfer. He nailed every wave and has bright blonde hair. Fitness helps define and provide a to do list without being conscious of it. It gives my children great lessons. 

My son is playing hockey in a professional AA Bantum league. He’s now in year 5 or 6 and they travel. My son is the youngest defensive man on his team and he is the worst. It’s a great life lesson because he was the best defensive man on the last 2 or 3 seasons and now it’s humbling. When he was younger, he used to get mad at the kids that were not as good as he was. Now he sees what it’s like to be one of many and how important his position is to relieve the stars and to do his best. It’s life and it is not always fair. Learning, conflict resolution, etc in sports is taught. My son is naturally drawn to boys that are humble with humility and he doesn’t even know it. It’s very similar to who his father is.

AM: What fitness do you do?

LFP: A: I surf every minute I can and the waters now are perfect as 40 degree temperatures do not work for me. My son had a surf competition awhile back, which was not for me. My passion is SoulCycle. The founders are very old friends and clients and there is something about me and music. I don’t like to bike that much honestly. My husband and I gave each other bikes as he is a cyclist, but there is something about a 

dark room, a group of people, words, and taking yourself inside to go outside. I go there at least 5 times a week. Mon nights I double it out and I Punch Mon, Wed Fri with cross training. 

Punch is 3 days a week, Mon nights I do a 90 min 7:30 – 9 and then a group of us go out to sushi afterwards. It’s also my girl’s night out although we don’t exclude boys. Tues, Thurs, Sat I’m at SoulCycle and Sundays I try to take off.

AM: How are you able to juggle your work as well as your children and husband?

LPF: I think it's about filling my day – I start with an early morning. If it wasn’t chaotic I would find something missing. Part of it is my personality. It also takes a village to run my business, raise my children, stay connected to the people that are important to me, and time is not something that we have enough of. Because of the people that I have lost, I know how essential it is to live everyday to the fullest. Maybe I am not so conscious of that – but our time is so limited and I have so much to share with my husband and children. So how do I juggle it? I think it is making the decision and choice to know consciously and unconsciously that there is an abundance for us all and to catch it everyday to have it all.

AM: We understand that you have dyslexia – how has that been to overcome and what are the challenges involved?

LPF: It’s everyday – the cause and effects still affect me today. My coping skills are great and I used to be very ashamed when I was younger due to the stigma. My mother was magna cum lauda at Vanderbuilt, who graduated at 18. You know one of the things that my mother said to me was that each of us have gifts and it’s finding out what ours is. It may not be what grade you get. 

Undiagnosed until 6th grade, I clearly got my people skills out of navigating that. I was a bit of a class clown, but then when I got into sports and dance, it fed me and gave me a work ethic as well as self esteem. I could own something that I was good at. My dyslexia affected how I could hear music. I had to feel the music. I didn't express it in a regimented way when I danced, but through my body. That in and of itself was a golden star that I didn’t realize that made me different. Dyslexia is characterized through reading, but it is a language arts disability. It affects everything from working memory to executive function. I noticed my son at age 3 that when you put a 4 piece puzzle down – the sky is blue up there and there is a piece missing. He didn’t have the strategy to place it, but he is very smart. The blessing for me is that my spatial memory is ridiculous. I have sold apartments multiple times and re-renovated them and can tell you where everything used to be and where it moved. My son is a brilliant chess player because of his dyslexia. It’s a fascinating disability/obstacle that each individual is not the same. My sons are at Winward and this school teaches you how to learn differently and in the way that you need to with the best tool box to recall and remember certain things. He would ask me for his toolbox. It’s a multi-sensory experience. It’s a way to learn the kind of learner you are. I am auditory and very visual. My son is tactile – if he writes his notes, he can remember. My brother had a photographic memory. It affects working memory, recall, and dyslexia can be very different for each person. 

AM: How important is fundraising and what does local fundraising mean?

LPF: Growing up, I watched my mom invest in her community whether it was school, church, the Nashville Symphony, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Children’s Theater – my mother believed in putting her fingerprint within her community and giving back. She used to say to me that you give it away to keep it, but at some point at 15 it clicked with me. When I think of local, I had a brother that died of AIDS and I wanted to build awareness around this and finding a cure as it is important. What I could do soulfully as opposed to writing that check was to work for a Bereavement Center – counseling siblings that lost their siblings. That’s local – I can’t change the public schools and make the state of NY stop stripping the arts, but I can entrench myself in a non profit that one school, child, etc will have a good elementary experience. That’s how I see local. The other component is tapping into my sphere and influence, like going to SoulCycle which I love, to do a fundraiser where everyone pays and rides to make a difference. That’s as local as you can get.

AM: Tell us about Change for Kids

LFP: Oh my other little baby! The founder Ted Mudera was a friend and he introduced me to Change For Kids. One of the things that they did so well – very grass roots starting in the late 90s – was that Ted and the other founders met some educators and he bought the 3 ladies a round of drinks for less then $13. The principal said we get allocated $12.37 for all of their supplies for the year (books, pencils, supplies etc). He couldn’t believe it and took her business card and said he would visit her school. He went and saw how the kids were having an art class with egg shell containers with watered down paints, brown paper bags etc. The kids didn’t know they had proper supplies and the teachers supplied what they could. When he went back to his office, he put a big jar on his desk and when people ordered lunch, he asked them to put their change in there. He was a trader and the bucket grew. In August he took all the change and said he had $812 and would ask what they would need. That’s how organic it started. So as we went forward, we started looking at supplies of each of the grades to see what we could do. We then grew to additional schools, field trips, etc.

