All posts in “Fitness”

The Best Peloton Alternatives for 2021: Wahoo, NordicTrack and More

I have a confession to make. Despite being a self-proclaimed cyclist, gear writer, and tech dork, Peloton was the only indoor bike I could list off the top of my head before I started writing this article. Sure, I knew others existed, but I hadn’t found an occasion to go down the rabbit hole. So I decided to turn myself into a guinea pig and get familiar with as many as I could.

For years I was convinced that indoor cycling wasn’t worth the effort or cost. Indoor bikes looked clunky and unfathomably boring, sitting in place and pedaling to nowhere. However, as I’ve recently learned, improvements in technology and design have evolved the market considerably, driven by a surge in spin classes, platforms like Zwift, and innovative brands like Peloton.

The pandemic threw gasoline on the fire, helping many indoor bike companies double and some even triple their sales in a single year. These aren’t small potatoes, either. Peloton’s reported $1.8B revenue last year is nearly as much as Specialized and Trek — the two largest outdoor bike companies — combined.

Gear Patrol has covered that brand extensively, in everything from comparison pieces to news about its rotating screen. But what else is out there, and how does it stack up?

After researching and testing different bikes from across the industry, I landed on the following seven bikes as the best non-Peloton options you can buy right now.

NordicTrack S15i Studio Cycle

NordicTrack S15i Studio Cycle

nordictrack.com

$1,599.00

Of all the bikes in here, this one comes closest to matching Peloton — and in some ways is superior. Standout features include uphill and downhill training, a 360-degree swivel screen that allows for off-bike resistance-training routines and a well-designed fan to keep you cool while you’re working hard.

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  • Does much of what the top-of-the-line Peloton can — for a whopping $900 less.
  • Peloton’s colorful instructors are, of course, unique to that platform.
Wahoo KICKR Bike

Wahoo KICKR Bike

rei.com

$3,499.99

Intended for the dedicated cyclist, the KICKR features Bluetooth connections to Garmin, Suunto, Zwift, Strava and other apps and a comfortable out-of-the-box feel. You can even customize with your own seat, handlebars and pedals — another reason this bike comes closer than any other to feeling like an outdoor ride.

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  • Actuator tilts up for climbs and down for descents for a real hill-conquering feel
  • Prohibitive price is a grand more than the top-of-the-line Peloton Bike+
Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike YB001

Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike YB001

amazon.com

$279.99

Yosuda’s bike is surprisingly likable despite its shockingly low price. The flywheel is smooth and quiet, and it has a massive range of resistance, making it good for even fairly strong riders. You sit in an upright, comfortable position, and the seat is adjustable for many heights. It’s a no-frills bike, but it’s no-frills done right.

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  • You can buy nearly seven of these for the price of one Peloton Bike
  • With only a basic LCD monitor displaying a few stats, you’ll have to find your motivation within

Best Overall Indoor Bike

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NordicTrack S15i Studio Cycle

If you’re looking for a variety of workouts on and off the bike, the updated NordicTrack Stio Cycle is just unbeatable. With a 14-inch touchscreen, built-in speaker system and proprietary iFit program with tens of thousands of workouts, live classes, and an array of stats, the NordicTrack is a true competitor to Peloton at $300 less than that brand’s base model and $900 less than the top-of-the-line Peloton Bike+. Standout features include uphill and downhill training, simulating steep inclines and descents, a 360-degree swivel screen that allows for off-bike resistance-training routines (not unlike the Peloton Bike+) and a well-designed fan to keep you cool while you’re working hard.

Best Upgrade Indoor Bike

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Wahoo KICKR Bike

If you’re looking for an indoor bike that makes you think — even for a second — that you’re riding outside, this is the one. And at a grand more than the Peloton Bike+, it had better. Intended for the dedicated cyclist, the KICKR features Bluetooth connections to Garmin, Suunto, Zwift, Strava and other apps and a comfortable out-of-the-box feel, but the real value is tweaking it to fit you. It’s easy to install your own seat, handlebars and pedals — and match the shifters to your actual road bike, so riding in your living room feels like roads around town. Even better? The KICKR has an actuator that tilts 20 percent for climbs and 15 percent for descents, so you really feel like you’re going up or down a hill.

Best Budget Indoor Bike

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Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike YB001

I admit I was a bit surprised that I actually liked this bike, which is very affordably priced (currently $285.99 on Amazon). The flywheel is smooth and quiet, and it has a massive range of resistance, making it good for even fairly strong riders. You sit in an upright, comfortable position, and the seat is adjustable for many heights. The big downside is the total lack of a fancy interface — a basic LCD monitor displays your time, speed, distance and calories burned. However, it’s still one of the most popular bikes on the market because of its price. The Yosuda is a gym-quality, no-frills spin bike, which makes it more than capable of providing a decent workout.

Most Approachable Indoor Bike

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Bowflex C6 Indoor Exercise Bike

A relatively new entry to the indoor bike market at just over half the price of a standard Peloton, the C6 turned heads when it launched two years ago. With a burly build quality, good ergonomics, ample adjustability, a smooth feel and a quiet flywheel, you have all the features you need for a solid workout. It is also compatible with Zwift and other platforms, but you’ll need your own tablet; while the C6 does feature a backlit LCD metric console, it does not pack its own immersive screen.

Most Tech-Heavy Indoor Bike

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MYX Fitness MYX II Plus

The newest iteration of MYX comes with nearly all the bells and whistles of Peloton at a more affordable $1,799. This bike boasts a rotating 21.5-inch touchscreen and its own streaming training platform. The well-built design also features dual-sided pedals, water bottle holders, Bluetooth compatibility and a surprisingly enjoyable app with music, trainers ($29/month) and personalized heart rate zone training. Still lacking live classes and leaderboards as well as integration with Strava and Zwift, the MYX isn’t for everyone but is one of the best bikes we’ve tested. The extras are nice, too, including a 6-piece weight set, kettlebell, stabilizing mat, exercise mat and foam roller.

Best Minimalist Indoor Bike

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Schwinn IC3 Indoor Cycling Bike

With a simple, minimalist design, the IC3 indoor bike is a great option for new riders hoping to get a good workout on a piece of equipment that will last a long time. The pedals come with multiple options, as do the handlebar grips, and wireless heart rate tracking is built in. These are all bonus features for most indoor bikes priced at $600. While it lacks an interactive screen with workouts and coaching like Peloton, it still has a massive flywheel with a large array of resistance options. The biggest downside is the lack of a built-in fan, though.

Best Folding Indoor Bike

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Exerpeutic Folding Exercise Bike

$199.99

$137.30 (31% off)

If you live in a small apartment, cabin, or any home where space is at a premium, folding bikes are likely your best option. The Exerpuetic is one of the best in the category, fitting pretty easily in a closet or under your bed. With a large, padded seat, lots of adjustability for different rider heights, and eight different levels of resistance, it’s a decent tool for getting a sweat, although lacking a flywheel means that it probably isn’t the best bet for the more extreme riders. The features are few and far between, but that’s generally par for the course in the folding bike category.

August 6, 2021 / Comments Off on The Best Peloton Alternatives for 2021: Wahoo, NordicTrack and More
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The Best Face Masks of 2021

Think the pandemic is over? Think again. The CDC is again urging people to wear masks in schools and public indoor spaces in sections of the US where there’s still high or substantial coronavirus transmission.

The shift comes in response to the fact that mutations of the virus are stronger and sneakier. The Delta variant is around twice as transmissible as earlier strains and making its way through undervaccinated areas of the country and globe.

There’s a lot more to this story — National Geographic does a great job explaining the CDC’s reasoning as well as where and when masks are most needed here. But the big takeaway is, with just 49 percent of the nation vaccinated, and rare cases of vaccinated people contracting and transmitting the virus, we won’t be fully ditching masks anytime soon.

Of course, you are going to have a better time sticking to the latest scientific advice if you have masks you love. To ensure that’s the case, we have compiled the following roundup of our favorite masks, the result of countless hours of testing by our team over the past several months.

Here you’ll find masks for all sorts of purposes — just what you need to ride this unholy beast of a pandemic out safely.

— Tanner Bowden contributed to this guide.

UA Sportsmask

UA Sportsmask

Under Armour

$10.00

One of the OG technical face masks is still the best. The soft, cool Iso-Chill lining, breathable open-cell foam and stretchy ear loops combine for some of the comfiest face protection around, whether you’re hitting a hard workout or simply hanging around.

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  • An internal wire at the nose bridge ensures a tight fit
  • Under Armour now offers a Fleece Gaiter and a ½ Gaiter version for additional coverage
  • Mask has has a tendency to creep up on the face with extended use
  • The ear loops are flexible but not adjustable, so the fit kinda is what it is
Oakley MSK3

Oakley MSK3

Oakley oakley.com

$60.00

Leave it to a leading eyewear brand to design a mask that doesn’t fog up your sweet sunglasses. That’s what Oakley’s achieved here, thanks to medical-grade silicone and a boxy filter holder that gives you more breathing room, upping the safety levels while keeping your specs clear. 

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  • An internal aluminum bar at the nose and adjustable straps ensure a tight protective seal
  • Accepts both reusable and disposable filters
  • Easily the priciest mask in this guide
  • And you’ve gotta, you know, buy those filters
Uniqlo Airism Face Mask (3-Pack)

Uniqlo Airism Face Mask (3-Pack)

VTER Uniqlo

$14.90

We dare ya to find a better deal for a three-layer mask that’s actually comfortable. Uniqlo sourced the same fabric it uses for buttery T-shirts and undies to ensure this mask is easy on the face, while an integrated filter provides protection you just can’t find at this price.

