A leader in France since 2001, EKOI is coming to the USA.
EKOI has become synonymous with winning in the professional and amateur cycling ranks. Their strategy for the past 20 years was to make quality cycling equipment with an emphasis on reduced price and increased accessibility. This year’s Tour de France saw 4 teams wearing EKOI products.
The Tour has always been a stage for revealing the newest cycling gear and this year EKOI unveiled its latest helmet, the Gara. It will become available soon and I have plans to review it for DOWNTOWN.
The latest addition to their helmet inventory is the AERO14. This helmet was the preferred helmet worn by professional teams Arkea Samsic, Cofidis, Lotto Soudal, and Qhubeka Assos in this year’s Tour de France. It has also been spotted in numerous other professional and amateur races. It is currently on display by four teams in the Vuelta a España. Considered an aero helmet, the AR14 has ten vents and comes in three sizes.
Like its predecessor the AR13, it was designed and tested in a wind tunnel. It is as light, more aero, protective, and ergonomic than its ancestor. Originally used exclusively by sprinters, aero helmets have become increasingly popular in the pro peloton due to their lightweight, style, and comfort.
@max_vdwielen
I was fortunate to recently obtain the AR14 model from EKOI. My experience as a road cyclist spans more than three decades and I have worn many helmets during that time. Most have been the standard vented road helmet.
This was my first experience wearing an aero model. As a resident of central Florida, where heat and humidity are always present, I was more than skeptical. I have been wearing this helmet solely throughout the blistering hot summer months and it has more than delivered.
The cool max foam padding coupled with its dial fit system and adjustable up/down fit to allow it to be remarkably comfortable. The ventilation, clearly my biggest concern, has been exceptional. Its 10 airflow vents have allowed my head to remain cool. That is the ultimate test for any helmet in the sweltering heat of a Florida summer.
https://www.instagram.com/lotto_soudal/
All in all, I cannot find anything negative with Ekoi’s latest addition. From its stylish looks to the magnetic closing buckle, this helmet checks all of the boxes. I now understand why many professional riders have adopted the use of aero helmets for everyday riding.
The Ekoi Aero14 injects both style and function to this latest trend in cycling helmets.
WHEN NEW YORK LOCKED DOWN FOR THE COVID-19 pandemic last year, I was on vacation and figured I could improvise until things lifted — which had to be in a few weeks tops, right? “Workouts in the sand!” I decided, taking advantage of my surroundings. And honestly, why wasn’t I already doing this? Even though I was supposed to be on vacation, I was still taking meetings for the gym and frantically scouring the internet for fitness equipment I could have delivered and ready when I arrived back home. Back in New York, my clients were all one step ahead of me, transforming their living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens into home gyms. They consulted me in the process:
Client: “Should I get the 15s or 20s or both?”
Me: “Obviously, both.”
Client: “I can’t find 15s but they have kettlebells, should I get those?”
Me: “Absolutely. We can do a lot with kettlebells.”
Client: “Now the kettlebells are sold out but they have a barbell, what do think?”
Me: “You have room for a barbell? Yes, get the barbell — but good luck finding plates for it, because it’s sold out everywhere I looked. You got the bands right?”
Client: “Yeah, those are coming this week.”
Me: “Perfect! Get the barbell and if you can, buy a landmine attachment. You can borrow plates from the gym. You’ll be good!”
As we spoke and they continued to revamp their home gyms, It was becoming apparent that this was going to be longer than a few weeks. I started strategizing with clients on how they could continue to train at home, which led to Live Virtual Training sessions via FaceTime or Zoom. I’m not going to lie, there was something exciting about this new venture. I was able to maintain some normalcy during this time and do it out of the comfort of my own home. From a trainer’s perspective, I relished the challenge of trying to provide a good solid training session for my clients with minimal equipment. “Okay, so we’ve got two mini bands, one long red band, two 20 pound dumbbells, a 26-pound kettlebell, and a yoga mat. I’m going to murder your legs. Happy Monday!”
Lala Duncan and Walter Savage photo by Alice Teeple
By the middle of summer, the novelty of minimalist training was wearing thin, and many of my clients were starting to install full gyms in their homes. One of my clients in the Hamptons turned her basement into a full gym that would rival any boutique fitness studio, while another client moved to a slightly bigger apartment on the Lower East Side just so that she could have a squat rack in her living room. But our training program never changed. No matter what, in the gym or at home, on Mondays we squat. And as my client, Rachel, says to me, “No problem, let me move the chaise lounge to make room for my new squat rack.” As a strength coach and trainer, this can be better than hearing “I love you” for the first time from a new beau.
