November 15, 2018 at 12:43PM Air squats are as essential to leg day as the high pony is to Ariana Grande (read: very). The classic move will give you all the feels in your hamstrings and quads, but it’s especially good at building your booty, no weights required. But like all muscle-making, body-weight exercises (planks, push-ups, and lunges) there’s a right and wrong way to execute the butt-scultping move. And according to obé trainer Megan Roup, who’s also leading our next Well+Good Retreat in Miami this December, anyone from strength training newbies to expert exercisers can fall victim to bad form. So how exactly do you execute an air squat? Start with your feet hips-width apart, with your arms down by your side. To begin, brace your core, push your butt back and down (like you’re sitting in a chair), and make sure to stay in your heels. As you lower, keep your gaze forward. The goal should be to “break parallel” which is gym-speak for getting your booty lower than your knees, but you only want to go as far as you can without your chest or shoulders rounding forward, or toes peeling off the ground. When you get to the bottom, pause. Then, keeping your weight in your heels, push back up to the start, giving your glutes a good squeeze at the top (#bootyactivation). That’s one rep. Roup recommended doing 25 to 30 reps total. To take it up a notch, use a resistance band, or add a medicine ball slam between reps. Whatever variation
Category: Fashion
All the don’t-miss Black Friday clothing sales in one place so you can spend your time shopping not searching
November 15, 2018 at 11:43AM Every year it feels like Black Friday sales begin earlier than the year before. For the savvy shopper, it’s not enough to know about the deals that go live on November 23 because a lot of them start way ahead of that. (A couple of them have already begun.) With a solid shopping plan, however, you can find everything you need for your gift list or wardrobe—hey, gifts for yourself count. Plus it’s never too early to start celebrating the holiday season—no matter what anyone says. In anticipation of the biggest shopping weekend of the year, below are all of the Black Friday clothing sales you need to know about. Photo: Stocksy/W2 Photography Aritzia Select winter styles will be half off online and in-store from November 22 through November 26, making it the perfect time to find some long cozy layers before it starts getting seriously cold outside. Ban.do Not only does Ban.do have all of the winter coat styles you could want, but it also has a million other little things to stock up on for gift giving season. From Thanksgiving day until November 27, everything (with the exception of Iconery necklaces) will be 30 percent off online. BaubleBar BaubleBar, a brand that has streamlined and demystified jewelry shopping at affordable price points, is essentially having a month of deals and sales online. From now until November 21, you can nab 30 percent off personalized jewelry. Then on Thanksgiving Day VIPs will get 35 percent off jewelry,
If you need me, I’ll be at Costco getting *all* the pricey beauty products for way less
November 15, 2018 at 11:05AM Years ago, Costco was generally thought of as the place you went to buy cheeseballs in bulk, but oh boy has that changed. The store has slowly but surely turned itself into a place health nuts hit up on the regular—whether it’s for the long-lasting avocados, affordable succulents to add to your urban jungle, fitness memberships, acai bowls, or even discounted exercise equipment. Seriously, it has it all. And now its beauty category is majorly expanding, too. According to the Beauty Independent, Costco is now selling prestige beauty products—most of which you can buy right online. And of course in true Costco fashion, you can expect all the markdowns, making it possible to snag some of your favorite pricey (and super luxe!) beauty products for a fraction of the cost. “Like all retailers today, they want to capture the millennial,” said Tom Winarick, president and CEO of BioBoutique Beauty Lab. “There’s a lot of traditional luxury prestige retailers that haven’t gotten there yet, and here you have Costco doing it.” Aside from big brands like Dr. Brandt and Clinique, Costco is also emphasizing Japanese beauty products with plenty of additions from Tatcha and Shiseido—AKA things you’d normally find at department stores or at Sephora. There is one catch when shopping the items from the mega retailer, though. While there are beauty products you can buy as a non-member, most of these higher-end options require the membership. But hey—since this is just one of the many perks of
Here is literally every wellness deal on Amazon for Black Friday and Cyber Monday