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  • Shape nicely cups your face so it’s easier to breathe
  • The third (outer) layer blocks UV rays
  • ID-ing the right size for you among four available options can be tricky
  • And the ear loops aren’t adjustable, so you’ve gotta have the right size

UA Sportsmask

under armour ua sportsmask

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Best Overall

While brands have continued to innovate new ways to cover your mug, one of the originals is still among the best. The Sportsmask boasts a number of cool features, but the most notable is comfort. The structure, wire nose bridge and soft fabric combine to make it feel as seamless as Flanders’ ski suit. When working out, the polyurethane open-cell foam is both breathable and protective, while the stretchy ear loops make it easy to don and doff when necessary. For both training and daily use, the Sportsmask is a champ. Want more coverage? Under Armour recently launched a Fleece Gaiter, a ½ Gaiter, and even a mask-integrating shirt.

Price: $25 $10

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Oakley MSK3

oakley msk3

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Best Upgrade

We admit to being skeptical of a $60 mask, but this one is different: it’s an extended screen-like mask body designed to accept both reusable and disposable filters. That shape is framed by medical-grade silicone, highlighted by an aluminum bar embedded in a gasket at the nose area, plus adjustable straps for the kind of tight fit the CDC endorses. The result is a little pocket of air to safely breathe in and — fittingly for an eyewear brand — the most fog-free shades situation we’ve ever experienced. The MSK3 also makes you look a bit like Tom Hardy’s Bane, which could be a pro or a con, depending which way your comic book movie loyalties lean.

Price: $60

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Uniqlo Airism Face Mask

uniqlo airism face mask

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Best Value

“So cheap for three, and it has three layers with a built-in filter,” our tester explains. “Plus, instead of clinging to your face, it’s more like cupping your face, which makes it easier to breathe.” The inner layer is Uniqlo’s moisture-wicking Airism material, which the brand also uses to make T-shirts and undies comfy. The second layer is the integrated filter and the third layer blocks UV rays. The only downside is that it can be tricky to find the right size for you among four options (S, for kids, through XL). “But when you do find a size that fits,” raves our tester, “it’s glorious.”

Price: $15/3

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Asics Runners Mask

asics runners blue mask

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Best for Working Out

Introduced last fall, the Asics Runners Mask aims to remedy all the annoying aspects of exercising with a mask. It’s made of a fast-drying, water-repellent fabric that cools the air as it passes through its fibers; it offers more interior space to prevent claustrophobia; its fastening system includes multiple adjustment points for a comfortable fit; vents below the jaw increase airflow without spreading disease-carrying droplets. Those features add up to quite a thoughtful take on what a performance-oriented cover can be.

Price: $40

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Outdoor Research Face Mask Kit

outdoor research blue face mask kit

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Face Friendliest

“Of all the face masks I’ve tested — fitted face masks, face masks for running — Outdoor Research’s is my favorite,” our tester reports. “My main reason is comfort; its polyester fabric is lightweight and easy on the skin. That goes for the ear loops too, which are adjustable but won’t slip around on their own. It’s one of the few face masks that doesn’t drop beneath my nose when I’m talking (or otherwise trying to operate my face as I normally would).”

Price: $20 $10

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686 Polygiene ViralOff Archetype Face Mask

686 polygiene viraloff archetype face mask in goblin color

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Best-Looking Technical Mask

The first edition of this mask cracked the Wellness category of last year’s GP100, and this new three-layer version is even better. Adjustable elastic straps, a metal nose strip and a hypoallergenic merino wool blend inner surface max out the comfort and fit, while a second layer of polyamide nylon and a third of polyester spandex — with an antimicrobial Polygiene ViralOff finish — ramp up the protection levels. Even so, the final product looks clean and uncomplicated, in seven different colorways to boot.

Price: $26.95

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Kitsbow Face Mask, Reusable, HEPA Type

kitsbow magenta reusable face mask

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Best-Looking Filter Mask

Kitsbow’s craftspeople cut and sew its masks in the shape of an actual face for optimal comfort, while an internal bridge-of-nose wire provides a secure fit. There are two layers of cotton for high-exertion, low-threat situations. Want a little more protection? Drop in one of the two included filters (a replacement three-pack costs $10). Not unlike 686’s mask, this option offers a lot of protection and performance in a streamlined, unassuming form — and seven stylish colors as well.

Price: $24.95

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Happy Mask Pro

happy mask pro

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Best for Quick Errands

Don’t let this mask’s superlative lead you to believe it’s lacking in protection. You get five layers, including a 3-ply nanofiber membrane filter, lab-tested to provide 99.9 percent filtration of viruses, bacteria, pollen and other pollutants. Even so, its slim profile and simple, adjustable earloops make it easy to throw on when you’re taking care of business around town. Our tester also shares perhaps the best comfort endorsement ever: “We got them for my 3-year-old to wear all day at school, no complaints.”

Price: $24

Seirus Snowdana

seirus multi colored snowdana

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Best for Cold Weather

Think of this clever offering as a permanently tied bandana that’s actually big enough to fit around your face, no knot necessary. Elastic in the neck area ensures a tight but comfortable fit, while the comfy fleece lining provides plenty of warmth. While the Snowdana is not specifically designed for the pandemic — it’s been around for years — its thickness is uniquely suited for it, and we’ve been loving its fuller coverage as New York City temperatures dip into the teens. It comes in literally dozens of colors too.

Price: $19.99

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RYST Mask

ryst mask product on left and man wearing ryst mask on the right

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Handiest (Literally)

We would be remiss not to note the ingenuity of this mask’s approach, which is rivaled only by the keychain at the end of this guide. RYST is essentially a slim band that attaches to your wrist via magnets, then unzips to reveal a fully functional mask that loops over your ears. Made in Portugal out of high-thread-count Italian fabric, it’s rather thin but more comfortable than you might think — and just so damn clever we couldn’t leave it out.

Price: $19.99

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United By Blue Salvaged Hemp Blend Face Mask

united by blue salvaged hemp blend face masks

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Best for Giving Back

These feel-good masks are made of deadstock fabric — a blend of hemp, organic cotton, recycled polyester and Tencel — that would otherwise go unused. And for every three-pack sold, UBB donates a mask to Chosen 300, which distributes them to Philadelphia residents experiencing homelessness. But are they any good? “The masks are double-layered and even have a pocket for filter insertion,” our tester reveals. “They’re comfy and about as non-intrusive as masks can get.”

Price: $20 $3.99

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Black Strap The Hood Balaclava

black strap the hood balaclava

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Best for Snow Sports

Like the Snowdana, The Hood Balaclava was not specifically made to combat the pandemic. But its two-layer construction — a nylon/elastene blend on the outside and polyester on the inside — provides protection from wind, snow and airborne viruses. The hinged design slips easily over the head and comfortably under a helmet. We just rocked it in the mountains this past weekend — and it’s great for long winter motorcycle rides too.

Price: $34.99

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Voormi Everyday Gaiter

voormi everyday gaiter

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Best for Beards

Yes, it has just a single (thick) layer, but one of the first face covering options we tested remains among our favorites. Made of comfy, odor-fighting merino wool, the Everyday Gaiter features integrated ear loops and a drop-neck cut (short in back, long in front). That makes it easy to wear on your neck and pull up over your nose when necessary. But we’re burying the lead: the generous drape of the front makes it perfect for the more hirsute among us.

Price: $35

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Matador Keychain Mask

matador keychain holder on left and matador keychain mask on right

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Best for When You Just Plain Forgot

Stashed in a silicone case not much bigger than a thumb drive, this clever mask is always ready in a pinch. Soft and comfy with adjustable ear loops, it’s easy to pull out and re-pack. That said, it’s rather thin and small and needs periodic adjusting during extended wear. As our tester notes: “Not ideal as an everyday mask, but a solid option for oh shit I forgot my mask, good thing I always keep one on my keychain.”

Price: $14.99, $24.99/2

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July 28, 2021 / Comments Off on The Best Face Masks of 2021
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The 6 Best Home Rowing Machines

It’s time for a revolution — a rowing revolution. For too long, the rowing machine has been the default loner in the corner of the gym that seems to always be available. The desperation needs to end, because the modality is a marvel of full-body fitness. Engaging 86 percent of your muscles — nearly twice as many as running or cycling, including quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, shoulders, upper back, arms and core — rowing burns more calories than any other single piece of equipment.

“The rowing machine makes for the most efficient workouts, and intervals on the rowing machine are great,” says Bryan Volpenheim, two-time Olympic medalist and previous head coach of the US Men’s National Rowing Team. “You don’t have to do it for hours like you would running or cycling. You can get an incredible workout in thirty minutes… and it’s low impact so it’s not hard on your joints.”

With a combination of testing and scouring the internet, we’ve rounded up a few of the best. Scroll down and you’re sure to find one that will help you row your way to a fitter physique, fast.

Smartest Home Rower

Hydrow Rower

Yes, it’s pricey. But you get what you pay for, and in this case that means not only a top-notch rower but a whole online community that’ll keep you motivated and moving. The Hydro boasts a computer-controlled electromagnetic drag system for a real on-the-water feel, plus a sweatproof 22-inch HD touchscreen monitor to unlock a world of rowing experience. Through a membership ($456/year), you gain access to expert trainer-led live classes plus more than 1,000 streaming river and studio rowing sessions. The connected set-up also lets you track your progress and compete with others via leaderboards, daily rows, challenges and special events.

