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5 Things You Might Not Know About ClassPass

classpass getawayI remember when ClassPass started. It was the biggest fitness game changer. Instead of paying per class to try different studios and fitness classes, it was one monthly fee and you could go crazy . As expected everyone and their mother signed up and changes to the program had to be made. The pricing structure changed and so did the perks, many of which I missed the memo on since as of New Years Day I put my membership on hold when I found that I’d be averaging 2-3 trips a month and didn’t think it made sense for me to join any fitness program in NYC. Big Mistake… HUGE! Fast forward to this past weekend when I had the honor of joining ClassPass for their first “ClassPass Getaway” in the Hamptons and not only learned that memberships are valid all over the country and world — but also they are now offering wellness and beauty services. So basically quitting in the new year was a mistake considering everything below they rolled out in 2018. So Here we go, 5 things I didn’t know about ClassPass…ClassPass Hamptons Getaway

  1. You’re membership is global. We just covered that, but that’s huge for travelers! How fun is that you can pick up a class when you’re in LA or Australia alike at no additional charge!
  2. ClassPass Getaways – you need to sign up for the mailing list right now! Let me break this down for you. For 15 credits (which probably equates to $30) and included round trip transportation from NYC to the Hamptons for a day of workout classes and fun. Three classes to be exact: Arms, Abs and Ass class with Heath Anderson, founder of New York Pilates, dance class with Witney Carson from Dancing with the Stars, and a class with the Mile High Run Club. There was also pool for guests to enjoy, massages, braid bar and spa services by Red Door Spa, beverages from Core Water and Pressed Juicery, photobooth by MirMir… and probably the most epic gift bag. You should probably get on the mailing list for the next one, it sells out in seconds.
  3. They now have wellness, spa and hair services. I’m talking cyrotherapy, massages, blowouts and so much more! This is currently in testing in NYC only, but lets rock it out so I can use it globally! You know how much I love me my blow-outs.
  4. ClassPass Live is a newer service which offers at-home workout options. It’s $15/month and they offer a free trial on the site.
  5. ClassPass Go which is a free trainer-let audio workouts, just download the app and choose from 600+ free classes in HIIT, yoga, running and more by world renowned trainers.

7 Ways to AMP up your Energy in Minutes

I always think it’s so funny when people think I have a lot of energy. Yes, I’m driven and active with a lot of events and projects but that’s all the more reason why I’m so conscious of how I take care of myself and also what I put in my body. AMP Energy Organic is an USDA-Certificated organically caffeinated energy drink that’s offers the perfect afternoon pick me up. Available in four flavors, Pineapple Coconut, Citrus, Grape and Tropical Burst, it tastes so good (Tropical Burst and Citrus are my favorites)!

amp energy drinkI’ve partnered with AMP Energy Organic to share my tips on how I boost my energy to keep my stamina up when I start to feel sluggish.

1. Be conscious of your caffeine type – I can do coffee in the AM but try to slow down by the afternoon. Other energy drinks have ingredients you can’t pronounce mixed into their caffeinated beverages that aren’t good for you. Instead opt for an organically caffeinated AMP Energy that balances energy with simpler ingredients. Each beverage has only 5 ingredients: Organic Caffeine, Organic Cane Sugar, Citric Acid, Carbonated Water and Natural Flavors.

2. Power play – Charlie (my pup) and I do sprints throughout the day when I’m feeling low energy. We run full speed down the street and back to get our heart rates going and our blood pumping. Jumping jacks for a minute or a quick cold shower are also great power plays to boost blood flow. If you’re feeling adventurous, try Cryotherapy.

3. Supplements –From natural root powders (I love Dope Naturally) to Vitamin B blends (B12 and B6 are my favorites), that help the body convert food into glucose, which gives you energy. Investing in some good energy powders and capsules are great for the mind and body.

4. Monitor your sleep – Sleep and its correlation to energy fascinates me. I use a BeautyRest SleepTracker to make sure I’m getting the 7-8 hours I need to be a functional human being. Any good tracker looks at your breathing rate, heart rate as well how long you’re asleep for and breaks down your light sleep, REM and deep sleep. When you’re more aware of how you’re sleeping and how you feel the next day you’re able to take control of it and make adjustments to give your body what it needs.

