Every so often, I’ll take a class with a friend — and we never get much time to chat — so this set-up not only encourages that, but it offers up the opportunity to meet new people (and who knows, maybe you’ll meet someone to give you motivation to stick to a new fitness regimen). Rogue will be opening a permanent, female-only, studio in Manhattan next month where they’ll offer a slew of classes (including ones that don’t include post-workout kibitzing), but until then, they’re sticking to pop-up classes.

They recently hosted one at event/catering company Herb-n-Peach‘s gorgeous penthouse loft with the help of KiwiSweat (a company that regularly hosts pop-up fitness classes) and the excitement in the room was palpable. The classes are female-only and attract — at least from the one class I attended — a mix of all kinds of body types, so no worries if you’re new to working out. The instructor was very laid-back so you can push yourself as hard — or not — as you want without feeling uncomfortable.

Truth be told I’m more or less a teetotaler, so alcohol holds very little appeal to me, but I love the element of socializing that comes with this class and, while for now it’s only available in Manhattan, this is something people can easily organize on their own. Why not sign up a group of friends for a class and organize a little happy hour afterwards to make it all the more likely you’ll stick to coming to the workout?

Image: Rogue Female Fitness

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It’s hard to believe, but next week is already New York Fashion Week! It’s my seventh season very actively attending and covering shows and events, so it’s nice to know what to expect, but I’m nonetheless dreading the non-stop pace of those eight days. I don’t usually have much — if any — time to workout during that period, and I’m heading to South Carolina for four days on Thursday, so I’m trying to squeeze in as many workouts as I can. If you head to any workout studio between now and February 8th you’re pretty much guaranteed to find a big chunk of NYC media people trying to fit in a little butt kick before the madness! To that end, I thought I’d highlight some options that have become very popular among fashion and beauty editors for their time-effective, result-driven approach.

SoulCycle is hands-down my favorite cycling workout, and now they’ve launched a 30-minute version of their signature 45-minute class so you can get a quick, full body cardio workout even if you’re swamped with responsibilities. The lunchtime Soul30 classes are available at 12:15 on Tuesdays and Thursdays at SoulCycle Union Square (this is brand new so expect additional locations to offer this class in the coming months).

Equinox at Lexington and 44th Street offers a 30-minute Kettlebell Power class every 1pm on Wednesdays with Omar Sandoval. I’ve never done a kettlebell workout, but it’s shaping up to be a huge fitness trend.

The Reebok Sports Club/NY on the West Side of Manhattan offers a half-hour Kickboxing Express class that has been proven to be harder and more intense than the traditional hour class and, as an added bonus, this gym is GORGEOUS. It’s the gym I belong to and their amenities are so great I often see professional athletes working out there.

Physique 57 offers some great options as well. They’ve got Physique Express, a 40 minute condensed version of a full length Physique 57 class, and ARMed & fAB, which is 30 minutes and uses resistance bands, a ball and weights. I haven’t tried either yet, but I’m definitely going to try to work these in during NYFW since they’ve got a studio close to Lincoln Center where many of the fashion shows take place. A class I did recently try there, however, was Formula 57, which I thought was fantastic. It takes their classic workout up a notch and works in cardio, but unlike cycling classes where you’re dripping sweat, this class is more about small, controlled movements so you won’t necessarily have to run to the nearest shower after the workout.

Lastly, while they may not have come out yet with a condensed version, Barry’s Bootcamp is simply unbeatable for amazing results in a short amount of time. Proof? I could NOT zip a dress yesterday morning, but after taking a 12:30pm class taught by Patrick Frost — a fantastic, energetic, motivational instructor — it now zips! For anyone looking to get in shape and work every square inch of their body in a room filled with tons of positive, uplifting energy, stop by this studio. As an added bonus, the lighting they have in the space is so flattering that you’ll feel great about yourself no matter how many bags of potato chips you ate the day before.

