Tag: Kirk Myers

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Featured Fitness Health

Couples Who Sweat Together, Stay Together

couple workout
Photo: Courtesy of Kirk Myers
couple workout
Photo: Courtesy of Kirk Myers

Working out as a couple is a great idea and has many benefits. First and foremost, a “couple” workout doesn’t necessarily have to be with your significant other; it can be a friend, a mentor, or anyone that you are comfortable with.  For starters, couples often don’t get enough ‘alone time’ or are always preoccupied and stressed. Going to the gym is an activity that is ideal to share with a significant other. With fitness, motivation is always important, and what better motivation to have than a loved one.

The benefits of working out will aid the body and mind of both individuals, and communication is bound to improve between the two. The exercise itself has potential to have both a physical and emotional positive impact. Working out also promotes less stress, better sleep and a sharp brain. This is a win-win for everyone. Couples feel better about themselves and each other, while the energy between them flows smoothly. Add endorphins to all this goodness and no couple can refuse this idea. Endorphins spice up the relationship and keep both individuals at a positive level.

Sometimes, the two individuals can be into completely different kinds of workouts. If your guy only likes to lift and you want to do some cardio or yoga, there’s a clear solution. The key is to pick a full body workout that both of parties would enjoy, like boxing or cross-fit. If it is new to both, then it’s all the better. Going on a new journey together adds to the harmony as a couple.

There are several celebrities who like to work out together and it helps both of them. For instance, Reese Witherspoon and Jim Toth often jog together. Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel bike and jog together. Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady hike together. These are fun activities that can easily fit into busy schedules and help couples bond deeper.

Photo: Courtesy of Kirk Myers
Photo: Courtesy of Kirk Myers

That said, here are some a few partner exercises to try out:

Partner Pushups

You start by facing each other in pushup position. After you do each pushup, you high five each other using the same hand. This makes you hold the position longer and ultimately challenges you. You also support each other by being there for each other. When you high five, you keep each other going— what’s one more pushup?

Partner Situps

You start by having your legs face each other— intertwine your legs so that you can support each other’s body weight. After each sit up, have your hands meet your partner’s hands. You know you have a pair of hands waiting at the end of each sit up, so you’re less likely to keep your partner hanging!

Partner Leg Exercise- Step Ups

This exercise is done by each person standing on opposite sides of an elevated surface, like a bench. You shouldn’t be facing each other directly; rather you should be positioned diagonally. Then step up on the elevated surface with the inner leg that is between the both of you, while holding each other’s hands for support. When you’re done, switch sides and do the other leg.

These couple workouts are bound to make you and the other person more fit; both physically and emotionally. So grab your partner or friend, and try working out together for a change!

 

-by Kirk Myers, Personal Trainer and Founder of the DogPound 

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Featured Fitness Health News

Kirk Myers DOGPOUND Returns to Downtown Magazine

Kirk Myers DOGPOUND Returns to Downtown Magazine
Shot by Nigel Barker
Dogpound
Grace A. Capobianco Founder of Downtown and Kirk Myers before DOGPOUND early 2000

It’s no secret that we, the staff of Downtown Magazine, are big fans of Kirk Myers and The DOGPOUND. That friendship stretches back to before the founding of Myers’ now-famous franchise. Our very own CEO, Grace A. Capobianco, has been fast friends with Myers since Downtown’s second year in publishing.

For years, Myers acted as our fitness editor, sharing hard-won insights with our readers. He left to follow his dream of starting his own gym, and we are happy to announce that we now have the best of both worlds: The DOGPOUND thriving, and Myers coming back as our fitness editor! In honor of his return, Grace asked him a few questions so you can get to know your new online personal trainer.

Grace A Capobianco: You’ve always talked about starting a personal training gym and how you wanted to give back of your time and training expertise, what do you hope people will get out of the new fitness column starring the DOGPOUND trainers?

