ALO YOGA BRINGS A RICH NEW SHADE TO EVERYDAY ATHLEISURE WITH JAVA BROWN

Some colors simply complement an outfit, while others change its entire character. ALO Java Brown belongs to the latter category.

Rich, warm, and refined, the shade gives familiar activewear a more fashion-led identity while retaining the relaxed ease associated with modern athleisure. It works just as naturally in a Pilates studio as it does at a café, in an airport lounge, or during a casual afternoon in the city.

That broader appeal is what makes Java Brown especially relevant. It is not simply another seasonal addition to the ALO Yoga color palette. It reflects the growing connection between activewear and everyday dressing, where comfort, movement, and personal style increasingly overlap.

ALO Java Brown Brings New Depth to Activewear

Black and grey have long served as dependable foundations for activewear, but brown offers a softer and warmer alternative. It carries the polish of a neutral while introducing more visual depth.

The JAVA BROWN collection builds on that quality by bringing the shade across fitted performance pieces, relaxed sweats, trousers, and outer layers.

Java Brown changes the way familiar silhouettes are perceived. Leggings in this tone can feel less purely athletic than the same shape in black. Sweatshirts take on a richer appearance, while structured pieces gain a stronger connection to everyday fashion.

The shade also pairs easily with cream, ivory, black, denim, and other muted tones. It can be worn head to toe for a tonal look or introduced as a grounding layer within a more restrained outfit. That flexibility gives brown activewear a wider role within a modern wardrobe.

From the Studio to Coffee and Casual Plans

The collection remains closely connected to movement, which is where many consumers first encounter ALO. Pieces such as the Airlift High-Waist 7/8 Line Up Legging and Airlift Line Up Bra keep Java Brown firmly rooted in studio dressing. The styling potential becomes more interesting once the workout ends.

An Accolade Crew Neck Pullover, paired with clean sneakers and a structured bag, can shift the outfit into a more casual setting. The same look can move easily into breakfast, a coffee stop, or several hours spent around the city.

Fabric also plays an important role in the overall wearing experience. ALO’s Airlift fabric offers a smooth, supportive, and compressive feel, while Softsculpt pieces are designed to feel breathable and close to the body. For more relaxed dressing, the Accolade Crew Neck Pullover uses midweight French terry, giving it a softer and more comfortable feel for everyday wear.

The ALO Softsculpt Precision 1/4 Zip Long Sleeve offers another option. Its fitted shape works naturally with leggings in an athletic setting, but it can also sit comfortably with relaxed trousers or denim later in the day. This shift reflects the changing role of wellness fashion. Activewear is now often chosen with the full day in mind, rather than a single workout. That makes color, proportion, fabric, and styling just as relevant as function.

PHOTO COURTESY | Alo

Java Brown Gives Travel Dressing a More Polished Mood

Travel has become one of the clearest examples of athleisure moving into everyday fashion. Comfort remains essential, but many travelers also prefer clothing that feels composed from departure to arrival. Java Brown suits that balance because the color feels relaxed without appearing overly sporty.

The Sway Full Zip Hoodie and Sway Bootcut Sweatpant work well in this setting. Worn together, they create a clean tonal outfit. Worn separately, they can be paired with cream, black, or other neutral basics. The soft cotton-modal fabric used in the Sway range also includes stretch, helping the pieces feel flexible and comfortable during longer periods of wear, including travel days.

A darker brown also brings more visual weight to relaxed fabrics. Sweatsets feel less associated with downtime and more connected to considered travel dressing. That crossover reflects the wider direction of Alo Yoga. The brand remains rooted in movement, but many of its pieces now sit comfortably within a broader casual wardrobe.

Java Brown Moves Beyond Leggings and Sweatsets

One of the strongest aspects of the collection is the way Java Brown extends into pieces that are not closely tied to exercise. The Suit Up Trouser is a clear example. Its looser, more tailored shape places the color in a different setting altogether. Paired with a fitted tank, cropped knit, or simple top, it creates a look that feels closer to everyday fashion than traditional activewear.

Outerwear also gives Java Brown a more street-focused identity. A Sherpa Edge Bomber can add texture over a monochrome base while bringing more depth to an otherwise simple outfit.

These pieces help the collection feel broader than a series of matching studio sets. They show how one shade can connect performance clothing, casual separates, and outer layers within the same wardrobe. For shoppers following the latest alo new arrivals, that approach also shows how color continues to play an important role in the brand’s fashion direction.

Why Java Brown Works for Modern Athleisure

PHOTO COURTESY | Alo

Athleisure has changed because daily routines now demand more from clothing. One outfit may need to work through a workout, coffee, errands, travel, and an informal lunch without feeling misplaced in any of those settings. Java Brown responds to that shift in a subtle but effective way, giving familiar activewear a warmer and more refined visual identity.

Leggings can feel less technical, sweatshirts appear more considered, and trousers or outerwear help carry the same color story beyond the studio. In that sense, ALO Java Brown works as more than a color update. It connects performance clothing, casual dressing, and street style within one cohesive wardrobe, bringing greater depth and warmth to everyday athleisure.

For those interested in adding the shade to their own wardrobe, explore the Java Brown collection on the official ALO website to discover the latest activewear, lounge pieces, and everyday styles available in the color.

ATHLEISURE MAG SEP ISSUE #129 | CHELSEA GREEN

In this month’s issue, our front and back cover story is with WWE Women's Champion, Chelsea Green. We talk about how she came to the WWE, how she trains, what it means being in this WWE as the Women's Champion, and what we can expect to see from her as we continue to watch her storylines in the ring!

We share a new brand and partnerships with long time collaborators Pharrell Williams and Pusha T with Grindin Coffee. We find out why they wanted to create it. their partnership with Lavazza and the roasts that are available.

This month we spent our time with legendary MLB players that are not only amazing for their athleticism, and commitment to their game - but they are also focused on making sure that we know about our bodies' needs. We talked with St Louis Cardinals' Albert Pujols, NY Yankees CC Sabathia, and Manager of the Yankees Aaron Boone to find out more about heart awareness, checking out our numbers from our doctors, and why they have partnered with Merck along with the wider MLB community for Playing with Heart.

We sat down with Choreographer and Creative Director Jasmine "JB" Badie who has worked with such notable names as Pharrell Williams, Beyonce, Sabrina Chapman and so much more. She talked with us about how she came to dance, her creative process, working with her phenomenal clients, and more.

Emily Harrington is a phenomenal and noted Rock Climber who is known for free climbing El Capitan in under 24 hours! In her documentary, Girl Climber, she shows how resilience, dedication, and a team finally led to her carrying out her dreams over the year! We talk with her about the film, why she loves this sport, and what she has been up to since the film.

This month's Athleisure List comes from NY's Nofar Method, a studio fitness that combines Classic Reformer with the Cadillac Reformer. We also make our way to the East Village for an amazing meal at Salumeria Rosi.  

This month's The Art of the Snack takes us to Midtown East to Park Ave Kitchen by David Burke. We share dishes that you should enjoy, the ambiance of the restaurant, and more. 

As the lights have gone down on this seasons NYFW for the SS27 season, we recap some of our favorite shows that you should know about.

It is an honor that our enhanced 9PLAYLIST comes from Green Day as they share 9PLAYLIST with us. This month’s THE 9LIST STORI3S is from choreographer and creative director, Jasmine "JB" Badie and noted rock climber, Emily Harrington.

Read the SEP ISSUE #129 of Athleisure Mag.

WELCOME TO OKTOBERFEST!

Once the weather takes a dip, you begin to think about all things fall and OktoberFest NYC is one of those events that we think about - lederhosen, beer, and massive pretzels! From Sep 10th - Oct 31st, you can experience authentic German beer, brats, pretzels, decorations and more for everyone! All of this takes place in 10,000 square feet with epic views of the Brooklyn and Williamsburg bridges as well as Brooklyn’s skyline. Find out more and get your tickets here.

EXPERIENCING THE REAL THAILAND BEYOND THE RESORT

A Thai beach resort is a wonderful place to do very little. But spend a whole trip behind the same poolside fence and you miss the country almost entirely. The real Thailand is out there, and it rewards travelers who go looking.

PHOTO CREDIT | Unsplash/Peter Orsel

Getting beyond the resort takes a little effort and, ideally, a little local knowledge. Booking a licensed expert through a service like Your Thai Guide turns a passive holiday into an active adventure. This guide looks at why it is worth leaving the lounger, the experiences waiting for you, and how to prepare for a trip with real depth.

Why Go Beyond the Beach Resort?

Resorts are comfortable by design, which is exactly the problem. They are built so you never need to leave, and most people duly never do. The country beyond the gates is where the memories are made.

Stepping out rewards you with:

• Authenticity. Real towns, food, and daily life.

• Activity. Trekking, cycling, and exploring.

• Connection. Actual encounters with local people.

• Value. Experiences a buffet can never match.

None of this means abandoning comfort entirely. It simply means treating the resort as a base rather than the whole trip. A single day exploring often outshines a week of sunbathing. You do not need to be an intrepid backpacker, either; even a couple of guided day trips completely change the character of a holiday.

What Active Experiences Can You Have?

Thailand is a playground for active travelers of every level. From gentle to genuinely challenging, the options are enormous. There is far more here than lying still.

Consider building your days around:

1. Trekking. Jungle trails and mountain villages up north.

2. Cycling. Riding through rice paddies and ruins.

3. Water. Kayaking, diving, and island hopping.

4. Markets. Walking and eating your way through them.

The thrill of exploring somewhere raw and beautiful rivals a trip to the Patagonia region, just with warmer water and better street food. Chiang Mai in the north is a hub for active adventures. Mixing effort with reward is what makes a Thailand trip stick in the memory. Best of all, you can dial the intensity up or down to match how you feel each day.

How Does a Local Guide Reveal More?

You can find trails and markets alone, but a guide changes what you actually get from them. Local knowledge turns a nice day out into a genuine encounter. It also removes a lot of friction.

PHOTO CREDIT | Unsplash/Rowan Heuvel

A guide reads the culture, not just the map, translating customs as well as words. They know which trail is worth the sweat and which market stall to trust. Much as a good local host reveals the true pulse and culture of Cuba, a Thai guide opens doors that stay shut to solo visitors. For active travel especially, that insight saves time and multiplies the payoff. It also keeps you safer on unfamiliar trails and roads, which matters once you leave the tourist track behind.

What Should You Sort Before You Go?

A little admin upfront keeps the adventure smooth. The essentials are simple, but skipping them causes real headaches. Handle these before you fly.

Tick off the basics first:

• Documents. Check passport and any visa rules.

• Health. Review recommended vaccinations early.

• Fitness. Match activities to your real level.

• Research. Know the areas you plan to visit.

Reading up on the current Thailand entry requirements and any regional safety risks in Thailand is time well spent. Pack light, breathable clothing and proper shoes for active days. A little preparation means you spend your energy exploring, not scrambling.

Making the Trip Count

Thailand gives its best to travelers who step beyond the resort gate. Understand what you miss by staying put, seek out the active experiences that suit you, and lean on local expertise to go deeper. Handle the practical basics before you leave, then throw yourself into the real country with energy and curiosity. Do that, and you will come home with stories no all-inclusive buffet could ever provide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Worth Leaving the Resort In Thailand?

Absolutely. Resorts are relaxing, but they are designed so you never leave, which means most of Thailand passes you by. Beyond the gates lie real towns, incredible food, active adventures, and genuine encounters with local people. You do not have to give up comfort; simply treat the resort as a base for exploring. Most travelers find a single day out outshines a week by the pool.

What Active Things Can You Do In Thailand?

Plenty, at every fitness level. Popular options include jungle trekking, mountain villages up north, cycling past rice paddies and ruins, and water sports like kayaking and diving. Exploring the bustling markets on foot is an adventure in itself, and Chiang Mai is a particular hub for active travel. Matching activities to your fitness, and using a guide for tougher ones, keeps it safe and rewarding.

Do I Need a Guide to Explore Thailand Actively?

You can explore independently, but a licensed local guide dramatically improves the experience. They know which trails and markets are genuinely worth it, translate customs as well as language, and open doors that stay closed to solo visitors. For active travel, that insight saves time, improves safety, and multiplies each day. Booking a guide for the more adventurous parts is often the smartest upgrade you can make.

How Should I Prepare for an Active Thailand Trip?

Start with the admin: passport, visa rules, and vaccinations, all well ahead of time. Be honest about your fitness and match activities accordingly. Research the specific regions you plan to visit, including any current safety advice. Pack light, breathable clothing and proper footwear, plus sun protection and a water bottle. A little preparation frees you to spend your energy on exploring rather than sorting problems on arrival.

