ATHLEISURE LIST | P.VOLVE

Steve Pasterino, Celebrity Fitness Trainer who is known for his work with Victoria's Secret models, is the founder of P.volve, a method that focuses on elongating the body. Steven's philosophy is steeped in the belief that fast and sweaty workouts were not resulting in making the naturally proportioned, lean bodies that women want. His method focuses on ensuring that women are able to obtain their desired tone and definition without straining, damaging or bulking muscles.

P.volve's fundamentals are about building strength through purposeful exercise. With a studio in NYC as well as the ability to take courses On Demand and two classes (Thigh Thursday
- activating glutes, hips and thighs by firming and trimming the thigh and butts by integrating the proprietary P.ball into the workout and P.Sculpt - a total body sculpting class. In addition
to reserving classes within a group, you can also have one-on-one personal classes).

The P.volve method is a low-impact, resistance based workout that is based in physical therapy. Classes integrate slow, controlled movements to emphasize muscles that are lengthened and strengthened. This is done in a way that protects the joints, increases range of motion and eliminates inflammation. In the studio, an array of equipment is used in addition to your own bodyweight. Those who take courses via streaming can do so without equipment. Although there are no showers available at the hardwood natural light studio,
there is storage for personal items (cubbies and coat racks), face/body wipes deodorant spray, hair dryers, dry shampoos and hairspray.

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P.VOLVE

112 Bowery Fl #3

NY, NY 10013

www.pvolve.com

IG @pvolve

Read more from the Nov Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Athleisure List | P.volve in mag.

ATHLEISURE LIST | CHAISEFITNESS

Known for its innovative and body-redefining method, ChaiseFitness was designed and founded by mother-daughter duo Lauren Piskin, a former gold medalist figure skater, and Rachel Piskin, a former ballerina with the New York City Ballet. Their energy and decades of professional experience is the driving force behind the unique hybrid workouts at ChaiseFitness, which blends the sculpting and strengthening methods of Pilates, ballet, cardio and strength training. As a long-time professional Pilates instructor, Lauren always wanted to “get Pilates off of its back and bring it into the modern upbeat vibe of New York City,” but it wasn’t until Rachel’s ballet career came to an end that she started developing a way to make that happen. Rachel was struggling to maintain the healthy lifestyle she always had from dance, so she and Lauren began to experiment and create a new type of workout that eventually gave her an even stronger and healthier physique. ChaiseFitness and the Reinvention Method were born from Lauren’s professional experience was refined by Rachel’s personal journey to help everyone create long lean muscles, increase flexibility, and transform their bodies.

What makes ChaiseFitness stand out is the unique patented system designed with an overhead bungee system and a state-of-the-art fitness chair. This system provides the framework in which new programming is continually developed (right now there are 10 types of classes) fusing together Pilates, ballet, strength training and aerobics. Focusing on building long, lean, and sculpted muscles, clients improve their posture, spinal health, core stability and strength due to the overhead bungee system and use of resistance bands. ChaiseFitness is still a family business, that lends itself in creating a strong sense of community, which is why it is important that it always has small class sizes to ensure all clients get hands on corrections, connect with the instructor, and most importantly learn how to work in proper form.

With celebs such as Vanessa Hudgens, supermodels Anne V and Jessica Hart who have been trained in the method, it is for everyone. The college student, the working professional, young moms as well as clients in their 60’s and 70’s. The method is low impact with a focus on building long, lean strong muscles, improved core strength, enhanced posture and spinal health. Classes can be done at all the different phases of one’s life: wedding, pregnancy, post natal, rehabbing an injury and of course, just the daily work out to keep you in amazing shape all year long.

ChaiseFitness launched in 2012 with locations in the UES and Flatiron. They expanded their franchise model in Madison, NJ and plan to open of a studio in Maplewood, NJ in early 2019.

At the Flatiron studio, all of the signature classes with intimate class sizes (max 12 per class) as well as private sessions. There are over 10 types of class offerings which include: Chaise Reinvention; a signature class incorporating the fitness chair and overhead bungee system, ChaiseCardio uses the same equipment with the addition of cardio aerobic intervals, and one of the most popular classes BandSculpt using various resistance bands to sculpt and strengthen the body. At the Upper East Side location you can still experience intimate group classes, and have a full traditional Pilates floor dedicated to offering private sessions and small reformer classes. Unique to the UES location is the ability to take private sessions in all the various modalities - an hour session can include working on a reformer, TRX, and wrap with the chair and bungee system.

Both locations offer clients towels, a filtered water station, digital lockers, and select hair and face products so guests can refresh post-sweat session.

In February 2018 Chaise On Demand's platform debuted. Clients can access all of the content through the desktop or the ChaiseFitness app, which offers pre-recorded fitness videos such as 7min ab blast or a 20 min full body chair workout. Clients also get access to live streamed studio classes. The content is updated monthly so clients are constantly challenging themselves from the convenience of their homes.

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CHAISEFITNESS
Flatiron
40 E 23rd St 3rd Fl
NY, NY 10010

UES
1204 Lexington Ave
NY, NY 10028

www.chaisefitness.com

IG @chaisefitness

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Read more from the Nov Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Athleisure List ChaiseFitness in mag.

TIP: HIP THRUST FOR A STRONGER SQUAT

The hip thrust is by far the best exercise for an athlete who understands its benefits. But for the sake of the novices in exercises and the sports life, we will start by defining what hip thrust exercises are. They are exercises targeting the hip area, core, and glutes by actively moving these parts through one of many workouts. Some add weight as they move the hip area up and down while others do it without any weight. Doing it correctly has a number of benefits as confirmed by experienced fitness trainers and therapists.

A Word from the Experts

Most fitness enthusiasts and athletes from all over the world ignore this exercises since they are oblivious to what value it could add to their lives. But experts have something to tell them. If you want to prepare your body for the best squats, this is one set of workouts you should include in your exercise schedule.

Some research shows that people who were exposed to some form of hip thrust exercise a couple of times a week have better core strength, overall body balance, and power than those who do not. So from this, it is evident that experts confirm that hip thrusts make for better squats.

Hip Thrust Exercise with Increasing Intensity

It is always prudent to start small in fitness and grow the intensity of workouts as you get used to them. And that is the case with hip thrust exercises. If you find some exercises difficult, you can get motivation through reliable steroids at 120kgs.org. They have a wide variety of enhancement boosters that are legit. Here are easy ways of increasing hip thrust intensity for better squats:

● Increase the number of reps - All hop-thrust variations have some reps involved. You will notice that it is not possible to do many at the beginning of the exercises. However, you need to increase the reps after every week. Your ability to easily perform squats will also increase.

● Add more time - Hip thrusts are used as preparation for squats and other lower body exercises like leg presses. However, one can increase the duration of the exercise to get the most out of it.

● Add weight - Another wise way to make your core, hip, and glutes stronger is by gradually adding weight when doing hip thrusts. Some caution when doing this is to have a trainer or training buddy just in case things go wrong. It is better to prevent workout accidents and injuries than to treat them.

Relationship Between Hip Thrust and Squats

Squats have benefits to the lower body, especially the glutes and hamstrings. If you have a knee problem, this is the perfect solution. Heavy lifters add weights when doing squats to get the same effect as leg presses with a high-resistance force. But with all of these exercises, the hip and core areas play a major role of support. And this is where the hip thrusts come in to make this area strong and powerful. Those who put some work into hip thrusts can confirm that the fruits are incredible.

Read from the latest issue of Athleisure Mag

WHEN FANTASY IS REALITY WITH FIELD YATES

This month's cover is graced by Field Yates, an NFL Insider for ESPN who contributes analysis, breaking NFL news and fantasy football for the network. We enjoyed catching up with him to know more about how he got into the industry, shows he's on and more about Fantasy Football.

ATHLEISURE MAG: What was the moment when you realized you wanted to work in sports?

FIELD YATES: For as long as I can remember, I wished to work in sports. I often joke that I had an early realization that my future in sports was not going to be on the field forever - my college career at Wesleyan University on the football and lacrosse teams - was inglorious. But, without hesitation, I always knew that I wanted sports to be a foundational part of my life. So much of my life has revolved and will continue to circle around sports, which I'm grateful for everyday. So while pinpointing a specific moment is difficult, I'm hard pressed to remember a time when I didn't envision a career in sports.

AM: We know prior to coming to ESPN, you worked in the front office on the staff for scouting and coaching. Tell us about your background and how you transitioned your career into joining the ESPN family.