Kirk Myers: Our hope that we can spread the DP mindset to everyone – not just our clients who work out with us in the NY and LA gyms. Our intention is to arm people with this positivity and help empower them so they can make their own impact on the world. It’s a sort of domino effect on the community — elevating health and fitness to the next level.

GAC: You didn’t even have two nickels to rub together (exaggeration) when you were starting out training in New York City, but yet the first thing you said to DTMag’s founder your client Grace A. Capobianco, was that you wanted to work with kids, giving back of your time. The first charity you came up with was the great youth movement the G.Y.M. Which came about with your original team Christian, Pawel and Jenny. We called on our Editor in chief at the time Mike Hammer who has a special needs youth. That youth was Hammertime and his best friends. The purpose was to help special needs children to understand fitness and healthy habits as well, to believe that they could be a superhero.

KM: It’s actually super cool that the Great Youth Movement and the original objective for it has come back full circle. Hammer is a rock star at DP and he actually inspires all of us each day. I strongly believe in giving back to others and helping people achieve their goals. I have always wanted to have a non-profit, giving back component to the gym. It’s who we are and who we will continue to be.

Dogpound
Mike Hammer former Editor in Chief Downtown and Kirk Myers early 2000

GAC: You wanted to start your own personal training gym, that specialized in one on one training, why what was missing from this industry?

KM: What I’ve found is that people need something to look forward to, something that makes working out fun. Our trainers have a natural contagious positive energy that flows to all of our clients. There is a secret sauce that makes us different, and something that the industry didn’t really have before. DOGPOUND isn’t just a gym, it’s a movement. The movement is a community of people who are sharing positive energy and uplifting each other to get to the next level.

Dogpound NYC trainers. Left to Right: Matt Tralli, Walter Savage, Sadiq Abubakar, Lalaina “Lala” Duncan, Christian Castano, Jin Zhen, KC McLaughlin.

GAC: Since the DOGPOUND’s inception you’ve constantly worked with different charities giving of your time and raising money, why is this so important to your core value and now the core value of DP?

KM: As you’ve already mentioned, there has always been a charitable part, starting with the Great Youth Movement with Brian Hammer. This was created by a handful of us before DP, and it has stayed a core part of the business. We’ve also teamed up with a number of non-profits over the years — from my mom’s work in Malawi (We Are One Malawi) to training local kids (Community of Unity) to LGBTQ Youth (Ali Forney Center) to worldwide stages (Global Citizen). This is one of the most important aspects of our gym — giving back. It’s at the core of what we believe and do. 

GAC: You and Grace always laugh about how you never know what being an entrepreneur is like until you are one. Share just one thing that you’ve learned over the last few years about being an entrepreneur?

KM: What I have Learned is having your own business is truly like having your own baby. Sometimes you have to make tough decisions and give tough love, and this is not because you are trying to be mean, it’s because you are protecting your child and others involved.

GAC: What can our readers expect on the print pages of DTM?

KM: You’ll have special insight into our trainers and the different styles of working out. You’ll learn about different approaches and find one that works for you! We want this to be an interactive platform between the trainers and the community.

GAC: Where do you see the DP in 5 years?

    KM: DOGPOUND is a global lifestyle brand. We hope to be internationally crushing it, attracting and spreading positivity like wildfire. It’s a global community and we want to keep growing it to other platforms. In just 3 years we’ve been able to open 2 gyms on both coasts and have attracted almost 1/2 million followers on Social Media. We want to keep crushing our goals and dominate globally.

    GAC: What impact do you feel DP has had on the fitness industry?

    KM: The community aspect of DP is the biggest impact. DP is a playground for people of all different kinds of professions to come and just be themselves, create relationships with trainers and other clients; we offer a space where people just find what they need and they just come out stronger – whether mentally, physically or otherwise. People who may not know each other but have the DP hoodie or sock already have a connection. We just want this community aspect to spread further, and we have loads of ideas that are going to do just that!