HOW INPATIENT HOSPICE TEAMS SUPPORT PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES

Inpatient hospice care supports people with advanced illness when symptoms become difficult to manage at home. The team focuses on comfort, dignity, clear communication, and practical guidance during a demanding period. Nurses, doctors, counselors, social workers, and volunteers each contribute different skills to the care plan. Their work also includes family members, who need information and emotional support while making decisions. Understanding each role helps families recognize what inpatient hospice care involves and what to expect next.

Hospice care centers on comfort rather than hospital-based treatment aimed at recovery. A patient may require inpatient support when pain remains uncontrolled, breathing becomes difficult, nausea continues, or medication needs close monitoring. In these circumstances, an inpatient hospice care team works with the family to explain the care plan, respond to concerns, and keep everyone informed. This shared approach gives relatives a clearer role during an uncertain time.

Managing Pain And Other Symptoms

Registered nurses assess symptoms regularly and provide treatments prescribed by the medical team. They monitor pain, breathing difficulties, agitation, nausea, seizures, and other changes that affect comfort. Staff also manage IV medication, wound care, dressings, and general nursing needs.

Inpatient care provides closer observation than routine home visits. Nurses can respond promptly when symptoms change and report developments to the appropriate doctor. This reduces unnecessary disruption for the patient and gives relatives access to clear clinical information.

The team also checks how treatment affects comfort. Hospice care does not focus on extending treatment at any cost. It focuses on reducing distress and helping the patient spend time in the most comfortable setting available.

Coordinating A Consistent Care Plan

A hospice doctor, nurse practitioner, or medical director reviews the patient’s condition and guides clinical decisions. Nurses communicate changes, organize medication, and explain what relatives should expect during the next stage of care.

Other health professionals contribute when their skills meet a specific need. A therapist may support movement or positioning, while a social worker can address practical concerns, family pressures, and available services. Each professional records relevant information so care remains consistent across shifts.

Administrative staff also help coordinate appointments, equipment, supplies, and coverage questions. Their work reduces confusion for families who are already managing appointments, paperwork, and difficult decisions.

Supporting Emotional And Spiritual Needs

Physical symptoms are only one part of end-of-life care. Patients and relatives often experience fear, sadness, anger, guilt, or uncertainty. Counselors provide a private space for these emotions and help families discuss concerns openly.

A chaplain can provide spiritual support when the patient or family requests it. This support respects personal beliefs and does not require a particular faith. The focus remains on comfort, meaning, and the patient’s preferences.

Bereavement counselors can also explain common grief responses and discuss support after death. Early guidance helps relatives recognize that grief develops differently for each person.

Helping Families Participate In Care

Families receive explanations about medication, symptom changes, and daily routines. Staff answer questions in plain language and repeat information when necessary. This matters because stress and tiredness can make medical details difficult to remember.

Relatives can share information about the patient’s habits, wishes, and sources of comfort. They can also help decide who should receive updates and how often to communicate. These discussions keep care connected to the patient’s values.

Visiting arrangements depend on the facility and care plan, so families should ask about access, quiet periods, and overnight support. Staff can also explain how relatives can assist without taking responsibility for clinical tasks.

Providing Relief For Primary Carers

A primary carer may manage medication, personal care, transport, and household tasks for long periods. Inpatient hospice care gives that person time to rest while trained staff provide continuous support.

Respite admission can help prevent exhaustion and allow carers to attend work, manage health appointments, or spend time with other family members. A short break does not reduce a carer’s commitment. It helps the carer return with more energy and clearer judgement.

Families should discuss respite needs early, particularly if caring duties are affecting sleep, work, or physical health. Staff can explain eligibility, timing, and the information required for admission.

Recognizing When Inpatient Care Is Needed

A patient may need inpatient hospice care after a sudden decline, uncontrolled pain, or respiratory distress. Other reasons include persistent vomiting, repeated seizures, severe agitation, complex wound care, or a need for monitored medication.

The care team assesses the patient rather than relying on a single symptom. It considers the level of distress, the available support at home, and whether treatment requires continuous observation. Families should contact the hospice team promptly when symptoms change, or home care becomes unsafe.

Conclusion

Inpatient hospice care brings clinical treatment, emotional guidance, and practical support into one coordinated plan. Nurses manage symptoms, doctors guide decisions, counselors address distress, and administrative staff reduce confusion. Anyone concerned about worsening symptoms should contact the patient’s healthcare provider or hospice team promptly. Asking about admission criteria, visiting arrangements, and respite support provides a clear next step for the family.

WHAT MAKES THE BEST SILICONE RINGS FOR MEN COMFORTABLE AND STRONG

Men who work with their hands need a wedding band that fits into daily routines without creating distractions. A silicone ring handles gym sessions, home repairs, outdoor work, and other situations that can damage traditional materials. Comfort depends on more than softness, though. The ring needs a secure fit, clean edges, suitable flexibility, and enough structure to hold its shape. Those details explain why material, sizing, and construction deserve equal attention before choosing a silicone band.

Material Matters

Silicone has a flexible structure that follows natural finger movement. That flexibility reduces pressure during gripping, lifting, typing, and other repetitive tasks. A well-made ring bends without feeling flimsy, then returns to its original shape after the pressure ends. Material quality also affects comfort over long periods. A smooth surface reduces friction against the skin, while cleanly finished edges prevent pinching during movement. The ring should feel present but should not interrupt ordinary tasks.

For men comparing styles, the best silicone rings for men should combine practical wearability with a clear sense of personal style. Silicone bands suit active jobs, workouts, travel, and home projects because they reduce concern about scratching a harder ring. The material also supports designs with different colors, textures, and profiles, so daily function does not require a plain appearance.

Fit Controls Comfort

Correct sizing has the greatest effect on daily comfort. A ring that fits too tightly restricts movement and leaves pressure around the finger. A ring that fits too loosely shifts during activity, catches on objects, and increases the chance of loss.

Finger size changes during the day because of temperature, activity, and fluid retention. Measuring at a normal time gives a more useful result than measuring right after exercise or heat exposure.

A silicone ring should sit securely without leaving deep marks. The wearer should be able to remove it with steady pressure, but it should not slide over the knuckle during ordinary movement. A professional size guide can help when the measurement falls between standard options.

Shape Supports Daily Use

Ring shape affects how pressure spreads across the finger. A rounded interior reduces contact with sharp edges, while a consistent width prevents pressure from concentrating in one small area. These details matter during lifting, gripping tools, or carrying equipment.

A slimmer profile usually feels less noticeable during fine tasks. A wider profile looks more substantial, but it needs accurate sizing to remain comfortable. The best choice depends on hand size, work habits, and personal preference.

Strength Comes From Construction

Silicone rings handle routine pressure because the material flexes instead of holding a rigid shape. That behavior suits activities where a metal band could catch, scratch, or interfere with movement. Flexibility does not mean a ring should feel thin or unstable.

A dependable band keeps its shape during normal wear. It should resist stretching during removal and avoid collapsing when the finger bends. Consistent thickness supports that performance, especially around the ring's top and sides.

Silicone also separates active use from formal occasions. A wearer can reserve a traditional wedding band for office settings, ceremonies, or evenings, then use silicone during physical work. This approach protects the primary ring while keeping a visible symbol of marriage in everyday routines.

Choose For The Activity

A ring for gym training needs a different balance than one used at the office. Exercise involves repeated gripping, sweat, and fast hand movement. A secure fit and smooth interior reduce distractions during those sessions.

Hands-on work creates other demands. Car repairs, construction tasks, gardening, and household projects expose a ring to tools, surfaces, and sudden pressure. A flexible silicone band reduces the risk of damaging a rigid ring during these activities.

Outdoor use also affects selection. Choose a size that stays secure through temperature changes and movement. A practical color can hide ordinary marks, while a distinctive pattern makes the band easier to recognize among personal items.

Keep The Ring Clean

Regular cleaning protects comfort and appearance. Mild soap and warm water remove sweat, dust, and residue. A soft cloth can dry the ring without creating rough spots.

The wearer should inspect the band during cleaning. Cuts, permanent stretching, rough edges, or shape changes indicate that replacement is sensible. A damaged ring can irritate the skin or lose its secure fit during activity.

Storage also matters. Keeping the band away from sharp tools and rough surfaces limits unnecessary wear. Rotating between two silicone rings gives each band time away from daily use and helps maintain a consistent fit.

Conclusion

The best silicone ring balances flexible material, accurate sizing, smooth edges, and a profile suited to daily activity. Comfort comes from secure contact without pressure, while lasting performance depends on consistent construction and sensible care. Shoppers should measure their finger at a normal time, consider the tasks performed most often, and inspect the ring’s shape before ordering. That short checklist makes it easier to choose a band that stays comfortable through work, exercise, and ordinary routines.

SMOOTH P | PAUL GEORGE

With the NBA starting up again, we are looking forward to the 2026-2027 season, which starts on Oct 20th. This month’s cover star is 9X NBA All-Star, 6X member of the All-NBA Team, 4X member of the NBA All Defensive Team - Boston Celtics’ small forward/power forward Paul George. We talk about the love of the game, how he stays in shape, recovering from injuries, and the upcoming season.

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

PAUL GEORGE: Growing up in Palmdale, CA, basketball was always around me. My older sister, Teiosha, played, and competing with her helped spark my love for the game. I spent countless hours playing at the park, and like a lot of kids in Southern California, I grew up watching Kobe and trying to learn from the way he approached the game. That’s when basketball became more than a hobby and turned into a real passion.

AM: When did you realize you wanted to go pro?

PG: My path was a little different because I wasn’t always viewed as a top prospect growing up. I got into organized basketball later than a lot of players, and even in high school I wasn’t receiving a lot of national attention. As I continued to develop at Knight High School and Fresno State, I started to believe in what was possible. From there, it was about staying focused, putting in the work, and seeing how far the game could take me.

AM: What are 3 workouts that you like to do that allows you to optimize your game that we can include into our fitness routines?

PG: I focus on mobility, strength, and conditioning, because all those pieces work together to help support performance.

First is mobility and stability work. Basketball puts a lot of stress on your hips, knees, ankles, and core, so being able to move well and control your body is huge.

Second is full-body and single-leg strength. So much of the game happens off one leg—jumping, stopping, cutting, absorbing contact. You want strength that actually translates to those movements.

Third is explosive conditioning. I like combining conditioning with basketball movements - short sprints, change of direction, footwork, and explosive work. You want to train your body to perform when you’re tired, because that’s what you’re asking it to do late in games.

AM: Heading into the 2026-2027 season, what have you been doing during the offseason to continue off the momentum that gave such a strong support to the team last season?

PG: Heading into the 2026-2027 season, I’ve been focused on carrying forward the lessons I learned last year, especially the importance of consistency and preparation. The offseason has been about training and making sure I’m taking care of my body – including getting necessary hydration, nutrition, and sleep I need so I can be ready for whatever the team needs. And I’m looking at where I can impact this team the most. Whether its scoring, defending, making the right play, communicating, helping a younger guy, or bringing some stability when we need it.

AM: What is your continued recovery/rehabilitation and return-to-play process been and what does it look like?

PG: My postsurgical recovery and rehabilitation process has been about trusting the plan my medical team set for me, staying patient and taking things one step at a time. Early on, the focus was healing, mobility and rebuilding strength before gradually progressing to movement, conditioning, and basketball activity. Throughout the process, I worked closely with my doctors, trainers, and rehabilitation team. Having one through major injuries before, I’ve learned that you can’t cheat recovery. You have to listen to your body, trust the people around you and put in the work every day. Now, my focus remains on building strength, staying healthy, and preparing for the season ahead.

AM: In terms of pain management and navigating surgery, what has that been like?

PG: Pain management was an important part of the conversation before surgery and throughout my recovery. I worked closely with my healthcare team to understand the different pain management options available, including a non-opioid, one-time injection called EXPAREL® (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension), which is used during a procedure to help manage pain for the first few days after surgery. EXPAREL does not fit every kind of procedure, such as certain childbirth surgeries, so it’s important to talk to a doctor about what’s right for you. Side effects can occur with any medication and for EXPAREL, the most common side effects include nausea, vomiting, constipation, fever, and low red blood cell levels. Having those discussions ahead of time helped me feel prepared and informed so I knew what to expect during those first few days after surgery and could stay focused on each step of the recovery process. (Editor’s Note: See full Prescribing Information and Important Safety Information at EXPAREL.com. Always consult with your doctor before considering or taking prescription medication.)

AM: What does training in the offseason look like?

PG: I’m working on my game - shooting, ballhandling, footwork, conditioning - but I’m also making sure I’m taking care of my body. As I’ve gotten further into my career, I’ve become much more intentional about that second part. Off season training is about balancing quality practice time in the gym with intentional down time to let my body recover from that work so that I can come back and do it again consistently. Mobility, hydration, nutrition, sleep, and recovery are all parts of training to me now.