Today it has now morphed. In 2008 he moved to London and we had a 16 – 20 executive board that went to 4. My husband, me, an executive guys, etc. We had an operating budget of 75K. Today we are in 10 schools and we have figured out how to be sustainable. We partner with the school and a great principal and we provide with a manager who is on staff to find the needs of the principal. We see what relationships exist and we want to partner with those without reinventing the wheel. We connect the dots and 100% of what we raise goes to the program with literacy, arts, writing, computer classes, etc. Every child deserves a vibrant, strong elementary experience. Because by middle school, they’re wandering. I know that high underfunded impoverished neighborhoods need this as the right resources allow us to bring positive effort without spending a lot of money. It’s the best gift I can give my children as I can make a difference. Sometimes you take on the world and you get lost in the shuffle, but when you do something on this level, it spoon feeds my soul and you can see the efforts.

AM: Tell us more about the cycling event and what is taking place?

LFP: On July 28th we will have our 6th annual ride for kids. Through the generosity of Stacey Griffith (pictured above) – a master instructor at SoulCycle – she was the first employee at SoulCycle. Julie and Elizabeth have been so generous in donating the studios and the bikes – we sell the bikes and sell them out every year. This is not an all day event. It’s an hour in the afternoon, you can be home, shower, and be out by 8pm in time to go out for summer plans. 

My children make bracelets and are invested in this endeavor. It is that mindset of families that stay together play together. My son models for Ralph Lauren and with his first paycheck he said can we give $100 to Change for Kids and to put the rest in for college? It made me feel that I was doing something right. I include them and they include me as a result. 

In the Fall on Oct 29th, we have Super Chef which has 800 people with 10 great chefs in the city that t have a tasting event We’ve done shop days with 25 Park, Calypso, Olive & Betty’s – the store has cocktails and 25% discounts with proceeds going to Change for Kids. In 5 years we will be at 35 schools. I personally believe that Change for Kids can be replicated in other states as we figured out how we have been sustainable.

AM: What are you looking to raise?

LFP: We have done anywhere from 20 – 40K and I am looking to do 50K. In addition to selling the bikes, we auction off iPods. Stacy auctions an iPod with music from St Tropez and DJs on the beach which is a hot ticket. So we would need to sell 2 iPods to make that amount. This has been my baby and there are so many generous people where they never miss an event. In our fall event, we want to do 500K.

AM: What are your summer plans?

LFP: I am going to hockey camp, just the three of us – leaving my husband here. I will do some bronzing, work, get some reading in and my sister will come and meet me. She can spend some time with the kids as well. 

We are currently building our home in Montauk on the beach with Interior Designer, Courtney Novogratz. So I will be there and plant myself to try and nest while my other son is doing a hockey camp. So we’re looking to stay local in Bridgehampton and Montauk, with a lot of hockey, surfing and of course watching the Olympics!

Read more from the July Issue

CORA LIFE

Many of us don't think of our feminine care products unless it's that time of the month or you're in the midst of purchasing them. In the past, we have purchased a number of pink, blue and white boxes and quickly store them in whatever cubbies only to reach out for them when needed. There was no thought given to its aesthetic nature, how one can give a tampon at work (clutch) without feeling awkward, or simply being able to have it packaged better when sitting on your vanity (in a clean and minimal refillable box). 

The fact is that on average, women spend nearly 40 years of their life menstruating (that breaks out to seven years cumulatively) , we use over 10,000 tampons, and 90% of them contain materials that are harmful to our bodies. The need to ensure that care and attention is given to all of our bodies and not just what you see on the outside is an essential!

We sat down with Molly Hayward, co-founder of Cora which is revolutionizing feminine care products that not only allow us to customize them for our needs and to purchase them within a subscription; moreover, they assist girls and women in third world countries as well. 

ATHLEISURE MAG: Before we can get to the packaging of Cora, we were struck how a woman is truly able to customize her membership and quantity - how did this take place?

MOLLY HAYWARD: That was something that I was very adamant about when I was first talking with the brand. You have to be customizable. You go on Lola – they have a standard 18 pack and when you’re talking about a subscription that is coming every month or 3 months or whatever it may be, this is one product where one size definitely does not fit all. Every woman is totally different and the customization piece is really important. Sometimes I wish we could allow women to do so even further, but what we offer now seems to adequately serve almost everyone. We almost never have women reaching out to request 8 instead of 6. We’ve broken it down to categories that pretty much cover everyone. 

AM: Are there going to be extensions of this brand?

MH: We know that we can’t fully serve women without expanding our product offerings – it’s a given. The rationale for offering tampons as our initial product is just because when it comes to organic and the health element, that is the product that you are most directly exposing yourself to any chemicals, synthetics, etc. We felt that if there is one that should be organic – it should be the tampon and the one that women should switch from. We also want to be a full service one stop shop when it comes to women and their periods. We realize the need for a line extension in the not too distant future.

