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Fitness News April 2014

by Organic Spa Magazine
Streamline Your Style.

MA14_Fitness News_feature

The more sports you do, the more sports bras you acquire. But think of the drawer space you’d free up by owning a bra that was supportive in spin class, kept you covered in yoga, and never chafed during a run. Several come close to this goal; some of the best ones are also the most eco-friendly. Here are our top picks for every size and sport:


MA14_Fitness News_01For smaller busts:
Icebreaker Merino’s Rush Bra is made of itch-free merino wool raised and harvested in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. The fabric is antimicrobial, which means it won’t smell even after multiple wears; a tiny bit of lycra helps the bra keep its shape. Wide straps don’t dig even during high-impact sports. $54.99; icebreaker.com


MA14_Fitness News_02For medium busts:
Patagonia’s Barely Everyday Bra is a lightweight pull-on made of mostly recycled content. (Think soda bottles, fabric remnants and used apparel scraps.) The thin straps will disappear under most tank tops but the sturdily constructed bra still provides enough support for B/C cups during most forms of cardio. $45; patagonia.com

For larger busts: Moving Comfort’s Vero C/D is an ultra-supportive style made in part with fabric derived from used coffee grounds. The molded cups keep everything snug—even when running—while the adjustable band and straps (worn straight or criss-crossed) allow you to truly customize your fit. $44; movingcomfort.com

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Instant Instability Training

Dirk Schultz of the Aspen Club, left, with the new Rip Trainer.

Dirk Schultz of the Aspen Club, left, with the new Rip Trainer.

You’ve probably seen “TRX” on the schedule at spas and studios; you may have even given the suspension training program a try. But the company’s brand new Rip Trainer ($189.95, trxtraining.com) takes instability work to a new level. Imagine using a body bar or barbell, only one end is tethered to the wall with a stretchy resistance cord. We asked Dirk Schultz, personal trainer, wellness coach and program director for the Aspen Club, why he uses it for group exercise, one-on-one training, and even rehabilitation.

It’s simple to use “It’s easy to set up and works for just about every fitness level and goal. You don’t have to stop and change machines or weight, you can just move your hands or feet in a different position and it can totally change the exercise.”

It improves functional movement “This sort of symmetrical loading of the body mimics movements we do in everyday life from carrying groceries, opening a door, running or throwing a ball.”

It targets the full body, especially the core “The Rip Trainer uses elastic resistance to develop strength, speed, balance, flexibility and core stability. It helps people learn to control their bodies, especially during rotation.”

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Pulse-Pounding Pilates Pilates has the reputation of a restorative workout, one that helps heal back pain, build core control and gently promote stretching and strengthening. But a handful of trainers have now taken the workout from mellow to mega, doing classic Pilates movements at a more cardiovascular tempo and boosting calorie burn in the process.

Some classes feature dance music, others have bootcamp-like instruction. All provide the same ab, arm, leg, hip and back sculpting benefits. For a cardio class on the Pilates reformer, try Pyrolates at Firebrand Sports (firebrandsports.com) in Portland, OR. If you’re in the Tri-state area, search for Spring Tone (springtone.com), a spring-based Pilates tower class. For a workout that uses resistance bands and the Pilates chair, try Reinvention Chair at Chaise Fitness (chaisefitness.com) in NYC. For a class that focuses on fast-paced standing matwork, book a spot in the Cardio Pilates class at Kapalua Resort (kapalua.com) in Lahaina, HI.

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