Most Gym-Like Home Rower

Cityrow Go

CityRow Go Max

City Row has close to a dozen energizing row-centric gyms across the country, with more on the way, and this unit is the rower of choice. So even when you use it at home, you get that dynamic gym feel, especially with the app and a subscription ($29/month), which lets you tap into all sorts of pumped-up trainer-led classes — rowing plus HIIT, strength, yoga and more. The rower itself is based on the classic WaterRower (see below) and its original WaterFlywheel, but it’s updated with a rotating touchscreen, hi-fi speakers, Bluetooth connectivity and realtime performance data.

Best Budget Home Rower

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Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515

$399.00

$249.99 (37% off)

If you wanna bring home a reliable rower for less than $300, this currently discounted option is your best bet. Relatively easy to jump on and use (or fold up and store), it features an LCD screen displaying time, count, calories and other key data. Meanwhile, a twist of the dial near the feet lets you access eight levels of magnetic resistance, so you can challenge yourself as you get stronger. You’ll have to supply your own motivation however — there’s no fancy screen on this unit, nor is there any place to add one.

Most User-Friendly Home Rower

Concept 2 Model D

First launched in 1976, Concept 2 churns out high-quality equipment that can be found in gyms nationwide, as well as at the indoor world rowing championships. Elite athletes use Concept 2 machines to push themselves to new levels. The Model D is easy to use: on the performance monitor, just hit row to get going. The harder you pull, the more muscles you’ll engage and the more intensity you’ll feel. You can also raise and lower the damper to control how much air gets into the flywheel housing. To store, separate the machine at the middle, tuck away the arm and roll the resistance sphere to a closet or corner.

Best-Looking Home Rower

WaterRower Classic

While the WaterRower has been around since 1988, it experienced a revival of sorts after its starring role in House of Cards. The beauty of the machine is that it’s built to blend in with its surroundings, so you don’t have to banish it to your gym dungeon. The machine is smooth, easy-to-use and works for everyone from beginners to experts. Even with its classic aesthetics, it has modern touches, too — most notably a performance monitor that tracks speed, intensity, time, distance and stroke rate. Of course, the soothing sound of water rushing around the base of the machine is also a plus.

Most Versatile Home Rower

Nordic Track RW900

If Peloton and Concept 2 were to have a baby, you’d get the RW900. Your first year of an iFit membership, which can be used on the RW900, is free, so you can enjoy expert-led workouts for not only rowing but also cross training, boot camp, HIIT and active recovery and more — both on and off the rower. The digital screen transports you to majestic spots around the world, immersing you in the rowing experience right from your living room. And not unlike the latest Peloton screen, it also rotates for easy viewing when you transition to other workout modalities.

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July 26, 2021 / Comments Off on The 6 Best Home Rowing Machines
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The Best Workout Shirts of 2021

Just as a strong core is the foundation of any exercise, a solid workout shirt is the foundation of any fitness getup. Sure, an old cotton tee from your alma mater will suit a workout just fine, but it won’t enhance it. It won’t fight odor, control sweat build-up or do anything to prevent chafing.

A quality workout shirt — tee, tank or long sleeve — will do all that and more; it’ll be something you look forward to throwing on, which can sometimes be all the motivation you need to get up and get moving.

Best Overall

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Ten Thousand Versatile Shirt

Ten Thousand collected thousands of measurements and fit preferences before making its workout shirt so that when it did, it’d be as close to perfect as can be. One of the learnings from the process was that one size doesn’t fit all, so it made the shirt in three fabric blends to suit all kinds of people. We love the Versatile edition, which feels great and lives up to its name by rolling with all kinds of workouts, from light cardio to heavy lifting.

Best Upgrade

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Lululemon Metal Vent Tech Short Sleeve 2.0

lululemon.com

$78.00

Lululemon’s Metal Vent Tech shirts are pricey but peerless in combining breathability and odor-protection in a fabric that doesn’t feel plasticky. They are ultra-comfy, thanks to a design that minimizes seams and positions them where they won’t chafe. Everyone from professional trainers to elite mountain climbers are on board, and having worn them for running, biking and other activities, we can understand why.

Best Value

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Under Armour UA RUSH HeatGear Fitted Short Sleeve

underarmour.com

$30.99

Under Armour claims this shirt’s mineral-infused fabric absorbs the body’s energy and emits it back, increasing blood flow in the muscles for greater endurance. “I don’t know that this shirt actually does what it says,” our tester concedes, “but it fits great, stays cool and is the first one I grab for HIIT and kettlebell workouts.” Right now, this shirt is on sale for nearly 40 percent off, making it the steal of this list.

Best Long Sleever

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PATH Projects Cascade LS

The Cascade’s long sleeves make it ideal for working out in cooler temperatures, yet are tight enough to stay up when pushed up. What’s more, this shirt’s Tencelite 19 fabric is incredibly soft and stretchy, dries quickly and fights stink, you don’t have to be dainty about laundering it, and its UPF 50+ rating makes it a sneaky great sun shirt, too.

Best Tank

Nike Dri-FIT ADV Techknit Ultra

nike.com

$70.00

This light, breezy tank with reflective accents is perfect for running, and anything really. “I have exactly one of these but I wash it constantly so I can work out in it as much as possible,” says our tester. “It’s easily the best workout shirt I own for Peloton-ing, running or any exercise that doesn’t involve putting my sweaty back on machines/benches in public spaces.”

Lowest Maintenance

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Rhone Reign Short Sleeve

According to one tester, the Reign is “light, comfortable and always fresh no matter how many times I wear it without washing it — probably too many times to admit.” Rhone makes it with a nylon-polyester blend in a raglan construction to keep annoying seems off your shoulders. Perhaps best of all, it comes in lots of colors.

Most Trail Ready

Patagonia Capilene Cool Lightweight

This Patagonia tee is deceptively lightweight at 2.6 ounces, and its 100 percent recycled polyester fabric fights stink far better than other synthetic shirts thanks to a HeiQ odor control treatment. It’s also great at wicking away sweat and drying quickly and has a closer fit than some of the other shirts on this list, which make it ideal for a wide range of activities — including, given the heritage of the brand, hiking and climbing.

Most Swole

Born Tough

Born Tough Core Fit SS Shirt

One of our testers stated that he throws this shirt on when he knows he’s getting into an intense workout. “It’s very comfortable, made of this kinda beefy material and has a look and attitude that weirdly compels me to add an extra five pounds to any lift,” he says. “Nice price too.”

Best for Daily Wear

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Mack Weldon Stealth Crew Neck T-Shirt

Thanks to body mapping tech and seamless construction, this shirt fits incredibly well. The fabric — a mix of nylon, polyester and spandex — feels ultra comfy and breathable, while an antimicrobial finish minimizes odor. And while it’s fantastic for tough routines, it’s stylish enough to wear while working from home, running errands and meeting up for brunch.

July 19, 2021 / Comments Off on The Best Workout Shirts of 2021
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The Best of Everything You Need to Head Back to the Gym

It’s funny to look back at the fitness topics we were covering around a year ago: stuff like the best stay-at-home workouts, a face mask designed for running and the question of whether your activity tracker can detect COVID-19. My how times have changed. Yes, the pandemic continues to make its presence felt — we’re going to have an Olympics with no spectators, after all — but in the U.S. things generally seem to be returning to some semblance of normal.

Case in point: gyms. All but abandoned a year ago, they are bouncing back in a big way. According to a report by the financial services company Jefferies, May traffic at fitness centers hit 83 percent of January 2020 levels, and it’s down just 6 percent from May 2019. Quite a flex.

Thinking of returning to the gym yourself? Here’s everything you need to gear up for some epic workouts, from shorts, shirts, shoes and masks to recovery goods, yoga mats, protein powders and even the best bags with which to tote it all.

Editor’s note: For everyone’s safety, follow CDC guidelines and state and local laws with regard to wearing masks in gym settings. They can be tricky and often vary depending on whether you are vaccinated. Thankfully, the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) has been tracking mask requirements by state, and here’s a chart with the organization’s most recent findings.

The 15 Best Gym Shorts of 2021

best gym shorts 2021

Ten Thousand

All of the best training and recreation options, none of the jorts.

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The Best Gym Shoes for Every Type of Workout

gym shoes

Henry Phillips

Whether you crave CrossFit, hoist heavy weights or bounce around, there’s a sneaker here for you.

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The 10 Best Shirts for Your Workout

a man boxing at a bag in a gray t shirt

Rhone

What you wear for a workout shouldn’t be an afterthought.

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The Best CrossFit Shoes of 2021

nobull navy prism trainers

NoBull

No matter your budget or favorite type of WOD, we’ve got a winner for you.

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The 10 Best Gym Bags of 2021

best gym duffels

Gear Patrol

Not all gym bags are created equal. Here are our favorites for all kinds of people and uses.

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The Best Shorts and Liners for Yoga

best yoga shorts and liners

Rhone

It’s not a stretch to say it: shorts are the most important article of clothing for your practice.

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The Best Face Masks of 2021

under armour face mask

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Including our top tested picks for working out, running errands, braving winter and so much more.

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The 10 Best Yoga Mats for 2021

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Whether you’re a newbie or an expert, these superlative mats will support you through any practice.

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10 Recovery Products That Feel Damn Good

recovery products

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These body-friendly items are worth stocking in your home, gym bag and travel kit.

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5 Protein Powders Fitness Pros Swear By

trainers protein powders

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Protein powder is crucial for recovery — take a hint from these experts.

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5 Vegan Protein Powders Trainers Love

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Thinking of going vegan with your protein powder? Here are the surprising advantages, plus five great options to try.