**On a side note, since we’re speaking in the context of fashion and beauty, I wanted to highlight some killer sneakers that New Balance just launched today.

Called Balance 890v2, they’re the newest version of New Balance’s 890 neutral running shoe. The style comes in five colors for men and women; I’ve been working out in the bright yellow ones and they’re so lightweight that they’re super easy to pack for travel (especially useful since I’ll only be taking hand luggage to South Carolina and was just in Miami and Seattle). It’s rare to find lightweight shoes that still feel like they’ve got the cushioning necessary to protect your body, but these do (plus they seem durable), and the bright colorways actually make me excited to get dressed to workout (or at least more excited than the sneakers I was wearing before). Check-out this video to learn more here!

Image: Barry’s Bootcamp

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In fact, after getting a few boxes of these, I wore one of the square heart ones pictured above on the inside of my forearm just because I thought it looked cute and added visual interest to my all-black look…hey, it’s much less painful than a tattoo!

There are several that caught my eye (aside from the hearts, I’m partial to the cupcakes), but what I love most is that Ouch! is an easy and light-hearted way to show your personality in an unexpected way.

Which print is your favorite?

Images: Ouch

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We all know that brushing and flossing are daily essentials, but I couldn’t count the many number of times I’ve come home and whined about how much I don’t want to brush my teeth or take off my makeup. Fear of yellow teeth and broken out skin inevitably get my bum off the couch/bed, but it’s often a struggle. I’m not saying that Radius’ products are magic, but at least they make the process hold a tiny bit more appeal! The brand’s cranberry floss is made from 100% pure cranberry essence so it tastes a lot better than your run-of-the-mill mint and since the cranberry is deposited on your teeth during flossing it works to inhibit bacteria growth well after you’re done. The floss itself is made from vegan plant wax with no artificial or synthetic ingredients and the packaging is made from recycled materials. If you’re thinking all this good stuff means $$$$$ – it doesn’t! Super affordable, all of Radius’ products — including their ergonomic toothbrushes — are sold at drugstore prices. To boot the floss comes with 15% more “string” than your average floss.

If cranberry isn’t your thing, they’ve also got an organic 100% biodegradable silk floss hand-spun from the finest grade silk and dipped in 100% pure, natural plant wax. Check-out all their offerings (including a just-launched suction cup holder!) here.

Images: Radius

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When I first met beauty/health expert, Kimberly Snyder, about three years ago, I was left with a memorable impression. She was one of the first women I spoke to regarding the incredibly positive effects eating specific foods and maintaining a mostly raw-vegan diet can have on skin. I often write about how the food we put in our bodies is just as, if not more important than, any one beauty product, and this is a topic Snyder — who works with countless celebrities including Fergie and Drew Barrymore — addresses often in her new book, The Beauty Detox Solution.

In fact, it was through Snyder that I first got wind of the Vitamix. The Vitamix is a truly unparalleled blender that allows you to get the most nutrients out of your fruit and veggies when you’re making smoothies. Given Snyder’s affinity for the Vitamix, I thought she’d be the perfect person to interview on how to use it and how food can impact the look of our skin. Read on to see what Snyder had to say and to get the recipe for her Glowing Green Smoothie (a favorite of her celebrity clients!).

What makes you opt for the Vitamix over any other blender?

The one single tool for your Beauty Detox lifestyle is the Vitamix. It’s an incredible investment in your health. I’ve never seen another blender that can do what the Vitamix does, which is turn dense fruits and vegetables into an incredibly silky smoothie that tastes great. You can also make salad dressing, dips, or blended soups super quickly with minimal cleanup. No other blender allows you to just add a little water to the bowl, turn it on for a few seconds, and voila – a clean blender. You don’t have to unscrew the bottom or blade. That will save you time making and cleaning up after your GGS as you rush through your morning routine.

The container is also BPA-free, which is extremely important because you don’t want any toxic chemicals leaching from your blender into your organic fruits and veggies. BPA (Bisphenol-A) exposure may create a host of health problems because it has estrogen-mimicking effects that can be very unhealthy in the long-term.