    Categories
    Business Featured Fitness Health

    Manhattan’s Most Exclusive Gym Invades Times Square

    The Dogpound
    Kirk Myers and Rhys Athayde watch the Dogpound billboard in Times Square. Photo by Jade Gomez.

    Dogpound NYC employees were greeted with a treat last night: a Times Square billboard showing gym and employee highlights and flashing the Dogpound logo. Trainers watched as their faces flickered 50 feet in the air, running, lifting, and posing in Dogpound attire. They let out a cheer, echoing over the sounds of the square where many had stopped to watch. It was the first of its kind for the fledgling fitness empire, and a dizzyingly tall “thank you” to their staff.

    The Dogpound was already a global phenomenon when the billboard went up. In four years, owner Kirk Myers has grown the gym into a global brand, training all over the world with celebrity clientele. They opened their second permanent location in Los Angeles only a few months ago. The Dogpound’s NYC gym–where the franchise began–is a host to more than 50 trainers, masseuses, and other employees.

    Amongst the employees and other guests was celebrity/Dogpound member/investor Oliver Trevena. “It was so amazing to be a part of such a monumental moment for an incredibly inspiring brand,” he told Downtown, “To witness the team’s reaction and the energy surrounding it was unforgettable & so excited to be an investor and part of the DP family!”

    Dogpound
    The crew gathers before their adventure. Photo by Jade Gomez.

    The trip was organized with the help of Downtown Magazine’s CEO Grace A. Capobianco. She and Myers have known each other since the magazine’s launch. Myers is Capobianco’s personal trainer as well as Downtown’s fitness editor for several years prior to the launch of the Dogpound. Capobianco said that we are extremely excited to announce that “Dogpound by Kirk Myers Fitness” will once again be heading up our print and digital fitness pages starting with the Fall 2019 issue.

    At 5:45 pm, the Dogpound staff gathered outside the gym. They crowded a coach bus, laughing and chanting. Only the management and select Downtown Magazine staff knew where they were headed or why. 

    30 minutes later they disembarked outside of Times Square. They were met with one of the Square’s most prominent residents, the Times Square Naked Cowboy. The stripped singer serenaded the team, turning his back to reveal a pair of Dogpound underwear worn for the occasion. The cowboy led his posse through Times Square, stopping in the center for pictures, chants, and more quiet speculation on the trip’s purpose. 

    A musical eruption interrupted the affair as a dozen Dogpound-clad dancers burst into motion, clearing a space for a spontaneous dance number. The Dogpound crowd, which had grown with late arrivals and guests, was now surrounded by a sea of onlookers who stopped to snapshots of the scene. At 6:59 and 55 seconds, the music dropped and the dancers froze, their fingers pointed up at a screen towering 100 ft above the square.

    • The Naked Cowboy in his Dogpound gear. Photo by Jade Gomez.
    • Dogpound
      Dogpound dancers dominate the floor. Photo by Jade Gomez.
    • Downtown Magazine CEO and publisher Grace A. Capobianco and The Dogpound’s Rhys Athayde are serenaded by the Naked Cowboy. Photo courtesy of The Dogpound.

    The screen went black and flooded with words in Dogpound brand black and white. Disbelief evaporated as trainers saw their faces on the screen–running, lifting, biking, laughing. They pointed and called out to each other. They chanted and cheered. The energy was electric. 

    “Having been born and raised in NYC by immigrant parents, Times Square is the world’s greatest stage,” says Rhys Athayde, The Dogpound’s Chief Experience Officer, “All I wanted to do was share the news with everyone. For our DP family, it was worth the wait to see the looks of shock, awe, accomplishment, and pride when we took over the heart of NYC.”

    The billboard was only up for 20 minutes, but the staff sees it as a sign of more to come. As The Dogpound expands, it has its eyes on the world. For 20 minutes in the center of the world, that world had an eye on them.