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July 15, 2021 / Comments Off on The Best of Everything You Need to Head Back to the Gym
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272

The 9 Best New Fitness Gear Releases of July

Summer’s height has no shortage of sporting events. This month kicked off with the tail end of the Euro Cup, continued with the Tour de France and will culminate with the start of the Tokyo Olympics (finally). Sure, there won’t be any spectators this time around, but most of us are watching from afar anyhow. And if you did have to cancel plans to attend, well, now you can spend some of that extra cash on all the new fitness gear that came out this month.

Oakley Kato 24k

oakley kato 24k sunglasses

Oakley

Oakley released its superhero-inspired frameless performance shades a little while ago, but they’ll make an Olympic debut in a new 24k colorway.

Price: $291

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100% Rideley

100 percent rideley sunglasses

100%

For a subtler sports eyewear option, check out 100%’s new Rideley. It looks like a fashion frame, but its durability, lightness and grippy rubber inlays make it ideal for getting active (and sweaty).

Price: $110

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Asics Metaspeed Edge

asics metaspeed edge shoes

Asics

Now that racing is back on, you might find yourself aiming for a new PR. This new Asics shoe could help — based on research from the brand’s Institute of Sport Science, the Metaspeed Edge is designed to aid runners who increase their stride cadence as they speed up.

Price: $250

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Asics Gel-Kayano Lite 2

asics gel kayano lite 2 sneakers

Asics

Asics has another shoe release that’s more suitable for your everyday runs in the Gel-Kayano Lite 2. The shoe has stabilizing elements to keep your form straight and sure, particularly for overpronators, but it does so without the heft and bulk often associated with stability shoes.

Price: $160

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Adidas RPT-02 SOL

woman wearing adidas rpt 02 sol headphones

Adidas

We’re big fans of the performance-oriented (and washable) over-ear headphones Adidas released a couple years ago. So we’re amped the brand is working on an update equipped with a Powerfoyle light cell that converts light from any source — be it the sun or a flickering halogen light — into bass-amplifying energy.

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Adidas Uniforia Finale Pro Ball

adidas uniforia finale pro ball

Adidas

Been following the 2021 2020 Euro Cup? Now you can get the ball from the England v. Italy finale.

Price: $165

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TriggerPoint Grid Travel

triggerpoint grid travel

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TriggerPoint’s best-in-class, muscle-reviving foam roller now comes in a 10-inch size you can stuff in your weekender or carry on — so you can retain your recovery regimen no matter where you are.

Price: $27

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Hoka One One Rincon 3

hoka one one rincon 3 sneakers

Hoka

Hoka is updating one of its tried-and-true running models to be lightweight in every possible way — from making cutouts in its already ultralight midsole foam to minimizing the more durable outsole rubber to key zones to thinning out the heel loop you use to pull on the shoe.

Price: $115

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On Cloudboom Echo

on cloudboom echo sneakers

On Running

The latest entry into the class of carbon-fiber-equipped, ultra-fast marathon running shoes is On’s Cloudboom Echo. The company developed it in close collaboration with professional distance athletes, who will rocking it on the big stage at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.

Price: $270

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July 13, 2021 / Comments Off on The 9 Best New Fitness Gear Releases of July
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Our New Collaboration Helmet with Thousand Combines Safety and Style

Talking Points:

Gear Patrol x Thousand Helmet

City streets are full of obstacles, and navigating them on a bike is not always the easiest. Wearing a helmet is an absolute must, and choosing one that combines both safety and style just got a whole lot easier thanks to our collaboration with Thousand. The Gear Patrol x Thousand helmet will keep you looking good and feeling good on your next ride. It’s packed with the latest safety tech in a silhouette that’s sleek and stylish. Plus, you can make it your own with the included decal set, inspired by the bike signs that paint New York and help the cycling community get around. To learn more about the collaboration, read on below.

man wearing thousand helmet riding on brooklyn bridge
man wearing thousand helmet biking

The Latest in Safety Technology

Our collaboration helmet is made with MIPS technology which is designed to reduce rotational forces in the event of a crash. It’s an extra layer of protection and ensures that this helmet is up for all of your adventures.

Every Detail Considered

Safety doesn’t just stop at the MIPS tech. The helmet also includes a magnetic light should your ride extend past sunset. It also includes a premium visor and nylon adjustable straps for comfort.

Anti-Theft

The secret PopLock is a secure, anti-theft feature so you can leave your helmet safely behind whether you’re running errands in the city or stopping for lunch off the trail.

Price: $149

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July 13, 2021 / Comments Off on Our New Collaboration Helmet with Thousand Combines Safety and Style
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254

The Best Adjustable Dumbbells of 2021

Back in the day, the concept of owning a full set of dumbbells was realistic only for the most dedicated of muscleheads. The cost was prohibitive, as was the fact that you had to dedicate a substantial portion of your garage or basement to a couple rugged racks stacked with everything from 10s to 75s.

But in the past 10 years or so, the whole game has changed thanks to an ever-growing lineup of adjustable dumbbells. Employing a variety of clever mechanisms, these products enable you to quickly transform, say, 10-pound dumbbells you’re using for weighted arm circles into a 30-pounders for Zottman curls.

Not only do these dumbbells cost less than a complete set, they take up a heck of a lot less space, making it realistic for just about anyone to snag a pair and open up a whole world of great resistance training options.

That being said, there are enough different kinds of adjustable dumbbells out there now that it pays to think about which ones are best for you. Check out a few of our favorites below and get ready to take your home gym — and your physique — up a few notches. One quick heads up: unless otherwise noted, the list price is for a pair of dumbbells.

Bowflex SelectTech 552

Bowflex SelectTech 552

Beyond relatively smooth operation, good looks and a fair price, these dumbbells can be adjusted in 2.5-pound increments up to the first 25 pounds, opening up a wide range of lower-weight exercises.

Amazon

  • 15 sturdy, adjustable dumbbells in one, with micro-adjustments possible at lower weights
  • Not as quick to shift as some others, as you must twist dials on both sides
JaxJox DumbbellConnect

JaxJox DumbbellConnect

bestbuy.com

$499.99

Take things to the next level with the JaxJox app ($12.99/month), which casts a range of trainer-led workouts and programs to your TV — and uses the base stations to dynamically track your progress. 

Best Buy

  • High-tech digital adjustments and an app that provides trainer-led workouts and progress tracking
  • Pairing can be tricky at first — and the set is rather pricey
Yes4All Adjustable Dumbbells

Yes4All Adjustable Dumbbells

$149.99

$125.89 (16% off)

These weights pack a total of six dumbbells into a single unit, rising from 2.5 pounds up to 52.5 at a fraction of the cost of most other options.

  • Incredibly affordable and versatile
  • Tedious to adjust, as collars must be unscrewed before plates are added or removed

Best Overall Adjustable Dumbbells

Amazon

Bowflex SelectTech 552

One of the original adjustable dumbbells still rules the roost. Twist the dials on both sides to quickly engage more or fewer plates, then pull them off the trays and start lifting. What makes the this particular set such a winner? Beyond relatively smooth operation, good looks and a fair price is the fact that you can adjust in 2.5-pound increments up to the first 25 pounds. That not only opens up a wider range of lower-weight exercises; it also means that the total number of dumbbells packed into a single unit is a whopping 15.

Best Upgrade Adjustable Dumbbells

Best Buy

JaxJox DumbbellConnect

bestbuy.com

$499.99

Having wowed fitness fiends two years ago with its digitally adjustable kettlebell, JaxJox has now brought the tech to dumbbells. Tap a button to shift the weight from eight pounds up to 50 (in six-pound increments, meaning a total of eight dumbbells per unit). Then take things to the next level with the JaxJox app ($12.99/month), which provides a range of trainer-led workouts and programs you can cast from your phone to your TV — and uses the base stations to dynamically track your progress.

Best Budget Adjustable Dumbbells

Yes4All Adjustable Dumbbells

$149.99

$125.89 (16% off)

Considering these weights pack a total of six dumbbells into a single unit, rising from 2.5 pounds up to 52.5 at a fraction of the cost of most other options, Yes4All’s dumbbells present quite a value proposition. There are even options that let you connect a couple of dumbbells to turn them into a barbell. The big downside? They aren’t nearly as quick to adjust as the competition: you must unscrew the collars at the end of each bar, then remove or add plates to decrease or increase the weight.

Best Adjustable Dumbbells for Going Heavy

Amazon

Ativafit Fitness Dial Dumbbell

Most adjustable dumbbells max out around 50 pounds, which is plenty for the majority of lifters but may leave heftier types feeling undergunned. So a few brands do offer some bigger ones, with this glowingly reviewed Ativafit option leading the pack. The dial-adjustable offering packs an impressive 17 dumbbells into a single unit and tops out at 71.5 pounds, enough to satisfy anyone not named Big Ramy. Note: the price listed is for a single dumbbell, meaning you’ll have to shell out $571.98 for a pair.

Best-Looking Adjustable Dumbbells

Smrtft

Smrtft NüoBell

Progress from 5 to 50 pounds in style with these beautifully machined steel weight plates from Smrtft. Note that they are also available in a striking white hue and an olive drab edition called tactical for $20 more each (there’s also an 80-pound pair for $745). And keep in mind that as gorgeous as it is, the Nüobell is pretty damn functional too: adjusting in five-pound increments mean each unit is packing the equivalent of 10 dumbbells.