FY: My career at ESPN was, well, not by design. My desire growing up was to enter into the world of football coaching, and after spending several training camps working with the Patriots during my high school and college years, I was hired by the Chiefs in 2009 following my graduation from Wesleyan University. My summers with the Patriots were a combination of scouting and coaching duties, learning the ins and outs of each while contributing in any way that was asked of me. I draw the parallel to learning a new language: for me, training camps were my football Rosetta Stone. Learning from an organization with incredible success was my foundation and my time in Kansas City (2009-2011) provided me with a chance to put my football education into action. Both were truly remarkable opportunities.

AM: What shows on air as well as on the podcast are you a part of and tell us about these as well?

FY: My role at ESPN has some elements of a utility player, as my assignments span across almost anything tied to football. During the season, I serve as the co-host of the Fantasy Focus Football podcast with the amazing Matthew Berry and Stephania Bell. Our show is live-streamed daily on Twitter, making it a bit different than a traditional podcast -- it's TV-lite. On Sundays, I appear on our popular Fantasy Football Now show, with in-season work on NFL LIVE, SportsCenter and any other football-related segments on other shows. My work also includes extensive ESPN Radio opportunities and some writing for ESPN.com.

AM: What is an average week like for you as we know you are at ESPN HQ as well as work out of Boston?

FY: During the season, my week lays out as such: I depart Boston first thing Sunday morning, arriving to Bristol by about 7:30 AM in advance of our meeting for Fantasy Football Now. From then until Friday afternoon, I remain in Bristol (I'm familiar with all of the local hotels near Bristol by now!), as our podcast airs every Monday-Friday. It's a blitz from Sunday-to-Friday, but one that seemingly goes by at the speed of light. Between TV obligations, the podcast, developing our weekly rankings for those who play Fantasy Football and so much more, there is rarely a dull moment.

AM: How do you take time for yourself with such a busy schedule?

FY: My goal is to carve some time each day for myself to unwind from the ever-moving football news cycle. I'm a morning person - always have been - so my days begin with a workout every day. It's a chance to decompress and set the tone for the day ahead. As a creature of habit, I know that bypassing on a workout in the morning will inevitably result in it falling by the wayside later in the day. Get up and get going is my mindset.

AM: What is it about reporting about football, focusing on fantasy sports and giving fans analysis that resonates with you?

FY: I truly believe the advent of fantasy football has led to make the sport relatable in a way that is incomparable. Hardly a day goes by when I don't hear from someone who has a question about his or her fantasy lineup or favorite team. That connectivity to fans, readers, followers, listeners, viewers, etc. is something I am truly inspired by. The appetite for football is insatiable; from the 17 weeks of the regular season to the playoffs, the draft, free agency and so much more, everyone seemingly loves football!

AM: What is your personal style when you're on the air, when you're podcasting and when you’re at home with friends and family?

FY: I aim to be myself above all else. That's the starting point for how I approach my work, as it's easy to see others in the world of reporting or podcasting and try hard to emulate their style. But that is what works for them; it's important to be authentically yourself in any walk of life. Style-wise, specific to apparel, my goal is to always look sharp: an outfit that you aren't trying to draw attention to, but an outfit that when people see it, they understand there was thought put into pulling it together.

AM: How do you stay in shape? What are 3 of your go to workouts?

FY: My workouts do tend to go into phases: sometimes they involve more weightlifting, while other times I place more of an emphasis on cardiovascular activity. But three workouts that you can never go wrong with: a run around the Charles River in Boston, any sort of core workout and a full-body exercise.

“My desire growing up was to enter into the world of football coaching, and after spending several training camps working with the Patriots during my high school and college years, I was hired by the Chiefs in 2009 following my graduation from Wesleyan University.”

— Field Yates

AM: What's on your playlist when you're working out and what do you listen to when you're hanging out?

FY: The world of podcasting is not one I live in simply as a host; I'm a huge consumer of podcasts as well. Be it the other fantastic podcasts we have on our ESPN feed (Adam Schefter or Mina Kimes football-themed shows) or anything related to the NBA - I'm a hoops junkie - podcasts are a perfect workout soundtrack for me.

AM: In Boston, where would we find you grabbing a drink/getting a meal, working out and shopping?

FY: Boston has such a great mixture of culinary options and I'm fully convinced its on the rise. Our local seafood is as good as and deserves to be advertised and the next time I ever grow tired of eating lobster will be the first time. During the summer, the Seaport area has seen tremendous growth, becoming one of the best areas to spend time in its mixture of top restaurant options, activities and shopping make it a can't miss Boston spot. For my favorite sandwich in the city, 3 Little Figs in Somerville is hard to beat.

AM: Let's talk Fantasy Football. How important is the draft and what are some tips if you are with a group you know well versus venturing out into new waters?

FY: The draft is supremely important in fantasy football, but it is unquestionably just the first step in the process. I always remind people, the team you draft is not the team you finish your season with! It's essential to be active on the waiver wire and fielding/offering up trades. Along those lines, the most important thing to remem ber in the draft is to find value; even if you start your draft with a surplus of wide receivers, it won't be long before someone with a dearth of pass catchers comes calling with a compelling trade offer. While NFL teams often draft for need in the NFL draft, draft is based for value in fantasy football!

AM: What are some surprises you've seen for this season?

FY: While I had an extremely optimistic outlook for Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen, his emergence into the best fantasy football wide receiver so far in the league has been tremendous to see. He does everything well, is consistent and represents one of the best values in this year's draft. On a non-fantasy side, the robust number of trades has been fun to see as well. NFL teams have often been hesitant to make trades when compared to what we see in other major sports league (i.e. NBA, MLB, NHL), but the spike in trades has been neat in the NFL. Teams are far more wheeling and dealing than we're typically accustomed to, as was evidenced leading up to the recent trade deadline (October 30th).

TWITTER @FieldYates

Read more from the Oct Issue of Athleisure Mag and see When Fantasy is Reality with FIeld Yates in mag.

I'LL TAKE VERMONT

Before the weather seriously dips into unspeakable temperatures, we took it upon ourselves to take a little weekend away to Stowe, Vermont to take in the peak time where the leaves change for fall. Now earlier this year, avid readers of Athleisure Mag know that we spent a weekend in Woodstock Vermont in March right after a snowstorm and we took in snow sports as well as learning about the area.

With this previous knowledge, we knew we wanted to enjoy hikes, the cuisine of the area and a number of the luxurious amenities offered at our host, Stowe Mountain Lodge a part of Destination Hotels. In addition, we partnered with GMC 2019 Canyon Denali and took it to make the journey for a classic fall weekend. When you’re taking a road trip, being able to have access to OnStar, access to GPS (perfect when you realize you need to re-route due to traffic) and of course being able to listen to SiriusXM radio or connecting your phone to not only charge in the vehicle but to play your own music - hands free - this is the luxury truck you want to be in.

We talked with a few people to find out more about this property. From a culinary perspective, we enjoyed a curated 4 course meal via Stowe Mountain's Chefs Table at Solstice with a wine pairing. In addition, we enjoyed a number of meals that focused on a handcrafted cocktail menu as well as beer flights from breweries that are local to the region.

Our Solstice Chefs Table menu incorporated aspects of what we had yet to eat at the restaurant (to highlight new ingredients), ingredients that we were interested in trying or staying away from as well as our chef's creativity. The dinner along with its pairing was perfection and we circled back to Executive Chef Sean Blomgren to find out about our meal as well as the ability to book a Chefs Table experience as a guest.

ATHLEISURE MAG: We enjoyed our Chefs Table dinner which had a phenomenal wine pairing along with 4 courses. Is it typical that guests get to have an impact on items that could appear on their personalized menu?

EXECUTIVE CHEF SEAN BLOMGREN: That's the whole point. We want to know about the guest’s preferences as best we can. It is that information that helps us create a truly customized experience. If you tell us that you really like steak, that helps me to create an awesome steak course. Even during the meal we are able to adapt to feedback and collaborate on where the meal is headed. I still make sure that there are a few surprises mixed in!

AM: Where did you train, where did you work previously to this restaurant and how long have you been here?

EC SB: I have been here just over a year now. Previously, I was in Telluride, Colorado, Washington DC, Charleston, Aspen, and Boston working at some of the top hotels and resorts in the country. Culinary school at Le Cordon Bleu in Boston.