AM: What lessons have you taken from last season that you will apply into the upcoming season?

PG: One of the biggest lessons I took from last season is the value of patience and trust in the process. I’ve been in this sport long enough to understand that every season is going to challenge you somehow. It’s how you respond that matters. What I could control was how I approached each day, whether I did the work and how I supported my teammates. I’ll carry that mindset with me into the upcoming season.

AM: What are the dynamics of leadership and how do you stay connected to your teammates as well as those that are new to the team!

PG: Leadership is about staying connected and supporting the people around you. Going through challenges, including postsurgical recovery, reminded me how important it is to lean on teammates and check in on one another. I try to bring that perspective into the locker room by helping new players get comfortable and making sure everyone feels included.

IG @ygtrece

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | EXPAREL

Read the AUG ISSUE #128 of Athleisure Mag and see SMOOTH P Paul George in mag.

US OPEN 2026

It’s official, the US Open kicked off on Aug 23rd here in NYC and will continue through Sep 13th at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Over the next few weeks, our days and nights will be filled with some of the best tennis players in the world coming together! There will be long matches, upsets, and new storylines to be revealed. During Fan Week, we had the pleasure of attending Media Day which took place over the first weekend where we were able to meet Coco Gauff, Novak Djokovic, Ben Shelton, Carlos Alcaraz, Frances Tiafoe and so much more!

The best part of the US Open is that there is something for everyone to enjoy regardless of your tennis level. There are activations, amazing food and beverages, concerts, and of course great game play! As we continue to navigate the schedule, there will be a clearer picture on who will win Mens and Womens Singles as well as Doubles for one of our favorite Grand Slam tournaments!

IG @usopen

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | PG 26 - 39 Kimmie Smith | PG 40 Wornden Ly/USTA | PG 42 Mike Lawrence/USTA | PG 44 Manuela Davies | PG 46 Darren Carroll/USTA |

Read the AUG ISSUE #128 of Athleisure Mag and see US OPEN 2026 in mag.

NEW VS. USED: A CAR BUYING CHECKLIST FOR MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE

Buying a vehicle involves more than comparing the advertised price.

Shoppers usually have two broad choices: a new vehicle with the latest features and full manufacturer coverage, or a used vehicle that may cost less and offer more options within a budget.

Here is a practical checklist for buying a car that helps readers compare both choices based on their budget, driving habits, financing, warranty coverage, ownership costs, and long-term plans.

Shoppers researching used cars for sale in Jackson, MS, can use the same checklist to evaluate individual vehicles instead of deciding based only on price or mileage.

Start With Your Budget 

1. Know What You Can Actually Afford

Before comparing new and used vehicles, establish a realistic budget. Take into account the down payment, monthly payment, loan term, interest rate, insurance, fuel costs, maintenance, registration and taxes and trade-in value.

Shoppers shouldn't focus exclusively on the monthly payment. Consider the overall cost of financing, including the APR, finance charge, loan length, down payment, and total amount paid.

Checklist:

• Set a total purchase budget

• Determine an affordable monthly payment

• Research financing options

• Calculate insurance and ownership expenses

• Account for taxes and fees

Compare New vs. Used Based on Your Needs

2. Decide What Matters Most to You

New vehicles may appeal to buyers who prioritize:

• Latest technology

• Current safety and driver-assistance features

• Full manufacturer warranty

• Ability to choose specific colors and configurations

• Having no previous owners

Used vehicles may appeal to buyers who prioritize:

• Lower purchase price

• More vehicle for a specific budget

• Greater selection of older models

• Avoiding some of the initial depreciation associated with a new vehicle.

Condition, history, mileage, equipment, and price can vary significantly between used vehicles.

Research the Vehicle Before Visiting the Dealership

3. Research the Vehicle, Not Just the Price

Do online research before a test drive.

Compare:

• Vehicle specifications

• Fuel economy

• Safety features

• Reliability information

• Available trims

• Standard vs. optional equipment

• Manufacturer warranty

• Typical maintenance requirements

• Current market pricing

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends researching the vehicle, how you'll use it, and associated costs before shopping. It also recommends getting out-the-door pricing in writing so shoppers can identify fees, discounts, and add-ons.

Add a Used-Car-Specific Inspection Checklist 

4. Follow a Checklist for Used Car Buying

Used-car shoppers need to investigate the vehicle's history and physical condition.

Checklist for used car buying:

• Check the VIN

• Review the vehicle history report

• Check the title history

• Look for reported accidents or damage

• Review available service records

• Check the odometer and mileage

• Inspect tires and brakes

• Look for exterior paint or body inconsistencies

• Examine the interior

• Test the lights, climate controls, infotainment, and other electronics

• Take a thorough test drive

• Check for open safety recalls

• Consider an independent mechanical inspection

Obtain a vehicle history report, check for recalls, and having a used vehicle inspected by an independent mechanic before purchase.

Understand Warranty Coverage — 100 words

5. Compare Warranty and Repair Protection

Warranty coverage differs between new and used vehicles.

For a new vehicle, these are the things that matter:

• Manufacturer warranty

• What is covered

• Warranty duration

• Mileage limits

• Powertrain coverage

For used vehicles, look for:

• Remaining manufacturer warranty

• Dealer warranty

• Certified pre-owned coverage, where applicable

• Extended service contracts

• "As-is" sales

Selling used vehicles generally requires providing a Buyer's Guide explaining whether the vehicle is sold with a warranty or "as is," along with other important information.

Don't Skip the Test Drive

6. Test-Drive Before You Decide

A test drive should be more than a quick trip around the block.

Buyers should evaluate the following:

• Seating position

• Visibility

• Steering

• Braking

• Acceleration

• Ride comfort

• Road noise

• Transmission behavior

• Technology

• Cargo space

• Ease of entering and exiting

For used vehicles, pay particular attention to unusual noises, warning lights, vibrations, or inconsistent operation.

Compare Financing and the Out-the-Door Price

7. Compare the Complete Deal

Buyers should compare the out-the-door price, not just the advertised vehicle price.

Include:

• Vehicle price

• Taxes

• Registration

• Dealer fees

• Optional products

• Trade-in value

• Down payment

• Financing rate

• Loan term

• Total financing cost

The FTC specifically advises consumers to compare financing offers and understand the total sales price, APR, finance charge, number of payments, and payment amount.

Mini-checklist:

• Get an itemized price

• Compare financing offers

• Review every fee

• Understand the loan terms

• Avoid choosing solely by monthly payment

Choose a Dealership That Fits Your Shopping Process

8. Evaluate the Dealership, Too

The buying experience matters alongside the vehicle itself.

Look for:

• Transparent pricing

• Vehicle information

• Clear warranty terms

• Accessible service department

• Financing information

• Responsive customer service

• Availability of vehicle history information for used inventory

Buyers searching for a Honda dealership in Jackson, MS can use these same criteria to compare local dealerships and decide where to start their vehicle search.

Final Buying Checklist

Your Final Car Buying Checklist

Here is a checklist that you can use before making the fina decision:

• Know your budget

• Research vehicle options

• Compare new and used

• Check total ownership costs

• Research financing

• Compare out-the-door prices

• Check vehicle history for used cars

• Check recalls

• Inspect the vehicle

• Take a test drive

• Review warranty coverage

• Read every document before signing

• Make sure verbal promises are in writing

Conclusion

Choosing between new and used should come down to budget, priorities, vehicle condition, financing, warranty coverage, and expected ownership costs.

IT'S ABOUT CHARACTER | NICHOLAS PINNOCK

Last month, we shared with you that we attended STARZ’s Fightland premiere, which also included performances by 50 Cent and G-Unit as well as an after party at PH Live in NYC! We have enjoyed this boxing crime drama as the character dynamics and storyline has been drawing us in on its inaugural season that is currently streaming now with new episodes dropping until the Season Finale on Sept 25th!

We had the pleasure of interviewing Nicholas Pinnock (For Life, Long Bright River, Hedda) who we have been long time fans of his work, and how he immerses himself into the characters that he plays! As Kingsley Marshall, the head of an iconic boxing family in London, we are taken into his enterprise and how he has been successful in the industry! We wanted to know more about how he came to the role, what he likes about it, and what he is excited about with this series!

ATHLEISURE MAG: We have enjoyed seeing a number of projects that you’ve been on and we’ve enjoyed seeing you in Fightland as well! It’s great to connect with you.

NICHOLAS PINNOCK: No, it’s a pleasure. Thank you for talking to me!

AM: Well, before we delve into Fightland, what do you love about storytelling?

NP: Oh, wow. I mean, telling stories is universal. You can touch anybody anywhere with a story. Somebody will identify with something or someone in said story and the human condition is such that we’re more alike than we are different. That’s what I really love about it.

AM: What was your creative process like when it came to connecting with the character of Kingsley Marshall?

NP: Finding him was all in the script. What happens when I approach a character, and especially I remember very clearly with Kingsley, was I read the scripts and from the way that the rhythm of the dialogue is laid out and how I find the rhythm, an accent or a vocal quality comes into my head and that’s where I started. That’s where I normally start.

AM: Oh, wow.

NP: Then I start to imagine what that voice looks like. What does that look like?

AM: Right.

NP: Then I try to decide, okay, now I get a look and a sound. What’s the feeling? And the feeling then happens a lot later when it comes to finding out what he wears. And then the physicality, because I can’t, I don’t know who my characters are until I’ve got them dressed.

AM: Exactly.

NP: That’s the final piece. Then it all comes together. And so Kingsley, yeah, it was really, really interesting. And, you know, the voice dictated what the beard would look like and how short that hair was and all these specific things. Then, it was how he would come into a room. I mean it was so specific with him and luckily the creatives, the show runners, and the writers - they allowed me to really explore it and find it without too many restrictions. They thankfully trusted that I had a handle on who I believed Kingsley was and I can just only hope that the audiences are as happy with it as we are!

AM: Well, as someone who loves boxing, it’s our favorite sport. We’ve been watching it since we were 3 years old. The subject was already exciting and we grew up seeing great fighters prior to when they became known to everyone else. So to see this series, Fightland and to combine the elements of crime, revenge, etc, it’s exciting.

What drew you to want to be part of Fightland?

NP: The biggest draw for me was working with 50 Cent again. Working with Curtis again was by far the biggest draw. I knew after the first time, that we were going to work together again. And when this came along, it was an absolute no-brainer. But, you know, when you’ve worked with somebody like him who you know, you trust, you respect, you love as a brother and you’ve got a friendship and more than anything as a collaborator! I would have come on and done one line for him and left.

AM: Right.

NP: So to have the privilege of playing Kingsley was just - it was amazing. Yeah, that was the biggest. But then on top of that, I read the scripts and the scripts were fantastic. I’m a big fan of the POWER universe and it’s in keeping with that. So I find it completely entertaining. So, you know, another opportunity for me to entertain an audience.

AM: Absolutely.

NP: Then I looked at the cast, who I was going to be working with and it just, all the things fell into place.

AM: We’ve seen a number of the episodes. We were at the premiere that took place at Jazz at Lincoln Center and being able to see you guys as a cast as you were literally sitting 2 two rows behind us –

NP: And you didn’t say hello?

You know what? It’s kind of like - I’ll tell you what it is. It’s like your boss giving you a pat on the back to say, job well done. Because my audience, the audience is who I make it for. They’re the boss. They’re the people that, you know, forget what critics or anybody else says. If the audience has something to say, that’s what I’m interested in, really, really listening to. So whenever anybody comes up and asks, you know, for a photo or they want to talk about it or they want to say how much they enjoyed it. You know, no matter where I am or what I’m doing, I will give that person the time because it makes you go, okay cool! I will continue doing this because it’s offering an audience something that they still want! So thank you! I’m still happy to do it for you so never be too shy to say hi next time!

AM: Next time!

What do you love about playing Kingsley? He is quite a character with such a presence!

NP: Yeah, and you haven’t really seen him yet, have you?

AM: Exactly. But the little we have seen - you give good face. You give good presence.

NP: What I loved about Kingsley more than anything was, this is new territory for me.

AM: Right.

NP: If you look at the roles that I’ve played in the past, they’ve always been, you know, the moral compass. They’ve always been the upstanding citizen. They’ve always been a tortured, troubled kind of kind of guy that has, you know, a story to to break through and become something else. This was completely different.

AM: Yeah.

NP: He’s the antagonist. He’s the villain. He’s the crime boss. He’s the head of this family. He’s the person that no one takes any shit from. To be in that territory within my body was very, very tough. You know, people don’t know that the subconscious aspect of actor’s releases the same chemicals as if it were real life. So I was carrying around a lot of heaviness and a lot of power in a sense that didn’t sit well with me, Nicholas, but it was tough. It was absolutely new territory for me. So it was different shoes to fill, but that was the challenge.