The tamper is also a great tool not available on other brands of blenders. I love the tamper so much! It’s the black bar-like object you poke through the cover that allows you to move your ingredients around for better mixing. It even saves you time by allowing you to scrape down the sides with it while the Vitamix is still blending, which beats having to stop the motor and scrape down your bowl with a spatula or wooden spoon. The Vitamix comes in several colors that you can choose. After all, if it’s sitting out on your counter for regular use, you’d probably like it to add something to your kitchen décor, as well. My favorite is the red one, but I really like the brushed steel and black versions too.

For someone who isn’t prone to eating healthy, how have you found that the Vitamix can help change that?

Pretty much no one chews well enough to get all the nutrition out of their greens. The strength of the Vitamix does all the work for you, by powerfully blending down the greens and making their nutrition easily available for your body to assimilate. Other blenders simply aren’t strong enough to get as much nutrition out of your produce. If you’re going to spend money daily on produce, you should be using the right tool to get your money’s worth out of it.

Tasty smoothies made in the Vitamix are easy for anyone to make and provide abundant amounts of nutrients in their diet, exponentially improving their overall health.

What are some of your favorite things to make with the Vitamix? Can you share some of your recipes?

My favorite Vitamix recipe and number one thing I recommend having is the Glowing Green Smoothie. It is the fuel that will detox and cleanse your body on an ongoing basis and rejuvenate your skin. Delicious and easy to make, it packs more greens and fruits than most people would get in an entire day — or week.  Plus, it will give you a huge boost of energy that you wouldn’t get from a standard breakfast.

The Glowing Green Smoothie

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups water
1 head organic romaine lettuce, chopped
3-4 stalks organic celery
1/2 head of a large bunch or 3/4 of a small bunch of spinach
1 organic apple, cored and chopped
1 organic pear, cored and chopped
1 organic banana
Juice of 1/2 fresh organic lemon

Optional:
1/3 bunch organic cilantro (stems okay)
1/3 bunch organic parsley (stems okay)

Directions: Add water and chopped head of romaine to blender. Blend at a low speed until smooth. Add celery, apple and pear and blend at high speed. Add cilantro and parsley. Finish with banana and lemon juice.

Can you explain some of the ways diet can impact skin health?

The food you eat not only affects your weight, but also your skin and your appearance, since the foods you consume become the foundation of all the cells of your body. Eating for health and beauty are a continuum, not an all or nothing endeavor. In general, if you want to have better skin, you should increase your diet to become more plant-based, which will bring more oxygen into your system and make your body more alkaline. Acid-forming foods should be reduced or cut out of the diet, which include dairy, excess animal protein, sodas, processed foods, including frozen, microwavable meals, refined starches and all refined sugars. When your body is acidic, you tend to age faster, including in your skin.

What key things should we make sure we have in our diet every single day?

I would have to say fresh, organic green veggies.  The benefits from just adding vegetables to your diet are so unbelievable.  If nothing else, they’re something everyone should be eating every day.

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I’ve written about my love for Ten-Chi Cha before, so, unsurprisingly, I was excited when I got word from their marketing team a few months ago that they were working on a bottled version of their dry tea. Finally, it’s out!

The iced tea version has all of the same healthy, detoxifying, and soothing ingredients as the dry tea version (read about them here), but I find the taste more mild (maybe because I’ve been drinking it cold). It’s super refreshing, and a light lavender adds great dimension to the unsweetened drink.

I’ve been drinking it throughout the day to supplement my water intake and, aside from being refreshing, it works amazingly well after you’ve over-eaten, are bloated, are stressed, and/or have a headache. I’m not promising you a miracle here, but in terms of soothing your body and mind, Ten-Chi Cha is unlike any tea I’ve tried (and my cupboards are literally stacked with teas — including a stack of oolong and red teas).