AM: What is your culinary style and what do you enjoy about making great meals at Stowe Mountain Lodge?

EC SB: I try and use the amazing bounty that Vermont has to offer. I also like taking something familiar to most people and adding something new or changing it a bit. The flavors of Asia play a big part in a lot of my cooking, but the French training is always at the core.

AM: Seasonality and sustainability are so important in the culinary world, how is this achieved and created at the restaurants at the resort?

EC SB: We have 4 very distinct seasons here in Stowe and that allows us to be able to change the menu often to highlight what is at its peak. Some of the classics remain year-round, but there are so many great producers around here that we try to focus on by always evolving.

People come to Stowe for a number of reasons and the fact that there are 4 distinct seasons and the backdrop is Stowe Mountain, guests can really enjoy a number of activities. Earlier this year when we were in Vermont, we went Snowshoe Walking - so this time, we knew we wanted to go hiking and take in a classic fall day in Vermont. Our walk was conducted by Tyler Royer, Director of Recreation at Stowe Mountain Lodge.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Can you tell us about the outdoor/recreational program? We enjoyed hiking with Tyler and learning about the area - what is his background and how did he come to the resort?

SPRUCE PEAK OUTFITTERS: Spruce Peak Outfitters is the focused point for Stowe Mountain Lodge guests and club members who are looking to explore all the activities and adventures the Stowe area has to offer. Our experienced guides organize and lead various seasonal activities to enhance and personalize every guest experience. We offer outings that range from hiking, snowshoeing, horseback riding to ice-climbing, kayaking, brewery tours, art classes, and more. For guests looking to find their own adventures in Stowe, we act as an informational resource and are more than welcome to provide our local guidance, knowledge, or advice.

Tyler Royer is the Destination & Conference Services Manager here at Stowe Mountain Lodge and manages our team here at Spruce Peak Outfitters. He has been an integral part of the Stowe Mountain Lodge family for more than 6 years. He is a born and bred Vermonter, although he obtained his Corporate Communications degree at the College of Charleston in South Carolina in 2007. Tyler has spent a portion of his career in New York City where he worked organizing corporate team-building, training, and group development events and activities. He has since returned to the Stowe Mountain Lodge to pursue his passion for group and recreational services within the close-knit and caring community of Stowe, VT.

AM: How are hikes created for individuals or groups that are interested in participating?

SPO: Each season Spruce Peak Outfitters publishes a schedule of hikes and other activities (including fly-fishing, rock climbing, boat tours, etc.) that goes out to guests and groups here at the Lodge. Guests interested in these excursions then reach out to our team to book their spot on the outing. We offer hikes ranging from easy to difficult with a variety of features along the way. Each hike is unique and has a different focus based entirely on the interests of our guests. We may focus on historical aspects of the area, foliage or seasonal changes, waterfalls, or scenic views and overlooks. Outside of the set schedule we also offer entirely customizable hikes based on guest requests or specific interests.

AM: Tyler shared a story about how skiing has a birthplace of sports in a way - can you expound on this?

SPO: Stowe is widely considered the birthplace and Capital of skiing on the East Coast. In the 1930’s the Civilian Conservation Corps cut the first purposefully-created ski trail in Vermont known as the Bruce Trail in the Ranch Camp Valley at the base of Mt. Mansfield. Remnants from this camp can still be found today in the Stowe Cross-Country Center. Local lore tells a story of two men; Craig Burt, the owner of the Ranch Camp Valley land and a prominent Nordic skier in the area, and Austrian-native Sepp Ruschp, a famous Alpine skier and instructor who saw the potential that Mt. Mansfield and Stowe had for the sport. Both men argued for their style of skiing and a competition from the peak of Mansfield to downtown Stowe ensued. Each man competed in his preferred style of skiing, and Sepp Ruschp won the race – fueling the development of alpine skiing we see in Stowe today. Stowe remains a mecca for both Nordic and Alpine skiing to this day.

AM: What are key things that one must keep in mind when taking a hike in Vermont - in terms of a checklist of sorts of things to have on hand, what to wear, pack and to stay mindful of!

SPO: We recommend always planning ahead and being prepared for every outdoor activity found here in Vermont. Bring a buddy or tell someone your plans ahead of time. Bring a map, water, food, extra layers, sturdy footwear, rain/snow gear, and a first aid kit. More difficult trails may require a headlamp or trekking poles to help you along the trail. The weather in the Green Mountains is not entirely predictable so always bring extra layers to add or shed along the trail!

With a number of activities available on site and nearby - as well as a number of places to eat, we wanted to find out additional information about this resort which really caters to any guest that is taking time here.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us about Stowe Mountain Lodge - who is drawn to this resort during the year?

STOWE MOUNTAIN LODGE: Stowe Mountain Lodge at Spruce Peak is for everyone – Families, friends, couples someone looking for a solo adventure.

AM: What is the busiest time of year at Stowe?

SML: Stowe Mountain Lodge is thepremier slopeside resort in the East, so as you can imagine winter is definitely the busiest time of year. Having said that, we are a four season resort with two golf courses and the Spruce Peak Outfitters that creates daily adventures year round.

AM: What kinds of services are offered at Stowe's spa?

SML: The Spa at Spruce Peak offers a wide variety of treatments from our one-of-a-kind “Live Like a Local” series to the typical massage or facial.

AM: We enjoyed staying in our room which was a 1 bedroom suite - what are the offerings in the rooms and what are special amenities that are offered to guests?

SML: Our suites (1,2 &3 bedrooms) of fer guests a full kitchen, fireplace and balcony where guests can look out at the mountain views.

Our Studios offer a kitchenette, fireplace and balcony.

Our Classic rooms are more of a typical hotel guestroom.

Our Front Four units offer a private lobby with check in and departure as well as a private concierge. There’s a meeting room as well as a continental breakfast.

The rooms have a full living room, kitchen, fireplace and balcony.

You can see all of our accommodations at Stowe Mountain Lodge here.

AM: Can you share the different rooms available in terms of being a guest, being able to own one of the rooms (and how this also allows owners to rent them out etc)?

SML: All of the rooms at SML are available for purchase. Owners have the option of joining our rental pool where we maintain the room and they enjoy special benefits of being in our rental program.

PHOTO CREDITS | Stowe Mountain Lodge courtesy of Stowe Mountain Lodge and GMC Denali shot by Athleisure Mag

Read more from the Oct Issue of Athleisure Mag and see I’ll Take Vermont in mag.

ATHLEISURE LIST | STRETCH*D

We find that throughout the week we are always selecting fitness methods based on what we are looking to target or to ease ourselves into the day. Sometimes, you're focused on legs, your abs and on others - you need a really good stretch! We all know that you are supposed to stretch before and after a workout and many of us own foam rollers where we can continue the practice at home.

Stretch*d provides a Stretch*r which is certified to be able to maneuver your body. Whether you have an appointment or not, you can opt for a Quick*e (25 mins), Flex*d (55 mins) and E*longated (75 mins) for a full body stretch out. Even if you only have 15 minutes to spare, they can work within this timeslot as well.

In addition to these packages, there are additional add ons. There are services such as the Anti*aging Stretch which which incorporates a Light Slim LED that focuses on your face, feet and lower leg. You can opt for Get Buzz*d which adds a Hyper Volt to your treatment, Get Relax*d that adds CBD Cream neck massage, Lengthen*r which adds 10 minutes to your base package, Get Puls*d which is a 20 minute leg compression with Normatec Recovery Bootie, Get Stimulat*d is a 20 minute massage with a smart muscle stimulator the PowerDot, and if you happen to not have the appropriate clothing, you can also rent an outfit so that you can be in comfort.

Pre or post your treatments, there is also an area that has foam rollers, stall bar and additional stretching aids that can assist you in further treatment.

The Stretch*d Method was developed due to work with pro-athletes, weekend warriors and those who experience the wear and tear of daily life (extensive sitting, driving, picking up children, etc). The team believes that this dynamic assisted stretching is the most effective form of stretching for all bodies, no matter the activities that you do.

Ultimately, this method will allow you to perform at your peak, improve your
range of motion and posture, reduce pain, increase longevity and keep you stretched out.

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STRETCH*D
27 W 20th St
NY, NY 10011

www.stretchdspace.com

IG @stretchdspace

Read more from the Oct Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Athleisure List | STRETCH*D in mag.

