My Annual Daily Trainer Review, this year from Bryn Mawr Running Company
While I have supposedly entered my walking era, I don’t like to break tradition over here. And truthfully, I can’t really give up running altogether because I do love it, especially this time of year. So I am still delivering my annual running shoe try-on review in the spring, when my running (or this year, walking) outside kicks back up. The good news is that all the shoes in this post are great for running or walking any distance whether it be a mile, a 5K or a marathon. These shoes will all work wherever your fitness adventures take you. So that is why I am calling this post My Annual Daily Trainer Review because all of the featured shoes are great everyday trainers for your “whatever” activities.
Hey, Nike Made a Walking Shoe
Nike is embracing the walking “trend” by creating a sneaker made just for walking. Sure, you can walk in your running sneakers. But doesn’t this popular form of exercise deserve a sneaker all its own?
Spring Activewear is All About the Colors
I love to do activewear hauls at the start of the new season. I sift through all the pages and racks of my favorite activewear brands’ websites and stores. I’m looking for pieces that are fresh and new to show you. This haul was completely driven by the gorgeous and inspiring spring hues (and one fun print… gasp). So push those blue light glasses up and make sure your wallet is close. This spring activewear haul is good and sure to get you moving, in one way or another.
GIRL POWER with Molly McGraw: LOVE
It’s not everyday that you hear a gym owner opening a separate gym to honor its female members. That’s what Charles Knowles did when he opened LOVE. Learn all about the story behind this female-inspired infrared studio in Conshohocken that is run by a very special woman.
GIRL POWER with Jenna Fisher: Train & Nourish
I have more girl power coming at you and this one is all girl and all power! Jenna Fisher is the female founder behind the largest all women gym in the city (and now Ardmore). Train & Nourish is for women, by women. All of the trainers are women. And all of the members of this strength focused gym are women. It’s a place where women can go to get stronger, while feeling completely comfortable in a gym setting. In fact, that is why Jenna created Train & Nourish when she opened the first of her four gyms.
GIRL POWER with Kristin Manchin: Raising Surfers
The next local female I want to highlight this month is Kristin Manchin, the woman behind my favorite sweat proof jewelry, Raising Surfers. Yes, I love Kristin’s creations because they are on trend and I can wear them in the gym, in the shower, even in the ocean (if my fitness adventures take me there), all without fear that my arm candy will tarnish. But I love Raising Surfers even more because of who Kristin is. She is a survivor. A creator. A mother. A cheerleader of others. A perfectionist. A daughter. A wife. And sorry to be cliche, but Kristin is bad ass female entrepreneur.
GIRL POWER with Rebecca Ardekani: Merak Activewear
To celebrate Women’s History Month, all month long, I’ll be highlighting several local women who make my job as a fitness enthusiast better in one way or another. The first is Becca Ardekani, the founder of Merak activewear. I’m all about local love so I was giddy to learn that the adorable active styles from Merak were created here on the Main Line. Merak is the Siberian word for simple things that give you pleasure. For Becca, movement is medicine, and the word “merak” signifies what Becca wants her clothing brand to stand for.
The 411 on Face Yoga
I first heard of face yoga a few years ago from a friend who had decided to ditch the needles and go with a more natural solution to reduce the signs of aging on her face. At that point, I was just starting Botox myself and was thrilled with the immediate results so I didn’t ask her questions or look into it further. But, I was always intrigued and continued to be as I now regularly inject toxins into my face. There has to be another way to age gracefully?
Skims Try On
This Skims Try On post is a little public service post. I put on all the viral silhouettes, desired fabrics and insanely soft loungewear so I could break it all down for you and make your Skims shopping experience a little easier. So this post is what you need in your closet and what you can leave to the twenty somethings.
Next Level Self Care Services
February used to be my most dreaded month until I decided to turn this dark and cold month into 28 (this year 29) days focused on just self care. Then my feelings about February quickly did a 180. So let’s start this month strong with next level beauty and self care services. Sure a traditional massage and facial are really nice, but if you want to try something different with insane results, this is what I recommend in our area, and beyond (because some things are just worth traveling for!).
Instructor Spotlight: Let’s Mix It Up
What happens when the women of CrossFit get on Pilates reformers for the first time? How about sending a yoga instructor into the boxing ring at Jabz Boxing? These were just some of the workout mixups I initiated with my fit pro friends in January as part of a really fun fitness project that had magical results!
The Only Thing I Want to Put on My Body Right Now
The timing for this post could not be more perfect. Because temps are in the 20’s for the fifth day in a row, I am bringing you a blog post about the coziness, comfiest and warmest clothes on the planet: the good ol’ reliable sweat set. I mean, why the heck would you want to wear anything else right now?
Workouts That Will Make You Stronger in 2024
Strength focused classes are popping up all over town. Many studios devoted to a certain method of fitness have realized this recent shift in training goals and have added weights to their regularly scheduled programs. And I’ve been checking out these classes over the past few months. So here is where I recommend you go on the Main Line to get stronger in 2024.
Eddie, Here is My Personal Wish List
Shopping counts as a workout this weekend, right? Your heart races. You sweat a little. And while you don’t necessarily burn calories, you do burn through your money. So here are some more ways to achieve that burn… in a big way. These are my big ticket wish list fitness items. And while I don’t expect to get them all this year, I’d be happy with just one of these super special items (hint hint, Eddie).
Fitness Finds for the Holidays Are Here
I’ve carefully curated the perfect holiday gift list for fitness enthusiasts, or those looking to spice up their fitness routine in 2024. These gifts are sure to get you excited to move, which is always my goal! And my list goes beyond fitness because I know you all want more. I do, too. So follow along for all of my fitness finds for the holidays.
La Maison Celebrates 40 Years on the Main Line
I am typically writing about a new studio opening. But this week I am sharing all about a gym that is having a huge milestone anniversary this month. And it’s safe to say that this will be my one and only blog post that celebrates a fitness business having 40 years on the Main Line!
My Next Endeavor, Updated
Yes, yes, I am still training. Training for the body competition that I announced at the beginning of the year and that I decided to conquer for the new year. Here are a few updates for those that are curious. And it is going. Just very, very slowly.
Bring On The Cold Already
Don’t kill me for saying this, but I’m waiting for the cold temps already! That’s because I have my outerwear ready to go. And my favorite jackets are all from one place… Lululemon.
Studio to Street: Everyday Looks from Our Favorite Activewear Brands
I get my activewear and my everyday clothes in one place. That’s because activewear brands know we value comfort and fit, which they have done so well with their workout clothes. Using the same coveted fabrics, activewear brands have been creating some really fabulous clothes to take us beyond the gym. So yeah, for me there is no need to look any further.
Olympic Weightlifting For Kids Is So Much More Than the Number on the Plate
Each September, I shift my focus from boring adult stuff to the fun kid stuff. While doing my “field work” throughout the year, I come across so many great kid programs in our area. Programs that I didn’t know about until I started to dig a little. Programs that I am thrilled to be able to share with you all in hopes of sparking some little person’s interest. And this story might just be the best example of that to date and yet another reason why I love to do what I do.