Nothing is worse for my skin than stress and I’ve found that regularly drinking Ten-Chi Cha has better helped me manage it, so it’s exciting to now have both a warm and cold option (especially when I’m on-the-go and want to take something to drink with me).

Ten-Chi Cha’s iced tea is calorie, caffeine and sugar free, and while it contains 12 different herbs with different medicinal properties (one of which, Dokudami, removes free radicals), it doesn’t taste bitter or “herb-y”, like you might expect. That said, this isn’t going to taste like your overly-sweet, god-knows-what-is-in-it Snapple (seriously, if you look at the amount of acids and unpronounceable ingredients on the labels of drinks like Snapple you will start to doubt that they’re really “Made from the best stuff on Earth”!) either.

The only way I can describe it is as light and refreshing. All the herbs in Ten-Chi Cha have been used in Japan for centuries to purify the mind and body, and I’m personally in awe of how much of a positive effect drinking it has had on me. I guess what they say is true, “It’s the little things that can make the biggest difference!”

The new iced tea retails for between $1.99 and $2.25 depending on location. Here in New York it retails at Food Emporium. For more information or to order you can also call 201-961-5615.

Image: Ten-Chi Cha

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I regularly try new fitness classes, so I often get asked about which ones are my favorite and why. I recently interviewed fitness expert Todd Mendiola after taking a few of his classes at Barry’s Bootcamp, and thought it was worth looking back and going a bit more in depth into what Barry’s Bootcamp is because it truly is one of the best fat-burning, body-sculpting, time-efficient workouts. Seriously, if you’re having a war with a zipper, Todd and the studio’s other trainers will help you win it!

Barry’s has a few studios spread across California and they opened their first New York City location this summer. They also have a variety of DVDs so that you can get the experience no matter where you live or when you’re vacationing. Their website can be a bit intimidating, especially when coupled wit the word “bootcamp,” but don’t fret because there’s no yelling or humiliation at this studio; it’s all about positive reinforcement to get you to push beyond where you thought was possible.

A favorite of countless celebrities including Katie Holmes, Britney Spears, and Kim Kardashian, the studio’s classes include 25 to 30 minutes of interval cardiovascular routines on treadmills and 25-30 minutes of strength training using free weights, bands and bars. The endless variety of exercises and instructor styles ensure that no two classes are the same, and that every class feels new and, trust, the 60 minutes — despite being grueling — fly by!

Aside from being a constantly changing, invigorating workout (with great music!), the entire program is based around interval training, which raises your metabolic rate significantly longer than steady aerobic exercise allowing you to burn more calories (even once the class is done and when you’re doing absolutely nothing…like when you’re sleeping!), at a faster pace. It also increases your overall aerobic capacity. This kind of workout is also the best way to burn fat. It will only take a few classes, coupled with a healthy diet of course, for most people to see results.

Again, even if you don’t try a class or get one of Barry’s Bootcamps DVDs it’s very important to remember that interval training is key to getting and staying in shape! One of the biggest fitness myths is that steady, long workouts are the way to go. It’s also important to remember that lifting weights is crucial as it’s what will help increase your metabolism. A cool factoid that I learned from one of the studio’s founders is that for each pound of muscle gained, the body burns an additional 35- 50 calories per day!

Do you interval train? What’s your favorite studio workout/workout DVD?

Image: Barry’s Bootcamp

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I met Todd Mendiola a few weeks ago when I took one of his classes at Barry’s Bootcamp — I was immediately hooked. No joke, Barry’s Bootcamp is one of the best workouts I’ve ever had, and I’ve tried countless classes all around New York City. With that in mind, I thought Todd would be the perfect person to interview as we ease our way out of the summer into the fall to get his fitness advice on how to stay motivated and in shape so we can look and feel our best!

