June 05, 2019 at 08:36AM by CWC We’ve all seen the feature film-length infomercials about exercise gizmos that promise “chiseled” abs to rival Michelangelo’s David. And a quick Google search of “As Seen On TV exercise equipment” returns a staggering number of results. I asked three trainers to cut through the clever slogans, rebates, and “if you call in the next 30 minutes” deals to determine which products actually deliver and which are total BS. While no two items in the “As Seen On TV” market are quite the same, Maillard Howell, owner of CrossFit Prospect Heights in Brooklyn, points out that they all share at least one thing in common: “They’re pretty genius on the level of super-laziness,” he says. There’s no judgement here. Laziness at the gym can be an asset. It can prompt us to make our workouts efficient and smart instead of aimless. But wait, there’s more! When our sloth-like tendencies are being commodified, we all need to make sure we’re informed shoppers so all of our living rooms don’t wind up looking like the Island of Misfit Training Modalities. Take a deep breath before calling 1-800-GET-BUFF and read the fine print. The best of the best (and the worst of the worst) “As Seen On TV” exercise equipment for working your abs Photo: Getty Images/Thanakorn Phanthura Best: Ab Roller Wheel, $13 “Ab rollouts are an advanced core exercise that prevents extension at the lumbar spine (lower back). Most people who complain of low back issues are
Category: 2019 Health
The best (and absolute worst) ‘As Seen On TV’ ab exercise equipment, according to trainers
June 05, 2019 at 08:36AM by CWC We’ve all seen the feature film-length infomercials about exercise gizmos that promise “chiseled” abs to rival Michelangelo’s David. And a quick Google search of “As Seen On TV exercise equipment” returns a staggering number of results. I asked three trainers to cut through the clever slogans, rebates, and “if you call in the next 30 minutes” deals to determine which products actually deliver and which are total BS. While no two items in the “As Seen On TV” market are quite the same, Maillard Howell, owner of CrossFit Prospect Heights in Brooklyn, points out that they all share at least one thing in common: “They’re pretty genius on the level of super-laziness,” he says. There’s no judgement here. Laziness at the gym can be an asset. It can prompt us to make our workouts efficient and smart instead of aimless. But wait, there’s more! When our sloth-like tendencies are being commodified, we all need to make sure we’re informed shoppers so all of our living rooms don’t wind up looking like the Island of Misfit Training Modalities. Take a deep breath before calling 1-800-GET-BUFF and read the fine print. The best of the best (and the worst of the worst) “As Seen On TV” exercise equipment for working your abs Photo: Getty Images/Thanakorn Phanthura Best: Ab Roller Wheel, $13 “Ab rollouts are an advanced core exercise that prevents extension at the lumbar spine (lower back). Most people who complain of low back issues are
EMFs aren’t just woo-woo nonsense, but how concerned should we really be? Scientists sound off
June 05, 2019 at 08:32AM by CWC Every so often, a concept comes along that provokes ultra-passionate opinions in the wellness community—and no, I’m not talking about the SoulCycle vs. Flywheel debate. In some circles, it’s the clash over whether or not GMOs are bad for human health. In others, there are big question marks around CBD (cannabidiol) and its many supposed health benefits. But there are few arguments as divisive as the one swirling around the acronym du jour: EMF. EMFs, or electromagnetic fields, are invisible ranges of radiation that come from power lines, Wi-Fi towers, and electronic devices (among other things). Many members of the scientific establishment believe they’re harmless, and some research does back up this opinion. But even so, a growing number of health-conscious folks are blaming EMFs for a host of problems, from headaches, insomnia, and lethargy to mental health issues, seizures, and even cancer. EMFs definitely aren’t a new thing—scientists have been researching them since the 1970s, when the first study was published suggesting a possible relationship between living near high-voltage power lines and childhood leukemia. (More recent studies show that this link is weak.) But we’re living in an era in which our EMF exposure is higher than ever, which is leading many people to question it anew. Think about all the EMF sources an average person is exposed to in a day: Our homes and offices (and sometimes, entire cities) are outfitted with wireless internet. We sit in front of computers all
EMFs aren’t just woo-woo nonsense, but how concerned should we really be? Scientists sound off