    Categories
    Events Featured Fitness Health Wellness

    Pride at the Dogpound

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    Downtown celebrated pride the sweaty way with Dogpound on Saturday at their New York City Pride Workout. Their iconic white logo turned rainbow for the day, filling the space with color on the gifted t-shirts that everyone wore during the workout. Beneath the usual high-intensity vibe in the gym, there was also a sense of empowerment and meaningful celebration in the air.

    Kasey O’Brien and Caroline Krumm, friends of Downtown, attended the workout with us to celebrate the end of Pride Month and experience the Dogpound for the first time. “My experience at Dogpound was overwhelmed with love,” Krumm said after the workout. This was my own first time at Dogpound too, and I had the same feeling. The love in the room for everyone, including myself despite my novice athletic ability, was surprising and very welcome.

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    Downtown’s CEO and Founder, Grace A. Capobianco live-streamed the workout, followed on her laps through the gym as she cheered everyone on by her dog Barclay, the Dogpound’s first furry member and Pawblisher for Downtown Magazine.

    “It was such a cool experience seeing all these people come together and workout to celebrate Pride and all different types of love. Definitely a day I’ll never forget!” O’Brien said, and it certainly was unforgettable.

    Not only was it a vibrant and fun way to commemorate Pride Month, the workout also made a real difference; the proceeds from the tickets went to the Ali Forney Center, an NYC-based organization that endeavors to protect LGBTQ+ youths from homelessness by providing housing and tools to live independently. The organization is named after Ali Forney, a gender non-conforming youth who left home at age thirteen and ended up on the streets at fifteen. He was dedicated to advocating for homeless LGBTQ+ youth until he was murdered in Harlem in 1997. The Ali Forney Center has continued this mission with their Drop-In Center, which helps 1,400 homeless youth per year and provides 70,000 meals annually.

    The workout kicked off with a few words from Jase Cannon from AFC, who spoke powerfully about the importance of the center and how meaningful the workout was for the organization. She shared afterward that the day raised $7,000 for the Ali Forney Center. “These amazing trainers opened up everyone’s bodies and hearts. I’ve never seen more smiles and sweaty bodies!” She said afterward.

    The Dogpound is a steadfast ally to the LGBTQ+ community, especially because of founder/owner Kirk Myers’ brother Kip Myers, whose surprise wedding to his husband Patrick was held at the Dogpound’s New York City location. The gym is, and has been, a beacon of pride, for its closeness and accepting attitude and for its philosophy of wellness and positivity, and it really showed on Saturday. Alongside over fifty people coming from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and sexual preference, who didn’t know each other, that sense of closeness and acceptance held true.

    The atmosphere was electric; the trainers encouraged each and every person in attendance with cheering and positivity, and who can go wrong when Lady Gaga and Prince are on the workout playlist?

    To close the session, everyone participated in a guided meditation, led by Kundalini yoga teacher and trainer Amanbir Singh, based around embracing yourself and your personal goals, and feeling one with your body. Everyone raised their voices to chant along with the mindful mantras, a unified sound that gave me goosebumps. It was the perfect ending to a truly beautiful event, followed by a delicious lunch provided by Otto’s Tacos. Trainers and attendees mingled outside eating tacos, and there wasn’t a single face without a smile on it, despite the sweat and flushed cheeks.

    The Dogpound’s new location in Los Angeles held its own Pride workout during LA Pride as well, but even if our West Coast readers missed it, head to the West Hollywood Dogpound for a session at an incredibly special gym.

    Categories
    Culture Events Featured

    Highlights From The Launch Party Of Downtown Magazine’s Art Issue

    On Monday, Nov. 6, Downtown Magazine hosted its cover launch party for the special art issue. Held at the beautiful World Trade Gallery, which also hosts some of the artists covered in the latest issue, the setting for the magnificent night couldn’t have been a better fit.

    On the night of the launch, Downtown Magazine could finally unveil the cover and present the cover stars, who were all present to show their support; Kirk Myers of the DogPound, Olympian fencer Miles Chamley-Watson, award-winning actress and singer Cynthia Erivo, ABT ballerina Katie Boren, and model Anne De Paula were all joined by photographer Nigel Barker, who shot this issue’s cover.

