This Climbing-Inspired Shoe Is Cooler Than Your Converse All Stars

It may not look like it, but the just-announced collaboration between Topo Designs and Fronteer pulls its inspiration from rock climbing. Yes, rock climbing: a sport that can be described objectively as badass, but maybe not cool — not, at least, in the mainstream, James Dean sense of the word.

But the Topo Designs x Fronteer Super Gratton is another matter. The shoe calls back to the footwear of the same name that was created by the French climbing company EB in the late 1960s. At the time, the original Super Gratton was a significant innovation, but it’s markedly distinct from the curved, claw-like peds that rock climbers jam their feet into today. Jon Tang, the founder of Fronteer, recognized the latent style potential of the original and brought it back with an updated look and new materials.

In keeping with current trends, the Topo Designs x Fronteer Super Gratton blurs the lines between outdoor gear and everyday urban wear to such an extent that the shoe can be worn anywhere, and is likely less suited to climbing than it is to hanging out downtown. The two outdoor lifestyle brands also teamed up to make a small bag called the Quick Pack to match the shoe.

Kind of Obsessed: I Don’t Climb, but I’m in Love with These Climbing Pants

Foehn’s Brise climbing pant draws nods of approval even in New York City’s trendiest neighborhoods. Read the Story

3 Common Running Injuries and How to Avoid Them

Running is a contact sport. Not in the same body-smashes-body sense that pertains to football and hockey, but in the body-smashes-pavement, over and over again, manner of speaking. The impact may be less, but the frequency of it is consistent and repeating; as a result, injuries are common. Running injuries range in scope from common and easy-to-treat — blisters — to complex and detrimental — stress fractures. Some studies have reported that the prevalence of running injuries of any kind among long-distance runners is as high as 92 percent.

Injuries can be treated, but they can also be avoided — a few tools and a little bit of awareness can go a long way in helping to keep you on your feet. “All injuries are specific to the person,” says Alicia Ferriere, a physical therapist who earned her doctorate of physical therapy at Columbia University and now works at Finish Line Physical Therapy in New York. “Person A’s runner’s knee could be completely different from person B’s runner’s knee. Sometimes a root cause of an injury can be the same between two people, but they present with totally different symptoms.”

Below, Ferriere describes three of the most common running injuries that she and her colleagues encounter at their practice: runner’s knee, IT band pain and plantar fasciitis. She also provides some tips on how to prevent and treat these injuries and gear recommendations that can help you do so. Ferriere provides these tips with one caveat — “This advice is very basic. It is important to acknowledge that if you have an issue and it doesn’t resolve with basic modalities and exercises, go get it checked out. It is a lot easier to prevent injury than recover from it.”

Runner’s Knee

What it is: Runner’s knee is usually classified as complaints of pain in the patellar tendon or front of the knee.

What it’s caused by: Usually it is caused by an imbalance between the flexors and extensors of the knee causing the patella to become compressed. It can also be caused by increased forces caused by overstriding or improper running form.

How to prevent it: Making sure to work your hamstrings is essential here. Hamstrings frequently go overstretched and underworked. This can really mess with the forces going through the knee during running. Foam roll your quads after a long or hard run to improve blood flow and change the input into the tissue. Utilize compression to increase blood flow and reduce any swelling that may have occurred on the run.

IT Band Pain

What it is: Pain around the outer knee, outer quad, and/or outer hip.

What it’s caused by: It can be caused by an imbalance of inner thigh and outer hip muscles. It can also be caused by a stride that is too wide or too narrow or decreased pelvic rotation control while running.

How to prevent it: There is no point in foam rolling the IT band, but foam rolling the muscles that are around and attached to it is very helpful — think outer quad, outer hamstring, glute and TFL (tensor fasciae latae). Again, compression around the knee is good post-run.

Strength training that incorporates more side to side and rotational movement will also help with the muscle imbalance at the hip.

Plantar Fasciitis

What it is: Pain in the bottom of the foot

What it’s caused by: It can be caused by an overuse of the calf for push-off, or poor loading mechanics while running (suboptimal ways in which your body interacts with the ground).

How to prevent it: Use a lacrosse ball or foam roller on the calf and plantar fascia — the band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the toes — after long or hard runs.