Once summer ends and we begin to layer on clothes, many people give up on their fitness routine. What keeps you motivated to stay in shape?
In the fall, days shorten and people’s eating habits change. It is important to remember the weather and temperature outside give as that added incentive to “eat bad” or to “not care” when we really do. We layer up in clothes and forget about our bodies. So patterns start early in fall and go through winter. My responsibility as a top NY trainer is to keep reminding my students and clients everyday the importance of healthy, clean eating over the period of 6 months, realistically all year. Breakfast in the winter is important as the sun drops at 5pm. Eat early so your eating habits during the day won’t include snacking. For the most part, professionals go to bed earlier so the last meal of the day should come earlier in the evening and breakfast should always be a large meal including, protein, simple carb’s, and nutrient-rich vegetables. If you can commit to healthy eating in the fall and winter months when there are several holidays, then the challenge becomes less, and the “lifestyle” begins to emerge and it becomes less of a challenge and more of a lifestyle.

For people who are just starting to workout and train, what do you recommend?
It is important for them to have a reason, intention on why they are starting or how they got there. And, also, they should have someone fit and healthy that they inspire to be like or someone to motivate and believe in them. This could be an instructor, friend or a video/TV personality. Walking outside or on the treadmill is a good start. Taking the time to count how many calories they are consuming a day and then researching what the average calorie intake a day would be for there body type and age. When someone new to fitness is shown on paper how many calories they consume a day, including fat intake, they are shocked at the results.

This usually is the best incentive to get someone on the right path if they are passionate about taking care of themselves and living healthy. They should cut out most processed foods and change some bad eating habits. And start light weight training or resistance band training while learning new eating and lifestyle changes. Group fitness classes have changed so many lives just by the interaction with others that have the same issues, or just moving to music and sweating with others. This allows them to learn safe weight routines like we do at Barry’s Bootcamp, and the sense of challenge and success before and after the workout. This changes attitudes for people just starting to workout. Strong cardio classes like Flywheel Sports is another way to kick your metabolism in early on and still get a huge calorie burn on a bike to amazing music in just 45 minutes. It will give them a sense of there own empowerment.

Are there any pre- and post-workout snacks that you can recommend?
I don’t use the word snack because it eludes to eating for fun when you really don’t need to. If you are in optimal shape your body will let you know it needs food intake. You should eat small meals every two to three hours. A strong protein shake after a major workout is great for one meal.

Is there an optimal cardio/weight training time break down?
Your workout should include one FULL hour including a stretch after. Twenty-five minutes should be devoted to heart rate and cardio.
The other 25-30 minutes should be weight training and abdominal and lower back work. If you commit to both in every workout, you will find your metabolism, muscles, and cardiovascular system will all work together to give you optimal fitness potential.
It isn’t one or the other, it is all 3 including stretching out all muscles being worked out after your workout. Too many people don’t stretch, and posture and range of motion problems begin. Stretching increases circulation, lengthens muscles, increases flexibility and overall reflex patterns.

What do you say to women who think they will bulk up by weight training?
I have been training women for 17 years. Weight training will only bulk them up if they are lifting weights so heavy they can only produce 6 to 8 repetitions. Light weight with high repetitions is the best way for women to stay lean and gorgeous. Yes, if they are consuming large amounts of protein and calories daily with a heavy workout routine, they will bulk up, but also remember that women don’t have the testosterone levels of men so it is usually hereditary.

What can people do at home if they don’t want to or can’t workout in a gym setting?
I have some stretch bands and the P90X video. P90X is a great vessel to learn at-home workout techniques. I stand by this workout and love it! You can do resistance and stretch training right at home including abdominal or simply meditation with long band stretches.

What are some of your favorite songs on your playlists right now?
I love most music. I love the variety of music we can put together at Flywheel Sports and I love mixing my music for Barry’s Bootcamp at Garage Band on my Mac. I simply don’t have a favorite because music is changing and the term “music is the universal language” is exactly that. Music has many meanings to different people. If it puts a smile on my face or warms my heart, I will use it.