AM: Right.

NP: You know, that’s what I wanted. That’s where the fear really sat with me. Can you bring this character to life in a way that is real and believable for an audience and that really... has the effect on the other characters in the piece to make them do what they do and react in the way that they react. Because it’s a specific tone that’s needed you know for Kingsley to have a knock-on effect on the rest of the players in the scenes, for them to do what they’re doing, for them to go on and tell the rest of the story to the audience. And that was my turn. That’s what really, really drew me to really wanting to explore Kingsley as much as I did.

AM: Mmm.

What do you want viewers to take away when they’ve seen this season after we see how the dots connected?

NP: Honestly, there’s no real philosophical thing that I want to go away with. I want them to be highly entertained and want more.

AM: Mmm.

NP: That’s all I could ask for.

AM: Well, it is such a pleasure. We have loved seeing you in so many different things. To see you play a number of characters and to now see you in this way, as soon as we see Kingsley, he stands on his own and your performance of him is believable - this is a badass man.

NP: Thank you. I’ll take that as a compliment. Next time, say hi, right?

AM: Absolutely!

IG @fightlandstarz

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | STARZ

WHY MORE PEOPLE ARE EXPLORING PEPTIDES THROUGH CONVENIENT CARE

Peptides have gained attention among adults seeking support for energy, recovery, sleep, skin health, or sexual wellness. However, interest alone does not make a treatment. Prescription status, medical history, dosage, delivery format, and follow-up care all affect the experience. Online care addresses these practical questions through a structured clinical process rather than an informal purchase. Several factors explain why this model attracts people who want peptide therapy with fewer logistical barriers.

Convenience Starts With the Clinical Process

Traditional care often requires scheduling an appointment, traveling to an office, and arranging another visit for refills. Online peptide care brings those steps into one digital workflow. Patients can describe their health goals, complete an online visit, and receive a provider review before any prescription is filled.

This process still requires clinical judgment. A licensed provider reviews each request, and treatment ships only when prescribing is appropriate. This safeguard separates clinical care from products purchased without medical oversight.

For people exploring online peptide care, practical details matter as much as the treatment itself. Rebody Health peptides online lists treatment prices before checkout, includes the provider visit, and keeps questions, refills, and dose timing in one care message thread. That way, patients can clearly understand the care process before they begin treatment.

Different Goals Require Different Conversations

Peptides are not a single, uniform treatment group. Someone seeking sleep support has different concerns than someone asking about skin health, sexual wellness, or recovery. Each goal calls for reviewing symptoms, medical history, current medications, and potential risks.

Generally, care options include sermorelin for sleep and recovery, GHK-Cu cream for skin and hair, PT-141 formats for libido and intimacy, and other treatments for energy or hormone-related concerns.

The format also affects daily use. Available options include nasal sprays, troches, creams, tablets, and injectables. A provider can help determine whether a prescribed format fits a person’s routine, comfort level, and treatment plan.

Clear Pricing Reduces Uncertainty

Healthcare costs often become difficult to compare when consultation fees, shipping charges, and medication costs appear separately. A transparent checkout process gives patients a clear idea of the total cost before they commit.

Typically, the provider’s listed price covers the medication, provider visit, shipping, and ongoing care messaging. Patients should still review the full billing schedule, including the price after any introductory period.

Eligible patients can use FSA or HSA cards at checkout. If a card is declined, the site advises paying normally and submitting the receipt to the plan administrator for reimbursement. Eligibility depends on the specific health plan and treatment. So, patients should confirm the details with their plan administrator.

Pharmacy Standards Matter

Compounded prescriptions require careful attention because the pharmacy prepares the medication for an individual prescription. Patients should know who fills the order and whether a licensed provider reviewed the request.

Patients should look for clear details about where prescriptions are filled, whether the pharmacy is licensed, and how the medication is prepared and shipped. They should also confirm that a licensed provider reviewed the prescription before filling it. These checks provide clear information about how a prescription is handled. However, they do not guarantee a particular outcome. 

Most importantly, compounded medications are not FDA-approved, and outcomes can vary. Patients should ask the prescribing provider about expected effects, side effects, proper storage, administration, and when to seek additional care.

Follow-Up Keeps Treatment Practical

Getting a prescription is only one part of treatment management. Questions often arise after delivery, especially about dose timing, side effects, missed doses, or refill dates. A clear follow-up channel helps patients address these issues without restarting the care process.

For reliable providers, patients can message the care team about timing, side effects, or pausing treatment. Refills follow the plan’s schedule, while the same message thread supports ongoing communication.

Patients should track their response and report changes accurately. Providers need current information to assess whether a treatment remains suitable, needs adjustment, or should stop.

Conclusion

Convenient peptide care attracts attention because it combines online access with provider review, visible pricing, pharmacy fulfillment, and follow-up messaging. These features reduce administrative barriers without removing clinical judgment. Patients should compare the treatment goal, delivery format, total recurring cost, pharmacy information, and follow-up process before requesting care. They should review a licensed provider’s screening requirements and openly discuss their medical history before accepting any prescription.

LIV GOLF NEW YORK 2026

This month, we headed to LIV Golf NY to check out the second to the last match of the season. We enjoyed walking the holes catching up with our JAN ISSUE #121 cover, Dustin Johnson from earlier this year, seeing Jon Rahm who locked in and giving Rahmbo vibes across the 4 days, as well as seeing a number of stars from the league that we have grown up watching or have become new stars that we always keep an eye out for!

In addition to a bit of a heatwave, it was also great to see the vibe and energy that LIV Golf presents when it comes to attending their events from shotgun style play to having walk on songs it really draws viewers in whether you have been involved in the sport or are new to it!

To get a sense of what to expect from LIV Golf for next year, we have some curated images from the course!

IG @livgolfleague

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Paul Farkas shot with SONY Alpha |

Read the AUG ISSUE #128 of Athleisure Mag and see LIV GOLF NEW YORK 2026 in mag.

STAYCATION UNBOUND 2026 | HOTEL SEVILLE NOMAD

This month, we made our way to NoMad which we tend to be in a lot as it’s a great neighborhood that’s filled with fun eateries from fast casual to those that are elegant, great shopping, galleries, and our favorite fitness studios!

Earlier this Summer we went to a party at the Hotel Seville NoMad, part of the Unbound Collection from Hyatt, shortly after they had completed their rennovations. We knew we wanted to do a staycation here which we did this month. We sat down with Tommasi Moccia, the hotel’s General Manager to talk about the property, amenities, restaurants, and more.

ATHLEISURE MAG: When did Hotel Seville NoMad initially launch? Can you tell us about the building that it occupies as we know it’s a 1904 Beaux-Arts landmark. What does that term mean?

TOMASSI MOCCIA: The hotel began its next chapter in April 2025, when the former James NoMad became Hotel Seville NoMad and joined The Unbound Collection by Hyatt. The renovation was completed the following spring.

“Beaux-Arts” means “fine arts” in French, but in architecture, it refers to the grand style that was popular in New York around the turn of the 20th century. It’s known for details like arched windows, decorative stonework and symmetrical façades, many of which can still be seen on the hotel’s historic exterior.

AM: This hotel is part of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection. What kinds of hotels are part of this selection of hotels?

TM: What makes The Unbound Collection by Hyatt interesting is that every hotel has its own story, design and personality. There isn’t one set look that every property has to follow, but guests still receive Hyatt service and can enjoy the benefits of World of Hyatt. Hotel Seville NoMad is a natural fit because it pairs the character of a historic New York building with a fresh, more contemporary interior.

AM: We had the pleasure of attending an opening at the property this Spring/Summer. What can you tell us about the renovation?

TM: The renovation was really about giving the hotel a fresh new personality while holding onto the history and character that make the building so special. As part of the multimillion-dollar transformation, the striking 1904 Beaux-Arts façade was carefully restored, with many of its beautiful original architectural details thoughtfully preserved.

Inside, all 348 guestrooms and suites were reimagined to feel more like chic, inviting New York apartments, with curated artwork, layered textures and charming vintage-inspired touches. The project introduced Il Bar, a warm and stylish new lobby bar, while giving the ballroom, event spaces and fitness center a fresh, modern update.

AM: Is this hotel pet friendly?

TM: Yes, dogs are welcome at Hotel Seville NoMad! For guests bringing a dog, the Pawcation Offer includes treats, a water bowl and a FUZI Pets dog bed in the room. Their owners receive coffee and a pastry for two from Bourke Street Bakery, along with a 1 p.m. late checkout.

AM: Tell us about the rooms that are available when we are staying here for a vacation, staycation, or a business meeting!

TM: There’s a great mix of newly redesigned guestrooms and suites, whether you’re visiting for work, planning a fun weekend away or treating yourself to a New York staycation. Guests can choose from cozy queen and king rooms, more spacious deluxe rooms and stylish Seville Suites.

For something truly special, the 1,050 square-foot Penthouse Suite features a separate living area, dining room, wet bar and sweeping views across NoMad. Several other suites also include separate living and sleeping spaces, comfortable sleeper sofas and picture-perfect views of the Empire State Building.

AM: What amenities are available to guests in their room that we should know about?

TM: The rooms have everything guests need to settle in comfortably, from custom pillow-top mattresses and natural linens to blackout curtains and marble bathrooms. Each room also features local artwork, a fully stocked minibar and a flexible nook for working, eating or planning the day. For a quieter night in, guests can order breakfast or evening favorites from Scarpetta through in-room dining.

AM: To enhance your stay, what experiences are available to add to your stay?

TM: There are several nice extras that make it easier to enjoy both the hotel and the neighborhood. Guests currently receive discounts on Empire State Building admission and Big Bus Tours, as well as savings at nearby Bourke Street Bakery and Oasis Day Spa. There’s complimentary coffee, tea and fruit in the lobby each day, plus a welcome glass of Prosecco during the stay.

AM: Tell us about your fitness center.

TM: The fitness center is on the third floor and is open 24 hours, so guests can work out whenever it fits into their schedule. It has Peloton bikes, Precor cardio machines and a good range of strength-training equipment.

AM: What can you tell us about the ambiance of Il Bar which is such a focal point when you enter into this hotel!

TM: Il Bar changes throughout the day. It’s fairly quiet in the afternoon, then gets busier in the evening as people stop in for a drink or something to eat. It feels comfortable and casual, more like a living room than a typical hotel bar.

AM: What are 3 cocktails that you suggest that we should enjoy at this bar?

TM: I’d start with the French 75 if you’re in the mood for something light, with Tanqueray No. Ten gin, lemon, sugar and Champagne. For bourbon drinkers, the Paper Plane mixes Bulleit with Aperol, Amaro Nonino and lemon, giving it a slightly bitter, citrusy flavor. And later in the evening, the Espresso Martini is always a good option, made with Ketel One vodka, Borghetti, espresso and vanilla.

AM: We enjoyed live music when we attended the event. Can you tell us about the entertainment that we can enjoy there?

TM: Il Bar hosts live music as part of special programming throughout the year. Most recently, it welcomed guests for an evening of live jazz during NoMad Jazz Festival Week. New events are announced as they’re added to the calendar, so it’s worth checking what’s happening during your stay.

AM: Tell us about The Seville Welcome Sip!

TM: The Welcome Sip is a fun little way to begin your stay. When hotel guests dine at Scarpetta or Barlume, they can simply show their room key and enjoy a complimentary glass of Prosecco.

AM: Tell us about Scarpetta, what can you tell us about this restaurant and the cuisine that is served here?

TM: Scarpetta serves modern Italian food, with a menu built around seasonal ingredients, handmade pastas, seafood and meat dishes. It has received a James Beard Award nomination and a three-star review from The New York Times, but the atmosphere still feels comfortable rather than overly formal. It works just as well for a business lunch as it does for dinner or a special occasion.

AM: What are 3 appetizers at Scarpetta that you suggest we try?

TM: I’d start with the Yellowtail Crudo with ginger oil and pickled red onion. The Burrata with orange, pistachio, balsamic and soft herbs is a good option for the table, while the Bigeye Tuna Crudi with carrots, chives and preserved truffles offers something a little richer.

AM: What are three mains that we should consider at Scarpetta for lunch?

TM: The signature Spaghetti with tomato and basil is the dish Scarpetta is best known for, so that’s always a good place to start. For something lighter, I’d suggest the Branzino with lemon, dill, capers and chili oil. The Hanger Steak with thumbelina carrots, marble potatoes and spring onion purée is a more substantial option.

AM: For dinner, what are 3 mains that you suggest that we should think about at Scarpetta?