AM: Would you ever have curated boxes by celebrities/personalities?

MH: A: We haven’t really thought of any collaborations in terms of additional brands and products. We think of collaborations and products in terms of the components in our signature kit – clutch and box. There are definite opportunities for us to partner with creatives and other individuals to do one off takeovers. I think it would be really cool.

AM: In terms of packaging, did you have to go through all of the color assortments before selecting the black and white one? 

MH: We went through a whole gamut of design inspirations. We created 6 or 7 moodboards of directions that we could go. Really the first step was just pulling together brands and design and everything across the spectrum of the lifestyle of our woman our target consumer. We pulled everything we could from color design, to products, fashion, makeup to where she vacations and what kind of car she drives and we really kind of created 7 different themes. Then we narrowed it down from there. We thought long and hard about the vision that embodied what we wanted to convey. The simplification, clean, simple and in certain ways basic – more mature feeling that we feel is a part of our value proposition. This identity captured all those things. It was very deliberate and really an intensive process and to see which one spoke to what we are trying to represent as a brand.

AM: Is Cora doing in-person events, Fashion Week plan etc?

MH: We are doing a few things right now. We don’t have anything solid at this point in terms of Fashion Week although we have talked with some people who have expressed an interest in having our presence there. As far as in person – we have a few things coming up. Most notably, is a couple of collaborations we’re doing with colleges and universities (this will be a growing list). We’ll be on campus with Vasser College as well as Stanford University in the fall providing Cora products in all the women’s public bathrooms on campus. This is a direct interaction with our customer. We are building out some events around that in the fall. It includes me coming to do a speaking event and then rallying the campus around those. We do have a campaign we are working on as well with a non-profit here in the US in order to provide menstrual products to women in homeless shelters here in the US. We’re working with them on a campaign to help them raise awareness and to provide Cora products for them to distribute. We'll have an event for that campaign in late Aug as well. We’re primarily digital at the moment.

Also worth noting, we are also present in Jessica Biel’s restaurant, Oh Fudge in West Hollywood. We stock their women’s rooms with products as an amenity. That’s been a really cool spot for us. She posted on her IG over the summer and she is actually a customer who reached out to us and loved what we were doing and asked if we would stock her bathrooms. That has been a very cool project to work on with her.

AM: How does Cora assist women around the world in underdeveloped countries?

MH: We have partnered with organizations in India that support adolescent girls education and produce an innovative, affordable, and biodegradable brand of high-quality sanitary pads, They are produced in small women owned and operated mini factories that can be set up in villages and slums. The mini factories create jobs for women and a sustainable, affordable, local source of biodegradable pads for all girls and women in the community.

Cora purchases pads from the mini factories, generating revenue for them, and then provides those at no cost to girls in local schools who otherwise couldn't afford them and would stay home during their periods. 

Imported sanitary pads in developing countries are inaccessible or are too expensive for most women and girls. Gender inequality is reinforced as women are forced to stay home from school and work for days each month. In rural India, one in four adolescent girls drop out of school after their menstruating because of the inadequate menstrual protection like sanitary pads. Those who stay in school are absent about five days each month. Among girls that are given pads, the dropout rate goes down by 90%.

Read more from the Jul issue

ATHLEISURE BEAUTY

Our vanity has become a miniature spa of sorts with devices that make our zen space. The must haves in our beauty rituals list include Clairsonic's Mia Fit to ensure that your face is smooth and cleansed, me Clear for zapping pesky acne and the BrushPearl which automated a necessary part of your routine by cleaning your favorite brushes.

CLARISONIC Mia FIT

ME Clear

BRUSHPEARL

See more from the July Issue

SUMMER LUV

SHOT AT EL BARRIO ARTSPACE PS109 | PHOTOGRAPHY Carlos David | STYLIST Kimmie Smith | MUA Risako Matsushita | HAIR STYLIST Vi Huynh | MODEL Luke Lysdahl/Major Models | MODEL Audrey Bromar/Major Models | 

| Apparel SPENGLISH | Leather and Metal Jewelry UNO DE 50 | Smart Watch KENNETH COLE CONNECT |

See more from the July Issue

MOTIVATIONAL IMPACT

When you think of fitness luminaries and their famous systems, Tony Horton comes to mind without a doubt! With his innovative and successful systems that include P90X, P90X2, and P90X3, he is a household name. We caught up with Tony to talk about TH Care by Tony Horton, his new hair and skincare line, motivation seminars, 22 Minute Hard Corps, and living a consistent lifestyle. 

ATHLEISURE MAG: What does a healthy lifestyle mean to you? 

TONY HORTON: Simply, you must be very consistent with your exercise and have a purpose beyond the aesthetic, weight, scale, tape measure, and what other people say about you. It's about eating whole foods as much as possible, from anywhere between 80 - 95% of the time, depending on the individual.

AM: What are your favorite experiences training celebs and are there differences training  them?