Most User-Friendly Adjustable Dumbbells

Amazon

Core Fitness Adjustable Dumbbells

Core Fitness earns the user-friendly superlative for one simple reason: Twist Lock technology. Place the dumbbell in the cradle, twist the handle, and you can quickly adjust the weight from five pounds up to 50 in five pound increments. Taking just seconds, it’s about the simplest and smoothest weight adjustment we have seen yet. (For the record, Ativafit and Nüobell boast a similar system, but they cost considerably more.)

Most Versatile Adjustable Dumbbells

Amazon

PowerBlock EXP Stage 1 Adjustable Dumbbell Set

$519.00

$369.99 (29% off)

If you seek dumbbells that can grow with you, you’re looking at ’em. That’s because the EXPs have an Auto-Lock featuring enabling you to micro-adjust, packing 15 dumbbells into each unit. And because you can purchase add-ons (like this 20-pound, $149 one) that let you boost the total weight per unit to 7o or even 90 pounds. One caveat: the boxy design and pin-based adjustment system make this product noticeably less user-friendly than many others.

Most Motivating Adjustable Dumbbells

NordicTrack

NordicTrack Select-A-Weight

With these dumbbells, you not only get 15 weights in one (from 10 pounds up to 55, via tabs you pull up and shift) but also you buy into one year of an iFit Family membership (a $396 value). And that’s where the motivational aspect of these dumbbells come in, because iFit is NordicTrack’s sweeping interactive system boasting a huge workout library, world-class trainers, personalized lifestyle coaching and much more.

Best Adjustable Dumbbells for Beginners

Amazon

FlyBird Adjustable Dumbbells

amazon.com

$109.99

This simple, smooth adjustable dumbbell is great for those just getting started in resistance training. It features a twist adjustment system similar to the Core one, enabling you to access 5 to 25 pounds in seconds. That’s a decent amount of weight for basic moves like biceps curls and triceps extensions, at a price — $109.99 per dumbbell, so $219.99 for a pair — that won’t bust your wallet. (Wanna go bigger? FlyBird also offers 55-pounders for $199.99 apiece.)

July 2, 2021 / Comments Off on The Best Adjustable Dumbbells of 2021
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307

The Best New Fitness Gear to Start Summer With

Welcome to Summer 2021; it’s only just begun, and yet the world of sports and fitness is full of interesting news. For one, Rudy Winkler set a national record for the hammer throw and qualified for the Tokyo Olympics when he chucked one 82.71 meters (a little over 271 feet).

Meanwhile, cybersecurity experts say that Peloton bikes in public spaces like gyms and hotels are vulnerable to hackers controlling their microphones and cameras. On a more positive note, studies show you can get through the pain of training in the summer heat simply by reframing how you think about it.

And, of course, there’s lots of new fitness gear to kick off the season with too.

Puma Velocity NITRO COOLadapt

puma group of people running

Puma

Presented by Puma

Now is the perfect time to pick up a new running shoe to get you through all your miles this summer. If you’re looking for a pair that not only looks cool but feels cool, then check out the Velocity NITRO COOLadapt running shoes from Puma. Made with NITRO foam for superior responsiveness and ultimate cushioning, these will keep you comfortable while hitting the pavement. It’s a lightweight and effortless shoe made of engineered mesh for a breathable, and form-fitting upper, with strategically placed PUMAGRIP for all-surface traction. Plus, reflective hits dot the upper for running in low light conditions, so you can stay safe when your workout extends long after the sun has set. For a shoe that’s tailor-made for running on the hottest day of the year, look no further — the COOLadapt tech will guarantee your feet stay cool.

Price: $120

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RXBAR Plant

rxbar plant

Amazon

Somehow, RXBAR made its simple-ingredient protein bar even simpler by taking out all the ingredients that aren’t plant-based. The new bars, available in Chocolate Chip and Peanut Butter, are perhaps tastier than the originals.

Price $30 (12-pack)

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Centr Power

centr power app

Centr

The most recent update to Chris Hemsworth’s training app, Centr, includes a new program called Power that’s all about building muscle like the God of Thunder himself. The 10-week program focuses on compound movements, volume, intensity and training to failure but takes recovery into account too.

Price: $10+ per month

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Reigning Champ x Ryan Willms

reigning champ x ryan willms clothing collab

Reigning Champ

Running apparel is undergoing an enlightenment of sorts, as design-minded brands break into the technical apparel scene with unconventional patterns and, frankly, lots of tie-dye. This collab is another one that’ll make you want to log miles just for the excuse to wear it.

Price: $70+

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Hoka One One Clifton 8

hoka one one clifton 8

Hoka

Hoka continues its annual update of key running shoe models with a crowd favorite, the Clifton. The new version has a lighter midsole and updated engineered mesh upper but leaves a lot of what runners already loved about the shoe. We’ve put over 20 miles on an early sample and can attest to the light, responsive ride it provides.

Price: $130

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Roark Run Amok 2

roark run amok 2 shorts

Roark

File Roark’s latest run collection in a similar category: you’ll find camo, patterns and yes, more tie-dye in this batch of new apparel.

Price: $39+

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Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE

garmin forerunner 945 lte smart watch

Garmin

For its latest running-focused GPS watch, Garmin added LTE functionality. Not for texts or calls, though, but rather so that friends and family can keep track of your progress during training or a race and so that you can get emergency assistance without your phone.

Price: $650

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Saucony Endorphin Speed 2

saucony endorphin speed 2 shoes

Saucony

Saucony’s first Endorphin Speed earned acclaim among runners for its velocity-oriented design — and it won a spot on our list of the best running shoes — but the brand didn’t consider that its finish line. The new version has an improved heel fit, more breathability and a new set of anti-slip laces.

Price: $160

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GU Liquid Energy Gel Cola

gu liquid energy gel cola

GU

If you’ve ever had trouble choking down a gel, GU sympathizes. That’s why it made a less viscous energy hit, which packs 100 calories per serving plus electrolytes and BCAAs. Now it comes in a Cola flavor too.

Price: $24 (12-pack)

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Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 2.0

adidas adizero adios pro 2 shoes

Adidas

Lastly, a new running shoe from Adidas that’s bound to cross finish lines first worldwide. The Adizero Adios Pro 2.0 features two layers of Lightstrike Pro foam for an extra boost, plus a revamped upper and a Continental Rubber outsole. Even with the new additions, it weighs in even lighter than its predecessor, 7.6 ounces.

Price: $220

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June 24, 2021 / Comments Off on The Best New Fitness Gear to Start Summer With
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The 12 Best Fitness Products of Summer 2021

Decathlon

$35.00

As with yoga, the features at play in yoga mats operate according to balance. A thicker mat provides comfort but typically sacrifices stability, for instance. We’ve found that Decathlon’s Kimjaly 8mm mat offers the best of all worlds, particularly for more casual yogis but certainly not excluding seasoned pros. Its thick, textured foam is comfortable and supportive, even during fast-paced flows, and grippy even when things get sweaty (we did notice some slipping with sweat, but it was rare). The mat also has a grooved line running down the middle, which is a nice visual aid for alignment, and it’s lightweight at just over four pounds — it even comes with a shoulder strap.

One downside is that its material (PVC foam) isn’t eco-friendly, which is often a consideration for those who practice yoga. You can find eco-friendly options further in this guide and yoga mats for specific needs and practices, but for $35, it’s hard to find a yoga mat with as many features as this one.

MORE YOGA MATS

June 23, 2021 / Comments Off on The 12 Best Fitness Products of Summer 2021
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242

Change the Way You Run with Future Fitness

  • Brand: Future Fitness
  • Price: $49 for the first month, $149/month after that
  • From: future.co

    Trying to become a faster, more consistent runner sounds easy — just run faster for longer right? But it’s significantly more complicated than that. We all tend to start strong out of the gate but typically lose steam before we make real, tangible progress. So we tested the Future Fitness app to see what its roster of elite coaches (a majority of whom have competed at the collegiate, professional or Olympic levels or have trained those who have) and sleek app experience could do for our running. Future Fitness coaches create customized workout plans tailored to your goals and lifestyle. We spent the week with Jelani Clyburn, former strength and conditioning coach at Maryland and Delaware State, to get a feel for all of its features and hit the ground running (quite literally) with six days of workouts tailored to exactly what we wanted.

    future

    Gear Patrol Studios

    What We Like

    After a thorough questionnaire about what your goals are and where your fitness level is, you will be matched with one of Future’s elite coaches. Our tester, who is focused on becoming a faster runner, matched with Jelani Clyburn, a former strength and conditioning coach at Maryland and Delaware State. Beyond an impressive collegiate resume, Clyburn also has an M.S. in physiology, a B.S. in kinesiology and exercise science and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist — that’s in addition to a background in track and field. Clyburn’s approach to constructing exercise programs is combining scientifically proven principles with input from each of his clients. Needless to say, we were excited to see what he put together for someone with a passion and interest in running, given his focus areas.

    After matching, the process is pretty simple. Your coach schedules a Facetime meeting with you, letting you go into more depth on your goals, lifestyle and any injuries you might be working with. On Sunday afternoons, your workouts for the week are loaded onto the app, letting you take a look at what’s to come. For our tester, this consisted of a short run, lower body push, yoga flow, long run, upper body push, speed work and recovery day.

    future

    Gear Patrol Studios

    The Future app syncs with an Apple Watch (one is included in your welcome kit), allowing your metrics to be tracked and shared with your coach. The Watch also switches its workout automatically based on what’s next, so you don’t need to start a new workout when you move from stretching, to calisthenics, to your run.

    The landing page in the app shows your workout with a video demonstrating proper technique, along with a timer and a preview of what’s next. This feature allows you to focus on form and pushing through your current reps without having to worry about what to do next. You can also choose a playlist curated by Future to play during your sweat session, and the app easily connects to your TV if you prefer a larger picture.