Now here we are a year later, and no one can predict what the future holds as the world starts to “open up.” What I can tell you is that in Manhattan and across the world, women are taking their health, fitness, and strength into their own hands. A lot of my clients have expressed to me that they now feel more comfortable strength training at home because there’s less intimidation than being in a crowded gym. And they feel confident that when gyms do fully re-open, they can walk up to the squat rack, adjust the height, load the plates themselves and lift like a boss. The conversations I used to have with my girlfriends and clients about handbags, clothes, and shoes have now turned into “Hey, what do you think if I bought a trap bar, do you think I’ll use it?” My answer? “Abso-freaking-lutely!”
If you need to shed some pandemic pounds and are willing to respect vigilant protocols, we have scoured the City for some rather interesting; not to mention fun, options for you to stay fit.
As spin class orphans during this pandemic, we chose BYKlyn Yard as our first stop.
In the shadows of The Barclay Center, The Yard, a community yard, is inimitable “Brooklyn”. The walls are curated by Bare Canvas with murals painted by Alpha Arts Alliance featuring Flash o Boy. There are 18 generously spaced bikes, sun sails to provide shade and maximize ventilation, and recycled AstroTurf complete with old soccer lines. The BYKlyn Yard schedule includes top instructors from studios all over NYC. Expect diverse classes with different types of music. The instructor at our visit was Mr. Ney Melo – professional dancer by day, spin instructor by night – his mix of Latin beats, 80s remixes, and high tempo music kept us sweating throughout. While BYKlyn lacks the metrics so many A-types rely upon, the holistic approach to fitness-for-all is refreshing.
Soul Cycle Outdoors LR Davidson @thelrdavidson
SoulCycle has launched SoulOutside.
That means everything you have come to love about an upbeat SoulCycle class, plus cool breezes, great views, and a full lineup of rides led by all your favorite instructors. The outdoor studio tent in New York is set up in the Hudson Yards Plaza right outside of their retail studio. This assures you of majestic Hudson River views and no lack of options for refueling post-class. The entire user experience is now handless. Check-in is now digital utilizing the SoulCycle app and the sound system offers an all-new, silent-disco audio experience for the SoulOutside series.
If riding on a stationary bicycle that is going nowhere not your thing.
You’re not the crazy one. We are. So, fret not. Barry’s Bootcamp has opened the terrace at their Meatpacking location to meet your caloric deficit needs. Their high-intensity interval training will push you to your limits. This time these limits have a view of boutiques and lovely dining establishments. Carefully curated playlists are truly inspirational because it is difficult how you can otherwise sprint so faster and lift such heavy objects. Alternating muscle focus exercises ensure your body gets a balanced workout with plenty of recovery time… all under this lovely tent to protect you from the elements and pesky tourists. Wait. We do not have those any longer.
We never appreciate what we have until we no longer have it.
I sit here with sun rays beaming through my window, and I look out over the vast new luxury high-rises and newly present nooks and crannies that weren’t visible as recently as this time last year.
With every change of a season, as cliché as it may be, I’m always struck by how quickly time flies.
Then again, living in New York City, I’m also impressed with how much we can accomplish in such a short amount of time when we put our minds to it whether it’s calling for action from our political leaders, adding new architecture to our iconic skyline, or transforming an entire floor from a raw space into an artistic wonderland.
Cover Fall 2017 By Nigel Barker
And then there’s the change you can make in yourself with hard work, dedication, and passion.
Read about our cover talent, shot by the incredible Nigel Barker, and learn how this man from a small American town was able to do what he loves with talent, a strong mind, and an even stronger physique.
The 2017 Art issue cover came about because of my long term relationship with the founder of DogPound Kirk Myers. First, he was my personal trainer, then he became Downtown’s first fitness editor and quickly turned into a dear friend, who had dreams of his own.
DogPound New York IG
We discussed how we could showcase artists, but artists and art come in many different shapes, sizes and forms, not just ones with a brush or camera but athletes.
By Nigel Barker
Looking at him now, you wouldn’t think that Kirk Myers used to be overweight.
Kirk Myers then and now
“I was uneducated about healthy eating,” he begins.
“I drank ‘skim’ chocolate milk and thought it was healthy,” he adds with a smile.
Now, knowing much better, he’s come a long way. He credits much of it to education and preparation. And that’s exactly why he’s taken on a more educational approach to fitness.
As the owner of the popular NYC and LA gym the Dogpound, Kirk Myers’ body is one of his most important tools. To work the hours he does training his clients and running a business in NYC endurance and strength are key.
“I think most people who have their own business understand that it doesn’t come overnight. It takes years and years of grinding and learning from your mistakes,” he says.
DogPound IG Victoria Models
“You must also be open to change, open to feedback, and eager to improve your craft at all times, in every aspect. If your business is not growing, you are dying.”