June 05, 2019 at 08:32AM by CWC Every so often, a concept comes along that provokes ultra-passionate opinions in the wellness community—and no, I’m not talking about the SoulCycle vs. Flywheel debate. In some circles, it’s the clash over whether or not GMOs are bad for human health. In others, there are big question marks around CBD (cannabidiol) and its many supposed health benefits. But there are few arguments as divisive as the one swirling around the acronym du jour: EMF. EMFs, or electromagnetic fields, are invisible ranges of radiation that come from power lines, Wi-Fi towers, and electronic devices (among other things). Many members of the scientific establishment believe they’re harmless, and some research does back up this opinion. But even so, a growing number of health-conscious folks are blaming EMFs for a host of problems, from headaches, insomnia, and lethargy to mental health issues, seizures, and even cancer. EMFs definitely aren’t a new thing—scientists have been researching them since the 1970s, when the first study was published suggesting a possible relationship between living near high-voltage power lines and childhood leukemia. (More recent studies show that this link is weak.) But we’re living in an era in which our EMF exposure is higher than ever, which is leading many people to question it anew. Think about all the EMF sources an average person is exposed to in a day: Our homes and offices (and sometimes, entire cities) are outfitted with wireless internet. We sit in front of computers all
Ikea’s robotic ‘furniture of the future’ transforms 1 room into 3 for the ultimate minimalist aesthetic
June 05, 2019 at 07:32AM by CWC Living in New York City (where a bedroom the size of a closet goes for $1,000/month) has taught me the immense value of space. My number one question before purchasing anything now is, “Wait! Can I spatially afford this?!” Cities make minimalists of all of us. And if the well-furnished minds at Ikea have anything to say about it, doing more with less is about to get super chic. The company announced its 2020 plans to roll out a robot named Rognan, which “transforms small spaces into comfortable, multifunctional homes.” “Designed in partnership with the American furniture startup Ori Living, Rognan changes to meet your needs, from sleep, to getting dressed, to having guests, and more,” reads an announcement from Ikea on Instagram. The real-life magic of the device means that, with the touch of a button, you can transform a single piece of furniture into a bed, a couch, a closet, and a desk. (Please excuse me while I swoon.) View this post on Instagram Meet our new robot, ROGNAN. Forget compromise in a small space. ROGNAN transforms small spaces into comfortable, multifunctional homes. It changes to meet your needs, from sleep, to getting dressed, to having guests, and more. The population of cities is growing, and our living spaces are shrinking. ROGNAN is a product for this new reality of modern urban life. Planned launch date: during 2020. @ori_living #IKEADDD2019 #IKEAtoday #IKEA #ROGNAN #oriliving A post shared by IKEA
Ikea’s robotic ‘furniture of the future’ transforms 1 room into 3 for the ultimate minimalist aesthetic
June 05, 2019 at 07:32AM by CWC Living in New York City (where a bedroom the size of a closet goes for $1,000/month) has taught me the immense value of space. My number one question before purchasing anything now is, “Wait! Can I spatially afford this?!” Cities make minimalists of all of us. And if the well-furnished minds at Ikea have anything to say about it, doing more with less is about to get super chic. The company announced its 2020 plans to roll out a robot named Rognan, which “transforms small spaces into comfortable, multifunctional homes.” “Designed in partnership with the American furniture startup Ori Living, Rognan changes to meet your needs, from sleep, to getting dressed, to having guests, and more,” reads an announcement from Ikea on Instagram. The real-life magic of the device means that, with the touch of a button, you can transform a single piece of furniture into a bed, a couch, a closet, and a desk. (Please excuse me while I swoon.) View this post on Instagram Meet our new robot, ROGNAN. Forget compromise in a small space. ROGNAN transforms small spaces into comfortable, multifunctional homes. It changes to meet your needs, from sleep, to getting dressed, to having guests, and more. The population of cities is growing, and our living spaces are shrinking. ROGNAN is a product for this new reality of modern urban life. Planned launch date: during 2020. @ori_living #IKEADDD2019 #IKEAtoday #IKEA #ROGNAN #oriliving A post shared by IKEA
If you don’t love someone, set them free with expert tips for compassionate rejection
June 05, 2019 at 07:11AM by CWC The other day, a man that I had been out with several times texted me, wanting to make plans. But among other deal-breakers he had already violated, like loving flip flops, he had revealed himself to be a jerk. I had no interest in seeing him, but I still had trouble figuring out how to communicate, definitively, that I’m not interested. And, it bears reminding—we had only been on two dates to this point. It’s not just me who has trouble with low-stakes cord-cutting. On a small-scale personal note, nearly all the single people I polled about this had experienced similar situations. On a larger scale, the art of not seeing someone you’re not interested in without tipping them off using your words has become such an accepted aspect of dating culture that we have invented dedicated terms for the behavior—ghosting, orbiting, breadcrumbing. It is exhausting. But why? Why is it so difficult to do this seemingly simple thing? Psychiatrist Gail Saltz, MD, says it’s largely an issue of empathy. Not outright rejecting someone can come from a place of discomfort because of the empathetic understanding of how bad it feels to be rejected. However, it may also reflect being avoidant of confrontation, and a fear that “in breaking it off, the other person will in some way be aggressive or vengeful in reaction.” “It’s healthier for all involved to be clear if you wish to move on from dating someone. Understand you