    The flexibility of Future sets it apart from its competition, as does the ability to message your coach whenever you need to. Whether you had a long night and are feeling it the next day, or a work deadline was put on your schedule, you can reach out to your coach and they will reconfigure your workouts for the week. Our tester had a morning meeting put on the calendar the day of a long run, but after reaching out to Clyburn, he swapped workouts to accommodate.

    Before getting experience with the app, our tester was concerned about being bombarded with messages and notifications from the app. But Future provides a hands-on feel without being overbearing. Your coach sends you daily texts asking how the workout went and gives you feedback on your progress. You feel the guidance and motivation you need without getting frustrated. Plus, who doesn’t need a Monday morning motivation text to wake up to? Your coach pre-records messages on the app that you will hear on certain workouts. Just when our tester was feeling sluggish three miles into a run, Jelani’s voice would chime in with a bit of motivation and a reminder to check form and focus on breathing.

    future

    Gear Patrol Studios

    Who It’s For

    With the diverse backgrounds and specialties of the coaches, Future truly offers something for everyone — especially if you’re looking for a hands-on, tailored, workout plan without having to pay personal gym prices. Whether you are constantly traveling or fitting in workouts around your kid’s schedules, this app lets you stick to your fitness routine no matter where you are and no matter how much time you have.

    Future is also perfect for those who have specific fitness goals they want to meet, but maybe don’t know where to start. Whether you want to become a better runner, build up your strength or lean out, Future has you covered.

    Verdict

    To describe Future in one word would be difficult, but seamless comes to mind. From navigating the app, to the custom workouts and constant coach communication, Future makes everything easy — well, everything except the actual workout.

    With an extremely friendly user interface and daily workouts customized to your schedule, it’s easy to see why Future is garnering so much attention.


    Gear Patrol readers can try their 1st month of Future for just $49, simply click through at the link below.

    Price: $49

    SHOP NOW

    gear patrol studios native drivers

    Gear Patrol Studios

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May 24, 2021 / Comments Off on Change the Way You Run with Future Fitness
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289

How to Get Swole on Short Notice

It’s beach season. And you might, just now, be realizing that the “hibernation layer” hasn’t disappeared, and the enticingly balmy weather of spring has drawn you to rooftop beer taps more often than the weight racks. For shame. Despite what the late-night infomercials are trying to sell you on, there’s no quick fix for skipping on the gym. So you made the bed, and now you have to lie in it — but that doesn’t mean you can’t fluff up the pillows a bit.

Kyle Wilkes, a National Physique Committee bodybuilder and a trainer and coach, let us in on a little secret to get a quick muscle pump in a pinch. It doesn’t replace a dedicated and consistent exercise routine, but if you’re beach bound and it’s the day of, there’s an easy regime to follow to make it look like you’ve at least kept a light gym routine. Unfortunately, the pump wears off eventually, so don’t forget to beef up your charm as well.

Here are three key items to throw on when you’re ready to hit the beach, followed by seven tips to look your best when you get there.

What to Wear

Courtesy

Ray-Ban Aviator Classic

ray-ban.com

$161.00

One of the world’s most iconic sunglasses was originally designed for American pilots in 1937. These shades feature a classic gold frame, a variety of lens colors and 100 percent UV protection to shield your peepers as you scan the sea for the best place to flex.

Courtesy

Outerknown Apex Hybrid Trunks by Kelly Slater

outerknown.com

$128.00

Some call Michael Jordan the Kelly Slater of basketball. No surprise that these boardies from the legendary surfer are high performance. Made from 100 percent recycled polyester, they wear light, dry fast and look fantastic half-covering that body part whose day you skipped.

Courtesy

Teva Hurricane XLT2

As hot as your bod is looking, the sand can be hotter. Stay cool with these throwback-looking Velcro sandals, which boast a thick, contoured footbed and a grippy outsole so you can glide over turf and surf like the Chosen One himself. Dude totally lifted.

How to Pump Up

Start early

For a decent swell, an hour and a half is ideal prep time — enough to digest a good meal and then get a fair pump. So if you’re going to the beach at noon, you’ll need to start your pump-up routine by eating at 10:30 a.m.

Eat smart

      Aim to eat about an hour before working out. Consume a clean, healthy meal with proper proteins (grilled chicken, fish), carbs (yams or sweet potatoes), and fats to maximize the pump. Healthy fats like avocados along with slow-digesting carbs will maximize a pump over a longer period of time. Just don’t eat as you’re heading out the door; the nutrients won’t be in your body in time. Give yourself time to let the nutrients settle.

      Push up your chest

      A half hour before the beach, it’s time to start pumping up the muscles. Forget lifting massive weights — all this will do is annihilate your muscle tissue and make you look even smaller in the short term. Instead, grab resistance bands (for Step 4) and find a flat surface. Start with 15 to 20 push-ups, take a minute breather, then crank out 15 to 20 more. Make sure to really squeeze your chest muscles in the up position. Then repeat with close-grip push-ups, emphasizing the squeeze on the triceps.

      Band your biceps

      Stand up and place the resistance bands under your feet, then use them to do biceps curls, squeezing your biceps as hard as you can while maintaining control of your movement. Start with 15 to 20 reps, take a quick breather, then do 15 to 20 more. In between the first and second set, flex your chest and triceps to make sure those muscles are still getting good blood flow.

      Courtesy

      TheraBand Resistance Band Set

      amazon.com

      $16.33

      “I love resistance bands, especially for glute activation before my run,” explains Barry’s Bootcamp trainer Lindsey Clayton. “But they are so versatile you can essentially do an entire workout with just one band.”

      Skip the sit-ups

      Abdominals don’t pump up, so all you’ll get is a bloated-looking midsection. You either have the six-pack or you don’t. (And if you don’t, maybe try one of these sun shirts.)

      Raise your shoulders

      Keep the resistance bands under your feet and raise your arms out in front of you (like Superman flying) and to the side. Do these front and lateral raises for the same reps as the push-ups and the curls. Keep your arms straight throughout the reps, and remember to do slow controlled lifts, squeezing the shoulders and lats throughout.

      Finish strong

      Round out the swole session with another set of any of the previous three workouts, and if any muscle group needs extra focus, hit that one up again to make sure it’s pumped proper. Oh, and if you don’t look significantly more jacked than you did 15 minutes ago, it’s probably time to accept the fact that you’re not just in the middle of a “bulking phase.” Do fewer 12-ounce curls and get back to putting up real iron at the gym.

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    May 23, 2021 / Comments Off on How to Get Swole on Short Notice
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    273

    Can You Really Turn a Jigsaw into a Massage Gun? We Tried!

    Perhaps now more than any time in history, hacks are hot. As the pandemic appears to be ebbing and we start picking up the pieces, we sit at a rare confluence: peak technological advancement — and peak desperation for anything that makes this weird new normal easier and/or cheaper to endure.

    So when GP platforms editor J.D. DiGiovanni alerted me to a wacky hack involving a jigsaw and a bunch of inexpensive attachments, I was intrigued. Five minutes and one online order later, I was days away from turning a jigsaw into a percussion massage gun — and finding out if it actually worked.

    But first, why is such a hack so compelling? The cost savings is significant. After all, the less expensive of the top two percussion massage guns costs $399. What I bought, the Baoyou Jigsaw Massage Tip Adaptor and Bits, cost $19.99. As a city dweller, I also forked over $59.99 for a Black+Decker 20V MAX JigSaw with Battery and Charger but even so, the cost was literally a fraction of what you’d pay for a top-notch gun: about one-fifth.

    Black+Decker 20V MAX JigSaw with Battery and Charger

    amazon.com

    $59.99

    $52.24 (13% off)

    Baoyou Jigsaw Massage Tip Adaptor and Bits

    amazon.com

    $19.99

    The little kit and the jigsaw arrived a couple days later, and it was time to put it to the test. Here’s how that went.

    Set-up

    Could hardly be easier. All you have to do is screw one of six attachments — a cone, a wedge, a fork, a flat head and two round ones, all made of dense, foamy plastic — onto one of two included bits.

    Then lift the little orange latch where your jigsaw blade would go and insert the bit. Assuming your jigsaw’s battery is charged, you’re good to go.

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    Cons: Heavy, clunky and loud

    First off, at five pounds, it is significantly heavier than the Theragun PRO (2.9 pounds) and Hypervolt Plus (3 pounds). You can’t pair it with an app, and you can’t set the percussions per minute at a single, consistent rate — the speed varies based on how much pressure you apply to the trigger.

    Also, while the top gun brands continually innovate to make their products less noisy with technologies such as QuietForce and QuietGlide, Black+Decker plays by no such rules. Get this thing going at any respectable speed and it is, technically speaking, loud as f*ck. You dare not fire it up in an apartment after 10 p.m. unless you want a citation for disturbing the peace.

    Pros: Durable, versatile and powerful

    That being said, I must confess this thing works a hell of a lot better than I would have imagined. As an industrial strength tool, it’s super solid and sturdy and reliable. So is its 20V lithium battery, which promises 3 amp hours of life and the ability to hold its charge for, oh, 500 days.

    The range of attachments enables me to hit my aching muscles with all the same variety as I can with an actual massage gun. The bigger ball, wedge and flat head are great for punishing larger muscle groups, while the smaller ball, cone and fork let me pinpoint smaller ones.