ATHLEISURE LIST | SWITCH PLAYGROUND

Switch Playground came to NYC in fall of 2016 by way of initially launching in South Africa in 2014! Steve Uria, a longtime fitness entrepreneur and personality launched this fitness method which is fueled by a DJ playing as you go through a number of circuits in 2 minute increments. One of our classes started with a quick yoga warmup and continues with a mixture of TRX workouts, treadmills, medicine balls, trampolines and of course, all done
within a blacklight setting! Although you workout individually, we found that we worked in groups of two and through a series of hand signals, we navigated the workout to figure out if
we would do it again or modify it within our 2 minute slot before moving into the next movement. With an array of instructors guiding you through this bootcamp style workout, you're able to see others who are in your class doing moves that you will do later in your
session, which consists of 20 stations. You have 20 seconds to get from one station to the next one before you start your 2 minute drills.

Those who do this workout find that it is truly a total body workout and it consists of plyometrics, strength training and cardio. It's a challenge that allows you to sync in with your instructors (which there tend to be around 10 that float throughout your session) and your partner as you continue with the workout.

Whether you take the class religiously or just from time to time, the workouts change from class to class so there is no way that you will be bored or be able to go on "autopilot". It's all about intensity, intervals and of course - variety.

This nightclub oriented workout complete with fog machines and dancing by the instructors while you complete your stations, are followed by access to bathrooms that have a number of
amenities including showers as well.

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SWITCH PLAYGROUND
Soho Playground
180 6th Ave
NY, NY 10012

12th St Playground
130 East 12th St
NY, NY 10003

www.switchplaygroundusa.com

www.switchplaygroundsa.com

IG @SwitchPlaygroundNYC

Read more from the Oct Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Athleisure List | Switch Playground in Mag.

ATHLEISURE LIST | BRRRN

On May 1st 2018, Brrrn became the world's first cool temperature (45°F-60°F) boutique fitness concept and lifestyle brand, opened a 3,000-square-foot studio with a rustic, industrial-chic, lodge aesthetic in New York City's Flatiron neighborhood (107 W 20th Street). The research driven concept is disrupting the fitness landscape by pairing the benefits of routine cool temperature exposure (called mild cold stress) with exercise (called environmental conditioning) to optimize the fitness experience—as well as provide other health benefits, such as burning more calories than in ambient or hotter environments. Brrrn
debuted with a three-tier group of exercise programs: FLOW (Yoga-Inspired Mobility and Strength Series at 60°F), SLIDE (Cardio Slide Board Core & Conditioning Series at 55°F) and HIT (Battle Rope-Infused HIT Series at 45°F).

The flagship studio includes male and female identifying locker rooms with Nebia showers, an eight-person communal infrared sauna experience and exclusive Brrrn apparel. The Brrrn Coldture™ is a body-positive community that strives for progress, not perfection.

Jimmy T. Martin and Johnny Adamic are multi-hyphenates whose backgrounds extend beyond the real of fitness. Martin is a former Division I athlete who has 10 years experience as a private trainer to C-Suite executives and influencers in fashion and entertainment. He also worked as a freelance copywriter and background performer on Saturday Night LIve from 2011-2016.

Adamic's background is in public health and journalism. Prior to Brrrn, he worked for the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene and served on former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg's Obesity Task Force doing obesity and chronic disease prevention. He also wrote for The Daily Beast as their health contributor. He earned his yoga teacher training and personal training certificates. He met Martin at a private training facility in Soho.

When you exercise in cooler temperatures, you optimize the fitness experience because you burn fat, you can grow a tolerance to cold, and cooler temperatures provide the optimal temperature for working out.

In the long term, frequent and routine exposure to cooler temperatures can help you acclimate to cold. This means you can spend more time in cooler temperatures, allowing you to reap more of the benefits.

Guests can enjoy locker rooms, showers, bathrooms, full refresh bar, Orlando Pita Play Hair products, 8 person infrared sauna experience, state of the art sound system, exclusive Brrrn
Apparel and Unity Water.

BRRRN
107 W 20th St.
NY, NY 10011
www.thebrrrn.com
IG @Brrrn

Read more from the Sep Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Athleisure List | Brrrn in mag.

ATHLEISURE LIST | B MVMNT

Bizzie Gold is one of the world's top Personal Development and Wellness experts with 5 global brands held by BUTI Inc, her parent company which started in 2012. It has grown into a global business in 27 countries. This parent company recently launched B MVMNT in May in the LES. With the success of her Buti Yoga in 2012 that included a number of streaming videos, in May 2018 she launched the brand's first brick and mortar studio.

The Stanton Street studio offers a carefully curated experience of Celebrity Trainer Bizzie Gold's unique movement and wellness methodologies. All B MVMNT class sequences utilize spiral structure technique® to facilitate the deep release and toning of the body - physical, emotional and energetic.

Through primal movement, dynamic asana and cardio-sprints, students breakdown the emotional barriers that hold them back from achieving self-love and true human connection. Music guides the classes like an internal GPS - no more 8 counts or reps. The beat blended movement forces you out of your head and INTO YOUR BODY. It is in this magical place that you integrate your human experience instead of escape it. All formats incorporate elements of shaking and vibration to help release stored trauma and stimulate cellular organization.

B MVMNT offers drop in classes in addition to 3 membership tiers, private training and nutrition counseling. The studio includes a community infrared sauna complete with BOSE sound system and chromotherapy lights, NKD by Bizzie Gold retail shop and Golden Ratio protein bar. Non-heated classes are taught in a room with ambient temperature of 78-80F while heated classes are taught with far infrared towers to gently heat and detoxify the body - the ambient temperature may rise between 85-90 degrees.

The lockerrooms are equipped with changing rooms, wifi equipped lounge, community vanity complete with DryBar blow dryers and products as well as a 4 person infrared sauna. Guests can also purchase NKD by Bizzie Gold at the retail shop as well as purchase items from the Golden Ratio protein bar/cafe.

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B MVMNT

114 Stanton St #1506

NY, NY 10002

www.BMVMNT.com

IG @bmvmnt

Read more from the Sep Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Athleisure List | B MVMNT in mag.

ATHLEISURE LIST | NEO U FITNESS

Located in midtown, in a 20,000 state of the art fitness hub, Neo U Fitness is not only about housing a number of concepts within its walls, but it is a live streaming and on demand platform for top trainers and brands that make itself available to a worldwide audience. This fitness center uses cutting edge technology to link people to these elite trainers. The focus is to highlight great fitness methods while exposing and growing fitness brands. With a belief in fitness and wellness, both are integrated into the offerings provided.

There are 3 studios where guests can take boxing, yoga, bootcamp, dancing and more. Check out the schedule to see who or what method will be showcased on your date and time of interest. Each room is designed with interchangeable equipment and atmospheric projectors.

In addition to the studios, the cafes come along with premium amenities are available for its guests. There are plenty of showers, daily lockers, and a NEO Cafe serving juices, smoothies and acai bowls.

In a recent class, we enjoyed the lounge area where we were able to chat with our fitness host pre and post class. There is also a boutique to purchase apparel as well. With live streaming cameras available in the studio, Neo U is focused on being the Netflix or Amazon of fitness to truly provide access to their offerings worldwide.

NEO U FITNESS

420 5th Ave

NY, NY 10018

IG @NeoUFitness

Read more from the Aug Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Neo U Fitness in mag.

ATHLEISURE LIST | SOURCED ADVENTURES

Founded in 2013, Sourced Adventures’ mission is to make the outdoor accessible and affordable to anyone and everyone who lives in New York City. Since then, they have expanded to more than 5 different US cities and now offer a suite of international destinations as well.

Sourced Adventures has its roots in the travel industry. The brand’s founder, Kyle Davidson was an Adventure Tour Guide in a previous life. Now, that same commitment to a great customer experience is embodied by the company’s tour guide feels as a central sentiment within the company culture. The SA Management team now consists of a diverse group of travel professionals with varied experience including the Ski industry and Outdoor Education.

We had the pleasure of attending a recent trip that left NYC and combined yoga in a vineyard, a wine tasting and some free time to enjoy the space as well as to continue drinking more wine. Day trips include your transportation, lunch on site and the opportunity to bring a group with you or to meet new people. Trips leave from two locations in the city earlier in the morning and return early evening which allows you to go home and continue your night.