If you don’t love someone, set them free with expert tips for compassionate rejection
June 05, 2019 at 07:11AM by CWC The other day, a man that I had been out with several times texted me, wanting to make plans. But among other deal-breakers he had already violated, like loving flip flops, he had revealed himself to be a jerk. I had no interest in seeing him, but I still had trouble figuring out how to communicate, definitively, that I’m not interested. And, it bears reminding—we had only been on two dates to this point. It’s not just me who has trouble with low-stakes cord-cutting. On a small-scale personal note, nearly all the single people I polled about this had experienced similar situations. On a larger scale, the art of not seeing someone you’re not interested in without tipping them off using your words has become such an accepted aspect of dating culture that we have invented dedicated terms for the behavior—ghosting, orbiting, breadcrumbing. It is exhausting. But why? Why is it so difficult to do this seemingly simple thing? Psychiatrist Gail Saltz, MD, says it’s largely an issue of empathy. Not outright rejecting someone can come from a place of discomfort because of the empathetic understanding of how bad it feels to be rejected. However, it may also reflect being avoidant of confrontation, and a fear that “in breaking it off, the other person will in some way be aggressive or vengeful in reaction.” “It’s healthier for all involved to be clear if you wish to move on from dating someone. Understand you
These fabrics won’t show your sweat stains, no matter how hot it gets
June 05, 2019 at 05:00AM by CWC My first morning of seventh grade, I walked into school feeling confident as hell in a brand-new, long-sleeved, bright orange polo shirt (this was 2003, BTW). If you had asked me that morning if I thought I was cooler than “Candy”-era Mandy Moore, I would have honestly answered yes. That is, until the second class of the day, when I went to raise my hand and discovered a massive sweat stain underneath my armpit. It was the first time I ever experienced the phenom, and I will never forget it, because it taught me the importance of breathable fabric. As anyone who sweats as much as I do (which is…a lot FWIW) likely knows, finding breathable fabric is critical to ensuring you won’t be stuck walking around all day with water spots all over your shirt. Having spent a significant portion of my life trying to figure out which potential shirt purchases are sweat-proof and which will have my arms pinned to my sides, I am pretty much hold an encyclopedic of knowledge of breathable fabrics. And so, here’s your failsafe list of them, so that you can get through this summer sweat stain free. And pro tip? Looser clothes tend to be more breathable than more form-fitting ones (erm, especially in the armpit area…) so consider this the season to start leaning into the “oversized beachwear” look. Here’s the break down of breathable fabrics and those to skip 1. Cotton: Remember that
These fabrics won’t show your sweat stains, no matter how hot it gets
June 05, 2019 at 05:00AM by CWC My first morning of seventh grade, I walked into school feeling confident as hell in a brand-new, long-sleeved, bright orange polo shirt (this was 2003, BTW). If you had asked me that morning if I thought I was cooler than “Candy”-era Mandy Moore, I would have honestly answered yes. That is, until the second class of the day, when I went to raise my hand and discovered a massive sweat stain underneath my armpit. It was the first time I ever experienced the phenom, and I will never forget it, because it taught me the importance of breathable fabric. As anyone who sweats as much as I do (which is…a lot FWIW) likely knows, finding breathable fabric is critical to ensuring you won’t be stuck walking around all day with water spots all over your shirt. Having spent a significant portion of my life trying to figure out which potential shirt purchases are sweat-proof and which will have my arms pinned to my sides, I am pretty much hold an encyclopedic of knowledge of breathable fabrics. And so, here’s your failsafe list of them, so that you can get through this summer sweat stain free. And pro tip? Looser clothes tend to be more breathable than more form-fitting ones (erm, especially in the armpit area…) so consider this the season to start leaning into the “oversized beachwear” look. Here’s the break down of breathable fabrics and those to skip 1. Cotton: Remember that