TM: For dinner, I’d consider the Maidstone Lobster Tortellini with saffron brodetto, crispy guanciale and confit tomato. The Porcini-Crusted Halibut comes with artichokes, mushrooms, guanciale and purslane, while the Prime Sirloin is served with thumbelina carrots, marble potatoes and spring onion purée.

AM: To end the meal, what are 3 desserts that you suggest we should have at Scarpetta?

TM: If you have room for dessert, the Valrhona Chocolate Cake comes with salted caramel gelato and banana toffee. The Espresso Budino pairs salted caramel with hazelnut gelato and chocolate biscotti, while the Mascarpone Cheesecake is served with caramelized apricot, sable cookie and honey-yogurt gelato.

AM: You also have an underground restaurant, The Seville. Tell us more about the vibe here!

TM: The Seville is tucked downstairs and has a darker, more intimate feel than Il Bar. It’s the kind of place where you can settle in for dinner and drinks, with a menu featuring Scarpetta favorites like crudo, seafood, salads and braised short rib. Later in the evening, live music and DJs pick up the pace.

AM: What are 3 cocktails that you suggest that we should enjoy at The Seville?

TM: I’d suggest the Lion’s Roar if you like a little heat, as it mixes Don Julio Blanco tequila with chili, agave, passion fruit and lime. For bourbon drinkers, the Smoke Show is made with plank-smoked Bulleit, house bitters and demerara. The Casablanca is a more aromatic option, combining peppermint Earl Grey-infused gin with lime cordial, curaçao and bergamot.

AM: For those that are looking to hold Sales Meetings here or to book a wedding, what can you tell us about meeting spaces at the hotel?

TM: The hotel has about 5,000 square feet of event space, with several rooms that can be configured for everything from a small board meeting to a reception for 200 guests. The Madison Room is the largest at 2,394 square feet. Studios 1 and 2 can each accommodate up to 80 guests and can be divided for breakout sessions, while the Workshop holds up to 40. For a smaller meeting, tasting or private dinner, the Library has natural light and space for up to 20 guests. Scarpetta handles the catering, and audiovisual equipment is available.

For weddings, the team can host ceremonies, receptions and rehearsal dinners for up to 200 guests, as well as arrange guest room blocks. The Seville can also be used for a cocktail hour or after-party, which is a fun way to keep the celebration going.

AM: Tell us about NoMad and what guests should check out when they are in this neighborhood.

TM: NoMad is a great neighborhood to explore on foot. Madison Square Park, the Flatiron Building, the Empire State Building and Fifth Avenue are all close by. You can also head out for a walk and see where the afternoon takes you, with plenty of cafés, galleries and shops to visit along the way.

AM: Are there any promotions that you have going on that we should know about and share with our readers?

TM: There are two current offers worth knowing about! The Sleepover Package includes embroidered pajamas, an eye mask, tea and biscuits for the room, and a $100 credit to use at Scarpetta. Rates start at $399 per night, and reservations need to be made at least two weeks in advance.

Guests travelling with a dog can book the Pawcation Offer, which includes treats, a water bowl and a FÜZI Pets dog bed, along with coffee and a pastry for two from Bourke Street Bakery and a 1 p.m. late checkout. It is available for stays through December 31, 2027.

AM: Tell us about the World of Hyatt membership.

TM: World of Hyatt is free to join and allows members to earn points on eligible hotel stays, dining, meetings and other qualifying purchases. Points can be redeemed for hotel stays, room upgrades, experiences and additional rewards.

Members can also access exclusive rates when booking directly through Hyatt, including up to 20% off eligible stays at Hotel Seville NoMad.

The program includes Member, Discoverist, Explorist and Globalist levels, with additional benefits such as bonus points, potential room upgrades and late checkout becoming available as members advance.

AM: Although we are enjoying the Summer, we’re already thinking about the Fall and the holiday season. Are there special events taking place at the hotel that we should know about?

TM: The hotel will celebrate the holiday season with the 12 Days of Seville, featuring something new for guests to enjoy each day. Stay tuned for more details!

IG @hotelsevillenomad

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Hotel Seville Nomad

Read the AUG ISSUE #128 of Athleisure Mag and see STAYCATION UNBOUND 2026 | Hotel Seville NoMad in mag.

CROSS-BORDER TAXES: A CANADA-US PLANNING GUIDE

Living between Canada and the United States sounds glamorous until tax season arrives. Two countries, two systems, and a real risk of being taxed twice on the same dollar. For anyone with a foot on each side of the border, the stakes are high.

PHOTO CREDIT | Unsplash/chris robert

The good news is that this is a solved problem, with the right plan. Smart, proactive Canada U.S. Tax Planning can keep cross-border earners from losing money to double taxation and missed deadlines. Here is how the system works, the traps to watch for, and when to bring in a professional. None of this is tax advice, so treat it as a map, not a substitute for an expert.

Why Cross-Border Taxes Trip People Up

The core problem is simple to state and hard to solve. Canada taxes based on residency, while the US taxes based on citizenship. That mismatch is where the trouble starts.

A US citizen living in Canada, for example, may owe filings in both places. Roughly 1 million Americans are estimated to live in Canada, and many have no idea they must still file with the IRS. The rules do not care whether you knew.

Then there is the sheer weight of paperwork. Each country has its own forms, deadlines, and definitions of income. Getting a single one wrong can trigger penalties on both sides of the border at once.

Who Actually Needs to Worry About This?

Not everyone with a maple leaf or a stars-and-stripes needs to panic. But more people are affected than realize it. You should pay attention if any of these apply:

1. Dual citizens. You hold both Canadian and US citizenship.

2. Cross-border workers. You earn income in one country and live in another.

3. Snowbirds. You spend long stretches in the US each year.

4. Movers. You have relocated across the border recently.

5. Investors. You hold accounts or property in both countries.

If you fit any of these, your taxes are more complex than a single-country filer's. The retirement questions that athletes face in life after sports apply doubly when two tax systems are involved.

The Big Cross-Border Tax Traps

A few mistakes cause most of the pain. Knowing them in advance is half the battle. Watch for these common traps:

PHOTO CREDIT | Unsplash/Microsoft 365

• Double taxation. Paying full tax in both countries on one income.

• Missed filings. Forgetting a required return or disclosure.

• Retirement accounts. RRSPs and 401(k)s treated differently across the border.

• Currency and timing. Exchange rates and mismatched tax years.

Tax treaties exist to prevent the worst of this. Canada's cross-border tax rules turn on your residency and where your income is actually earned. Ignoring them is how a manageable situation becomes an expensive one.

How to Get Your Cross-Border Taxes Right

The fix is planning, not panic. A clear process keeps both governments satisfied. Follow these steps each year:

1. Confirm your status. Residency and citizenship drive everything.

2. Track all income. In both countries and both currencies.

3. Use treaty benefits. Claim credits and exemptions you are owed.

4. File on time. In both jurisdictions, every year.

Residency status drives most of the outcome. Canada's guidance on determining your residency status is the very first thing to sort out each year. A professional who works across both systems will catch the treaty benefits that generic software misses entirely.

Building a Life Across Two Countries

Cross-border living is about more than tax forms. A little planning makes the whole lifestyle smoother. Keep these habits year-round:

• Keep clean records of days spent in each country.

• Separate accounts by country where it makes sense.

• Review your plan after any major life change.

• Learn the basics so you can ask better questions.

Getting educated pays off, and a good finance books habit helps. Managing money across a border is its own form of wellness, since financial stress touches everything. The goal is a life that moves easily between two homes.

Points Worth Remembering

• Canada taxes on residency; the US taxes on citizenship.

• Dual citizens, cross-border workers, and snowbirds are most affected.

• Double taxation and missed filings cause most of the pain.

• Tax treaties exist to prevent being taxed twice.

• Confirm your status, track income, and file on time in both.

• A cross-border specialist catches what generic software misses.

Living Well On Both Sides of the Border

A cross-border life is a privilege, not a punishment, once the taxes are handled. Understand the two systems, use the treaties built to protect you, and keep clean records all year. Bring in a professional who knows both sides, and the border becomes a line on a map rather than a threat to your finances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do US Citizens In Canada Have to File US Taxes?

Yes. The US taxes based on citizenship, so US citizens must generally file a US return no matter where they live. They may also owe Canadian filings. Tax treaties and credits usually prevent true double taxation, but the paperwork is still required.

What Is Double Taxation and How Do I Avoid It?

Double taxation is paying full tax to two countries on the same income. Tax treaties, foreign tax credits, and careful planning are designed to prevent it. A cross-border specialist can make sure you claim every credit and exemption you are entitled to.

Are Snowbirds Affected by Cross-Border Tax Rules?

They can be. Spending long stretches in the US each year can affect your US tax status through substantial-presence rules. Snowbirds should track their days carefully and understand the thresholds before they cross them.

Do I Really Need a Cross-Border Tax Professional?

For anything beyond the simplest situation, it is wise. Cross-border rules are complex, and generic software often misses treaty benefits and required disclosures. A specialist who works in both systems can save far more than the fee.

HOW TO SPOT EXTERIOR PROBLEMS BEFORE THEY TURN INTO COSTLY REPAIRS

A home’s exterior deals with weather, moisture, temperature changes, and everyday wear year after year. Small cracks, stains, loose materials, or gaps around openings are easy to overlook, especially when there’s no obvious problem inside. Yet recurring or worsening changes can point to something that deserves attention. Catching those signs early can help protect the home, maintain its appearance, and keep smaller concerns from turning into more involved repairs.

Cracks That Keep Changing

Small cracks can appear as exterior materials age or respond to temperature changes and movement. A crack that stays the same is different from one that keeps widening, spreading, or reappearing after being patched.

Location matters as well. Cracks around windows, doors, corners, and joints are worth watching because these are places where different parts of the exterior come together. An opening that grows over time can also expose the area to more moisture.

A quick patch may improve the surface, but recurring damage calls for more attention. Watching the size, shape, and location of a crack can help you tell ordinary wear from a problem that may need a more complete repair.

Recurring Stains and Discoloration

Exterior surfaces naturally collect dirt and show the effects of weather, so occasional marks aren’t unusual. Stains that repeatedly return, however, can tell a different story. Dark streaks, water marks, peeling finishes, or patches that reappear after cleaning may signal that an area stays wet longer than expected.

Drainage and material choices both matter for long-term outdoor maintenance, especially on surfaces that face regular rain and seasonal changes. Looking at the same areas after periods of wet weather can help reveal whether a stain is temporary or part of a recurring pattern.

Where the discoloration appears can offer useful clues. Marks that repeatedly develop around windows, rooflines, joints, or lower portions of exterior walls deserve more attention than a random splash of dirt.

Trouble Around Windows and Doors

Windows and doors interrupt an otherwise continuous exterior wall, creating several joints and transitions in a relatively small area. As those materials age, homeowners may notice cracked sealant, gaps, loose trim, or staining around the edges.

These changes can be easy to dismiss when the window or door still opens and closes normally. The surrounding exterior, however, can keep wearing even when the opening itself seems fine. Repeated exposure to rain and changing temperatures may gradually make existing gaps or deteriorated materials more noticeable.

Corners, trim, joints, and places where one material meets another are useful areas to check from time to time. Changes there can signal early that part of the exterior needs attention.

Regional Conditions Can Change What Exterior Wear Looks Like

Exterior wear doesn’t look the same everywhere. Climate, weather patterns, and the materials used on a home can influence which changes become noticeable first.

In Arizona, long periods of sun and heat can make fading and general surface wear easier to see. In New Jersey, seasonal changes and wet periods can draw more attention to recurring stains, cracks, and other changes on exposed surfaces.

For example, Pennsylvania’s changing seasons make it useful to watch how stucco and other exterior materials hold up over time. Homeowners researching stucco remediation in Southeast PA may be dealing with cracking, staining, moisture concerns, or deterioration that suggests the surface needs more than a cosmetic fix.

Florida presents a different set of conditions, with frequent rain and humidity making persistent discoloration and other moisture-related changes especially noticeable. These regional differences remind us that exterior wear makes more sense when you consider the home’s location and materials together.

Moisture Can Turn Small Exterior Issues Into Larger Problems

Water can seep through cracks, gaps, worn joints, or vulnerable areas around windows and doors. Once moisture moves behind the visible exterior, the problem may be less obvious until changes such as staining, peeling finishes, warping, or deterioration begin to show.

How siding is installed affects its resistance to moisture and weather, including overlap, flashing, and transitions around openings. Siding materials can respond differently to moisture and weather, so the same warning sign may point to different concerns from one home to another.