Make sure you have enough hip extension mobility to achieve proper push off (open up the front of your hips).

Strength train your glutes and hamstrings to focus on pushing the ground back behind you, rather than having your calf and foot doing all the work.

The Upshot

Running injuries can be avoided by making sure you take care of your soft tissues and maintain strength in all three planes of motion (forward, side-to-side, rotational). Running is a primarily sagittal plane activity (going forward), so those muscles tend to get overused, while the muscles that control side to side motion and rotation become underused. Strength training will help to avoid a lot of overuse injuries. Correct running form is also really important. My suggestion: if you know you’re going to be upping your mileage or speed, get your running form checked out beforehand to avoid injury.

The Gear You Need

Lacrosse Ball by Champion Sports $6

VooDoo Floss Bands by Rogue Fitness $24+

GRID Foam Roller by TriggerPoint $30+

The Upgrade: Vyper Vibrating Foam Roller by Hyperice $199

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

The Best Gym-to-Work Bags That Don’t Look Geeky

Getting to and from work with a gym bag and a briefcase can be clunky. Finding a kit that allows you to pack both your gym clothes and laptop without looking like a dork fresh out of gym class can be hard to do. As summer nears and gym-going increases, it’s time to upgrade your gym bag. Below is a selection of good-looking bags with plenty of pockets to streamline your morning or post-work gym routine.

We looked for bags with extremely durable exteriors, minimalist designs and a pocket large enough for a work laptop — waterproofing was an added bonus. Work-appropriate gym backpacks, duffels, messenger bags and briefcases need to be able to hold a change of shoes and clothes, as well as keep your sweaty stench inside, so no one is the wiser if you hit the gym twice in one day.

Brooks England Mott Holdall

From the brand known for well-designed bike saddles and saddlebags comes this medium-sized duffel that blends in at the gym and in the office. The durable riveted handles will hold up no matter you put them through. The external pocket makes it easy to grab your gym card to check and is also a handy spot to place keys — so that they’re always in the same location. A high-visibility yellow interior means you won’t lose your headphone or Airpods among dirty clothes. Currently offered in a navy or black, this water-resistant cotton textile bag is tough to beat.

Aer Flight Pack Backpack

Thanks to adjustable backpack straps, it’s easy to carry the Aer Flight Pack as a duffel or as a backpack. Built with Cordura ballistic nylon, you can toss it around the CrossFit box and never worry about damage. An interior padded laptop pocket (15.6″) is sandwiched between three other slide-in pockets and mirrors a zip mesh pocket for chargers, credit cards and more. The material won’t give away that you spent your morning sweating it out doing box jumps.

GORUCK Kit Bag and Should Strap

Take off the messenger strap on this small, yet sturdy rucksack, and it almost looks like a slightly more substantial briefcase. GORUCK is known for crafting bags that’ll survive almost anything — considering each bag is made with Special Forces-grade materials and comes with a lifetime guarantee. It’s sure to outlast any fitness trend. While it looks small, the bag holds 32-liters and offers plenty of organization with three pockets. Everything you need for the gym has a place here, with plenty of space left for work clothes.

Topo Designs Mountain Briefcase

This classicly shaped briefcase brings outdoor vibes to any boardroom. The bag seamlessly transitions between messenger bag and briefcase, which makes it easy to transition from the gym to the office. The convertible straps attach to the leather lash tabs on the side of the zippers, turning a simple briefcase into a messenger or backpack. 15″ laptops are easy to fit and secure inside the top zipper.

Lexdray Portland Sneaker Duffel

Six pairs of sneakers will fit in this dynamic bag, meaning it can handle your gym clothes, laptop and work clothes; there’s plenty of space to go around. The rolltop middle section expands to fit unusually sized objects — magazines, foam rollers, even size 14 sneakers. A laptop and extra layers are cozy in one of the dual side pockets. The vibrant interior print makes it easy to see everything you throw inside.

Stuart and Lau Regimen Gym Bag

The main attraction in this minimalist duffel is the ventilated pocket that prevents sneaker-stink from enveloping work clothes or fresh gym clothes. The built-in locker hook allows you to hang the bag from any existing pole in the locker room or hook on the wall. It’s easier to go through all your gear when you’re not bending over to see it. Unzip one side pocket to reveal a 15″ laptop sleeve and organization pockets lined with blue nylon twill. Gunmetal hardware and waterproof fabric top it all off.