TH: I believe that there are nuances for sure. My first celebrity client was Tom Petty and when he called me up at my tiny two bedroom apartment, I hung up on him thinking that it was my friend pulling a prank on me. Once I met Tom, it was a really phenomenal experience because I was dealing with someone who hadn't really trained consistently or in the kind of way that I was trying to show him - with weight lifting, boxing, kick boxing, and cardiovascular exercises and basic stretching. It was a 3 month experience and I went on tour with him for 3 weeks in the middle of that tour after we trained, and I think that what was the most unique about it was that it opened up the door to other celebrities like; Billy Idol, Bruce Springsteen, Stephen Stills, Annie Lennox, Sean Connery, Shirley MacLaine, Usher, and so on. The Tom Petty experience opened all the doors to being a celebrity trainer.

AM: Is being on tour with clients hard for you in terms of staying on your training schedule for yourself?

TH: My training doesn't get affected. Tom was kind enough to know that I needed some time in the day to exercise too. On tour, he's got soundcheck and reheasals so there's hours between the workout in the morning and his show where I could workout. Then there were times that we would just work out together.

AM: What's the ideology behind your famous fitness methods?

TH: My trademarked phrase "Do your best, so forget the rest," explains everything. I think that in this industry, there are a lot of people that fail because they feel like they have to compete with the past, with others or with the expectations of how it is supposed to go throughout the course of whatever program they have decided to do. My philosophy is, you just take care of the basics and don't think too much about the aesthetic change (how many push- ups you have to do and how many pull-ups you need to do or how perfect your yoga Asana needs to be). These things are causing people to have too much angst. To be consistent for the process and the lifestyle is about making sure that you do what you can and it changes from day to day. From things as unpredictable as biorhythms, lack of sleep, hydration - there are just too many variables that are difficult to track that allow you to have the perfect fitness experience. Sometimes Lebron scores 40+ and sometimes he doesn't. Even the best athletes in the world don't have the same exact performance every time and neither should we expect that from ourselves.

AM: Does fitness go hand in hand with motivation?

TH: I think you need some kind of motivation to be consistent with your fitness. If your motivation isn't as important as food, shelter, water and breathing as it should be - then chances are you won't be able to sustain it. It's not about losing weight so that you can show your friends how great you look in an outfit. It's about being able to sustain how you look for decades. When your purpose is aligned, then there is a greater likelihood that you'll make the switch and stay with it for the rest of your life. 

AM: What are your motivational weekends like?

TH: It depends from event to event. A corporate one is different than a beach body event. If it's a 4 hour excursion, it's different than a 2 day excursion. On average, most of them are a workout or two, seminar based, and we do some autographs/photos. For example, at the Omega Institute coming up June 24 - 26. It's a 2 day intensive so we break off in groups and analyze aspects of our health/fitness lifestyle. Last year, it was motivation - how do we get it, why aren't we consistent, and what are the plans that need to be in place so that we can create accountability. These were the things that were important in last year's seminar. 

This year, it focuses on food and diet. In my opinion, exercise is about fitness but most people don't realize that health is the result of the food you eat. Food is either medicine or poison. You have opportunities throughout the day - breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks in between that allow you to make healthy or unhealthy choices. When you make healthy choices, it seriously impacts the quality of your life, sleep, the likelihood of you getting sick and the ability for you to perform better when you exercise and for the body to recover so that you can come back the next day. That is the importance of food - it's not just exercising so that you can eat whatever or to try and watch your weight. That is about as archaic as driving around in a Ford Pinto. The goal is to be more sophisticated and to know that it's not complicated.

The Omega Institute has a session where we do a simple workout, yoga, meditation - there's three where we break off into groups to solve some of the food issues that people have. We also have obstacle courses and goofy games.

I want people to come away knowing as much new information as possible so that they can feel that they come away with how they can start over. So often, if it is a workout in a seminar, 8 out of 10 people will think that what they did was fun, but they won't apply it. Two days is almost like you're re-wiring people. That's why it works.

AM: Tell us about TH Care by Tony Horton and will there be additional products in the future?

TH: I have always been a fan of Patrick Dockry, who is the owner/creator of Ultimate Salon Professionals and I was on his TV show and part of his magazine. Out of courtesy of me doing that, he sent me boxes of his products. My wife and I loved them. One day she and I were talking and I said, "Why don't we see if we can come up with a line of products that will accomodate some of my personal needs?" Due to damaging effects of the sun, my skin and hair are dry. So, I asked him to mix a little nature and science together for my hair and skin and he did. It's been a great improvement to the quality of my skin and my hair is manageable and under control. I started sharing it with friends and they suggested that I should get it packaged. 

We came out with two products, one is called Fitness (face/skin spray) and the other is  Workout (hair/bodywash). They're unisex and we wanted to create something that was simple, effective, and traveled well for athletes and /or those that exercise a lot. The scent was important because it couldn't be too feminine or masculine. Everyone who smells it always says it's like summer in a bottle. I don't know what that smells like exactly but it's clean, fresh and warm. People love it and we're already looking at including a shaving cream within the line and a hair and skin oil that is just the bomb that we've been experimenting with. I really love this oil! When you think oil - you think greasy but this absorbs deep into the skin and makes the skin look younger and feel better. But we have to get the first two off the ground before looking at the next ones.