A single stain after a storm may not mean much on its own. A mark that repeatedly returns in the same place, or appears alongside cracking, peeling, or material changes, gives homeowners more reason to pay attention to what may be happening beneath the surface.

When a Quick Fix May Not Be Enough

Some exterior issues respond well to routine upkeep. Others keep coming back.

A crack that reappears after patching, staining that returns after cleaning, or a section of material that keeps loosening can suggest the visible problem hasn’t been fully resolved. Repeating the same surface repair may improve the appearance for a while without addressing why the damage keeps developing.

Patterns can be more revealing than any single mark. If the same issue spreads, returns in one spot, or appears around several windows, doors, or sections of wall, it may be time to look beyond the cosmetic symptoms.

Understanding the cause first can make it easier to choose a repair that addresses the problem rather than repeatedly covering it up.

Protecting the Exterior Starts With Paying Attention

Most exterior problems don’t announce themselves all at once. They often start small: a crack that looks a little wider than before, a stain that keeps returning, loose material, or a joint that no longer looks as tight as it once did.

Noticing those gradual changes can make them easier to catch before they spread. An occasional look around the exterior after storms or major seasonal changes can help homeowners notice patterns that are easy to miss from day to day.

A well-kept exterior helps preserve a home's appearance and condition. Knowing what looks normal and recognizing when something has changed can make it easier to tell the difference between routine upkeep and an issue that deserves a closer look.

FROM IDEAS TO IMPACT: BUILDING THE MINDSET TO GROW A BUSINESS

Great business ideas are exciting, but turning an idea into something sustainable requires more than enthusiasm. Entrepreneurs need to understand customers, evaluate opportunities, manage money, make difficult decisions, and adapt when the original plan stops working. Those skills are useful far beyond launching a startup. They can help professionals develop new products, expand existing businesses, lead innovative teams, or identify opportunities others overlook. For people considering graduate business education, an entrepreneurship-focused path can provide a structured way to strengthen that broader business mindset.

Entrepreneurship Goes Beyond Starting a Company

Entrepreneurship is often associated with founders building companies from scratch, but entrepreneurial thinking has a much wider application.

You might want to expand a family business, develop a side venture, lead business development, introduce a new product, or improve an established organization. Each situation requires you to recognize opportunities and decide whether they are commercially realistic.

That means learning to look beyond the excitement of an idea. Who needs the product? What problem does it solve? What will customers realistically pay? What resources are required to deliver it profitably?

Entrepreneurial thinking turns "This could work" into a much more useful question: "What would need to be true for this to work?"

Build Business Knowledge Around Real Decisions

Running or developing a business brings several disciplines together.

Finance helps you understand cash flow, costs, margins, and investment decisions. Marketing helps you identify customers and communicate value. Operations determine whether the business can consistently deliver what it promises. Leadership becomes increasingly important as more people become involved.

An entrepreneurship-focused business education brings those areas into the same conversation.

UNC Wilmington offers an online MBA entrepreneurship degree pathway designed around entrepreneurship and business development within its online graduate business offering. Its curriculum gives prospective students an option to explore business fundamentals alongside subjects connected to identifying opportunities, developing ventures, and managing growth.

Reviewing the curriculum, admissions requirements, course structure, and online format can help you decide whether that combination matches your professional goals.

Learn to Evaluate an Opportunity Before Chasing It

Entrepreneurs need optimism, but optimism works better when paired with analysis.

An opportunity may sound promising while still having weak demand, unrealistic costs, intense competition, or limited room for sustainable growth.

Learning to evaluate opportunities systematically can help separate an interesting idea from a viable business concept.

That may involve studying customer needs, estimating costs, analyzing competitors, testing assumptions, and considering how the business would generate revenue.

It also means becoming comfortable with uncertainty. Entrepreneurs rarely have perfect information. The objective is to gather enough relevant evidence to make a reasoned decision and then remain prepared to adjust as new information becomes available.

Understand the Numbers Behind Growth

Revenue can make a business look successful while hiding serious problems underneath.

A company can generate impressive sales and still struggle because its margins are too thin, customer acquisition is expensive, overhead is growing too quickly, or cash arrives later than bills become due.

Financial literacy helps entrepreneurs see beyond the headline numbers.

Understanding budgets, cash flow, pricing, costs, and basic financial statements makes it easier to evaluate whether growth is actually strengthening the business.

This becomes especially important when considering expansion. Hiring employees, increasing inventory, entering new markets, or investing in technology may create opportunities, but each decision also commits resources.

Good growth is not simply getting bigger. It is expanding in a way the business can realistically support.

Strengthen the Way You Make Decisions

Entrepreneurs constantly make choices without knowing exactly how things will turn out.

Should you launch now or wait? Hire someone or outsource? Increase prices or reduce costs? Continue investing in an idea or change direction?

Developing stronger business decision-making involves using relevant data while recognizing that experience and judgment still matter when information is incomplete.

One useful habit is identifying assumptions before making a major commitment. Instead of treating an expectation as a fact, ask what evidence supports it and what would happen if it proves wrong.

That approach does not eliminate risk. It makes risk easier to understand and manage.

Learn to Build Around the Customer

A clever product means little if customers do not see enough value in it.

Entrepreneurial thinking therefore requires genuine attention to the market. Who is the intended customer? What problem are they trying to solve? What alternatives already exist? Why would they choose this option instead?

Those questions influence everything from product development to pricing and marketing.

Early customer feedback can be particularly valuable because it challenges assumptions before significant resources are committed. The goal is not to follow every suggestion customers make. It is to understand patterns in their needs and behavior.

A business becomes easier to develop when its decisions begin with a clear understanding of the people it intends to serve.

Prepare to Adapt When the Plan Changes

Very few businesses develop exactly according to the original plan.

Customer preferences shift. Competitors respond. Costs change. New technologies appear. An idea that seemed promising may need to be repositioned, simplified, or abandoned.

That is why adaptability is such an important part of an entrepreneurial mindset.

Adaptability does not mean changing direction every time something becomes difficult. It means recognizing when evidence suggests that the current approach needs adjustment.

Strong entrepreneurs learn from outcomes rather than becoming overly attached to their first idea.

That mindset can be equally valuable inside established organizations, where professionals may need to respond to changing markets, improve processes, or develop new sources of growth.

Look Beyond the Credential

When comparing graduate programs, focus on what you will actually learn rather than relying on the program name alone.

Review the courses carefully. Consider how much attention is given to finance, strategy, marketing, leadership, innovation, and business development. Look at how the online format works and whether its structure fits realistically around your existing responsibilities.

You should also think about what you want the education to accomplish.

Are you preparing to start a venture? Trying to grow an existing business? Moving toward business development or leadership? Looking for stronger business knowledge before taking on greater responsibility?

A clear objective makes it easier to judge whether a program fits.

Develop a Mindset You Can Use Anywhere

The lasting value of entrepreneurial education is not limited to launching a company.

It can change how you approach uncertainty, opportunities, resources, and decisions. Instead of simply identifying problems, you learn to examine what could be built, improved, or approached differently.

That perspective can support founders, managers, business developers, and professionals working inside established organizations.

Ideas will always matter, but ideas alone rarely build durable businesses. Understanding customers, managing resources, evaluating risk, reading financial signals, and adapting when circumstances change are what give those ideas a realistic chance.

The strongest business mindset combines ambition with disciplined thinking—and that combination can remain useful wherever your career eventually leads.

STRONGER BY ROUTINE: MAKING FITNESS EASIER TO MAINTAIN

Starting a fitness routine is easy when motivation is high. Keeping it going once work gets busy, sleep runs short, or the initial excitement disappears is where things become more difficult. In Lantana, Florida, where warm weather and an active lifestyle can make fitness part of everyday routines, convenience still matters just as much as motivation.

A sustainable routine does not need to dominate your week. It needs to fit into it. The right combination of training, recovery, realistic goals, and access to a convenient local gym can make exercise feel less like another obligation and more like a normal part of everyday life.

Remove Friction From Getting to the Gym

Convenience sounds like a small detail until you are deciding whether to exercise after a long day.

A gym that requires a difficult commute or rarely fits your schedule creates another reason to skip training. A convenient facility removes one of those decisions.

When considering a gym Lantana has many options, so it helps to focus on practical details such as convenience, opening hours, equipment, cleanliness, and whether the environment feels comfortable enough to support a consistent routine. 

Imagine an ordinary workout rather than your most motivated one. Could you get there, train, and return home without turning the session into a major logistical exercise?

The easier the answer is, the easier it becomes to keep showing up.

Build Around the Schedule You Already Have

One of the easiest ways to abandon a routine is to design it for a version of your life that does not exist.

If mornings are already rushed, promising yourself five early workouts every week probably will not end well. If evenings regularly fill up with work or family responsibilities, relying entirely on after-work sessions creates the same problem.

Look at an ordinary week and find the spaces that are genuinely available. Three workouts you can repeat are more useful than six ambitious sessions that constantly get postponed.

The routine itself can remain simple. Choose a few regular training days, decide roughly when you will exercise, and keep an alternative time available for weeks when something changes.

A practical weekly workout schedule can include strength work, cardiovascular exercise, mobility, and recovery without requiring hard training every day. The exact balance can then be adjusted around your experience and goals.

Get Comfortable With the Basics

Fitness trends change constantly, but a useful routine does not have to.

For many people, strength training, cardiovascular activity, mobility work, and adequate recovery provide plenty to work with. You can make those elements more challenging over time without rebuilding your program every few weeks.

Strength sessions might include movements such as squats, rows, presses, hinges, or lunges. Cardio can be walking, cycling, running, swimming, or another activity you actually enjoy doing. Mobility work can be added in shorter sessions when needed.

The important part is having enough structure to know what you are doing when a workout begins.

Constantly changing exercises can make progress harder to follow. Give yourself time to become familiar with movements, improve technique, and gradually increase the challenge.

Give Every Workout a Purpose

Walking into the gym without knowing what you plan to do can turn a straightforward session into a lot of wandering between machines.

A simple goal gives your training direction.

You might want to become stronger, improve endurance, build muscle, move more comfortably, or simply exercise regularly. Your workouts should reflect that goal rather than trying to accomplish everything at once.

If strength is the priority, track the exercises you perform and how they progress. If endurance matters more, monitor time, distance, or another useful measure. Someone interested mainly in general fitness may prefer a combination of resistance training and cardio.

Goals can change. Your program can change with them. What matters is having enough direction to understand why particular exercises are part of your week.

Create a Version for Difficult Days

Not every workout will happen when you feel rested and enthusiastic.

Some days you will arrive tired. Other days your schedule will shrink unexpectedly. Building a shorter version of your normal workout can prevent those days from automatically becoming skipped sessions.

If you normally train for an hour, perhaps the backup session takes 25 minutes. Complete a few important exercises and leave. If strength training feels unrealistic that day, an easy walk or another manageable form of movement may be enough.

Reducing a workout occasionally is different from abandoning the routine.

Small preparations can also remove excuses. Pack your training clothes beforehand. Keep a written program on your phone. Know which exercises you will prioritize when time is short.

The fewer decisions required at workout time, the easier it becomes to begin.

Leave Room for Recovery

More exercise is not automatically better exercise.

Training places demands on the body, and recovery gives it time to adapt. Trying to push hard every day can leave you feeling worn down and make the routine increasingly difficult to maintain.

That is why recovery and rest days deserve a place in the weekly plan rather than being treated as days when nothing productive happened.

Recovery does not always mean spending an entire day on the couch. Easy walking, gentle mobility work, or simply taking a break from demanding training can all have a place depending on your needs.

Sleep, hydration, and regular meals matter too. If workouts consistently leave you exhausted rather than pleasantly challenged, look at the whole routine instead of automatically adding more exercise.

Track Enough to See What Is Changing

Progress is easier to recognize when you record something.

You do not need an elaborate spreadsheet. A note containing exercises, weights, repetitions, workout duration, or distance may be enough.

Over several weeks, those small records reveal patterns that are difficult to notice from memory alone.

Perhaps a weight that once felt difficult now feels manageable. Maybe you can walk or run farther without stopping. You might notice that workouts happen more consistently when scheduled at a particular time.

Physical appearance does not need to be the only measurement either. Better energy, improved confidence with exercises, increased strength, and simply completing more planned sessions are all useful signs.

Adjust the Routine Instead of Abandoning It

Schedules change. Fitness routines should be allowed to change with them.

A plan that works during a quiet month may become unrealistic during a demanding period at work or home. Instead of deciding that you have fallen off completely, reduce the routine temporarily.

Four workouts might become three. An hour-long session might become 30 minutes. You can build back up when your schedule allows.

That flexibility is one of the differences between a temporary fitness push and a routine that lasts.

Make Consistency the Main Goal

A useful fitness routine should not require perfect motivation.