Splurge on This Beautiful Fly Box With 111 Hand-Tied Flies

While fishing takes a lot of patience, that alone can only take you so far. You need to have the proper flies as well to mimic fly hatches and the insects that live in the area you’re fishing. If you’re looking for the best set of flies available that verges on luxury, look no further than the Best Made Co. Dette Fly Box 90th Anniversary Edition. The fly box celebrates the legendary Dette Trout Flies of Roscoe, NY, with a handsome and exclusive box filled to the foam-lined brim with top-notch flies. It includes 111 hand-tied flies, six streamers, five winged wets, six soft hackles, four nymphs and 16 dry flies. It’s the ultimate splurge in a compact and organized package.

Today in Gear

The best way to catch up on the day’s most important product releases and stories. Read the Story

Can’t Afford a Custom Bike? Look at Photos of This One Anyway

You don’t need a custom road bike. You customize your car and purchase custom ski boots, custom suits — even custom insoles. Why not take control of every detail that makes up a bike? “That’s just for the pros!” you exclaim. Not so; a custom-built bicycle is fair game for the everyman. Content with your mass-produced stock bike? No issues there, but give yourself a minute and let your eyes and mind move idly over images that demonstrate what a custom bike is; what a custom bike means.

The Vanilla Workshop in Portland, Oregon specializes in maxing-out each of its customized Speedvagen bicycles with a keen attention to detail that spares no weld or accessory. Pictured here is the just-announced Speedvagen 650b Rugged Road, a light and fast road bike built to go everywhere. The Rugged Road is streamlined, but it isn’t a thoroughbred — The Vanilla Workshop designed it for those who will ride the occasional half-century but are more likely to ride to the store and back or weave through traffic on the way to the beach. It’s less about what the bike can do — which isn’t unimpressive — and more about the ride itself. It doesn’t hurt to throw in a frame pump and fenders to match though.

The Rugged Road is a perfect example of a custom bike that’s designed for the anti-pro. Someone who doesn’t strive to hit a new FKT on every ride — or even know what that acronym signifies — but instead does it for the feel of the wind, the connection with the pavement and the unique, one-of-a-kind paint job.

The Best Water Bottles of Every Type

Since Nalgene began rebranding its scientific containers for outdoor use in the 1970s, the water bottle has taken a firm place as an essential item for everyday life. Here we examine the best bottle of every type, from plastic to insulated. Read the Story

8 Products You Didn’t Know Were Made From Recycled Materials

As brands continue to be more transparent with their codes of conduct, ethics and materials, it allows consumers to keep track of every single element of their favorite products. Brands like Patagonia and Nau have been propelling the industry forward, encouraging consumers to use their dollars to make an impact socially and environmentally. Ten years ago, it might have been a bit more challenging to find out who created your garments and gear (and where), but as brands continue to open the dialogue with consumers, they want to share their sustainability efforts. All of this is especially timely with the fight for public lands, as well as Earth Day celebrations. The following items are all made from recycled materials, sustainably sourced or made, and are making a difference in the marketplace. You can feel good about these purchases.

Soma X Parley Bottle with Ocean Plastic Sleeve

Recycled Material: Plastic, Bamboo
The typical Soma glass bottles come wrapped in a colorful soft silicone, but this special edition bottle has a light blue sleeve that’s made from two recycled plastic bottles. The glass is BPA-free and shatter-resistant; the cap is all-natural bamboo, made from renewable resources.

Columbia Conspiracy III Titanium Outdry Extreme Eco Shoe

Recycled Material: Polyester, EVA, Rubber
40-percent of this waterproof shoe comes from recycled materials. The fabric and laces are built with recycled polyester while the midsole is made from reground EVA foam. The rubber in the outsole is also recycled. Beyond the physical materials, the process of creation involves a zero-waste toe box and heel counter, and the white color showcases the lack of intense material dying. Columbia saves up to 15 liters of water (equivalent to 32 pints of beer) through this process.