Sourced Adventures has three main product offerings. The flagship products are local adventure day trips out of several US cities including NYC, DC, Boston and Chicago. The goal with these products is to make it easy for absolutely anyone to escape the city and get into the outdoors. They also have several guided and unguided international trips to destinations such as Iceland, Mexico, Scotland and more. Finally, they work with corporate and private clients to build tailor-made international itineraries or custom corporate retreats.

Feedback is an integral part when it comes to adding new adventures to the offerings at Sourced Adventures. When we attended our adventure, we noticed that a number of people had attended their Hiking and Brewing Program or had planned to do so. According to the Sourced Adventure team, this trip was included due to repeated requests from the community of travelers for a hiking trip to be offered.

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SOURCED ADVENTURES

85 Delancey

NY, NY 10002

www.sourcedadventures.com

IG @SourcedAdventures

Read more from the August Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Athleisure List | Sourced Adventures in mag.

3 MOTIVATIONAL TIPS FOR A HEALTHY HABIT LOOP

We chatted with Wellness Expert, Registered Dietitian, Nutritionist and Arivale Coach, Meghan Lyle, who shares her tips on how to start exercising, and, more importantly, how to remain driven - no matter the season. Here she shares how we can find new motivations to stay in shape , remain driven and sustain your work out habits no matter the season.

CREATE A HABIT LOOP

You know that saying, ‘it takes 21 days to form a new habit?’ We don’t know if this is an exact science, but “research supports the concept of 'habit loops', in which we engrain a habit with repetition of a pattern,” shares Lyle. “If your goal is to run every day, put your shoes by your bed so you see them every time you wake up. Know that lunchtime is the only place you'll fit in a brisk 30-minute walk? Put it on your calendar and go every day.” By setting a routine, you can help set yourself up for success. That way, you'll think twice before bagging your workout when you know you planned it out so carefully.

MAKE EXCERCISE (MORE) ENJOYABLE

To get (and stay) motivated, you need to set goals and rewards for yourself. Not everyone loves working out. If you can relate, Lyle recommends finding ways to make exercise more fun, like finding a workout buddy, or, if you are into joining teams, try cycling classes, outdoor boot-camp style classes, or barre.  

INCORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY

According to Lyle, the last step to sustaining a healthy lifestyle is recognizing that sometimes you just need a little help reaching your goals. There’s a reason that teams/individual athletes employ coaches. Coaches have specialized knowledge that they can impart, they are invested in your progress and even provide a degree of accountability. So, when ramping up a new exercise plan, or shooting for a new goal, it may be the time to consider finding a coach to guide you. All Arivale coaches are Registered Dietitian Nutritionists, skilled in behavioral science. They look at the whole picture to identify barriers, provide proactive accountability, and celebrate your successes to keep you moving towards your goals.

ATHLEISURE LIST | HIT HOUSE

In March 2018, Muay Thai focused method, Hit House opened in Nolita in a luxurious boutique studio. Created by husband and wife co-founders, Tyler Scott and Dana VanPamelen this studio offers Traditional Muay Thai kickboxing and Private Training.

Hit House is the first of its kind concept, focused on bringing the world of Muay Thai into group classes. This fitness method is disrupting the fitness landscape by making Muay Thai accessible to all types of fitness enthusiasts at all levels.

Classes are led by Muay Thai fighters turned trainers, the 50 minute fast paced, full-body workout class is designed to improve your cardio, muscle tone and fight skills with every punch, kick, knee and elbow. From the very beginner to the experienced fighter, all will find this class challenging and fun.

Tyler co-designed an exclusive floor to ceiling bag with Century Martial Arts called Bishop - hybrid heavy bag/fight dummy, designed to lessen the impact and prevent injury (and no bruises!). Bishop incorporates elements from four of the most commonly used bags in string-based martial arts. By combining these bags into one, this allows class members to train with lightweight gloves and leave the studio sans bruises.

It's made with a dense foam and doesn't swing from a chain, rather it bends and flexes with your strikes so you'll be able to throw more, full power combinations and really improve your technique.

Prior to practicing combinations, they teach form so you won't feel lost during the class. Classes include energizing pop and hip-hop mashups playing through their high-quality sound
system. The goal is for everyone to leave class with a feeling of accomplishment and self-confidence. The 4,800 sqft studio is designed by Hyphen & Co. and is inspired by a modern,
boutique hotel with industrial finishes, clean lines, and Thai inspired greenery.

With plans for expansion in multiple studios, the Nolita location offers men and women's locker rooms with showers, full refresh bar, lockers, state-ofthe-art sound system, exclusive Hit House apparel, gloves (rental at $2, for purchase at $20) and Hit House quick wraps (purchase for $2).

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HIT HOUSE
2 Spring St.
NY, NY 10012
www.hithouse.com
IG @hithouse

Read more from the July Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Athleisure List | Hit House in mag.

THE FITNESS ARTIST WITH COREY CALLIET

This month's cover is with Celebrity Fitness Artist/Trainer Corey Calliet whose work can be seen on Michael B. Jordan, A$AP Rocky, John Boyega and has been hired by Walt Disney Pictures, 20th Century FOX, Marvel, MGM and Universal to make their stars look larger than
life! In addition, we have enjoyed seeing him on both seasons of E!'s Revenge Body with Khloe Kardashian. Our shoot took place at Soho's Work Train Fight, as well as around Soho and the LES as we talked with Corey about transforming his clients, his passions and what we should keep an eye out for next with the Calliet Way.

ATHLEISURE MAG: We loved shooting you for our fitness editorial for the July cover - tell us about your body building days, your journey to becoming a trainer and the types of celebs and projects that you have been a part of.

COREY CALLIET: If I’m being honest, my fitness journey started with me trying to impress a girl. Later it became an outlet for me during a time when things weren't the easiest. I started
body building and fell in love with the art form of creating an aesthetic with your own body. I became my own work of art. After body building I started working at a local gym and quickly
moved up the ranks as the best trainer there. One day I got a call to work with the cast of Fantastic Four, and on that set I met Michael B. Jordan. We started working out and honestly the rest is history, as they say.

Since then I've moved to LA, continued training Mike, got him into the best shape of his life for Creed and Creed 2, was able to work with the cast of Black Panther, and picked up a television show (Revenge Body). I'm currently working on several deals for lots of fitness-related projects to get people familiar with The Calliet Way so look out for it!

AM: What is the Calliet Way and how did you create this method?

CC: I based The Calliet Way on one concept and that is looking good. If you look good, you feel good and you do good, but it starts with YOU. The Calliet Way starts with a very strong foundation in fitness and from there I work specifically with each client that I have. I cater their workouts to achieve their goals. Everybody is different and you have to make sure that you are catering to them, their goals and their body types. The biggest component of The Calliet Way is having the right mindset and the right mentality because it is important that I not only inspire you to look good, but just to be good overall.

AM: There is a distinct relationship of trust, intuition and investment between a trainer and their client, how do you go about connecting with the people that you work with and deciding
whether there is a connection that will be a beneficial pairing in working together?

CC: Before anything, I get to know my clients on a personal level. I drop my guard and let them into my life so they become comfortable with me and trust me. Once the trust is established,
then I’m able to get down to business.

I do what most people don't do. I speak to them. Genuinely. I ask them about themselves, their lives, their day-today, their goals, their aspirations and their struggles. From there I know who
you are and if I can work with you. It all has to start from a REAL place.

AM: We loved the concept of this shoot because we wanted to shoot you in and out of the gym, which also included what it looks like when you're training your clients. We were struck with how you train your clients as if you're a conductor in a symphony as there is a melodic flow to what you do - is there a connection between working out and flow?

CC: Definitely. Working art is what I like to call it, not working out. Fitness is an art form just like music, dance, and painting. All of these art forms require a rhythm and flow so that the energy is right and is vibrating at the highest frequency. That's how you make masterpieces.

AM: We loved seeing you come back to E! Revenge Body with Khloe Kardashian for the second season of the show. With the first season under your belt, what made you want to come back, what takeaways did you have from working with the clients in this season and will we see you for season 3?

CC: I'm for sure coming back for season 3!

I would say it's amazing to work with new and different people and help them achieve their goals. What made me want to come back is being witness to how much their lives have changed and knowing that I was a part of that. Having such a huge platform and knowing that their changes are inspiring change in others worldwide is incredible.

I have the opportunity to inspire people all over the world to make a change for the better and that is just humbling in and of itself. I will always be a part of something like that.

