Tag: workout

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Featured Fitness Health

Spark Your New Years Fitness Routine with NOVA Fitness

Spark Your New Years Fitness Routine with NOVA Fitness

Photos courtesy of NOVA Fitness Innovation

People will do almost anything to get in shape. The choices are endless–the challenge is making that choice consistently enough to see a difference. Want to diet? I hope you have time to cook. The gym? That is an hour a day, and you had better have a shower option. And sports? You need to commit to a league to really get those results. Want a loophole? So does everyone.

NOVA Fitness Innovation takes a mad science solution to quick fitness. They cram 90-minute workouts into 30 minutes (20 with some short breaks) through the subtle art of electrocuting your muscle groups as you work out. Yup. They use Electric Muscle Stimulation (EMS) technology to target your muscles while they work, tricking them into thinking you are doing a lot more work than you are.

I know: this sounds like every late-night easy-fitness infomercial ever. You have probably seen the ads for belts that shock you into a six-pack while watching tv on the couch. Well, never fear: Nova’s methods are not easy–just fast. 

NOVA Fitness

How It Works

Leave your gym bag at home. Every Nova workout is done in Nova’s own jumpsuits, which are comfortable if revealingly form-fitting, as well as equipped with a bunch of pads packed with electrodes. It looks a bit like a space combat training outfit from a sci-fi action flick, but tighter. It is short-sleeved and goes down to your knees. You throw the rest of your stuff in a locker, set the lock, and head to class.

I did the strength-building class, but every class starts the same: the instructor straps a battery to your hip, and then begins the warmup. On top of loosening up your muscles for the workout, your Nova instructor wants you to build up a sweat. The suit, you see, only works when it is wet. It makes sense if you think about it. If it takes you a while to work up a good sweat, they keep spray bottles handy–refreshing and effective.

It took maybe the first 10 minutes to really feel the EMS system, but when I did…oh man. The shock didn’t hurt, exactly, but you definitely felt it, especially when you were working on that muscle group. It is not dramatic–more like tingles of varying intensities. Jackie, my trainer, had me doing circuits, and she was relentless. We cycled through until I was about to break and then took 5 min for water and recovery. We had to keep up that sweat, you know.

True to their word, the class was over in 30 minutes, and I headed to the shower. Their showers come with towels, soap, shampoo, and conditioner, so you don’t need to bring those either. I almost wouldn’t bother with the shampoo, though–after my workout, trying to get my hands over my head felt like lifting a car. 

Conclusion

You might still be skeptical about the electricity. Does it hurt? Does it help?

Hurt? No. Uncomfortable? Yes. But even the pros would never call exercise “comfortable.” If you’re working hard enough, you don’t even feel the suit half the time. As for helping? I’m not a scientist, but even if the EMS suit did nothing but tingle, the workout left me sore for days. Definitely worth checking out. 

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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
    Featured Fitness Health Wellness

    Pop-up Workout Opportunity at The Dogpound

    Pop-up Workout Opportunity at The Dogpound
    Dog Pound Trainers Rhys Athayde, Christian Castano, Matt Tralli, Nicole Beauregard, Lalaina Duncan

    In need of a new exercise class? Well, you’re in luck because an international, non-profit organization, Hoops for Hope, is working together with Dogpound, a fitness facility, on pop-up workout sessions open to all on August 3rd and the 4th at the Surfer Lodge in Montauk, New York from 9am-12pm.

    The workout classes will be instructed by Sadiq Abubakar, Pawel Maslag, Andreina Marrero, Emily Samuel, and Carter Gallo.

    As a final event, Southern African Braai, sundowners, and live music will be performed during the evening from on August 4th at Amagansett, Long Island from 6-9pm.

      All proceeds from the pop-up classes will go to Hoops for Hope and their foundation in order to help the growing community and children in Zimbabwe and South Africa.

      Pop-up Workout Opportunity at The Dogpound
      Andreina Nu, Christian Castano, Matt Tralli, Nicole Beauregard DogPound Trainers

      Hoops for Hope has helped over 10,000 young children around the ages of 6-16 in underserved areas in Zimbabwe and South Africa to improve important life skills like learning about health and diseases, gender equality, happiness, and education in order to better themselves and the community. 

      Our job is to remind young people that we can still have a better tomorrow even though things are not so good today,” Ngoni Mukukula, Hoops for Hope director said in a video on their website.

      To sign up for the pop-up class or donate to the Hoops for Hope organization, click here.

      Categories
      Events Featured Fitness Health Wellness

      Pride at the Dogpound

      Processed with VSCO with ke1 preset

      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.

      Processed with VSCO with ke1 preset

      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
      Events Featured Fitness Health Nutrition

      The Perfect Workout Counterpart

      Photos provided by PERFORMIX House

      Monday night, in joining one of the two PERFORMIX House fitness classes, one could find themselves energized and inspired by their surroundings. Guests were led by trainer Devon Lévesque as he delivered a spectacular performance and instructed a vigorous workout. Participants were taken through a motivational, high-intensity exercise that focused on the toning of abs and legs. Once everyone had completed their workout, our gracious hosts led the way to something much needed by everyone: containers with DAHlicious Mango Lassi and Cashew milk. Not only were the beverages refreshing, but the organic yogurt drinks are a great source of protein, which is essential after any workout. Everyone, including the Downtown team, was thrilled with the night.