NMD_CS1 Parley Primeknit Shoes

Recycled Material: Plastic
The Parley x Adidas collaboration continues to grow with each passing season. The overall goal of the project is to re-use plastic before it hits and hurts our oceans. The new NMD-style kicks include the sock-like upper Adidas is known for, but this time with yarn made from recycled waste pulled from coastal communities.

Cotopaxi Luzon 18L Daypack

Recycled Material: Ripstop Nylon
Cotopaxi was built on the premise of repurposing materials. Factories let the brand know there’s leftover material from the last production cycle, and that material is then woven into packs and apparel. This lightweight pack works for a casual weekend trip or for summitting 14-ers.

The North Face Short Sleeve Bottle Source Red Box Tee

Recycled Material: Plastic Bottles
To further encourage people to help save our National Parks, The North Face launched a new collection using sustainable materials, like recycled plastic. As part of the collection, The North Face plans to take 160,000 pounds of plastic bottles from Yosemite, Great Smoky Mountains and Grand Teton National Parks.

Norton Point Current Sunglasses

Recycled Material: High-Density Polyethylene
Based on Martha’s Vineyard, the brand literally looks to the ocean for inspiration. They collect ocean plastic, crush it down into plastic pellets, then mold it into sunglasses and reinvest the money into helping clean up the ocean. These Ray-Ban inspired sunnies come with polarized lenses and a cool hit of color on the back of the temples.

Bureo Ahi Performance Cruiser Skateboard

Recycled Material: Fishing Nets
Brands have gotten creative with the products they can make out of recycled materials — and there seems to be no limit. Bureo takes discarded fishing nets from Chilean fishers and turns them into skateboard decks. With two boards, two decks and eco-cruiser wheels (made from vegetable oil and recycled cores), the options to reduce your footprint are endless.

Patagonia Synchilla Snap-T Fleece Pullover

Recycled Material: Fleece
A leader in the recycled materials space, Patagonia’s iconic Snap-T fleece pullover is made with 100% polyester (86% recycled fleece). It was the first outdoor brand to use post-consumer recycled plastic soda bottles. While the materials are used throughout its baselayers, shell jackets, board shorts and fleece, the Snap-T remains one of the brand’s classic products.

A Brand Our Readers Love Just Released a New Sneaker — and It’s Awesome

We’re big fans of On Running’s All Weather Jacket and the On CloudX — both of which were highlighted in our best of roundups in their respective categories for 2018. The newest addition to the On Running family is the Cloud Edge, an all-grey sneaker built to get you through rainy spring and into summer. With the same CloudTec sole as the rest of the On models, the shoe is comfortable and guarantees a springy walk — no lead steps here. Updated with a vegan leather upper and a plush tongue, the sneaker screams comfort. Never worry about re-lacing again thanks to a new loop design. We can’t wait to take these for a spin around New York. Buy them while you can — there’s a limited amount.

Today in Gear

The best way to catch up on the day’s most important product releases and stories. Read the Story

This Giant Multi-Tool Has Less Tools Than a Leatherman

When you think “multi-tool,” an image of a pocketable item containing a knife, pliers, screwdrivers and any number of additional tools comes to mind. The Combar reimagines that definition — it’s decidedly big and is equipped with only three tools: a hammer, an ax and a spade.

The Combar was recently announced via Kickstarter by a new company called ACLIMB, which spent years engineering the design to be as light as possible — the bar-like tool weighs 3.2 pounds — without sacrificing the utility of a single tool. The steel hammer is designed for railing stakes into the ground or prepping rudimentary shelters, the stainless steel ax can trim branches and split wood, and the titanium spade can dig trenches and remove debris with its unique shape.

The Combar also houses a magazine in its handle that can be used for storing small items like keys, a lighter, another tool (maybe a Leatherman?) or whatever your survival kit consists of. The magazine can also be swapped out for ACLIMB’s folding survival knife and saw, which are sold with the Combar for an additional price and bring the tool count up to five. There are also a holster and case available to build out the tool’s functionality further.