5. Aromatherapy – There’s isn’t a shortage of essential oil boosting energy lifts, including orange, lemon, ginger, eucalyptus, cedarwood, grapefruit, mint, basil and many more. Personally I like the Focus Essential Oil Blend from 21 Drops. It comes in a roller-ball and mixes peppermint, rosemary, frankincense and jojoba that help perk me up.

6. Fun people – this may sound funny (and granted not a tip you can usually make happen in minutes), but whenever I’m feeling really low energy I push myself to meet up or work around my friends. Not the ones that suck the life out of me, but the ones that whether we’re going for a walk or out to dinner, we just laugh the whole time. It’s always those nights when I expect to stop by for 30 minutes that I find myself getting lost in time when I’m around good energy. And it’s contagious. Sometimes getting out for a bit helps me come home and be more productive than had I stayed home in front of my computer the whole time.

5 Super Fan Lady Date Ideas that are Winter Weather Friendly

Baby, it’s cold outside… and minus hitting the bar or picking out a fab new brunch spot I have five fun (depending on your definition) indoor activities that make for the perfect lady date. These are specific to NYC but most cities have comparable options!

1. Hit the Spa – Call it a cliche but it’s so not over-rated!  I recently blew off a Friday afternoon and went to Oasis Spa with my friend Milly (check out her blog!) — that’s us above, don’t we look relaxed? IT WAS THE BEST! She got a Swedish Massage and I got a Deep Tissue and the only thing we couldn’t agree on is who had a better time. Hands down the perfect way to end the week and so relaxing. We both really needed the down time and girl hang. I’ve been to Oasis several time and it’s never disappointed.

Neil Patrick Harris Want You to Get a Checkup

Cigna Health Insurance is encouraging everyone to get an annual checkup and they are using TV doctors to do it in their amazingly hilarious campaign, Cigna’s TV Doctors of America. The line up includes Neil Patrick Harris, Patrick Dempsey, Kate Walsh, Donald Faison and Jane Seymour (where my ER doctors at?), they’ve saved lives on TV and now they are trying to do just the same in real life.

According to the CDC, if everyone in America gets the preventative care they need, more than 100,000 lives would be saved (more on the stats/campaign HERE).

To help spread the message Neil Patrick Harris hosted a fitness class yesterday let by his personal trainer, Alex Dropo at NYSC Lab in Chelsea. Neil opened with some remarks about his family and how important it is for him stay in good health and be a role model and encouraged the furthered Cigna’s message about getting annual check-ups and taking control of your own health. From there the workout class commenced and both Alex and Neil thoroughly kicked my a$$… All I can say is Neil Patrick Harris is in insane shape. I was lucky enough to be in his 4 person group for the second half of the class, which admittedly I tried to back out of because I have zero upper body strength (I’m more of a cycler/runner). I powered through though thanks to Neil and the group that gave me tips, kept our energy up and helped push me through it.

Android users, protect yourself (it’s free!)

Tonight, I joined fitness expert and Bravo TV personality Layla Luciano for an awesome self-defense class in celebration of Security Master, the leading privacy protection, and antivirus app. Protecting yourself and your phone are two pretty important things. One takes work and the other is a simple download. Although if you do get attacked go for the groan and or eyes (my key takeaway of the night!).

Security Master just launched a new privacy and antivirus app to keep your phone safe and your personal matters discreet. Which is great since the whole internet security scare is real! I don’t even like to make online purchases on my phone, I’m so nervous about getting hacked.

Between my photos, passwords and all of my stored credit cards on my phone, it getting compromised is probably one of my worst nightmares. The new app is now available worldwide for free on Android devices (you can download it HERE). It’s a revamped version of the CM Security app, which is the leading privacy protection and antivirus app with almost 500 million downloads and a 4.7 rating (out of 5) on Google Play. The free app can keep you worry-free that everything on your phone is safely secured and protected.

Geared for More with Adidas Golf

Growing up I used to love going to the driving range with my dad. It was one of my most favorite father-daughter activities. Granted I was terrible and no idea the difference between a driver and a putter but I had decent form and if I played my cards right (or had some blind luck) the stars would align and I’d hit a perfectly fluid shot. And it was the best feeling ever! Since then I’ve stayed at a number of exceptional properties that offer golfing but always felt intimidated hitting the course without my dad. Or maybe it was because I’m an adult now and being the competitive athlete that I am, I wasn’t ready to completely bomb at something.