It should still make sense on an ordinary week when you are busy, distracted, or simply not excited about exercising.

Choose a realistic number of sessions. Keep the workouts straightforward. Make your training location convenient, give yourself a shorter option for difficult days, and allow enough recovery between harder sessions.

Then pay attention to what works.

The routine you can repeat for months will usually do more for you than the impressive plan you can tolerate for two weeks. Fitness becomes much easier to maintain once it stops depending on perfect circumstances and starts fitting naturally into the life you already have.

ROCKSTAR ENERGY OPEN 2026

This month, the world of action sports had their eye on the 3rd Annual Rockstar Energy Open which is a 3-day annual skateboarding competition and music festival at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in Portland, Oregon. Over the days of this festival, attendees enjoyed skateboarding contests, live music, and the festival village which included art installations, interactive sponsor setups, and local food trucks.

We sat down to talk with some of the athletes that participated this year which includes: 2X RSEO and 6X X Games Medalist Braden Hoban, 2X RSEO and X Games Bronze Medalist Lazer Crawford, X Games Medalist and Team USA Olympian Paige Heyn, RSEO Bronze Medalist and 2X Team USA Olympian and 2X X Games Bronze Medalist Bryce Wettstein, Team USA Olympian and RSEO Gold and 4X X Games Medalist Chris Joslin, and RSEO Silver and 2X Team Australia Gold and 6X X Games Medalist Keegan Palmer. We talked about their style of skateboarding, how they train, what they were looking forward to with the games, and more.

ATHLEISURE MAG: What drew you to skateboarding and when did you realize you wanted to do it as a pro?

BRADEN HOBAN: What drew me to skating is watching my neighbor skate his half pipe when I was 4 years old. I was obsessed instantly.

LAZER CRAWFORD: I guess I grew up around it cuz my dad was a skater and so were my two older brothers but I remember the day I decided I wanted to skate, X Games was playing on the tv and I went into our garage and grabbed my brothers board and that set it all off.

PAIGE HEYN: My uncle gave me a skateboard when I was younger and I would always kinda mess around on it but when I did my first skate lesson at 8 years old I fell in love and knew I wanted to skate forever after that.

BRYCE WETTSTEIN: My dad introduced me to it. It was fun to be able to see it from his perspective and as I got older, I fell in love with it on my own. There were challenges which are a blessing now, but at age 13, 14, 15, I began to fall in love with it even more. It also helped me love music and my other sports more – like surfing and volleyball.

I love the intimacy and focus you have when you’re skateboarding and how beautiful it is. The passion, grit, beauty and love to create real moments with real friends and family. How to navigate ups and downs, have perseverance. Sometimes you over complicate it and sometimes you don’t over complicate it – and that’s what makes it simply beautiful.

CHRIS JOSLIN: I always loved the freedom skateboarding allowed. No coach, no rules just you and the board.

KEEGAN PALMER: Something that got me really excited while I was a kid was seeing all the pros coming out to skate in Australia. They were really motivating because they showed me that I could make a career out of something I loved and something that was so exciting to me.

AM: For those that compete in street, what do you enjoy about this?

BH: The art of street skateboarding is what I enjoy, so being able to skate contests is great because it gets you sharp for street skating.

LC: Street contests are cool there fun when you can land your tricks haha but at the end of the day I’m a street skater and that’s what makes me happy.

PH: I love all the girls, they’re my best friends.

CJ: I enjoy the fact that skateboarding has taken me all over the world and seen amazing places while getting to ride my skateboard and have fun.

AM: What do you enjoy about competing in park?

BW: I love figuring out the bowl. It’s like a puzzle. You have to intermingle with people in a cohesive environment, like an island. It feels casual yet there’s something brewing and we share our love for skateboarding. After going to the same spot, people see you grow up over a long time and we are all around each other’s progression over time. Your mind is constantly figuring it out new lines for tricks, figuring out rhythm and cadence of the ramp. It’s a surprise to skate the course every time, it’s never the same. The process resembles life - soaring and over coping, having fun, enough for flow state and push past boundaries and not over thinking too hard. Always feels familiar but there’s always room for growth.

KP: Something that really excites me about competing is the nervous feelings I get in the mornings before a contest, and even while I’m at the contest. Going through the process of overcoming those feelings or using them to skate my best is really rewarding for me. I also love that I’m always battling against my homies - we all want to see each other do good but we all want to win as well so that friendly competition gets me motivated to skate my best at any competition. For park specifically, I’ve always been more drawn to the airs and spin tricks versus something like jumping down a stair set in a street contest.

AM: What is an average week like when you are training for upcoming competitions?

BH: As of now, I don’t really workout other than just staying on my board as much as I can. Skating skateparks during the week is essentially working out for the contests.

LC: Honestly, it’s always different I’m usually just out filming with my friends not necessarily training at all. Probably should though.

PH: I’m skating about everyday and taking care of my body and definitely trying to have fun with it all along the way!

BW: The training schedule is what feels right. Nurture your soul so you can be open as can be when you’re skating. As I get older, it’s more about my mindset but also about my physical well being. Treat my body right, go to the gym at Nakoa and have a nutrient dense diet - treating it all more serious with a Fun and serious blend. I am more receptive to people around me when I feel distracted. It’s my fresh take and perspective on skateboarding.

When not competing, I do two sessions per day, I skate about 2-3 hours a day and after X Games, it has made me want to skate more but maybe not quite as intensive.

It’s broken out into 2 hours in the morning and 1 hour in the evening. I squeeze in surfing a lot and I’m also trying to prepare for the upcoming Super Girl Pro, and my music. Sometimes I play two gigs a day. Music is healing. Skate, surf and music is like a deep dive in my soul – updating the new me!

When prepping for comp - I skate 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the evening. I do quality training sessions for the first part and the second part in the evening is fun skate. More cruising and soul skating, which is fun. I find joy and recharge for the second sessions after my morning ones.

CJ: I would say an average week of getting ready for upcoming contests would contain 3/4 skate sessions along with multiple stretch/mobility sessions a day.

KP: During the average week before a contest, I always make sure I’m not overworking my body and draining myself too much. So I usually skate for about an hour a day. I’ll hit the gym and do some PT around 3 times a week depending on how my body is feeling.

AM: What workouts do you do to optimize yourself in the sport?

BH: I think skating as much as you can so that you can be comfortable on your board.

LC: I just try to stay on my board as much as possible.

PH: I do a lot of yoga in the morning and at night.

BW: For my workouts at Nakoa, I do everything from plyometrics, lounges, squats, weights, cardio, stretch….just all around training. It’s important to be consistent. I eat avocado toast, eggs, Caesar Salad, broccoli, apples, bananas, oranges and pasta with olive oil!

CJ: A lot of single leg stability stuff to help with balance.

KP: My favorite way to work out off the board is by surfing and golfing. Surfing is so relaxing and nice and it always feels really great to be in the water while getting in a good workout. Golf is peaceful and quiet and I really enjoy being able to use golf as a way to stay outside and move my body while learning a sport without the risk of any injury.

AM: Bryce, you are a 2X Olympian. What does it mean to you to be able to represent your country and sport on such a global stage?

BW: It means everything. It feels like an even bigger chance to connect with the world and myself. The chance to be on a big stage and perform feels bigger than me. It’s a combination of having a lot of courage, inspiring others to have courage because when they have it, they have that strength too. Skating in the Olympics feels like another day in my life…like a treat, joyful, something worn on me not just for me but a chance to share my gift with people. Inspiring people is something I feel more of a blessing and something we can all do. I try not to put that pressure on myself because wherever you are, you’re meant to be. All the emotions. I love talking about this, oh my gosh.

AM: Chris, as an Olympian. What does it mean to you to be able to represent your country and sport on such a global stage?

CJ: The feeling of getting to go to the Olympics and compete for America is still so surreal to me and I’m not sure if that will ever change haha.

AM: Keegan, you are a 2X Gold Medalist Olympian. What does it mean to you to be able to represent your country and sport on such a global stage?

KP: For me, it was a special honor and something I am really proud of. It is a really special moment when you get to see your country’s flag being raised in honor of your sport and country at such a global stage.

AM: You will be competing at this year’s Rockstar Energy Open. Lazer, you won in 2024 at the inaugural event. What are you looking forward to?

BH: I’m excited for this whole week. Each year of the Rockstar Energy Open has topped the last.

LC: I’m looking forward to having fun and seeing a bunch of my friends! Rockstar’s contest is the most fun by far.

PH: I’m super excited, the vibe at the rockstar energy open is amazing and everyone is always so hyped!

BW: I love this event because it’s liberating and leisurely after coming off a big X Games experience, which I love. NYC team support gave me that family vibe. Connecting and having a great time. We showcase skateboarding and have a good time as always jamming with friends and being in the moment. It takes coming to another state literally to see our confidence grow. Experiences are a part of us forever. You push yourself but not over push, thankfully! I think I’ll journal about and write about.

CJ: Looking forward to skating the Rockstar Energy Open course, seeing all the homies and enjoying the good times Portland provides for everyone!

KP: THIS EVENT IS WAY MORE EXCITING than any other event. It’s unique and different from all other park contests and I love that I get to compete against friends that don’t typically compete like Clay Kreiner and Tristan Rennie. I think the overall vibe and energy we’ve felt in Portland is what gets me the most stoked and makes it a really fun event to be a part of.

AM: Are there any upcoming events or projects that you have coming up that you would like us to know about?

BH: Yep I have a Rockstar Energy x Thrasher Magazine video coming out in late November that I’ve been working on. I’m super hyped to put that out to the world.

LC: I got a part dropping next month with Plan B I’m excited about that!

PH: Just a lot of traveling and skating!

BW: Recently, it’s to slow down time. Have all this new wisdom but stay humble. Lately I’ve been writing about staying present with Jessie (London) – both cover songs and originals. We have different versions of mixes of old songs. I have an album with my friend Beebs (Money) coming out. So a lot of music things and hopefully release a book of dreams and poems, and maybe an autobiography later on. I’m also working on a video part in skateboarding. I’m attending Mira Costa College and SDSU majoring in anthropology and psychology.

CJ: Nothing too major planned out right now just trying to stay consistent on the board for as long as I can.

KP: I have the 2nd Olympic qualifier for the LA 2028 games in a little over a month, which is really important to me and anyone else trying to qualify for the Olympics. Right after that event, I’m looking forward to a road trip the Rockstar Energy crew is cooking up. We’re going to do a roadtrip to the Sick New World Music Festival in Texas and skate along the way with the whole team so I’m looking forward to hanging with all the homies. As far as projects go - I can’t really share anything just yet but I have some cool things in the works with Quadrant and F1 that I’m really excited to be a part of.

After talking with the skateboarders, we also talked with some of the bands that kept the vibes going! We sat down with Hot Mulligan, PUP, Angel Dust, and Basement to get to know more about their music as well as why they wanted to perform at this year’s sports festival!

ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us about your band and how do you define your style?

HOT MULLIGAN: We’re based out of Michigan, even though none of us really live there anymore, except for one. And we reluctantly describe ourselves as post-emo, kind of a pop punk, emo, fusion.

PUP: We are a loud sweaty punk rock band from Canada. We’ve been doing this way longer than we ever expected. I still think this is the funniest thing that anyone ever said about us - it sounds like if Modest Mouse, Weezer and the Dillinger Escape Plan had a threesome.

PUP STEFAN BABCOCK: My fashion is very simple. Right now, I’m wearing one of the only T-shirts I own that is not identical to every other t-shirt I own. I usually find one thing that I like, and I buy it in 10 variations, and that’s it. I believe in comfort and efficiency, and I know what I like, and I’m not that adventurous.

PUP STEVEN SLADKOWSKI: My fashion is very simple. Right now, I’m wearing one of the only T-shirts I own that is not identical to every other t-shirt I own. I usually find one thing that I like, and I buy it in 10 variations, and that’s it. I believe in comfort and efficiency, and I know what I like, and I’m not that adventurous.

PUP SB: Okay, minus the not being adventurous part. I feel like I’m the most adventurous of... sartorically speaking, in the band. Uh, Zach is too. Everyone has cool style. But I do echo some of the trying to not overthink it, especially on tour. I have sort of got to this point on the road. You can get very decision fatigue, choice paralysis, because you’re making so many decisions all the time, and you’re exhausted. So, on the road, I will have, usually a pair of blue jeans and a pair of black jeans. And a series of white shirts. And then I’ll be a little more adventurous on stage. For a long time, I would wear a basketball jersey, A -’ cause it’s like universally cool. And we sweat a lot so it was actually very efficient. It actually cools. At home, I’ve been really into loud pants lately. These are not particularly loud, but patterns, crazy pants lately. I feel it’s evolved. Everyone is like, oh, I wear a crazy shirt with very standard pants. Inverting that has really opens some stuff up a bit. What if I just wear crazy pants and crazy shoes? I like crazy shoes.