Today in Gear

The best way to catch up on the day’s most important product releases and stories. Read the Story

Nike Quietly Rolled Out a Revolutionary New Material Tested By The World’s Top Marathoner

Nike has done it again. The day after Boston and ahead of the London Marathon (both races are World Majors), Nike launched Nike Flyprint. Developed for elite runners, the 3D printed upper on race day shoes uses athlete data to design a shoe more accurately than traditional methods. The 3D printed textile upper starts with athlete data, which then informs the final textile. Since the technology conforms the fabric to the athlete’s foot, each upper can be unique to individual athletes, or to specific functions (like sprinters, distance runners, jumpers, etc.). This type of performance printing is 16 times quicker than previous manufacturing methods — meaning more shoes in less time.

The fastest marathoner in the world, Eliud Kipchoge, ran a 2:00:25 at Breaking2 (Nike’s race on a Formula One race track in Monza, Italy in attempt to run a sub-two-hour marathon), and is looking for another fast performance at the London Marathon on April 22. The new Nike Zoom Vaporfly Elite Flyprint will debut on Kipchoge’s feet in London. He worked closely with the Nike Design team to figure out how to deal with rain and moisture in the shoes — which is smart considering how wet Boston was this year.

Look for the new shoes on Kipchoge in five days. These are 11 grams lighter than his original pair, so there’s no telling what his time might be.

Today in Gear

The best way to catch up on the day’s most important product releases and stories. Read the Story

Did Specialized Just Make the Most Versatile Mountain Bike Ever?

The Stumpjumper has been a mainstay in Specialized’s stable of mountain bikes since its introduction in 1981, holding a fixed place as a benchmark for the category with progressive designs that continues to 2018 with the release of the new model. Today’s new entry is a mark of versatility — the bike employs a highly-innovative redesign that makes it capable of handling a range of riding styles from cross country to enduro.

There’s a lot of change going on with the new bike, which is available in three different models — in addition to the standard Stumpjumper there’s the ST, which has less travel and the EVO, which is slacker — but perhaps the most notable new feature is the sidearm frame. The bike’s top tube swings slightly out to the right, leaving room for the rear suspension shock tube. The new frame design overall is also 20 percent stiffer by weight, making it supremely efficient.

The new Stumpjumper also comes with an all-new FSR rear linkage that allows for more travel, a threaded bottom bracket, new, easily-adjustable internal cable routing, a super-quiet chainstay protector and more SWAT storage (a Specialized feature that lets you store tools and spares inside the frame of the bike). There’s also a Flip Chip feature that allows riders to adjust the frame geometry efficiently to fine-tune it to a particular riding style.

In addition to all of the proprietary features that Specialized packed into the bike, the company also makes a point to highlight the lack of proprietary confinement. Meaning, the Stumpjumper can be customized with different shocks. It can accommodate wheel sizes up to three inches, too.

Jason MacDonald, Composite Frame Engineer at Specialized, sums up the new Stumpjumper succinctly: “If I had to say what the one thing that we’re most proud of on this bike is, it’s the fact that there’s not one thing that I’m most proud of. It’s all of the little details.”

The Ultimate Guide to Enduro Mountain Bikes

Everything you need to shred summer mountain bike trails. Read the Story

The Most Luxurious Gyms in America

Last Updated April, 2018: We’ve updated our guide to the most luxurious gyms across the country and added four new gyms. Prices and links have also been updated.

Sure, your local gym is serviceable. It has weights, a treadmill, an elliptical, and a communal shower area. But what if you could get changed into workout clothes that were washed and laid out for you in a private changing room and shower, get stretched out by a personal trainer before your workout, and work out with a program tailored specifically to your goals — all before having a post-workout meal at an in-house restaurant? These places do exist, for those looking to indulge in the most opulent workout routine imaginable. If money is no object, and you’re looking for the best-possible fitness services available, then these are your gyms.

Additional contributions by AJ Powell.

E at Equinox

While the standard Equinox is anything but standard, it only makes sense that the high-end gym would have an even higher-end secret club at two of its locations. E at Equinox is a retina-scan-entry private club capped at 200 members. It’s located at the Columbus Circle and Greenwich, Connecticut, locations. The club offers workout clothes that are laundered and folded, ready for you at your next workout. Private training is available to members, and trainers will work with you to achieve specific goals, building complete routines including workouts and diets.