      The leading India-styled yogurt company, DAHLicious, has presented clients with many exceptional organic products and was proud to claim an award for ‘Best Yogurt/Dairy Alternative Category’ in this year’s ceremony for the sofi™ Awards 2019. The “Alphonso Mango” Lassi, which was presented at the event, received the bronze sofi™ award and features high probiotics with low sugar quantity. It’s no wonder the creamy dairy beverage is a best-seller.

      DAHlicious Organic strives to include nothing short of the best in their products and is focused on bringing only the finest ingredients in their lassi and plant-based products. “Our goal was to create the best tasting mango lassi on the planet with simplest possible ingredients,” says Co-Founder JD Sethi. 

      From their selection, you can choose between their grass-fed whole milk products or indulging in their innovative plant-based yogurts. The dairy option entails Lassi, the Indian organic drinkable yogurt. There’s a reason why the “Alphonso Mango” Lassi was the takeaway winner of the ‘Best Yogurt/Dairy Alternative Category’. The alternative to their milk products includes Cashew Milk, an organic drinkable yogurt, and their almond milk spoonable yogurt products. The Downtown team strongly recommends trying the field strawberry Cashew Milk; it provides unmatched flavor and leaves the drinker fully satisfied.

      In the appearance of DAHlicious Organic™ at the PERFORMIX House event, two beautiful cultures met and a wonderful partnership formed. The two passions (one for a fit lifestyle and the other being for organic cuisine) combine to produce a harmonic coalescence.

      For more information on local providers of DAHLicious, visit their website here, and for more information on PERFORMIX House, visit their website here!

      Categories
      Fashion Featured Fitness Health Lifestyle Living

      Urban Savage is Activewear Designed by a Barre Expert

      We’re always on the lookout for our next favorite workout outfit, and we’ve currently landed on Urban Savage as our go-to for everything from yoga to running to running errands. Michelle Kluz, founder of Urban Savage and former CEO of Pure Barre, talked to us about her new project, how she came up with the name, and what working out and wearing workout clothes has taught her.

      Downtown: How did you get into fitness?

      Michelle Kluz: I’ve been into fitness my entire life. In grade school, I won the Presidential Physical Fitness award every single year and held most of the female school records. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t “into” fitness – ever!

      Downtown: What are some of your favorite workouts?

      MK: I adore running outside – it’s the best way to learn more about my neighborhood and a good way to also catch up with friends who also run. I’m a pretty competitive runner (I’ve been nominated for NYRR Runner of the Year in my age group the past 2 years), so I love doing barre and pilates for low impact strength and cross training.

      Downtown:How did you decide that the next step was activewear?

      MK: When I was CEO at Pure Barre, I heard from so many studio owners that they felt there weren’t enough interesting fashion options in activewear. Also, as a fitness junkie myself, I was getting bored with what was out there. Many people don’t know I actually have a background in design, and so I just simply started designing my own, based on things I would want to wear.

      Downtown: What were the most important things to you when developing Urban Savage?

      MK: My goal is to create activewear that you love so much that it gets you moving. Beyond that, I knew from the start that I would not compromise on quality: Our core fabrics are either 1. Warp & weft woven – which most brands don’t use because it’s very expensive, but it also means the fabric has incredible stretch and recovery, or 2. A luxurious eco fabric that is mildly compressive so it reduces lactic acid buildup during cardio… and to boot, has UV protection to 50. I also knew that style would be core to our ethos. I don’t love the term “street to studio” or vice versa. The way we live today means that the gear needs to work with everything in your wardrobe, whether you are simply wanting to be comfortable and look amazing running around town, or need the highest performance gear for whatever workout you’ve got planned.

      Downtown: What are a few of your favorite pieces/styles?

      MK: I’m a real sucker for our recent scallop release. You’ll see me sporting a pair of scallop leggings paired with the adjustable, hook & eye closure McCarren bra ,and the denim scuba jacket on any given day.

      Downtown: Who is the audience for Urban Savage?

      MK: Females who are confident in who they are and what they want out of life.

      Downtown: How did you decide on the name?

      MK: Urban comes from the aesthetic sensibility: It’s very sophisticated, Downtown NY in its vibe. Savage is because the woman who is attracted to the brand is a force of nature. I’d been toying with a few names, and woke up one morning and was like “Urban Savage” because it truly embodies our ideal audience.

      Downtown: Are the clothes catered to certain activities?

      MK: Certainly, they cater to very active pursuits (even though we do also carry some athleisure, too) and can be used for any fitness activity. The second skin, 4-way stretch fabric is ideal for yogis, and the more compressive fabric is great for cardio (and the leggings for most of these styles have internal hidden pockets for things like keys and credit cards), but they truly work across activities.

      Downtown: What are a few things readers should know about Urban Savage in general?

      MK: Activewear may be the output, but we truly consider ourselves a fashion and lifestyle brand. We are innovating with every season and introducing new and on-trend styles because we understand that modern women want to be in fashion AND have workout gear that extends to more than just the gym.