After this week in Palm Springs and some motivation from Adidas Golf, I could not have been more pumped! I’ve been a longtime Adidas fan and I’m so excited to be partnering with them this summer to take lessons and test out their gear. Their Geared for More campaign is all about bringing your A-game to the course and preparing for victory. Between that and visiting the beautiful Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort (located in Rancho Mirage, right outside of Palm Springs) I was ready to bury my intimidated attitude and really take advantage of the property — and at the very least blend in.

I mean, how cute is this outfit? I’m channeling my inner pro golfer that vacations at PGA properties and spending more time in a golf cart than actual car. And speaking of the clothes, the fabric in this Golf Double Stripe Short Sleeve Polo is magic. I’ve been melting in the sun and not a single sweat mark! It’s moisture-wicking makes me look so dry and breathes so well! Also the top is a UPF50, which means it has a protection from the sun (think SPF 50 level), which is so necessary on the course. The Essentials 5 Shorts Women’s Shorts are super lightweight and move comfortably. Topped off with the Climacross Boost Women’s Golf Shoes, which are hands down my favorite, such a perfect hybrid between a golf shoe and running sneaker. Excellent grip combined with side mesh makes it breathable and comfortable to wear. It also features their Torsion System to stabilize feet while walking and swinging. I felt very secure in my stance when hitting and love the look of them!

Lululemon-ing around with the Rove Foam Roller 01

I’ve talked a lot about my back injury from a few years ago when I herniated a disc and a foam roller has been a staple in my home ever since. As it should be for virtually everyone since we’re all tight somewhere and I have yet to find a tool that rivals it. Until now. Or maybe the better way to phrase it is take it to the next level.
Last week I stopped by Lululemon to learn about the Rove Foam Roller 01 from it’s co-founder + Bespoke Treatment Physical Trainer Daniel Giordano.  The Rove Foam Roller 01 is a durable, versatile and highly effective product that significantly improves the way athletes prepare and recover for physical feats to improve health — anywhere! Unlike the foam roller I have at home, this one lays flat making it ideal for packing and travel and then curls and hook to form the classic foam roller shape. See below the 3 photos of Daniel Giordano and I and how he rolls it from virtually the size of a Macbook air laid flat to the more standard foam roller size when curled.

The Chill Space NYC: Cryosauna, Infrared Sauna and Float Experience

I ended last week at the Chill Space NYC for an epic, and unexpected spa experience. Relaxation came in the form of a 3 minute Chill Cryosauna, followed by a 30 minute detoxifying Infrared Sauna and ended in an hour float. The Chill Space also offers therapeutic massages for the ultimate and more conventional way to relax. But lets get to the fun stuff!

Cryosauna

The coldest 3 minutes of my life. I HATE the cold, so I was terrified of this. You step into a cushioned, upright bed, with your head out of the machine and then shriek as the cryosauna pulsates nitrogen mist at a temperature of -220 degrees Fahrenheit. It was cold but somehow the time flew by and I walked out feeling amazing. Again, I HATE the cold but what an incredible rush. My body felt amazing and awake. It definitely lived up to the endorphin release, “runner’s high” feel that I was not expecting. I can’t believe I loved it! (Did I mention I HATE the cold?).

Just do it…

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The start of a new year is always a time of reflection for me. I’m more about making goals then resolutions, and looking for ways to better myself. I’ve been traveling so much I’ve fallen off my workout schedule, so now that I’m home I’m hoping to get back into a routine. And I’ve been making a cautious effort to be more active during the day.

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Outfit details (all available at JCP):

Nike Solid Leggings

Xersion Mesh t-shirt

Xersion Studio Long-Sleeve Full-Zip Hoodie (on sale!)

Skinny Start 2 Week Fitness Challenge

popsugar-challenge

Like the rest of the world I have some fitness goals for the new year which is why I’m partnering with POPSUGAR to take their January Jump-Start Challenge. It’s a 2-week plan that’s all about you and a ‘clean’ diet with meal recipes and at-home workout plan. While I won’t be following it to a tee — I’m a vegetarian and am also never giving up coffee… I am committing to not drinking alcohol and eating healthy. I’m also permanently keeping my yoga matte, jump rope, stretch band and foam roller in my living room to keep me motivated. Also my weights, which are 8 lbs each, which conveniently is how much Charlie weight so I may be redefining puppy aerobics.