BASEMENT DUNCAN STEWART: I would say, at this point, Basement is an alternative rock band, which has been formed through a lot of different influences and a lot of different ideas that we’ve all worked together to give us our own individual sound. And I think our personal style, we all borrow from counterculture, from skateboarding, from punk, from work stuff. We kind of pull from more underground styles.

BASEMENT RONAN CRIX: We were talking about how we’re not really easily definable as one specific genre. Because we’re so individual as people, there is a lot of ground covered in the music we make. Same with us, with our styles. For a long time we didn’t really try and style ourselves. As you grow up, you see your counterculture become more mainstream. It becomes a little bit of a weird cycle of, “oh, the thing that I was into, which wasn’t cool, is now cool.” So I’m dressing cool now by mistake. (band laughs) We’re also constantly evolving. We’re always trying to find inspiration in fashion, art, music. It’s all a nice, beautiful cycle of creativity, really.

HM: We just schedule time and lock ourselves in a room and jam and write songs.

AM: Tell us about your creative process and how you approach your music.

PUP SS: PUP is very much the four of us, and it’s a band that couldn’t exist with the three of us. It needs everyone engaged and going to make the things work, but yeah, my process is that I write every day of my life. At first, it would sometimes seem like a chore, but I’ve reached a point with it where I just love it so much that I feel weird if I don’t do it. I write every single day, and then as a band, we take a lot of those songs, and we... tear them apart and rebuild them, and we fight with each other over... what’s good and what sucks. We are all on the same page, and yet constantly disagree, bicker, argue. And that is a product of the four of us having radically different influences, but also radically different tastes, strengths. And, it is kind of the magic of the band. We all respect each other.

PUP SB: We all want the same thing.

PUP SS: We want the same thing. We respect each other, and the butting heads thing is what, I think, makes these songs.

BASEMENT ANDREW FISHER: Our creative process tends to be that one or 2 of us will have ideas that will bring to each other. We work in little groups first before we bring stuff to the whole. Either I’ll be by myself writing ideas to send to, usually Alex. And he’ll say oh, maybe not, maybe yes, and then we’ll get together, hash a few ideas out. I think we’re all constantly striving to find that spark, that feeling of, where you’re fighting over words to express that you like something, and that’s when you know. Hopefully you’ve got something special. We then bring that to the group, and then everyone puts their own touch on things, and we start to look at, what can we add, what can we take away. How does someone feel about this bit or this bit? That’s when the real magic happens and that’s when we, all 5 of us, find that spark and that excited feeling. And then we record it. And that tends to be how it works. Sometimes someone will come with an entire song, fully formed, and everyone’s like, tick, done, next. The more collaborative elements there are and the more push and pull, that’s when I think the best stuff comes out. So that tends to be my favorite way of doing things, but you just have to let stuff happen.

BASEMENT RC: To underline that last point for the newest record wide, because I feel that it was probably the most collaborative record we’ve done so far. Did the most time over it, putting the most, the most thought into it. It was definitely our most passionate project, today. And it’s reflecting how it sounds, how it looks and our work that went into it. Alex put a lot of work into that, and there’s a lot of too-ing and fro-ing.

AM: You guys are performing at the RSEO. Why did you want to participate here, and what are you most looking forward to?

HM: Well, we got asked just a couple months ago, and I’ve always wanted to go to a pro skating event. So to be able to perform at one and watch some sic skating is just sic. Plus, it’s a free event, so it’s cool. We haven’t played Portland in a minute. So excited to have some of our fans come out and not have to pay to see us.

We have a couple guys in the band who are big skating fans. So just the perfect opportunity to play a show and then also get to see some skaters that we like a lot and we got to meet some of them last night.

PUP SS: Well, they’ve been very nice to us, which goes a long way.

PUP SB: I love skateboarding.

PUP SS: We’ve gone to this point with the band where when opportunities, something like this is totally different than a tour. A tour is all right, you know it’s gonna be several weeks. It has its own rhythm. And you need to do that to survive in this world and keep the band on people’s radar. But for fun stuff like this, we go on a case by case basis, and if it sounds cool, it makes sense for us to do, usually we’ll say yes.

PUP SB: I started skateboarding at the age of 35, and it’s fun. It’s fun to be the band that we used to watch in early 2000s movies, that the punk band that plays the skate events is pretty fucking funny for me. We get a lot of weird opportunities in this band, and this is on of them, and we’re just trying to enjoy it.

PUP SS: Yeah, same. hypnotizing. to watch. The last couple of Olympics was skateboarding were fucking amazing. It was really cool.

ANGEL DUST JUSTICE TRIBE: I am a self-proclaimed poser when it comes to skating! I love Rockstar, particularly the yellow Rockstar Energy lemonade, which we always called that yellow stuff. We would make songs about that yellow stuff. It was our drink of choice touring, and I have a loyalty to Rockstar that attracted me to this event. The merge of the extreme worlds of skate and hard core rock ‘n roll.

ANGEL DUST ZECHARIAH GHOSTTRIBE: I came up skating - I don’t skate anymore but I surf still. And yeah, the natural progression of skate and rock ‘n roll. I mean, I got an album because I saw the cover of it at a skate park. So much of punk rock is absorbed from skate videos.

BASEMENT DS: It’s a free open skateboarding music event, and that very much ticks all the boxes for us. It’s a way of giving art and things back to back to the crowd and it’s in Portland, which is one of our favorite cities in America. We want to be playing to new crowds and new faces, and this seemed to be a perfect opportunity to do that. We’ve never played anything like this before. So, to get the opportunity to do that, it was a no brainer.

AM: Are there upcoming tours, festuvals, etc that you are looking forward to that we should know about?

HM: This year we still have a few. We have shaky knees, and we have, what is it, louder than life. Probably a couple more. I’m missing, but yeah, I’ve still got a couple left to do this year. And then we have not a full U.S. tour, but it’s like a 3 week tour. with one step closer, Riley and Wakeley. that starts at the end of October.

PUP SB: Stefan We’re winding down from a pretty heavy year and a half of touring. We got a tour this fall in the States, so come over and see it if you want.

PUP SS: We’ll play in October. We’re playing Riot Fest, which is always a really fun, exciting time.

PUP SB: We’re playing our second record, front to back, which is exciting for us, because it’s been a while.

PUP SS: 10 year anniversary

PUP SB: It’s the 10 year anniversary of that, so, yeah, Riot Fest will be a great time, and then there’s a tour in October. We’re looking forward to it, and equally looking forward to time off after a couple of years of going hard.

BASEMENT DS: In October and November, we have a full US headline tour. We had all the big stops. We go into a lot of cities, and it will be the biggest tour we’ve ever done, for sure. There is nothing more fun than a full US tour around America, as far as I’m concerned. You get to see amazing cities, you can see the country and the food! Our fans are incredible. They’d be so supportive since day one, since our music’s been accessible from the states, our American fan base has been so supportive. So we take every opportunity with such gratitude to come over and we’re so excited.

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PHOTO CREDIT | Rockstar Energy Open

Read the AUG ISSUE #128 of Athleisure Mag and see ROCKSTAR ENERGY OPEN 2026 in mag.

SHOOTING ACTIVEWEAR ON AN INFINITY COVE

Activewear rarely sells standing still. A legging has to bend, a jacket has to swing, and a running shoe has to leave the floor. The camera needs to hold all of that without the room getting involved.

PHOTO CREDIT | Unsplash/Hc Digital

A baseboard, a corner or a seam in the paper shows up the second a body travels through frame. That is the problem a white cove is built to remove. It is why a space such as the Sugarland Infinity Cove in North London gets booked for campaign and social work. The wall curves into the floor with no visible join, so the subject moves against nothing at all.

What an Infinity Cove Actually Does

The name borrows from the cyclorama, a curved backdrop that theaters have used since the 19th century. A photographic cove applies the same idea in plaster or resin. The vertical wall sweeps into the floor on a smooth radius, and the corners are filled in too.

What that removes is the horizon line. Light hitting a curve falls off gradually instead of stopping at an edge, so the background reads as continuous tone rather than two surfaces. Push enough light into it and the tone goes pure white. Pull the light back and the same surface turns soft gray.

For a brand, the practical result is a background with no information in it. Nothing competes with the garment, and nothing dates the frame.

Why Does Movement Need a Seamless Background?

Paper rolls work well for a static portrait. They stop working the moment someone jumps, because the usable width is narrow and the subject leaves it. Crews then spend the day resetting the talent rather than shooting.

A cove gives the performance room to happen. The athlete can run three steps, land and follow through, and the frame stays clean the whole way. That matters more than it sounds, because the usable take is almost never the first one.

There is a second benefit for motion. When the background carries no detail, the eye reads the shape of the body instead of the depth of the room. A stretch looks like a stretch, and a sprint start looks fast.

Lighting Movement Versus Lighting a Still Product

These are two different jobs, and mixing them up costs hours.

Freezing a body needs short duration light. Flash duration, not shutter speed, is what stops a shoe mid-air, so a fast strobe beats a bright one. Crew who rig this for a living tend to hold tickets from a trade body such as PLASA. Continuous light can work at 1/500 or faster, though you pay for it in output and heat.

Still product is the opposite problem. A folded garment wants broad, even coverage, a repeatable camera position, and enough separation from the cove that no shadow creeps into the background. Shoot it flat and clean, then key it later.

Three habits keep both jobs honest in one day.

• Light the background and the subject on separate controls.

• Set the product exposure first, since it is the fussier of the two.

• Mark the floor before the talent arrives, and mark it again after any move.

Green Screen or White Cove?

The answer depends on where the frame is going.

Choose green when the plate has to be replaced, for a virtual set, a composited environment or a moving graphic behind a presenter. Keying is a color decision, and the wall has to be evenly lit for it to hold. Many studios offer green as an option on the same space, alongside daylight or blackout setups.

Choose white when the product is the point. White gives a clean cut-out path for e-commerce, a neutral base for retouching, and a look that sits naturally next to the rest of a brand's catalog. It also survives a crop, which green rarely does once spill lands on the edge of a shoulder.

How Do You Schedule a Day On the Cove?

Studio time is the one input you cannot stretch, so the schedule is the real creative document. Build it backwards from delivery, then work out how many setups the day can hold.

Budget the same way. Studios and photographers that publish transparent photography pricing make that arithmetic far easier, because you can see where the hours go before you commit.

Order the day by how much the cove has to change.

1. Shoot every setup that shares a lighting state together.

2. Move to the motion work while the talent is warm.

3. Leave repaints, drapes and any big rig change to the end.

PHOTO CREDIT | Unsplash/Alexander Dummer

Paperwork belongs in the plan too. A signed model release is what makes the frames licensable for commercial use, and chasing one afterward is how a launch slips.

What to Bring to a Cove Shoot

Most wasted studio hours are wardrobe hours. Steam everything the night before, and bring backups in the sizes you are actually shooting.

• Clean soles, since a cove floor is white and every mark shows.

• Clips, tape and pins for fit on camera.

• A printed shot list, one line per asset.

• A drive and a card reader for the handoff.

Kit is the other half. Hiring gear or bringing your own calls for the same discipline, and packing for a shoot rewards a routine. Charge, format, label, then check the list at the door.

Let the Space Do the Isolating

An infinity cove is not a style. It is infrastructure that removes variables, so the only things left in frame are the garment, the body and the light you chose. Brands that shoot movement end up back on a cove because it is the shortest route from a studio day to usable assets. Book the space around the movement, and the rest of the shoot gets simpler.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Difference Between an Infinity Cove and a Cyclorama?

In practice the terms are used interchangeably for studio work. A cyclorama began as a theater backdrop, while an infinity cove describes the curved wall and floor built into a shooting space. Both give you a background with no visible corner.

Can You Shoot Color Backgrounds On a White Cove?

Yes, in two ways. You can gel the background lights to throw color onto the white surface, which is fast and fully reversible. Some studios will also repaint a cove to a specified color for a booking.

Do You Need a Big Crew to Shoot Activewear In a Studio?

Not always. A small team can cover a straightforward product day, though motion work usually wants a dedicated assistant on lighting and someone watching wardrobe. Many studios can arrange crew alongside the space.

How Long Should You Book a Studio For?

Book for setups rather than hours. Count every lighting state, every wardrobe change and the load-in, then add contingency for takes that fail. Running short is far more expensive than booking one extra block.

9LIST ROUTIN3S | MINDY WEISS

Read the AUG ISSUE #128 of Athleisure Mag and see 9LIST ROUTIN3S | Mindy Weiss in mag.