On Monday nights, I do a plyometrics class at my house and I wear TH Care all the time. When we're in a room, people will ask what I'm wearing and they really think that the smell is amazing. When I tell them it's my skincare, they say that they should put it on more. I let them know that you have to in order to smell good - a lot of guys who are younger don't realize that they need to maintain their skin. Doing it now will get them into the routine of taking care of themselves. You get out of the shower, dry off a bit and then slap on the lotion to go about your day. 

AM: Tell us about the fitness methods that you created.

TH: P90X was a departure from anything else that existed in the market. No one had created 12 separate discs with 12 different workouts on them. There are a lot of specific routines out there in the areas of yoga, pilates, body building, cardio etc. A lot of trainers like to just stick with what they know and a lot of them are very good, but the issue with sort of a one-dimensional myopic approach to fitness is that people will plateau. The lack of variety usually causes people to settle into a certain place. Maybe they're happy and maybe they're not. 

With P90X, it forced all users to work on their weakness much more than their strengths, due, to the extent of the variety. The offerings include: weight lifting, body resistance, core and functional, pilates, yoga, plyometrics and so on. That's always been my theme. When you look at the course of my week in training, every workout is different from the next. I try to train 7 days a week and maybe taking one day off, but I schedule 7. I need to do plyometrics. I need to do yoga. I need to do chest and back. I need to do shoulders and arms and I need to do core and functional and ski training. I need 9 days in a week but I only have 7 - sometimes I will take off a Sat. or a Wed. I usually train 22 - 25 days a month. That's how your body truly changes. 3 or 4 days a week, you're playing catch-up all the time.The days off always supersede the day on. If you only train 4 days a week, you end up with what I call, Exercise Bipolar Disorder and that's not a good thing. The goal is to be consistent with everything.

The thing I tell people on the Motivation Seminar is that I want everyone to take a deep breath and hold it. Then I never tell them to stop and people have to gasp to catch their breath. I let them know that consistency is as important as taking your next breath. This allows you to live the kind of lifestyle that I think most people want to live.

The brand new method is called 22 Minute Hard Core, and it's a big departure from P90X/2/3. P90X2 was more of a balanced functional fitness version of P90X. Many people thought it was more difficult and it was meant for those that are athletes. But it also took P90X graduates and turned them into athletes. P90X3 is half an hour because a lot of people who

bought the other two systems were not finishing the 3 month program. The half hour allowed more people to participate everyday to not skip workouts and P90X3's success rate was the best of all three.

22 Minute Hard Core is an 8 week bootcamp with a 9th that's a Hell Week that is optional. The routines are 22 minutes and from the minute they start - it goes. You sweat during routines of cardio, core spec and resistance because it is relentless and it has to be because it's only 22 minutes. It's intense with modifiers - 1, 2 and 3. You get profficient at 1 and then it transitions into 2 and then 3. The same with resistance as well. There is a modifier option that if you have Beach Body on demand or on disc, you can choose it where you only look at the modifier and are not distracted by people on the video that are at a higher level then you.

AM: How can we live in a preventive way? 

TH: I think that those things go hand-in-hand. If you are eating well and exercising regularly, then you are preventing a lot of the illness and injuries that occur to people that aren't. That's what prevention is. It's not about relying on your pharmacists and/or doctors to solve your problems through meds. It's about taking control of your life and healing thy self. It's not an easy solution, it's more of a difficult one. When we were growing up, we went from one grade to the next and for many on to college. You just did it. I'm only asking for you to work out for 8 weeks - good lord!

It's being able to understand that exercise is fitness and food is health. If you understand that those two things are true and you practice healthy eating and regular exercise, then it is a very preventative lifestyle right out of the box.

AM: How do you stay balanced?

From the outside, it may look like I'm busy as hell, but I'm not. I know how to find my own down time. Some days there is literally nothing, just emails, phone calls, doing interviews, making my bed, making sure I eat well, hanging out with friends, and working out. That's quite often, but there are other days when it's super intense. I am in the midst of development, voice-overs, rehearsals, media, and PR tours. But what I do (what anyone would do not to burn out) is that they tell the people around them that they need their down time and sleep etc. 

No one schedules anything during my workout hours. Those that know me are aware that I work out Tues./Thurs. from 7:15am - 9:00am,  Mon./Wed. and Fri. nights after 5:30pm are blocked off as well. Sat. is yoga, so don't bug me and Sun. is my track or gymnastic workout. Everybody in my life knows when these things occur and they don't plan something else there. Then I sit down and negotiate my time. 
  
AM: You have worked with the First Lady, Michelle Obama on the 'Let's Move Campaign,' are there are other organizations you're involved in?

TH: I am a real fan of Rain Catcher. They bring fresh water to people that are in Africa and Asia as they usually have to walk for miles and miles to drink mud. So the technology that they have created is amazing which allows them to have drinkable water in their own village. 

The other one is Go Campaign which is a charity foundation that started from my friend, Scott Fifer. He was an attorney and screenwriter who went on a working vacation to Tanzania and ended up in an orphanage for three weeks. These kids lived in squalor and he couldn't believe it and they were learning gymnastics. The people that climbed Mt Kilimanjaro would make donations at the tiny orphanage. Scott decided that he would re-route his entire life to help them. He's helped raise 100s of millions for orphanages in Africa, Asia, Russia, South America, Harlem, Mexico, and Indian Reservations etc. 