    Meanwhile, the B+D’s top speed of 2,500 RPMs is no joke. Considering Hypervolt Plus hits 3,200 PPMs and Theragun PRO reaches 2,400 PPMs, this rig has more than enough pace and power to beat even my biggest muscles into relaxed, recovery-ready submission.

    Verdict

    If you are itching to get into the massage gun game for cheap, and you don’t mind the racket, this hack might be for you. Just make sure to brush the sawdust off your quads when you’re done, aiiight?

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    May 22, 2021 / Comments Off on Can You Really Turn a Jigsaw into a Massage Gun? We Tried!
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    Patrick Mahomes Seen Wearing a Crazy New Pair of Oakley Sunglasses

    Last fall, professional cyclist Chris Froome was spotted rocking a pair of previously unseen Oakley sunglasses during the Vuelta a España, a 21-stage Grand Tour race that winds around the Iberian peninsula. The sleek, all-black shades bore Oakley’s signature wraparound design but seemed to lack a frame entirely — and they included a unique extension of the one-piece lens over the bridge of the nose.

    Half a year later, Oakley has finally revealed the mysterious shades, and with the help of none other than Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Meet: the Oakley Kato.

    red sport sunglasses

    True to speculation, the Kato is strange, mask-like and completely frameless. Oakley figured out how to get rid of the extra plastic and instead put frame-mimicking points of rigidity right in the lens — notice how the lens gets thicker and flares outward at the forehead, like a frame. Oakley says that building the glasses this way brings the lens closer to the face.

    The Kato’s feature set doesn’t stop with the frameless design either. It has a place for rubberized nose pads that is seemingly stuck right onto the back of the lens and comes with three different sizes. Plus, its sidearms rotate, changing the tilt of the glasses to accommodate variations in face shape while maintaining the close fit.

    Alongside Mahomes, Oakley worked with Mark Cavendish, Nigel Sylvester and Joseph Newgarden to fine tune the Kato’s fit, and elite athletes will continue to rock the shades in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. It calls to mind the moment when sprinter Ato Boldon stepped onto the track of 2000 Sydney games wearing Oakley’s wild OVERTHETOP sport glasses.

    It seemed as though Boldon pulled his sunglasses out of a comic book, and it was hard for cycling fans not to comment on Froome’s mask-like shades with references to Batman. They have the wrong superhero, though; while it makes no explicit mention of the character, Oakley seems to be referencing Kato, the Green Hornet’s masked sidekick, who Bruce Lee famously played on the 1960s TV show.

    Editor’s Note: Anticipating that the masked-athlete look might be a little much, Oakley released another version of the new sunglasses called the Kato X. This pair uses the same frameless molded lens design, but there’s no expanded nose piece. Without it, the Kato X is far more similar to the performance eyewear Oakley has been making for decades.

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    May 22, 2021 / Comments Off on Patrick Mahomes Seen Wearing a Crazy New Pair of Oakley Sunglasses
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    Check Out This Modern Take on Personal Training

    There is no question that personal training is the fastest way to meet your fitness goals, but until now, the only way to get a customized workout program was from individual sessions with a personal trainer — which can get expensive. Well, with Future, a new fitness app, you are paired with an elite fitness coach who works with you all month long for the price of a single personal training session. Your Future coach builds a workout program specifically for you based on your goals, your fitness level and any activity you enjoy doing. With Future, fitness revolves around your life, your schedule and your setup so you don’t have to revolve your day around your workout. Your Future coach doesn’t just track your progress, but builds a relationship with you to help you stay accountable, motivated and excited about your fitness — seven days a week. Plus, Gear Patrol readers can try their first month of Future for just $49, simply click through at the link below.

    Learn More

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    May 20, 2021 / Comments Off on Check Out This Modern Take on Personal Training
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    Getting the Most In-Depth Fitness Data Available Just Got Easier

    Feeling your best means taking care of yourself on the inside and out. That concept just got a lot easier thanks to InsideTracker’s new partnership with Garmin. The collaboration of these two powerhouses in the wellness space means you will receive a full 360-degree view of your health. Using daily activity metrics from Garmin, along with blood biomarkers and DNA insights from InsideTracker, you will receive recommendations that are more personalized, precise and effective. Whether you need to increase your sleep or up your magnesium intake, you will be able to pinpoint specific changes to meet your wellness goals. Get started on the path to your best self yet by signing up below — use code RUNGARMIN and receive a free Garmin Vivoactive 4 with the purchase of an Ultimate plan.

    Price: $589

    SHOP NOW

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    May 19, 2021 / Comments Off on Getting the Most In-Depth Fitness Data Available Just Got Easier
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    9 Ultra-Marathoners Share Their Top Tips for Every Kind of Runner

    As runners, we’re constantly setting new goals, whether it’s signing up for a marathon or just moving our feet a bit more each day.

    But it’s one thing to set a goal; it takes hard work and experience to achieve it — which is why we spoke with The North Face Runners Dylan Bowman, Rob Krar, Hillary Allen and Rory Bosio as well as HOKA ONE ONE athlete Magdalena Boulet, Altra runners Ian Sharman and Charli McKee and Salomon athlete Cat Bradley.

    Here are their tips to help you achieve your running goals.

    Schedule time to run

    It might sound silly, but practically every athlete recommended setting time aside in your schedule. “The less I have to decide, the easier it is to get out,” explains Bradley. “I stick to a similar run plan week to week and month to month, so I don’t have to even think about getting out the door, I just do it.”

    Sharman, the Leadville 100 Trail Champion in 2017, agrees: “Create a routine and stick to it unless you have genuine reasons not to. After a couple of weeks, the routine will become the norm and will be much more self-reinforcing.”

    Even when you’re traveling, carve out some time for yourself to run

    “For me that involves morning runs/activity to get me out the door and to kickstart my day,” Allen says. “When I travel and don’t know where I’m going, it can seem overwhelming, but if I’m committed to [it], I can have a general plan to explore and it usually works out in the end.”

    Sign up for a race

    “Find an event to sign up for that is just a little bit outside of your comfort zone,” suggests Boulet. “It will help motivate you to get out and train if you’ve paid your entry fee and declared to your friends and family (some of whom will hopefully join you!) that you will do this event.”

    It helps if the race is in a beautiful place or somewhere you’ve had on your bucket list for ages, adds Bradley. “It makes it a lot easier to stick with it when everything starts to fall apart when you are in love with the project, race or goal.”

    Hire a coach

    While a few of these athletes are paid to run (and do it full time), many juggle full-time jobs with their passion for running. One commonality is the insight a coach can provide. “Not only does it take a lot of the strategic guesswork off my plate, but it also gives me another person to be accountable to,” Bowman says.

    A coach can give you an added layer of support and take some anxiety off your plate when training — especially if you’re a newbie. “I have a coach that designs my weekly training schedule and it helps keep the stress of planning under control,” notes McKee. “Having a second set of eyes and ears on my run training has greatly improved my running.”

    If a coach is out of the question, look for support in running groups

    Coaches can be expensive, and that might be out of the question for you. There are other options to hold yourself accountable. When Boulet doesn’t feel like running, she reaches out to her network. “I have an extra cup of coffee and call a friend to schedule a running date,” she says. “Making a commitment to meet someone always works for me.”

    Get out the door

    Mental toughness is something that these athletes have in spades. They head out on practice runs that dwarf my measly 20- to 30-mile weeks. But if you don’t feel you have it, don’t fret. “Toughness is not something you’re born with, it’s a skill you can gain with practice,” Boulet says. “Practice being tough in regular training or it won’t be there on race day,” Sharman adds.

    If you don’t feel an urge to get up and run every single day, that’s okay. “I like to get out the door even if I’m feeling tired,” Allen says. “I tell myself to see how I feel for the first ten minutes and I go from there.”

    No matter what your training day looks like, remember to listen to your body

    Sometimes you’ll jump up out of bed and hit the road. Other days, you might feel lazy and not want to go. Do it for your mental health, or bargain with yourself. “I remind myself how much better I feel after running than I did before,” Boulet says.

    But remember to take rest days, too. “A common mistake for newer ultra and trail runners isn’t that they aren’t training hard enough, it’s that they aren’t training smart enough and respecting rest and recovery,” says Krar. “Remember that a single run or single race does not define you. There will be bumps along the way and they’re to be expected. Most importantly, run with a purpose. Show up and do your best.”

    A little mental prep goes a long way

    Everyone needs a little help to get through a long-distance race. The monotony of one foot in front of the other can use a spike. “I’ve used mediation apps like Headspace and Calm,” says Bowman. “These apps cultivate mental and emotional poise, so when adversity inevitably arises, I’m less likely to be overwhelmed by it.”

    Running is a journey (literally), so “don’t aim for the stars, aim for the trees,” Bosio says. “Make resolutions that are reasonably attainable. Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t stick with it 100 percent. Tomorrow is always another day!”

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    May 16, 2021 / Comments Off on 9 Ultra-Marathoners Share Their Top Tips for Every Kind of Runner
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    Crush Your Fitness Goals This Summer With Future

    If you’re looking to crush your personal fitness goals this summer, there is no better tool than a personal trainer. But not everyone has the time or comfort level of working with a trainer in person. Thankfully, Future, a one-of-a-kind fitness platform, pairs you with an elite personal trainer who puts together a custom workout plan tailored to your objectives and lifestyle. With Future, you are getting a real coach who will text you daily to hold you accountable to your workouts and acts as that extra motivation you may need to get going each day. Each Future member also receives an Apple Watch, which pairs with the app and allows you to track each workout and see metrics like calories burned and heart rate. That way, your coach can constantly adjust your workouts based on your progress and fitness level. If you’re still not convinced that Future is worth checking out, Gear Patrol readers can take 50 perfect off their first month of Future, simply click through at the link below.