AM: When we shot with you, you were on set with Michael B. Jordan while he filmed CREED 2. When you have long set days, how do you stay in shape around a hectic and shifting schedule - how do you also take time for yourself in these situations?

CC: Discipline, discipline, discipline. You always have to be in tune with yourself, and know what you want and what you need. Working out is a necessity for me. It's like food and water. Rest is also a necessity, though sometimes it is lacking. I always have to make sure that I recoup. It was difficult at times, but because of the discipline I already have I was able to pull through.

AM: We saw via your IG the trailer that you were in front of the camera on CREED 2 - will we see more of you in front of the camera in upcoming films?

CC: Maybe, but I don't know. It's not necessarily a goal of mine. I'd rather be unscripted than play a role. The only role I want to play is myself.

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“Fitness is an art form just like music, dance and painting. All of these art forms require a rhythm and flow so that the energy is right and is vibrating at the highest frequency. That’s how you make materpieces.”

— Corey Calliet

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AM: When you work with actors such as Michael B. Jordan who are in a number of action movies, how do you create goals in terms of what their physique will be as he looked in Black Panther and how you prepared him for CREED2?

CC: I just wanted Mike to look like the biggest, baddest super villain on the planet. Nobody can mess with Mike, but everyone is going to want to be like Mike. I made sure he was in the best shape ever and you'll see in the film, he looked amazing.

AM: What does a Body Transformation Specialist mean?

CC: It’s self-explanatory. I transform bodies and it is my specialty. Not everyone can transform a body, and not everyone has the knowledge to do so. I feel like Michelangelo — I'm an artist and my clients are my canvases.

AM: What is the relationship between food/hydration, working out, rest, recovery and having the right mindset/goals - are all of these needed in order to gain the desired results?

CC: All of these are needed. If you slack in any of these areas you're not going to get to your goal. You have to make sure that everything stays on point.

AM: In terms of recovery what do you feel that people should have on hand when they are working out?

CC: Number One? Water.

AM: What is currently on your playlist?

CC: Teyana Taylor's new album has a really nice feel, but I'm an old soul and have a lot of old R&B on my playlist. (No one knows that so please don't let that get out.) However my overall favorite is Migos.

AM: When you're traveling what are 3 things that you have on hand no matter what?

CC: Charger, headphones and at home workout equipment

AM: When you're in LA where can we find you working out, grabbing a bite/cocktails and where do you shop?

CC: I'm a homebody, but I like to work out at the gym in my building or at Nike HQ. There's also a CrossFit gym that I go to now in my neighborhood. I'm starting to fall in love with CrossFit!

If I go shopping, I like to keep it simple and visit whatever mall is closest. Occasionally you may find me out and about at some Hollywood nightclubs, but it's usually to celebrate something!

AM: What's your personal style in the gym vs what you wear when you're going out with friends and your red carpet style?

CC: In the gym I'm not trying to look cute. I want to be comfortable and I want to work out. For events and out on the town, that's a different story. I always have to look clean and stylish, but very grown man sexy. On the red carpet you know you're going to catch me in a nice tailored suit and some mean shoes.

AM: As we're on the back end of 2018 and planning for Spring 2019 what projects should we keep an eye on that you are involved in and what are your goals for the upcoming months?

CC: Definitely keep an eye out for Season 3 of Revenge Body, and you know you're going to catch me in Creed 2. There are some projects in the works I can’t speak on yet, including some app and merch, so be on the look out for it!

AM: While we were on set with you, we loved the motivational videos that you did and even in speaking with us you're always giving words of encouragement and focus while being humble - how important has that been to your success in life?

CC: It's been instrumental. As someone who transforms bodies, I'll always have to transform lives and I have to speak as much as I train. It's important to minister life into other people — I believe that.

Read more from the July Issue of Athleisure Mag and see The Fitness Artist with Corey Calliet in mag.

HOW TO DRESS | FOR THE TENNIS COURTS

Read more from the July Issue of Athleisure Mag and see How to Dress | For the Tennis Courts in mag.

5 SPORTS BRAS SUPPORTING OUR GIRLS

Read more from the July Issue of Athleisure Mag and see 5 Sports Bras Supporting Our Girls in mag.

THE EIGHT BEST

Read more from the July Issue of Athleisure Mag and see The Eight Best in mag.

#TRIBEGOALS

Read the July Issue of Athleisure Mag and see #Tribegoals in mag.

THE FIT SET

A day in the life of Team Athleisure Mag can be in the studio for a session, on set for a shoot, and checking out new brands/products coming to market. Earlier this month we spent the day at Propel Co:Labs Fitness Festival here in NYC at the Seaport District  (the next stop is Chicago on Aug. 11th) for an entire day of workouts, sessions and we took some time to chat with celebrity fitness trainers and personalities in between workouts.

ATHLEISURE MAG: We’ve enjoyed seeing you over the past two seasons on E! Revenge Body with Khloe Kardashian – how did you get involved in that show?

HARLEY PASTERNAK: I have been good friends with Kanye for about 15 years. So I’m inherited into the family. I’m good friends with Kim and Kanye, and with Kris, Khloe and the whole family. So when they were doing the show, Khloe reached out – I said let’s go!

AM: How long have you been with Propel and what was it that made you want to connect with the brand?

HP: That’s a good question. My background was originally in performance nutrition so I ran the performance lab/nutrition lab for the military for a number of years and most of the information on performance – a lot of it came from years ago from the Gatorade Sports Science Institute. That was the go to place for us as scientists to get our information to use with the soldiers. So the importance of functional foods and functional beverages has always been a big part of what I do and I really have had an issue with sometimes the sugar content of some of these beverages, and I met the Propel team through some mutual friends and I learned more about what Propel was doing. It reminded me so much of what Gatorade did back in the day and establishing itself as the definitive sports performance information source. Propel has really done the same with fitness and it’s not about the beverage, it’s about the lifestyle, the networking, the fitness community sharing with one another and celebrating together. Then they started explaining to me about Propel Co:Labs and it was really about the future and the present. I got so excited that I became a terrible negotiator because I said, “I’m in”.

The Co:Labs have been really great. As a fitness professional, it's often very individual and almost a very lonely experience. Everyone is so competitive with one another – so competitive but they have created these environments where people are sharing ideas and thoughts and celebrating moving together. They're bringing in pop stars and giving the due and professional attention to the fitness industry that most brands haven’t even come close to.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Gunnar, can you tell us about your background?

GUNNAR PETERSON: I’ve been a personal trainer in Beverly Hills for 29 years. I started working with the LA Lakers last year as  the Director of Strength and Endurance and am reprising my role this year – should be a new challenge and a lot of fun. And I’ve been working with Propel for a number of years because I think that they do it better than anybody in bringing fitness and sports together by collaborating versus all the people that kind of horde information and don’t share and feel that their way is better. I think that Propel opens it up and makes it the way that it should be.

AM: What’s your method or the way that you like to work and train people?

GP: I do different workouts with people because everyone is different as they have different goals, perceptions weaknesses, injury histories, likes and dislikes – although that doesn’t play that much of a part. I'm strength based and I do a lot of cardio intervals to it, movement, mobility etc it’s pretty comprehensive. The one group that we don’t cater to or get asked to do something is body builders or those that are looking to put mass on – that’s not what we do.

AM: A lot of our readers loved seeing you in Khloe Kardashian’s Revenge Body on E! and wanted to know how you got involved in that!

GP: Well I’ve known Kris and the clan – I’ve known those guys for 20 years. I worked with Kris and Kim so when Khloe came to me to make a big change in her life, we got after it. She puts the work in like any athlete that I have worked with and she had her moment. She made huge changes into her body and I wrote the passage on fitness in her book and she created the show and asked me to be on it and there was no way that I was going to miss out on that opportunity to share a small part of what she did with other people and to put it out there for everyone to see. I mean I have had text messages from a lot of people that have had huge takeaways from this.

AM: So how excited are you to be here today for this event?

GP: This is terrific. I have done a number of these with Propel and they have exceeded expectations and they keep going above and beyond. I mean, every venue is great and this one with the Brooklyn Bridge in the background and this giant rooftop with no space constraints – this is going to be a great day today!

ATHLEISURE MAG: Rachel aka Yoga Girl, tell us about what you're doing at the Propel Co:Labs Fitness Festival.

YOGA GIRL: I just taught a class on a rooftop overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge. It’s kind of insane. We have 300-400 people here, and it’s been super, super fun. I taught a class [at Propel Co:Labs Fitness Festival] in L.A. and then taught a class here, and it’s been so community building and so great.