    “Life itself can be a form of art,” said Nigel Barker as Downtown’s Publisher & CEO Grace A. Capobianco handed him the microphone to introduce the thoughts behind the feature. And life indeed can. In this issue, Downtown focused on the many ways art is created, because art does come in many shapes and forms. And for all the cover stars, their bodies are what allow them to create, compete and perform at peak.

    The launch party held a very special surprise in the form of an auction #DenimForArt, in which Downtown Magazine had paired with Saks Downtown to benefit the organization Girl Be Heard. The cover stars along with three of the incredibly talented artists also covered in the issue, WhIsBe, Chinon Maria and Layer Cake, had each designed jean jackets for the auction. See all the stunning designs and place your bid right here.

    The jackets were presented in the most amazing fashion in a Girl Be Heard performance with spoken word and a rap that had the gallery buzzing with empowerment.

    The gallery was packed with the who’s who of Downtown Manhattan and over the course of the night, guests marveled at the artwork while enjoying delicious hors d’ouvres from Madison & Park Hospitality Group and wine provided by Barrymore Wines and Liquor Lab.

    Another star beverage of the night was served by iPic‘s own Adam Seger, whose feature in this issue holds a special DOWNTOWNER cocktail recipe that he’s created solely for Downtown Magazine. The cocktail consists of tequila infused with grilled pineapple, Fresno chilies and FiDi honey, and was a sure hit at the party.
    This cocktail will now be available at the Tuck Room in the Fulton Market Building in the Seaport District, or grab an issue of the magazine and duplicate it at home.

    We couldn’t be more excited to present this new issue of Downtown Magazine as we step into what we truly believe to be a new era for the magazine and for the Downtown area as a whole.

    “No longer our grandfather’s or our father’s Wall Street, or the lost city after 9/11, Downtown Manhattan has come alive with artists, athletes, models, dancers, and entrepreneurs. It’s hot!” said our Chairman of the Advisory Board, Dara McQuillan Chief Marketing Officer Silverstein Properties And we couldn’t agree more.

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    Photography by Eliot Choi

    Categories
    Fitness Health

    Fitness Friday: SMASHING it with the Dogpound

    It’s no secret that we at Downtown Magazine love the Dogpound. Whether you’re looking for a tough workout, encouragement or accountability, Dogpound is the place to go.

    The entire team of trainers have a contagious “you can do this” attitude and make you believe that, YES you actually can do it. When they say  20 pushups, you do 20 pushups. And getting a count down and a “good job!” cheer is just what you need, when your arms are already trembling trying to do your fifth pushup.

    The trainers are top of the line and know what they’re doing. If you have any injuries they’ll adjust the exercise accordingly, and whether you’re focusing on building muscle, slimming down or strengthening your core, they’ll put together a program for you and guide you through it every session to make sure you meet your fitness goals!

    More than that, it’s evident that the trainer team get along great and the sense of team spirit is noticeable right away. In supporting each other, and even more so their clients.

    SMASH city

    As a mainly personal fitness gym, you’ll get all the attention during your workout and guided through. If you’re more of a class person however, Dogpound also offer boxing classes but keep them small to ensure individual attention to each person. And soon, Dogpound’s introducing the Dogpound Running Club and will start smashing some miles in addition to the SMASH city of gloves and weights. 

    The gym just recently hit its one year mark at 1 Renwick, and celebrated per tradition with an annual appreciation party to thank everyone who make them continue to do what they love every single day. Now that’s what we call good karma!

    Check out rates, class schedules and more on their website — and for a little boost of motivation, read this post by Dogpound’s CEO & Founder Kirk Myers, where he gives 10 benefits to training other than weight loss.

    Now, get going, SMASH it and get fit!

    Photos courtesy of thedogpound.com