It's amazing work that he does as he lives in a one-bedroom apartment and drives a Mini Coo
per - he doesn't pay himself and gives all the money to the kids. He pays for schools, books, kids, instruments, shoes, etc. It's an amazing organization. 

Pictures courtesy of Tony Horton

ATHLEISURE LIST: UPLIFT STUDIOS

Uplift is a (women-only) fitness studio and female society that offers signature group fitness classes, specialized personal training, and a unique social community. Their philosophy is pretty simple, but powerful: in everything they do, they are devoted to the power of "US". They create an environment where strong women empower, inspire, and connect with each other, through fitness and in all areas of life.

Leanne Shear is the co-founder of Uplift. Before conceiving the idea for Uplift, Leanne was a professional writer and the author of 'The Perfect Manhattan and Cocktail Therapy: The Perfect Prescription for Life’s Many Crises,' and her writing has also been featured in The Nation, The New York Times, New York, Glamour, Maxim, and Men’s Health, among others.  Leanne graduated with honors from the University of Pennsylvania and received a Master’s degree in Women’s Studies and Cultural Politics from New York University.  

Uplift offers five signature classes: Endurance, Power, Strength, Sculpt, and Uplift Express, which is a sampling of the other four formats. They offer personal training tailored specifically toward a range of female demographics. The studio also hosts a number of events including retreats, day trips, career panels, love/dating  events and nutrition workshops to name a few.

Uplift was on the top of the studio fitness game for amenities from the very beginning. In its full-scale NYC studio, they offer a range of beauty products, complimentary filtered water, coffee, tea, and post-workout refeuling snacks, and often  work with strategic partners to provide juices, nutrition bars and other goodies. The LA studio is providing similar offerings.

The studio will launch a new line of apparel in early July centered in "US"/aka the Uplift Studios moniker ("FocUS on the Good"). They will reintroduce their hugely popular muscle tee with the phrasing "Strong Women Uplift Each Other".

In addition to the NYC location, they also recently opened a second studio on the left coast in the heart of West Hollywood.

UPLIFT STUDIOS FACTS

LOCATIONS:

8254 Melrose Ave LA, CA
24 West 23rd St 2nd Fl NY, NY

STUDIO OFFERINGS: 

They offer personal training tailored specifically toward a range of female demographics.

THE ART OF THE SNACK: AVOCADO

This vegetable is always trending whether enjoying it on toast, solo, in salads or a number of other ways. In this issue's The Art of the Snack we share recipes for Avocados from Peru for a smoothie as well as a twist on a breakfast classic.

Pictures courtesy of Stuart Ramson/AP

Pictures courtesy of Stuart Ramson/AP

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Food Deco

PERUVIAN AVOCADO SUPER FOOD SMOOTHIE

Ingredients:

1 ripe Avocado from Peru, peeled and pitted
1 (13.5-oz) can lite or regular coconut milk
1 cup pineapple juice
1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
2 Tbsp sugar
1 cup ice cubes

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a blender, secure with lid and puree until smooth.

Options:

• For added sweetness, dip the moistened rim of the glass (water or citrus juices work well) into a pile of sugar that is about ¼” deep.  Shake off the excess sugar and pour the smoothie.

• Before blending, add your favorite protein powder for a nutritionally boost.  

Yield:  4 cups; 1 cup per serving

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Food Deco

PERUVIAN AVOCADO EGG SCRAMBLE

Ingredients:

1 large egg
¼ cup liquid pasteurized egg product
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 ounce (2 slices) Peruvian Avocado
Salt
Pepper
Slice of whole wheat toast

Directions:

1. In a bowl, whisk together egg product and egg until smooth.
2. Stir in salt and pepper.
3. Heat oil. Whisk in egg mixture and cook while constantly stirring until mixture sets.  
4. Place eggs on toasted bagel and top with avocado.

Options:

• Add 1 Tbsp scallions, minced or thinly sliced, to the egg mixture before cooking.

• Sauté 1 tsp fresh gingerroot, peeled and minced, then add egg mixture.

Yield:  1 serving

HOMME GARDEN

Plants have always been of interest to have within your home or office space whether they're flowers, succulents, etc. We sat down with Caroline Bailly, owner of L'Atelier Rouge to find out how to create the perfect arrangement as well as how they are the perfect gift for men whether's it for your boyfriend, Father's Day or just because! 

ATHLEISURE MAG: Have you always been interested in flowers - what is your background in the floral industry?  

CAROLINE BAILLY:  Yes my Mom was a botanic specialist in France and flowers have always been part of my life. Even though I have a food and beverage background through the course of my career, I was hired as Events Director by the famed Olivier Giugni who was a wonderful floral mentor and taught me a lot.

AM: When did you launch L'Atelier Rouge?  

CB: In March, 2010.

AM: How can we create the perfect floral arrangement?   

CB: When you design a floral arrangement I feel that emotions are very important and you want to share / create a story when designing.

AM: What kinds of flowers should we always have on hand?   