AM: What is the best way to get started in yoga practice?

YG: I always give the recommendation to go find a studio and go take an actual class. There’s so many things you can do online. There’s YouTube and there’s online yoga. But, having a teacher who you can ask questions to, especially if you’re a beginner, is great so you can learn the poses correctly and have someone to align you if you need help. It’s good to start off with a teacher and then transition a little bit more to home.

AM: What are several yoga postures you would recommend for stress relief?

YG: Anything forward folding or forward bending, especially seated, is really nurturing. Legs up the wall pose is a super distressing pose. A forward bend, legs up the wall, child’s pose and reclined bound angle are good poses.

AM: How do you maintain balance with your busy schedule?

YG: I try to find pockets of rest in my day. If I have a really busy day full of meetings and things, I’ll make sure that I have a whole hour to eat lunch and not do multiple things at the same time all day. I’ll take a bath with my baby in the morning, always. I keep that a super serious thing, and I rest in between all the hectic stuff. And then I find it’s easy to keep the energy up all day.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Can you tell us what Akin’s Army is?

AKIN AKMAN: Well Akin’s Army is a mindset really. I like to say that it’s a higher standard with everyone that trains with me. The mindset is constant process. It’s a workout obviously but intended initially to tap into the athletes that didn’t have kind of training anymore. But then eventually it became more of a mindset.

AM: Can you tell us a little more about your fitness background?

AA: I grew up playing tennis and I went to IMG Academy which was known as Bollettieri when I went there at age 7. It was everyday except for Sundays which I had off haha. But now I train all day everyday – 7 days a week. So I started there and I got hurt around 16/17 and I was already coaching tennis at the time there too and was looking at playing pro and then when I got injured, I was out for a year and then in that time, I decided to go to college instead of trying to play tournaments. I thought that I would just go back to that when I fully healed. And then, it was tough to heal and when I came back and I was coaching at IMG, at 18, but I got hurt on my right wrist with bruising of the bone – so I moved on from playing tennis as much and started coaching. But it took me awhile before I started making coaching my everything.

I started coaching at Crunch Fitness in South Beach first in 2009. I was already teaching tennis at Flamingo Park in South Beach as well. Then I moved to NYC at the end of 2009/2010 and started teaching at Crunch here and then went onto SoulCycle in 2012 and then I really made it my everything and started teaching 40 classes a week.

AM: We have a number of friends who swear by your SoulCycle classes. How did you get connected with Propel and how did you get connected to Propel Co:Labs?

AA: Now you have to come! For Propel, I did a bootcamp with them awhile back through my sister who had a connection.

We did a roofdeck bootcamp around Chelsea – I don’t even remember the building! I met some of the head people that were putting this kind of a thing together – it was amazing and so much fun! Then we didn’t do anything until this year when they asked me to come back and we did LA and this – it’s been incredible!

AM: What are you doing today as we know you’re on the schedule of events?

AA: My class today is again, it’s a full body workout. The way that I teach, it’s tough but you do as much as you can and it’s more about the perspective and the approach that you come to with it. Staying positive and being in that mindset. I try to keep the people hyped up and just full of energy and to do whatever they can and to give everything that they have got! That’s the point of what today is about!

ATHLEISURE MAG: You train a number of celebs and have been on a number of tours! Can you give us a quick rundown on your background?

NICOLE WINHOFFER: I studied Kinesiology, Alexander Technique, collusive body, Eastern Philosophy of well being and after that, I went on tour with Madonna and started training her dancers. She had an audition after I met her at that, she asked me to be her trainer full time and I worked with her for 5 years and I was the head trainer on her MDNA World Tour and her Sticky and Sweet World Tour, and then after those tours, I started teaching underground classes in NY in the basement of my apartment building in 2013 and we  moved to the Standard Hotel on the 3rd floor of the Highline and I started to train trainers under me. I signed with Adidas by Stella McCartney as the first Global Brand Ambassador in 2014 and I partnered with Propel for the first time in 2016 when they did their first festival. Now we’re on our 3rd year and it has been such a great partnership!

and actresses, fashion designers and wealthy/affluent men and women) to bring my knowledge to people across all demographics across America and to be able to give them results and to instill in them that they have the power in them to achieve what they want. I really liked that process of being able to work with people in that way with those that didn’t really think that it was possible and were never felt to believe that way.  

AM: How cool was it to be able to do your session at Propel Co:Labs in LA with Ludacris performing on stage with you?

NW: It was amazing! I call myself a Fitness Artist because I believe in self expression and music and moving your body as there is no correct way. And when Propel told me that the artist that I was going to share the stage with was going to be Ludacris, I thought – wow! It was so exciting and amazing. We worked with the Ludacris team for 6 weeks to figure out the playlist, timing, and they were so great and we had a soundcheck and the Propel team was so supportive. There were a lot of fun moments – there was one moment on stage where I grabbed the Propel bottle and like landed on a split in the floor and Ludacris looked around like, “what is happening” and I was like “yeah that’s right – this is happening right now”. The crowd loved it because they were all sweating and they didn’t feel like a work out because it was so much fun!

AM: So what is the NW Method?

NW: The NW Method is a 55 minute experience that I take you through in order to free your spirit and to move deeper into your body and accentuate your curves. It’s a type of somatic training – there’s breath work, kundalini and it’s a bit more physical exertion like physical meditation – 20 songs that I match up the BPMs and I play songs that wake up your internal organs. Then it moves people past their brains to their bodies

AM: We saw you on Revenge Body with Khloe Kardashian – what was the process like for you being on that show and what have you gotten from being a part of it?
 
NW: They found me on Instagram! The casting director told me that my moves were cool and different and how I encompass eastern movement and dance. So I flew to LA for the audition and got the job. I loved that the show took my message (which I train a lot of A-List actors so they can feel themselves and move into their personal truth.

AM: Why do you like working with Propel?

NW: They are a collaborative brand, they listen to my ideas, they support my ideas and they are always looking to stand behind myself and the other artists that they have. Their innovation and willingness to try something new is amazing. The first Propel festival was 3 years ago in LA and it was really different because it was the first time that different fitness people came together and they provided this great experience. The last thing is music – they did a song with Jessie J. last year and the first year they did this song that incorporated a music festival and I built my brand around music. They just really support music in general and it makes it really easy for me to work with them.

AM: We love the bodysuits and the cool legwear that you have – what are your favorite fitness items that you love wearing?

NW: Oooo I’m a dancer so I love wearing Capezio and Danskin. I have friends that are seamstresses and they make me personal outfits so that’s always fun. I love my unitards and wearing bathing suits and anything that’s just not too fitnessy.  

AM: You had this really cool look on your Instagram that was like chaps and a bikini bottom and embellished but it looked very cool!

NW: Yeah, yeah, yeah – that was from Patricia Field for the Propel festival. My friend who is a stylist came over and he sent them over for me to try, but they were way too heavy for me to dance in them haha!

AM: How do you give of your time?

NW: I am part of Girls Inc. which supports young girls in urban markets that don't have access to dance so I teach with them on tour and locally. I work with this group called Core Energetics which is a type of cognitive therapy and I work with some mental patients that don’t have things that healthy humans have through dance and time. I also volunteer once a week at an elderly hospital jut spending time, delivering food and playing games.

AM: Since music is so important to you and is so integral to your brand. What’s on your playlist right now?

NW: Well J Cole for sure – he’s my favorite he has a song called, Kevin’s Heart, I just downloaded the Carter’s album and I went ape shit! I love Rihanna – Needed Me, Ciara – Overdose, Disclosure's Latch featuring Sam Smith, those are my faves right now!

ATHLEISURE MAG: We're fans of Icona Pop as it's on a few of our playlists. You guys have a new album that you are working on – is there anything that you can tell us about that would be amazing!

CAROLINE HJELT: We’ve been writing on this album for quite a long time and we were just talking about it the other day saying, “how could it have taken us this long?” It’s just because we’re so bad at saying no to stuff! Like we love what we do and when we get fun things – we’re like, let’s squeeze it in and then we begin to go touring again. So it’s been taking a long time but we’re almost there and it feels amazing. I would say that I’m just as excited about this album as I am on the first one. It feels like when you're born. We've been working on it for so long and sharing situations and we’re very proud of it.