November 15, 2018 at 11:00AM This year it’s going to happen: You’re going to get ahead on all your holiday shopping and be done before December starts. That’s always the goal right? The key to actually achieving this is by having a game plan. Fortunately, getting up at 4 a.m. and driving to a big box retailer is no longer a requirement for scoring the best deals. There are plenty—as in a ton—of sales you can take advantage of at a reasonable hour, sitting in front of your computer in your PJs. And what would a day of online shopping be without Amazon, the biggest giant of them all? Rounded up here is every single wellness deal the retail site will be offering. Everything listed is available on various dates and times between November 16 and November 23, while supplies last. (Exact times and dates have not been announced.) Oh, and a sweet bonus: There’s free shipping on all of it. Keep reading to see all the Amazon Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2018 wellness deals. Altheisure Adidas: Get 45 percent off select Adidas clothes, accessories, shoes, and bags—for both men and women. Alo Yoga: Select styles from yoga apparel brand Alo Yoga will be 30 percent off. New Balance: Want to inspire someone to start running with you? Select styles of New Balance running shoes will be 30 percent off. Fitness Assault Fitness cardio equipment: All cardio equipment from Assault Fitness—everything from stationary bikes and treadmills to Maxtrainers and Homegyms—will be 26
Beyoncé buys back Ivy Park from business partner accused of sexual harassment
November 15, 2018 at 06:13AM Beyoncé has officially asked British retail tycoon Philip Green to put everything he owns at Ivy Park in the box to the left. Queen Bey is taking full ownership of her fitness clothing brand amid allegations of sexual harassment and racial abuse against Green by his staff, Business of Fashion reports. “After discussions of almost a year, [Beyoncé’s] Parkwood has acquired 100 percent of the Ivy Park brand,” according to an Ivy Park statement. Few additional details are available as of now due to pending lawsuits, but here’s what we know so far. For the past two years, Green’s Topshop and Arcadia factories have been producing Ivy Park’s much-hyped streetwear and workout clothes. They’ll continue to fulfill all current orders, but TBD on who will be manufacturing Bey’s brand moving forward. Beyoncé should get more credit as a health hero and feminist. Here are just a few life lessons we’ve learned from her. Continue Reading… Author Jordan Galloway | Well and Good Selected by iversue
How to avoid over-stretching in yoga and Pilates—because yes, it happens
November 15, 2018 at 03:05AM As far as workouts are concerned, yoga and Pilates are typically thought of as restorative, gentle ways to get your sweat on. It’s not like you’re swinging around heavy kettlebells or throwing jabs at a punching bag. But as it turns out, they also have their own extremes: over-stretching is real. Over-stretching happens when you work a muscle or joint too hard. “It’s the difference between soreness, which is okay, and sharp pain,” says Heather Peterson, the chief yoga officer at CorePower Yoga. “When you’re stretching, you’re always supposed to push yourself a little bit—which isn’t the most comfortable feeling—but it should never be actually hurting you,” adds Tianna Strateman, the vice president of education at Club Pilates. “There’s a fine line between getting in somewhere that’s a little tight and actually causing a tear in a ligament or something of that nature.” Uhh, I’d say so. Here, both experts share their tips for avoiding over-stretching—and offer advice on how to recover if (eek!) it’s a little too late. Photo: Getty Images/ jacoblund Ease into the poses and exercises Both experts say there are a few key reasons why over-stretching can happen. One: Not warming up properly. Peterson says this can occur particularly in a heated yoga class because the high temps get you sweating before your muscles are fully warmed up. “If you’re taking a heated yoga class, don’t go your full-depth in the moves,” she advises. “For the first half of the class, only stretch
The clean fragrance to match your outfit for every holiday party this season
November 14, 2018 at 06:30PM If it’s the fifth year in a row you’re staring at a fridge full of holiday event invitations (friends, family, office, repeat), it’s a safe bet you’re in some need of a closet revamp—or at least some sartorial inspiration. But beyond an upgraded party look—which, don’t worry, is covered below—the quickest way to perk up your style is actually through scent. From evergreen candles to fresh-baked cookies, the holidays are a totally evocative aromatic experience, so why not experiment with your own fragrance, too? CLEAN Reserve—the luxuriously blended fragrances that contain sustainable, give-back ingredients—makes that an easy proposition. Because everything from the bottle itself to the packaging it comes in is created with sustainability in mind, you’ll be supporting the environment—and spreading feel-good vibes—with every spritz. Scroll down for inspo on clean fragrances to wear for every holiday party—plus shop the curated looks. For the office cocktail party… At the one function of the year when you get to see your co-workers in a dressed-up version of your usual workday uniform (or, if you work at Well+Good, not in leggings), you want to go for something statement-making yet sophisticated. Opt for a knee-length dress and printed mules that say I’m professional and fun. To match your classy vibes, spritz on CLEAN Reserve’s Acqua Neroli. This illuminating scent blends sustainably sourced mandarin and fresh neroli, with notes of creamy sandalwood that linger on your skin. Pull together the floral-inspired look with tortoiseshell flower earrings. Ready, set, network. SHOP HOLIDAY PARTY