And even though his business is growing, he keeps a focus on the individual.
For Kirk, it all comes down to training and making a difference for other people.
“You can really change people’s lives and the way they feel day to day,” he says. “That’s something that I can’t get enough of, it really is priceless.” Kirk Myers DogPound
Special thanks to for this shoot location to The Silverstein Organization; our incredible Board Chairman Dara McQuillan, Chief Marketing Officer at Silverstein, his guidance and belief in what we do here at Downtown each and every day is so vitally important to who we are as a brand.
Paul Kostas; Photograph by Catalina Kulczar; @catalinaphotog.
As retail shops, restaurants, and gyms shutter to prevent the spread of COVID-19, countless fitness fanatics have bemoaned the idea of missed workouts. Thankfully, there are many effective fitness routines to engage in from the comfort of your own home. To get a better picture of how to keep active, we sat down (virtually) with Paul Kostas, the Director of Personal Training at Brooklyn Athletic Club (BAC), for some insight into how he is keeping his clients, the BAC community, and fitness lovers healthy.
A highly decorated personal trainer, Kostas’s certifications and continuing education include: USA Olympic Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach; Certified Clinical Weightlifting Coach; Bio-Signature Modulation; Catalyst Athletics Level 1 Weightlifting Coach; and Functional Movement Specialist—just to name a few. And while the Williamsburg, Brooklyn-located BAC serves the purpose of every other gym—it is quite unique in its make-up—infrared saunas included. A fitness gem amidst the ubiquitous chains lining every other street corner, the BAC not only has an inspiring community of people determined to lift each other up, but every fitness instructor at the gym boasts a wish list of certifications, awards, and more. For now, enjoy Kostas’s tips and tricks, but don’t forget to place BAC on your list of gyms to hit—let’s hope that time is soon!
Paul Kostas; Photograph by Catalina Kulczar; @catalinaphotog.
Downtown: Now that every gym in New York—and various other states—are mandated to close for the time being, what steps are you taking to continue to advise your clients on exercise routines?
Paul Kostas, Director of Personal Training at Brooklyn Athletic Club: As soon as we decided it was for the safety of the community to close our doors, we immediately went to work creating workout programs to be done at home. We are using social media and email lists to alert our members that we are posting workouts on the Train Heroic app.
Downtown: We love the idea behind TrainHeroic! When and how did that originate?
PK: We’ve been using Train Heroic for our Semi-Private Training sessions for about 4 years now. It’s fantastic—we can create training programs that can be accessed remotely. The app also allows us to include detailed instructions and link demo videos. The feature I most appreciate right now is the message board where everyone can comment on the workout.
Downtown: How many workouts do you plan on posting a week? Can you share an example of one legs or arms workout?
PK: Right now I’m posting a workout everyday except for Sunday—everyone should rest once a week. As demand increases, I am thinking of posting two different workouts a day—a cardio-based one and a strength-based one.
#6: Legs- perform all exercises for set numbers or reps back to back. Rest 2–3 minutes between sets. Repeat for 3–5 rounds.
Forward Lunge + Squat Jump x 20 total reps
SL RDL + Reverse Lunge x 10 reps per side
Squat Jacks x 20 reps
Hip Thrust or Bridge x 20 reps
#7: Arms and Back 10–1 For Time
Triceps Push-ups
Tote Bag Hammer Curl (use a towel)
Bent Over Rear Delt Fly (use a wine bottle)
Downtown: What has the response been like? Can anyone join in? If so, how?
PK: I’m blown away by the response. Over 225 people have joined in the last 48 hours. There has been constant interaction with all the members and everyone really appreciates it.
It’s free and open to everyone. Download the Train Heroic app (ios/android)—team name is Stronger Together and the access code is bactogether.
Downtown: What have you learned about the importance of a workout community? How can you continue to share with a community while apart during these times?
Photograph: Jon Johnnidis.
PK: Our community at BAC has always been so special and amazing. It was heartbreaking to close our doors and the ability to still stay in constant contact with everyone through the workouts and social media is getting me through the day.
We’re encouraging people to record and post their workouts to IG and tag @brooklynathelticclub & @paulkostas so we can repost as well so everyone still feels like we’re all doing this together.
Members are commenting on the workouts in the app, and on IG, and we’re using that to try to facilitate interactions and continue to cultivate community.
Downtown: Can you share with our readers what is so particularly special about BAC and its trainers + members?
PK: I really think it starts with our coaching staff—everyone is incredibly knowledgeable and personable and that helps to attract and retain an amazing client base. Everyone truly gets along and respects each other. We take fitness very seriously but we have a ton of fun doing it together.