AM: That’s so exciting and your faces really show how much you’re pumped for this. Is there a drop date.

AINO JAWO: We don’t have a date, but the album will be done at the end of this year. It will be out earlier next year.

AM: So are you guys doing festivals right now?

AJ: Yes we’re doing a lot of festivals in Europe and a couple of shows as well here in the states. I think this is the last one here right?

CH: Yeah and then we move onto Europe.

AM: Did the Coppenhagen festival already happen – Soleima who is also on Big Beat was telling us about it.

CH: Oh yes, you're talking about Roskilde.

AM: Yes!

AJ: Yes Rosklide, we did that last year it was so AMAZING! We have big shows all over the place.

CH: It’s a lot of traveling but we love that!

AJ: We also just got a house in LA where we will have our studio in there as well.

AM: Do you guys also live together?

ICONA POP: YES!!!

AM: How cute is that?

AJ: It’s a big house so you get your space and we’re going to build everything – from a fitness center to a studio.

CH: So we’ll never have to leave and you’ll never see us again! But we’ll have everything that we’ll need haha.

AM: It’s like a glam compound – love it. So what workouts do you guys typically do or what are you building into your home to do?

CH: Well we bought our first thing – the Assault Bike, the first one an all retro one! It’s great for us to have all of those things. I think we’re also planning on putting in a mat so we can do different kinds of workouts.

AJ: Yeah like yoga and my boyfriend is our personal trainer – so he is taking care of all the lifting weights stuff there.

CH: We also love working outside so this gym will be outside. We spend so much time in our studios so it’s great to get that fresh air and to hang out with your friends outside. Meanwhile, we’re working out. We also love working out together and like sometimes you have a longer time and other times your schedule is crazy so it’s important to get it in when you can.

AJ: I like circuit training and that’s a good way to get strong with different types. We always say lift weights with cardio as a lot of women don’t lift weights and that’s stupid.

CH: Yeah and also you realize that it’s a thing that you slowly and slowly get better and that’s when you feel your body start to change. Your posture, you have so much more in your muscles.

AM: So how excited are you guys to be here today with Propel Co:Labs – how did that happen?

CH: I think that they reached out to us and we got super excited because we do work out so much and that’s a huge part of who we are and for us it’s important for us to jump on stage for 1.5 – 2 hours and not gasp for breath! We want to deliver to our fans and be in really good shape and that’s why we were so happy to be a part of this.  

AJ: I think that a lot of times, we do a lot of parties and people see us do shots on stage, but that's just a portion of what we do. There is another part!

CH: Yes, it’s just a part as we’re healthy and a lot of our fans say that they work out to our music. It lets them get over the hump and take their workout to the next level.

AJ: When you’re at the gym it just gives you that energy to say – yes! Sometimes I’m at the gym and I’m like “oh my gosh” this is us and I get a little embarrassed and then I sing along haha.

AM: What keeps you guys inspired when you’re making your music?

CH: I think traveling, hanging out with our friends which is so important to us but also what we’re trying to do right now is that every place we go to, we say what can we do here – what can we see? We really want to work on what we can see and to enjoy, experiencing etc. You can travel all over the world and just see a hotel room. But when you can go and taste the food that is special to that place or to meet the people from that region – that is really inspiring.

AJ: Then I feel like sometimes you need to get bored to like let things sink in. So take a little pause, get bored and then say hmm this is what I want to write. It works very well for us.

AM: Love that, it’s kind of like our belief in disconnecting to connect. So when you guys aren’t working, how do you relax and take time for yourself.

AJ: Mmmm Nature

CH: Yeah! It’s one of those things that’s so easy and sometimes you need a couple of days to say ok I can now breath and I’m not thinking about work too much. But when you come to nature, it happens instantly. Because you can look at water for hours and not feel stressed. You can look at the forest and animals and not feel stressed. This way you can connect with your body immediately as opposed to waiting to 5 days to come down.

AJ: I feel like a lot of times you don’t have that many days off. So we try to do mindfulness – just a couple of minutes a day and that usually helps a lot. It’s also about eating good food.

CH: Yeah just enjoying and appreciating eating really good food with people that you like. That’s also a luxury for me.

AJ: And exercise again. I mean you get so much endorphins from doing that. I don’t even see the workout as work as it’s just part of my routine. When I have a day off, I can do it longer and not be stressed about going someplace else. The worst thing is to be stressed in the gym as it breaks my heart.

AM: How do guys prepare before you hit the stage?

AJ: We drink coffee and listen to music.

CH: We usually, put on great music and get ready together as we have to be in sync. We talk about what we are going to focus on during the performance ….

AJ: Andwho we’re going to be on stage.

CH: Yeah like different personalities

AJ: Sometimes it’s David Bowie, sometimes it’s Prince, Michael Jackson – you name it and sometimes it’s just me haha!

PHOTOS COURTESY | Katie June Burton + Stephanie Noritz

Read more from the July Issue of Athleisure Mag and see The Fit Set in magazine.

ONE ON ONE WITH THE SHERIFF

We've talked about Obstacle Course Races (OCR) before and in this month's fitness focused issue, we sat down with Hunter McIntyre to talk about his upcoming Tough Mudder X Championship presented by KILL CLIFF race taking place on July 28th and airing on CBS. We wanted to know how he got into this sport, how he trains for it and why he enjoys doing them.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us about your athletic background as we know you were a cross country runner and champion wrestler in high school.

HUNTER MCINTYRE: My grandfather was an Olympic athlete and he really helped me believe that I could become a great athlete myself. He would constantly tell me that I was really fast and encouraged me to run track and field. My ability to run quickly and my experience with wrestling has really translated into my training now.

AM: How did you get into the world of Tough Mudder and other OCR competitions?
 
HM: While living with my friends in Malibu, my one friend challenged me to compete in an OCR race. At that point, I hadn’t been training for an obstacle race, just body building. In the short time I had to train for that race, I would run up and down my driveway for hours and I ended up finishing 6th place out of around 10,000 participants. I was all-in after that.

AM: What is it about OCR in general that you enjoy?

HM: The best thing is, the opportunity is what you make of it. It’s a sport that you can train for anywhere and everywhere. I can go for a run in Central Park, go to the gym to lift and I can mix in some rock climbing with my friends to train. Most of all, I just love being outdoors.

AM: How do you train for OCR versus just maintaining your workout?

HM: When training for a Tough Mudder, I’ll run once or twice per day, six days per week. It also depends on the distance and location of the event. For World’s Toughest Mudder, I’ll spend 2-4 hours per day training in the woods. When I’m not training for a race, I just like to get in the gym and challenge myself to get as strong as I can. That’s when my friends and I put a big emphasis on strength training.

AM: What are your go to foods that you  eat when you're maintaining your body and what  3 splurge foods do you enjoy?

HM: I stick to a high carbohydrate diet. I eat a lot of pancakes and Honey Nut Cheerios. There are some days when I’ll eat 10 apples per day. For two months leading up to the Tough Mudder X Championship I ate a 14oz or 16oz ribeye steak every single night. That steak every night became my sleeping pill and I always feel rejuvenated the next morning. I do splurge on Ben & Jerry’s ice cream from time to time.

AM: Where did your name, "The Sheriff" come from?

HM: One of my friends called me “The Sheriff” one day and it really just stuck with me from then on.

AM: With such an intense schedule how do you take time for yourself?

HM: When I’m not training or I’ve just finished an event, I really like to just chill and relax at my place in Malibu. Since I’m on the road a lot, I enjoy that time at home when I can.

AM: How important is travel to you and what are 3 of your favorite places that you enjoy going to?

HM: It’s important to disconnect work travel and travel for pleasure. I’m always traveling for events, but my top vacation spots would be St. Barts, Telluride, Colorado and Big Sur.

AM: On Sat July 28th, you will be defending your title in the finale of the Tough Mudder X Championship presented by Kill Cliff airing on CBS - how have you prepared for this competition physically and mentally?

HM: Preparing for the TMX Championship, I put myself in tough training situations. This year, I trained extremely hard in the mountains of Park City, Utah.

AM: What has it been like to compete alongside athletes that are comprised of Navy Seals, UFC Fighters, CrossFit, American Ninja Warriors?

HM: It’s great because you learn to respect and understand the ways these other athletes train and the way they approach the same events, differently. I really enjoy learning and picking up some tools from each of them.

Read more from the July Issue of Athleisure Mag and see One on One with the Sheriff in mag.