We know the most underrated fitness buy of the cold season
November 14, 2018 at 01:21PM Basic? Yes. Boring? Not a chance. For those of you who refuse to park it on the couch from September through March under a big fluffy blanket, you know how important it is to stock up on all the things for warmth on the go. And yet, the cold weather vest is one of the most underrated pieces of fitness gear around, IMO. To say a cold weather vest (sorry, not the sweater variety, Chandler Bing) is versatile is putting it lightly. It can be worn in place of a jacket on chilly days, thrown on with leggings and a long-sleeve shirt for a run, paired with plaid to get that Insta-worthy apple picking shot, or put on after a fleece and Merrell boots for a tough-ass hike. It’s as essential to fall as pumpkin spice, except that we’re not so over them yet. The vest shouldn’t be pigeonholed either: Beyond being just sporty and outdoorsy, the cold weather vest can give you some major warmth when layered under a wool coat so that you arrive to a holiday party or dinner date looking toasty and put together (which let’s be honest is a far cry from the vibes the maxi puffer gives off). And so, shall we sign off with a bunch of our favorite options for the season that are equal parts warmth and function. Photo: Lululemon Lululemon Down For It All Vest, $148 The deep side pockets make this the perfect addition to your outdoor
Allbirds drops its first high top, taking its sustainable sneakers to new heights
November 14, 2018 at 12:58PM It’s hard to walk down the streets of New York City these days without spotting at least one pair of Allbirds sneakers. They’ve become a go-to shoe for people who love a comfy piece of casual footwear. (So, basically everybody.) And after conducting a thorough poll of the two people in our office who love their Allbirds the way an avocado loves toast, it’s easy to see their appeal. As one Well+Good editor puts it, “They feel more like performance slippers than sneakers, and who doesn’t need that in their life?” Another adds, “Basically, it’s like if you could get away with wearing a bathrobe to work.” Except on your feet. The only visible downside, until now, was that Allbirds only made low tops. Fortunately for you (and your ankles), the San-Francisco-based sustainable sneaker company launched its first high top, the Tree Topper, today. It looks pretty much the same as their Tree Runners but, you know, taller. Others have compared it to a Chuck Taylor. I’d say, it’s more akin to a wooly version of a chukka boot (without the heel)—and can likely be worn with as many things in your wardrobe. (Coincidentally, the fact that “they go with everything,” is another reason my co-workers heart Allbirds sneakers.) Allbirds’ Tree Topper ($115) is also the first style from the brand to combine all three of its natural materials: merino wool, eucalyptus tree fiber, and sugarcane EVA foam for the soles. “[It’s] a true representation of
Spotify’s Apple Watch app is here, but there’s a hitch for runners
November 14, 2018 at 08:14AM Despite the Apple Watch’s ever-evolving smart technology (it can track your heart health and help diagnose thyroid issues), runners have long lamented the absence of one simple, much-desired feature: Spotify compatibility. And while today Apple (finally!) released the music-streaming app for the Apple Watch, you still won’t be able to stream your go-to playlist offline without bringing your phone along for the mileage, too. Rather than allowing you to run hands-free into the sunset with just your bluetooth headset and your watch, the Spotify app really just acts as a smaller remote for controlling what’s playing on your phone or speakers while you’re online, reports Tech Crunch. Still good for directing your cooking playlist while you’re prepping for Thanksgiving dinner, but you can’t (yet, at least) can’t download Drake’s latest album then leave your phone at home to stream it on-the-go. The good news? Spotify has confirmed that future updates will let you jam out anywhere (WiFi or no WiFi). So there will be a day when the wearable wipes out the need to bring your phone along at all. Until then though, the new feature could make your at-home workout habit that teensiest easier. Because hey, if you decide you hate a song mid-burpee, you could theoretically hit the skip button on your wrist mid-jump. Here’s how to DJ your runs to crush every workout. And if you’re in the market for fresh pair of running shoes, here are our editors’ favorites. Continue Reading… Author Kells McPhillips |