Image: Todd Mendiola

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The Barre method, the Tracy Anderson method, the Lotte Berke method – there are endless “methods” that have been developed by fitness professionals over the last few years, all of which promise to transform our bodies. I’m not one for gimmicks and maintain that the best way to look your best is by varying your workouts – not by sticking to one “method.” However, when I found that Brynn Jinnett had opened her own studio I was immediately curious to try it. Called the Refine Method, Jinnett is an alum of the gym I belong to, The Sports Club LA, which has some of the nation’s best instructors and she’s a Harvard-educated former professional ballerina (she danced in Black Swan), and before opening her Manhattan space she traveled around the country to study how professional athletes train and created the Refine Method based on their movement patterns.

The workout is a combination of cardio and resistance training and is done barefoot. Expect a series of three circuits, each of which is repeated twice, that targets the entire body. Interestingly, instead of using free weights, the class uses a resistance pulley system, which I didn’t really love because you can’t control the range of resistance as much as you can when you have a wide variety of weights from which to choose. I also prefer working out with sneakers because I feel like my knees are better protected when I’m doing anything remotely high-impact (think jump squats). Overall, while I didn’t find that the cardio component was intense enough for anyone looking to burn serious fat (the cardio bursts were too short and, at least for me, not challenging enough), the class served as a great reminder that it’s key to work the entire body and that the most effective workouts combine resistance and cardio. If you live in Manhattan, The Refine Method is located at 340 East 71st St., between 1st and 2nd Ave. and the first class is free.

If you’re the kind of gal who prefers to workout on her own, I highly suggest doing an interval-based workout (workouts whereby you push your hardest, then slow down to recover just so you can push again). Studies have shown that when compared to people doing steady workouts, those who alternated between three minutes of high-intensity and three-minutes of low intensity, for at least 30 minutes, burned more calories throughout their day – even while sleeping! An easy way to start off is to run as fast as you can for 30 seconds (after warming-up), and then slowing down to a slow steady pace for one minute and then repeating this process at least eight times.

For more on Jinnett check-out INC.com’s 30 under 30 list, where she was recently featured, and I’d highly recommend reading it — it’s an inspiring list of young influencers!

Image: Fit Chic in the City

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Ok, ok, so the title may be a bit of a misnomer. There aren’t any miracles when it comes to getting into shape, but if you’re looking for a workout that, in one hour, will burn so many calories and have you sweating to the point where you feel like you shed off the weight of a small person, look no further than As One Fitness. There have been many, many, many times were I haven’t wanted to get out of bed, but few where I felt like I couldn’t. While I was fine the day of, the day after taking my first class at As One Fitness, I felt like I might not be able to get out of my bed because my legs were that sore! The day after that? Still sore….but oh so worth it. What exactly makes the class so effective? It’s all about circuit training and STAIRS.

The fitness studio is located in Manhattan so, for those of you who don’t live in the city, I’ve outlined an overview of the workout we did so that you can re-create it in your gym, home, or anywhere with a few flights of stairs. It’s important, however, to remember two things: one, the classes at As One Fitness are constantly switching up because our bodies get used to workouts and they become less effective over time and, two, because of their intensity it’s not recommended to do any one of their workouts more than twice a week.

The class started with a few minutes of stretching and then we went through the day’s circuit which included 8 squats, 8 lunges on each leg, eight dead lifts, 8 pull-ins, and 8 wide squats. Each of those exercises were performed while holding a 15 pound bag and in between each of them we did 5 burpees with push-ups. After the circuit was completed, we ran up and down 12 flights of stairs. This process was repeated 5 times for a total of going up and down 60 flights of stairs and about a billion burpees! If someone had told me that I would be able to run up and down 60 flights of stairs in the space of an hour last week, I never would have believed it.

I always knew that running up and down stairs was a time-effective way to burn calories and build strength, but this class really hit it home.  No wonder George Vafiades and Mark Merchant, the two men who developed As One, wear t-shirts that say “Take the stairs” when teaching their classes!

Check-out these videos for more here and here!

Image: Gilt City

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