    Learn More

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    May 12, 2021 / Comments Off on Crush Your Fitness Goals This Summer With Future
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    Cycle of Change: Inside the Push to Diversify the Bike World

    A version of this story first appeared in Gear Patrol Magazine. Subscribe today for more stories like this one, plus receive a $15 gift card to the Gear Patrol Store.

    When the Black Lives Matter movement rose to the forefront of American culture last summer, and countless brands started issuing mea culpas and promises to get better with respect to diversity, equality and inclusion, I distinctly recall making a mental note: How many of these entities, I wondered, will actually follow through and, you know, do something?

    As a cyclist active in New York City’s thriving bike-tivism community (shout-out to Riders for Black Lives), I was particularly curious how bicycle brands might evolve. Both road riding and mountain biking can be notoriously exclusive — and by that, I mean well-off and white. Amidst an unprecedented, pandemic-fueled bike boom, could things finally start to open up?

    Now, nearly a year after George Floyd’s murder, encouraging signs abound. I’ve come across a number of people, brands and organizations who are pushing toward a more colorful, inclusive bike world — including some who got started long before I can’t breathe was on everyone’s lips. What follows are just a few examples worth celebrating and emulating.

    Filmed By Bike

    diversifying cycling

    Courtesy

    This Portland-based festival that screens the world’s best bike movies has taken two proactive steps toward more inclusive cycle cinema. First, Filmed By Bike recruited NYC cycling advocate Courtney Williams, a.k.a. The Brown Bike Girl, to coproduce the first-ever Hi-Viz Film Festival, which showcases BIPOC bike movies. “Courtney got us thinking about additional focus on people of color in the United States,” FBB creator Ayleen Crotty says. “She helped us shake out of our nineteen-year-old realm of ‘We know what we’re doing.’” (The festival is still available online, at pay-what-you-wish pricing.)

    diversifying cycling

    Courtesy

    Second, FBB launched a BIPOC filmmaker grant, awarding $1,500 cash plus help from veteran bike filmmaker Manny Marquez to three emerging creators. Their projects will be screened at this year’s festival May 20th–23rd, while aspiring filmmakers have until June 15th to apply for the next round of grants.

    “We’ve long thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if we could fund an initiative to help tell these stories?’” says Crotty. “Now we’re doing it. And we are seeing a change — more people are being represented. We’re getting somewhere.”

    LEARN MORE

    Adventure Cycling Association

    aca
    Adventure Cycling’s efforts to reach a wider audience kick off June 4-6 with Bike Travel Weekend. Cowens (left, in orange shirt) is stoked to help make it happen.

    ACA

    Founded in 1976, Adventure Cycling’s claim to fame is the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail, a 4,000-mile route created to celebrate the country’s 200th birthday. But that route — and more than 50,000 others the organization has mapped — have historically appealed mostly to an older, white male demographic. The Montana-based organization aims to change its complexion with the Short Trips Initiative. “We want to make bike travel more accessible,” says project manager Eva Dunn-Froebig. “So we’re focusing on routes around cities, plus resources to help people travel by bike.”

    The program begins this summer in eight metro areas, accompanied by educational materials and stipends to help BIPOC Ambassadors and riders pedal off on overnight trips across the country. To form authentic connections, Adventure Cycling is hiring consultants like Devin Cowens, an Atlanta-based advocate for QTIBIPOC (Queer, Trans, Intersex, Black and Indigenous People of Color) in biking.

    “They’re putting money behind it, which is great,” Cowens says. “It’s nice to have these conversations even though they are uncomfortable. BIPOC folks have been saying stuff for a long time, but it’s white folks who can move the needle.”

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    SBT Gravel x Ride for Racial Justice

    diversifying cycling
    Krystal Salvent

    Courtesy

    diversifying cycling
    Thomas Lai

    Courtesy

    diversifying cycling
    Diana Diaz

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    sbt
    Jené Etheridge

    Courtesy

    Steamboat Springs, Colorado’s upstart gravel race prides itself on welcoming everyone. This year, it’s going further, by partnering with Ride for Racial Justice to bring 25 BIPOC cyclists (including the four pictured above) to this summer’s competition. “We thought it was a great chance for us to drive inclusivity and diversity in our race,” says SBT Gravel owner Amy Charity, who says she sees this as just the beginning. “We’re really shifting what cycling culture is about, in a good way.”

    diversifying cycling

    Courtesy

    RFRJ founder Marcus “Big Legs” Robinson, for one, can’t contain his excitement. “What’s about to occur on the fifteenth of August, twenty-five people of color on a start line for a major bike event,” he says, “[that’s] never happened [before].”

    As the program’s driving force, Robinson is now prepping the riders with help from sponsors like Wahoo — and getting equally stoked about ripple effects. “Each athlete is gonna go home and create more programs … using the bike as a vehicle to start conversations and be that voice in the community that’s not been heard.”

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    Canyon Bicycles

    st augustines cycling team documentary

    Joshua Steadman

    Last spring, the German brand outfitted the country’s first HBCU (Historically Black Colleges & Universities) cycling team, North Carolina’s St. Augustine’s University, with cyclocross bikes and filmed a video series to promote the squad. “Most new riders have no idea who [pro cyclists] Mathieu van Der Poel or Jan Frodeno are,” says Canyon USA president Blair Clark. “But if they see something like St. Augustine’s team, they begin to see a place for themselves.”

    st augustine's cycling team documentary
    Student athlete Chistopher Ingram at practice

    Joshua Steadman

    The program is the brainchild of professors (and now coaches) Mark Janas and Umar Muhammad. Muhammad, for one, draws inspiration from Major Taylor, cycling’s first African-American world champ. “One surprising lesson I have learned so far is being the first at something [makes a difference],” Muhammad says. “Even if it’s not perfect.”

    The 12-member co-ed crew isn’t fazed by the challenge of starting from scratch, either. “You can’t be around the team and not develop a six-pack from laughing too much,” quips Falcons rider Brandon Valentine-Parris. “We’re a fun group that knows how to work hard and produce positive results.”

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    Cannondale

    diversifying cycling

    Brian Vernor

    Inspired by St. Augustine’s, Cannondale has teamed up with EF Pro Cycling and USA Cycling to take on an audacious challenge: sponsoring 12-person co-ed teams at multiple HBCUs and Tribal Colleges & Universities (TCUs) for at least three years.

    After the raffle of a prize package headlined by a Giro d’Italia collaboration SystemSix road bike raised nearly $100,000, the program expanded from two teams to three. Cannondale will provide bikes and gear, EF Pro Cycling will supply coaching support and input from pro riders, both will kick in some financial aid — and the sky’s the limit.

    “Everybody grows up riding a bicycle, but somewhere along the way, cycling is not seen as a path for BIPOC athletes,” says Dennis Kim, VP of marketing for Cycling Sports Group, Cannondale’s parent company. “If these programs can live on for years and years, and if people out of these groups can go on to influence others in their communities, or even pursue professional track cycling, that would be an amazing win.”

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    Leo Rodgers

    diversifying cycling
    Though he started out road racing, Rodgers has gravitated toward the ever-growing gravel segment of late.  

    Courtesy

    diversifying cycling
    He hopes to add an actuator to his bike’s crank arm to hold his pedal flat so he can “get a little sendier” on downhills.

    Courtesy

    While many of us seek ways to open up the bike world, Leo Rodgers simply does it. After a 2007 motorcycle accident left him with one leg, pedaling became his salvation. “Cycling definitely changed my life, got me over my slump of being disabled,” he says. “It’s a drug for sure … you start nic-ing for a bike ride.”

    Discovering he could replace a wheelchair with a fixed-gear bike, Rodgers started ripping around his native Tampa, leading a Wednesday-night ride that welcomed riders of all kinds. Then Brooks brought him out to Emporia, Kansas’s Unbound Gravel (formerly Dirty Kanza), and he fell in love with gravel racing’s combo of off-road action and positive vibes.

    Now sponsored by Crust Bikes, Ultradynamico Tires and RonsBikes and based in Southern California, Rodgers is prepping for San Diego’s big gravel race, the original Belgian Waffle Ride, dreaming of running his own shop and hoping others can follow his take-life-as-it-comes lead. “My advice is to have fun first,” he says. “It’s just a bicycle, bro, it’s not a car. Just go out and ride, go see some stuff.”

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    Anita Naidu

    diversifying cycling

    Courtesy

    Pro mountain biker, humanitarian, engineer, anti-racism educator — Anita Naidu has been all these things for years. “Just lining up at races beside confident white guys was my first way to challenge inherent bias,” recalls the Whistler, BC-based powerhouse, who is now sponsored by Liv Racing, MEC, Troy Lee Designs, Industry Nine and others. “I was compelled to smash the narrative of what small brown girls are capable of.”

    diversifying cycling

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    These days, Naidu runs clinics where she shows riders how to bust huge airs by day and dismantle institutional racism by night. And she finds her corporate DEI consulting services are in high demand. “During all my years of activism, this is the first time I’ve witnessed industries shift hard and fast,” she observes. “Brands that don’t embrace anti-racism and diversity as core values will become extinct.”

    Still, it’s the young mountain bikers she mentors that give her the most hope. “I am moved to the very depths of my core when young dark-skinned women tell me I’ve ignited the fight in them,” she says. “Their ambition and refusal to play in margins signals [that] we have every reason to hold a bold vision for the future.”

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    May 11, 2021 / Comments Off on Cycle of Change: Inside the Push to Diversify the Bike World
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