Help the site so we can Get Better Hosting


Showing posts with label 2018 at 01:13PM. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2018 at 01:13PM. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Manduka GRP Yoga Mat Review


Hot yoga fans know the struggle: you’re in the zone, holding an impeccable downward dog position, and suddenly, you’re slipping out of the pose—fast—thanks to sweaty palms and feet. Help!

While yoga mat towels that provide a barrier between your perspiring bod and the slippery mat can improve the sticky situation, there’s now an even better solution: Manduka’s brand-new GRP mat ($98; manduka.com, dickssportinggoods.com, rei.com), which is designed to absorb moisture and nix odors on even the sweatiest mats. 

According to Manduka, the mat’s innermost rubber layer is infused with charcoal, which helps filter out moisture and eliminate smells. The anti-slip surface also increases traction so you’re less likely to slide out of poses while you sweat it out in the studio.

You don’t have to be into hot yoga to use the GRP mat, either. The brand tells us that their newest product is appropriate for all types of sweat conditions, so you can use it for an unheated restorative class or a full-fledged Bikram practice. It all works.

RELATED: 3 Basic Yoga Poses You’ve Been Doing Wrong—and How to Fix Your Form

manduka-grp-ma

To buy: $98; manduka.com, dickssportinggoods.com, rei.com

If you’re thinking the GRP sounds too good to be true, I get it. I, too, was skeptical when I first heard about the product. But after taking a hot vinyasa/HIIT combo class hosted by Manduka last week, I can confidently say I’m convinced of the new mat’s mega powers.

Though I wasn’t drenched during the class—and thus can’t speak to its ultimate absorption abilities—I was more than a little taken with its undeniable quality. At 6mm thick, the mat felt sturdier than any other I’ve practiced on. With a bottom layer that basically suctioned itself to the studio floor, it didn’t budge, even as I burpeed my way through the HIIT portion of the class. The GRP’s subtly bumpy top layer also cushioned my hands and provided just enough grip to keep them supported and slip-free through my hot vinyasa flow. Translation: I was a big fan.

So, there you have it. My honest endorsement of Manduka’s newest creation. Yes, it’s pricier than your run of the mill mat, but I also think it’s worth the money. Plus, once you’ve worked out on the GRP, chances are you’ll never forget it at home…and inevitably have to pay the $5 mat rental fee at your fave studio. Just saying.



Source link

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

These 3 Lower-Body Moves From Anna Victoria Will Kick Your Butt—in a Good Way



This routine is perfect for toning below the belt.

Anna Victoria, a certified personal trainer and founder of the Body Love App, is a fitness force to be reckoned with. As the creator of 30-minute HIIT workouts, she’s the pro to consult for quick, convenient exercises that you can do practically anywhere.

In the video above, she demonstrates three moves that target the lower body (hello, glutes!). You can do these exercises at the gym or at home; all you need is a yoga mat and a couple of dumbbells. Ready, set, kick butt!

RELATED: 3 Common Exercises You’re Probably Doing Wrong–and How to Fix Your Form

Single leg deadlift: Stand on one leg while holding a 7-12 pound kettlebell. Slightly bend the knee of the standing leg, then bend at the hip and extend your raised leg behind you for balance. Lower the kettlebell until you are parallel to the ground, and then return to the upright position. Complete 10 reps on each side.

Sumo squats: Get ready for your glutes and inner thighs to feel like they’re on fire. Stand with your feet wider than shoulder-width apart, keeping your toes slightly turned out. In each hand, hold a 10-15 pound weight by your shoulders with your fists facing in. Get in a squat position, but don’t squat so low that it feels like your butt is about to sit on the floor. Keep your chest open and lifted, which will help you tuck your bum underneath you. We recommend doing 20 reps.

Stationary jumping lunges: Get in the lunge position, then push yourself off the ground like you’re jumping. It may help to point your front toe, and be sure that your back knee is not touching the ground. Keep your eyes focused straight ahead; looking down can make your chest fall and your body lean forward, which is something you don’t want. Do 15 reps on each side.



Source link

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

These Running Sunglasses Are the Only Ones That Don’t Slip


I used to hate running in sunglasses. The Kona sunnies from Roka totally changed my mind.

During college, an acquaintance who took her wrinkle-fighting regimen very seriously told me she purposely didn’t spend much time outside. I couldn’t relate when she confessed this to me. Conjuring up visions of the soccer camps of my youth, my family’s many ocean-side vacations, and the countless outdoor runs I had racked up over the years, I remember thinking,You’re really, really missing out. Not to mention, we’re only in our 20s!

Now, on the other side of 30, I’m still not down to limit my time in nature for the sake of my skin. (That’s what sunscreen is for, isn’t it?!) But as fine lines (and, frankly, some deeper wrinkles, too) have started to set in, I began wondering if there were skincare habits I should have been practicing more religiously in my 20s.

Since I can’t go back in time and provide 25-year-old me with some retinol cream, I recently decided to make some small skin-friendly changes. I caved in to decades of nudging from my mother and started wearing hats on those afore-mentioned beach trips, and I learned how to sleep on my back. I even took to running with sunglasses, which I sure hope is resulting in less crow’s-feet-inducing squinting (and, of course, protection for my peepers).

RELATED: 8 Things You Should Never Do to Your Eyes

For the longest time I couldn’t understand how people ran in sunglasses comfortably. Anytime I had tried it, the shades either slipped down my nose, bumped around on my face, or simply obstructed my vision–not OK when you’re already dodging New York City traffic. But when I was sent a sample of Roka Kona glasses to try, they totally won me over.

roka-sunglasses

The Kona sunglasses come in a handful of color options, but I’ve been rocking the sleek shadow frame with bronze polarized lenses ($210; roka.com, amazon.com), pictured above. Roka is a performance brand, with loads of products geared toward swimmers, cyclists, runners, and triathletes, so it’s no surprise that the features on these babies deliver.

For starters, they weight just 24 grams, light enough to forget they’re on your face, but sturdy enough to stand up to the elements. I love the patented GEKO pads on the nose and at the temples–they’re designed to actually grip better once you start to sweat, so the sunnies seriously don’t slip or bounce. The polarized lenses not only cut glare, they’re also formulated to block damaging UVA and UVB rays. I also happen to find the square shape flattering on my longish, roundish face (a Klein family trait if there ever was one!).

RELATED: Why Those Tiny Sunglasses Celebs Love Aren’t Actually Good for Your Eyes

At $210 a pop, Kona glasses are certainly an investment–but they’re worth the splurge, especially since it’s not like you have to only wear them for working out. If your budget’s a little tighter, you might want to consider the non-polarized lenses instead, which will run you $170.

Since my own pair of Konas was a gift, I recently decided to spread the love and purchased the stylish white frames for a dear friend who was relatively new to running and needed some great gear. So far, she’s been loving hers too. Be sure to wave if you spot us running together in our matching sunglasses in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park this summer!



Source link

Monday, January 15, 2018

Heartburn pills in pregnancy may be linked to childhood asthma



Children born to mothers who take heartburn medication during pregnancy may have a greater risk of developing asthma, research suggests.



Source link