Fitness

New and exciting: PULSE by julie d.

BY THE STEPWELL

Julie D. is an OG Soulcycle coach, New York native, and a positive fitness force. For the past 10 years, she has been motivating riders while whipping them into shape at Soulcycle. This past spring, when Covid shut down the spinning studios, Julie began teaching a “morning pulse” to connect with her loyal riders. Julie’s uplifting and strengthening routine, often with her endearing husband and adorable pup behind her, went viral on IG. Her new fitness movement of physical and emotional positivity grew into a digital platform, PULSE by Julie D.

PULSE is an effective if gentler all-over workout, set to classic and current tunes. Think barre, Pilates, and high intensity exercises. Julie’s warm authentic persona shines through and makes the workouts uplifting. Not only is PULSE quarantine-friendly (accessible via Instagram Live)- she also plans to teach it weekends, in person, at the Wölffer Estate in Sagaponack through October.

Find a link to her full schedule here.

You can either opt in month-to-month for PULSE, a great option if you want to try it out first. A seasonal membership through December (the best option if you know you’re going to love her as much as we do).

And, because Julie D. is maybe the loveliest person ever, if the monthly fee presents a challenge, you can email her to figure it out <3

More information on the $$ stuff can be found here.

Check out Julie D.’s other platforms

pulsebyjulied.com

insta @pulsebyjulied

twitter @pedalmom

youtube channel

Soulcycle profile

Julie’s writing for the HuffPost

Good Morning America segment

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Fitness

CAN 20 MINS MAKE YOU FEEL 20 TIMES BETTER? 

BY CAROLINE

The global pandemic literally uprooted my family and me from NYC. We were lucky to have good health, but most of my fitness and healthy rituals fell off abruptly.  One late night, I ordered order elastic-waist pants from Athleta; I was starting to atrophy and ache in all the wrong places. The chronic anxiety was exhausting. Eventually as we settled into the new pace and daily schedule I came up for air. I needed to find quick, effective shifts to keep sane and reasonably fit.

About three weeks into her new movement sessions, I found my treasured trainer, Stacey Griffith on Instagram Live. She was smiling, instructing and, well, nurturing. This twenty minute session gave me a “spark” and serotonin boost. I started to move, eat better, and listen to great music again. Sports always got me through rough patches in my upbringing and immediately I knew this movement was going to be the way up this time.

Prior to the pandemic, I trained with Stacey on Tuesday and Thursday mornings religiously. Stacey kept us evolving physically and mentally every week through intention setting, mantras, and making good choices. Stacey has a big following (which is well deserved) but for me I train with a coach who can get me to dig deep, set targets, and envision successes without being verbally aggressive. Stacey has been that coach. She is now offering her high vibes, inspiration and instruction during this health crisis, gratis. I have a whole new connection and respect for her.

Stacey has recently hooked up with Mark Messier and David Kirsch’s new digital training platform, Honeycomb fitness. Stacey takes your through dance cardio, tough plank and arm series, while amping your heart rate hitting upper and lower body. She will light you up and get your body tight in 20 mins shots. There is a consistent flock of energized students who show up, yeah it is virtual but it feels fun. Her music and fashion are tight, which makes for a good diversion. Stacey could have a side-hustle curating for Stadium Goods, Farfetched, or Spotify. 

Stacey said early on, when we were all disoriented and disheartened by the global health crisis, get off the couch and just move, “movement is medicine”.  Twelve weeks later I can attest her virtual training has brought me back. I also ditched the sorry-ass pants. BTW if you’re late to class she will call you out, keep you accountable.

P.S. . . In addition to her role as Soul Cycle Master Instructor, SG is a motivational thinker/ speaker (featured by none other than Oprah); she hosts an insightful podcast / program with health coach Sarah Wragge, called The Way. SG authored an honest and inspirational book and is an advocate for equality and social justice.  