We’ve been hosting competitions and parties throughout the years and Tasha Hunter, (coach and digital communications director) has started hosting Ladies Night workouts, so we now have the strongest and most badass group of women in NYC.
Downtown: What is your advice for those who have never been into home workouts—what tips would you offer to self-motivate?
PK: Now more than ever we have to keep a routine of self care and health a top priority. I personally am not a fan of home workouts, but having 30 minutes a day to move, and knowing over 200 others are doing it with me, is going to keep me sane. We’re taking what we have right now and making the best of it while trying to stay positive—keeping a workout routine is a huge part of that. I do think this is as much or more of a practice in mental and emotional health then physical health right now.
Downtown: Why should we not underestimate a low-impact workout?
PK: We’re managing reps schemes, tempo, and rest intervals in order to keep the low-impact workouts challenging.
Downtown: What kind of low-impact workouts are great for legs?
PK: Avoid jumping if you need to keep it low impact. Focus on slowing down the movements and maintaining tension in the target muscles. Squats, lunges, step-ups, and of course, stretching.
Downtown: How often would you advise someone who took frequent workout classes to participate in a high-impact workout?
PK: This varies to the individual but start with 3/week and build from there.
Downtown: How possible is this with minimal equipment?
PK: Get creative! We have tote bags full of canned goods in the training program as a “weight”, wine bottles, jugs of water, a backpack full of books, etc.
By using higher rep schemes, slower tempo, and short rest periods we’re able to make the workouts effective.
Downtown: My only exercise equipment right now happens to be a resistance band. What can I do to exercise my core, legs, and arms?
PK: Join our team Stronger Together on Train Heroic and let us take it from there!
Downtown: For those of us with studio apartments, how can we get our cardio in with minimal space?
PK: All the workouts are designed with exactly that in mind.
Downtown: What have your favorite workouts been?
PK: I have seven workouts published and I really like how they work together in a unit—each targeting different muscle groups on different days and the variety between them.
Honestly, my favorite part about writing these workouts is the challenge of being creative and not making things complicated.
Downtown: What will be your first workout when you are able to head back to the gym?
PK: Put a barbell on my back and squat as heavy as I can!
Lalaina Lee Duncan Processed with VSCO with 3 preset
By Lala Duncan, a personal trainer at THe DOGPOUND
Photo credits Wilfred Gachau @wilfred.gachau
We all know that, when it comes to being healthy, fit, and strong, there is no better way to achieve this than to lift weights. Yet still, with all the science-backed information available to us today on the subject and why it is good for us, especially as we approach the age of forty, we are hesitant to do it despite knowing that it is necessary.
Before I go on repeating more boring information on why lifting weights is good for us, I want to stop and think about what the word LIFT actually means.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word (v) LIFT means: to raise to a higher position or level, to elevate.
When we elevate something, we raise it to a higher level; we LIFT it. Doesn’t this sound appealing? Now, why wouldn’t you want to allow yourself the opportunity to elevate the quality of your life through having a strong body and mindset?
Our physical strength is the most important thing in life. As we progress through time, physical strength has become less critical to our daily existence, but it’s no less critical to our daily lives. Our strength, more than any other thing in our possession, is what determines how long we live on this earth in our bodies and the quality in which we live it.
We do not have a choice! We possess potentially strong muscles and bones and are doing them a disservice by not paying more attention to them. If we ignore them, we are putting ourselves and our lives at risk by not allowing the opportunity to be able to live and operate at our utmost potential. The basis of our existence depends on our ability to provide them with the stimuli they need to stay in a condition that is necessary.
And what is that stimulus? You guessed it — strength Training.
What does strength training mean? Lifting heavy weights!
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Why are people scared to lift weights? We’ve all heard that lifting weights can be bad for you: one might get hurt. Although possible, if done incorrectly, how badly will it hurt when you break a hip at 70 because the bones are frail and brittle. Our bones support our weight. Bone is living, stress-responsive tissue, just like muscle. It adapts to stress just like any other tissue and becomes more dense in response to heavier weight. This aspect of training is very important as we age and especially for us women whose bone density is a major factor for a long, healthy life.
As a trainer, I hear all types of fears from accomplished, educated women and men. But why? I’ll be the first to admit that lifting isn’t as exciting as spinning your heart out to loud EDM music. Lifting requires focus, the ability to be coachable, and, most importantly, patience. However, with an experienced, passionate, and skilled trainer, strength training should be the thing that elevates your life on a daily basis. After all, when we build strength, we build confidence, and we all know confidence is attractive.
We are the strongest creatures on the planet.
We build homes
We build communities
We build careers
We build families
Yet we are afraid to build our own bodies.
Let’s figure out how to change the dialogue, fix the misconceptions, and end the miseducation of what it means to be fit, healthy, and strong.