CB: I feel like answering all of them! This is a challenging question as I feel that there is always a certain flower for a specific purpose and the message you want to send. (i.e. Peonies are soft / sweet and delicate. Calla lillies are more structured and clean.) So to keep it simple you would want to have different sizes of heads, different textures and at least 3 colors to add more depth to your designs. Right now, I would say that I always want to have some proteas / peonies / roses / sweetpeas and orchids on hand. 

AM: Succulents seem to be a popular trend - what is it about them that are making them have such a moment?

CB: I think that the beauty of succulents is that they do last and add texture and muted colors to your home. They do not need a lot of maintenance and you do not need to be a floral expert to have fun with them. 

Arrangements created by L' Atelier Rouge's Head of Floral Design, Takaya Sato

AM: When it comes to florals, and men, how can we choose an arrangement that is perfect for them?    

CB: For me a more masculine arrangement is structured, geometrical and not overly colorful. Ornithogalum / Calla Lillies / Lady Slippers / Tulips and exotic flowers such as anthurium are my recommendations.

AM: Are flowers an appropriate gift for Father's Day and what do you suggest?   

CB: Totally, I love the idea of offering a plant such as an interesting agave as an alternative to succulents or a creative orchid garden for the office as a father's day gift. 

AM: What are popular florals that are perfect for the summer?   

CB: Sunflowers / daisies / chamomille and dahlias are some of my Summer favorites. 

Read more from the June Issue

SCULPTING VENUS

We're all about making sure that as you're working out, whether it's maintaining or to lose weight that it's done in the healthiest way possible! For those that have a little to lose, there are options that could make sense for you. We took a moment to chat with plastic surgeon, Dr Julius Few of the Few Institute in Chicago and NY to talk about Cool Sculpting and Venus Freeze. These systems assist in taking care of the last few pesky inches that seem to escape you when you're close to the goal.

ATHLEISURE MAG: What are the most effective body sculpting treatments?

DR. JULIUS FEW: Cool Sculpting is the number one non-surgical fat reducing, contouring technology on the market. It creates permanent fat reduction. We have extensive experience with this technology and find it extremely effective and associated with a high level of patient satisfaction. We use “dual sculpting” to create the desired contour in half the time. At the Few Institute, we find the use of Venus Legacy and Venus Freeze can help tighten loose, sagging skin on the body to further the desired body contouring need.

AM: Who is the best candidate for each type of body sculpting treatment?  

DR. JF: The best candidate for contouring is a man or woman close to their ideal body weight, living a healthy lifestyle with good skin tone. If there is a small area of unwanted fat, like the love handles or lower belly, in an otherwise shapely person, the effect of Cool Sculpting is quite powerful. 

AM: What is the approximate cost of each type? 

DR. JF: Cool Sculpting starts at $1,500 for a small area of treatment. Venus Freeze starts around $1,000. 

AM: When should someone expect to see results? 

DR. JF: One typically starts to see results as early as 6 weeks, but the optimal improvement is 3 months. 

AM: Are certain body areas more likely to get better results than others?

Dr Julius Few

DR. JF: The outer thighs, lower abdomen, and love handles have shown the most dramatic results in our experience. 

AM: Does age play a factor in effectiveness? 

DR. JF: Age is relative, as we have seen women in their 50’s with great skin tone and elasticity. They get great results and the outcome is comparable to what we have seen in 22 years olds. In general, as someone gets older, the skin quality does get looser, and less elastic, making the fat contouring treatment less powerful. 

AM: What happens to the skin when a patient undergoes Venus Freeze?

DR. JF: The skin becomes tighter after Venus Freeze treatments, potentially enhancing the effects of Cool Sculpting to make a smoother, smaller waistline. 

AM: How long does the patient see the effects of Cool Sculpting/Venus Freeze?

DR. JF: If the patient is good about maintaining healthy lifestyle and weight, the results are permanent. 

AM: Post the treatments, is a patient able to exercise and do other activities?

DR. JF: The are no restrictions after, a major advantage over surgical offerings. 

AM: How often would one need to continue to do the treatments for long terms results?

DR JF: Because the skin continues to age over time, at the Few Institute we recommend patients do 1 to 2 annual maintenance treatments to maintain skin tightness. There is no need for maintenance with Cool Sculpting, as there is permanent fat reduction. 

AM: Is there anything else you'd like to add? 

DR. JF: It is really important to consider “Stackable Treatments,” where both Venus Freeze and  Cool Sculpting are combined in those patients who have looser skin and want to reduce unwanted fat for body contouring.

Read more from the June Issue

#SUMM3RFRIDAY + ULTIMATE #SUMMERFRIDAY CANCUN GIVEAWAY

Throughout the summer, we're doing a number of weekly giveaways. We kicked it off during Memorial Weekend and we will continue on through Labor Day Weekend! Each week you and two friends will win a lifestyle package that all three of you can enjoy via our weekly #SUMM3RFRIDAY giveaways for our fans in Miami and NYC.

Don't forget that throughout the summer, you can enter to win a trip for you and two friends at the all inclusive Moon Palace Golf and Spa Resorts in Cancun, Mexico. We will select a winner for the ULTIMATE #SUMM3RFRIDAY on Labor Day (ground transportation, airfare, etc are not included).  Make sure to visit the links for eligibility for each of the giveaways. 