Check out @honeycombfitness or @staceygnyc or weekly schedules

EQUIPMENT: All optional- free weights, orange band, yoga mat/ beach towel… Check out my article on Fitness Essentials for the best equipment!

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Fitness

MY FITNESS ESSENTIALS

by THE STEPWELL

When the pandemic hit in March, the stay-at-home orders disrupted my fitness routine. By disrupted, I mean erased. The days of hitting padded targets in Krava Maga or spinning in a dark room had become a distant memory. My sweat sessions were now triggered by homeschooling pitfalls and generalized anxiety around the health crisis.

Within weeks I took on a few incompatible habits: 1) emotional eating and 2) not exercising, and 3) sleeping poorly. This trifecta left brought me down with heightened anxiety, a slumping aching thoracic spine, and added weight. This prompted a late-night purchase of elastic-waist Athleta pants (no disrespect to elastic but they were two sizes up). In the grand scheme of our world reeling from grave problems I was a lucky one, but I needed to take better care of myself. I hit the restart button. I started with twenty minutes of movement.

Detaching from hyper-helicoptering the homeschool operation was hard. Did I need to hover over my children every second they were in “morning meeting” or PE? No, in fact, being unavailable for a thirty minutes cultivated greater independence in my youngest child- he not only showed up for remote class five minutes early, he came prepared. He knew I was not going to messenger all of this materials ‘on-demand’. I remembered Elena Brown’s saying: Self-care is not selfish. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.

I started slowly with twenty minutes of movement for a few days (thanks @staceygnyc @honeycombfitness @aarmy @isaacboots @pulsebyjulied @tarastiles). From there I worked up a proper comprehensive fitness routine, on my own and with friends online. I made time for meditation and a virtual women’s circle. I am lucky to have inspiring friends who consistently inspired me- they shared new classes, hacks, and what they were whipping up in the kitchen.

The benefit cascade from movement led to improved eating. The emotional eating/ snacking situation was in check. I felt invigorated, more even, and physically great. I also felt better giving energy to factors in my life I could control during a time with so many unpredictable ones.

After a few months here are my absolute ‘desert island’ home-fitness and recovery essentials.

ALIGNED FOAM ROLLER
BY LOROX
@LOROXBURGH

I have reduced chronic pain, prevented flare ups of old injuries, and even strengthened the core by exercising on the roller thanks to Pilates teacher Nikyta Moreno. This particular roller is made by OPTP (Orthopedic Physical Therapy Products) who makes the highest quality tools for therapists and trainers.

HYPERVOLT
BY HYPERICE
@HYPERICE

This is an investment but well worth it tool for muscle recovery and pain. It is keeping me walking without acupuncture and massage during the pandemic. 

Walmart has the best price for the model we use.

TUBE BANDS
BY ROGUE
@ROGUEFITNESS

Tube bands come in 3 different tensions. You can use them a ton of different ways to work your upper body and abs.  Step on them to anchor and modify angles to hit muscles in your shoulders, arms, and back. Tune into Stacey G on honeycomb or check out this Nike tutorial ideas.

B12 LIQUID
BY PURE ENCAPSULATIONS
@PUREENCAPSULATIONS

Vitamin B12 is critical for countless bodily functions. It also fuels your brain and boosts the immune system. The oral version is absorbed best. I add 1/2 dropper to smoothies for energy and mood improvement. This formula is easy on my stomach but take with food to be safe.

SUPER FUEL
BY EBOOST
@EBOOST

This great tasting all-natural “kick in a can” is filled with hydrating minerals, non-jittery caffeine derived from green tea and green coffee, along with liver-cleansing milk thistle if you over-indulged the night before.

DEEP BLUE
BY DOTERRA
@DOTERRA

A friend gifted me a bottle of Deep Blue when I fractured my ankle, this oil gave me great relief above all else.  Deep Blue combines essential oils like peppermint, camphor, curcumin and chamomile to soothe sore muscles. 

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