Read more from the June Issue

BY YOUR SIDE

Our Fashion Editorial, By Your Side showcases swim style that you'll want to include within your wardrobe this summer whether you're at the pool, the roofdeck or wherever your travels take you!

OPENING SPREAD | Brief HANRO | One Piece Swimsuit with Zip VYVE | IMAGE 1 | Geometric Mesh Black and White Bikini Top + Black String Bikini Bottom YANDY.COM | IMAGE 2 | Brief HANRO | IMAGE 3  LEFT PAGE | Brief HANRO | IMAGE 3 RIGHT PAGE, IMAGE 4, + BACK COVER | White Hooded Monokini YANDY.COM | Brief FRIGO |

Read more from the JUNE ISSUE

TO YOUR HEALTH

The summer is all about maxi dresses, sandals, warm weather and more. But every now and then you find yourself under the weather or maybe you had a bit too much fun and need a time out, during this time of the year. We have a few must have items that you should always have available for a quicker and more comfortable recovery! 

Yesterday's sandals were perfectly comfortable at the shoe store, however you broke them in today and your feet need a little love with Compeed blister pack! Secure your bandaids and other chic medical finds within this Band-Aid® First Aid Kit by Oh Joy!

A total body workout led by one of your favorite trainers means your muscles need a little love! The MELT Performance Roller is for pre- and post workouts to improve range of motion, flexibility circulation, core strength, and joint stability. This roller targets the connective tissue that connects muscle to bone and organs. It aims to improve performance and reducing aches as well as recovery time - this is a must to have on hand.

When you're under the weather, you need to know what your temperature is and to track your symptoms. Whether you pop this in your bag or have it in your kit, Kinsa's Smart Stick Thermometer is the world's first smart thermometer that pairs with the free companion app to log symptoms, emperatures and any images. You can opt for a number of areas to take your temperature and have all the information you need at your fingertips. 

Summer's Eve Night Time Cleansing Cloths are not only perfect for those with sensitive skin, they are also a great way to wind down and a great replacement for taking a shower at night before going to bed. With their signature avendar scent, it aims to balance your body's natural pH for your feminine parts.

Read more from the JUNE ISSUE 

ATHLEISURE MAG'S JUNE ISSUE IS OUT!

And we're live! The June issue is ready and we're so excited to unveil that we have Vicky Jeudy from Orange is the New Black on the cover! She plays Janae Watson in this Netflix show which goes live on June 17th and we enjoyed shooting with her. This issue also has a number of celebrity fitness trainers including Ky Evans and Tony Horton. We also have an indepth interview with Kevin Kerslake Director/Executive Producer of AS I AM: The Life and Time$ of DJ AM. Make sure to flip through the digital issue now!

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WIN THIS | YOU + 2 AT MOON PALACE RESORTS GOLF & SPA RESORTS

We're thrilled to announce that yesterday, we kicked off an amazing giveaway via our partnership with Palace Resorts. From now through Sept 5th, you can enter our giveaway. We will select one winner who will be able to bring 2 friends (all 18+) with you to enjoy a 3 night/4 day stay at Moon Palace Golf and Spa Resorts in Cancun within a one (1) Deluxe View Room.

On Sept 6th, we will select one (1) winner at random. Please note that the giveaway includes one (1) Deluxe View Room (all three of you would enjoy staying in this room), access to the amenities of the all-inclusive elements of the resort (this does not include an array of amenities and activities that have additional fees, ground transportation to/from the airport including your home as well as the resort nor is airfare covered to/from the resort).

For more details about entering this giveaway as well as information on what this trip entails click here to find out about the ULTIMATE #SUMM3RFRIDAY. You can still enter to win our weekly giveaways via our #SUMM3RFRIDAY series as we kicked it off during Memorial Weekend through Labor Day Weekend.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ULTIMATE #SUMM3RFRIDAY

ENTER ULTIMATE #SUMM3RFRIDAY

WEEKLY #SUMM3RFRIDAY 

WIN THIS | #SUMM3RFRIDAY WEEK 3

The third week of #SUMM3RFRIDAY giveaways continues! We have great brands that are involved and are items that you can enjoy as you partake in all that is the summer season! Click the above link to enter and remember, the 1 winner that is selected will also be able to gift 2 of his/her friends. Each week, we will have 1 winner in NYC and 1 in Miami. Each city may have different partners who are participating in that week's giveaway.

Read more from the May issue

FOR THE HIKER, MAY #ATHSPO

| GRIFFITH PARK - Los Angeles, CA | Hammock Sports Bra VALLEAU APPAREL | Cortelyou Jogger Pant in Pink Tropics ALEXIS MERA |  Pink/Yellow Sneakers NEWTON | Sparkling Water AQUA CARPATICA | Trekking Towel TRESPASS | Water Spray Bottle EVIAN |  Dylan Backpack LINEA PELLE |

Read more from the May Issue

5 SUMMER WEEKEND MUST HAVES

| Wheatgrass Tablets CITRAGREEN | Flip Flops LIBERTY X HAVAIANAS | Milano TRAVALO | Studio Hatha Capri Legging LUCY | Dry Oil Bodywash DOVE |

Read more from the May Issue