The Indulgences: Private shower and changing cabanas, managers who track and tailor your workouts, access to a private golf coach.

Location: Boston, Canada, Chicago, Connecticut, New York, Florida, New Jersey, California, Texas and London | Cost: $23,500 per year | Learn More Here: equinox.com

Drive 495

Drive 495 Owner Don Saladino is a personal trainer who has worked with basically all of the superhero celebrities. Think Ryan Reynolds for his role in Deadpool, or Sebastian Stan and Scarlett Johansoon for their roles in Avengers. His state-of-the-art golf and fitness club is located in Soho, NY and incorporates everything from nutrition to holistic practices to help clients reach new levels of fitness — and to train celebrities to look amazing for their latest roles.

The Indulgences: Personal trainers with targeted techniques and plans for individuals to improve overall fitness levels, plus a golf simulator and everything you need to improve your golf game.

Location: New York, NY | Cost: $5,000 per year | Learn More Here: driveclubs.com

Sitaras Fitness

If you’re looking for hardcore strength training, while still staying true to the luxury lifestyle, Sitaras training is the perfect fit. Members can unwind after a workout on a 3,000-square-foot landscaped terrace. Locker rooms are faced in dark oak and each shower is outfitted with rain showerhead and terrazzo floor. The Sitaras philosophy also includes a full digital tracking segment that gathers data on your workout, and adjusts your workouts based on the resulting data and goals.

The Indulgences: A private army of personal trainers, membership capped at only 200 members.

Location: New York, NY | Cost: $13,760 annually | Learn More Here: sitarasinc.com

TMPL

David Barton’s newest endeavor is TMPL, the West Side gym of 40,000 square feet that includes a saltwater pool, 20 tons of free weights, an immersive spin theater and all of the latest and greatest tech in the fitness space. Schedule a meeting with one of the many top personal trainers and they’ll walk you through your M.A.P., a metabolic assessment profile that looks at your entire health — weight, sleep, hormones and energy — to form a comprehensive training plan. TMPL has one of the only Styku machines in the city, which measures your body’s fat, muscle and water.

The Indulgences: 25-meter saltwater pool, an elite team of personal trainers, up to 15 unique classes a day, Styku machine and InBody Composition Analysis, steam and sauna rooms and a juice bar.

Location: New York, NY | Cost: $165 a month, plus a $300 enrollment fee | Learn More Here: tmplgym.com/

The Houstonian

Located in the picturesque Houstonian Hotel, the fitness club at the Houstonian is the essence of old-school luxury. It looks like something directly out of The Firm, where wealthy lawyers play squash and drink Scotch in the cocktail lounge. But don’t let its regal opulence fool you: the Houstonian is packed with top-of-the-line fitness equipment to help you work off all that lobster you’re indulging in daily.

The Indulgences: Posh lobby, rock-climbing wall, boxing ring, dietitians available to members, three pools and eight tennis courts

Location: Houston, TX | Cost: $24,000 a year for a resident membership, plus $200 monthly dues | Learn More Here: houstonian.com

Zenergy

Built as a full-service spa and health center, Zenergy is the perfect place for Sun Valley’s elite to stay in shape when not out on the mountain or wading into the river to fly-fish. Not only does Zenergy offer massage therapy, the 48,000-square-foot facility also offers acupuncture, reflexology, a nail salon, and Greg Hinshaw’s hair studio and tanning services (if you’re into that sort of thing). There is also a squash court, pilates studio, indoor cycling center, and yoga studio.

The Indulgences: Indoor and outdoor saline pools, full-service spa with massage therapists, squash court, sports rehab clinic.

Location: Sun Valley, ID | Cost: $135 per month, plus $15,000 initiation fee | Learn More Here: zenergysv.com

The New York Athletic Club

Though you’ll likely never be a member of the NYAC, it’s still fun to dream. To apply for the NYAC Club road running team, the minimal requirements for men are: 4:10 minute mile, 15:00 minute 5k, 31:30 minute 10k, 1:09 hour half marathon, and a 2:30 hour marathon. One must apply to be a member, and there is an extensive wait list. Notable members include world-famous marathon runner Meb Keflezighi.

The Indulgences: Guest rooms for members, full restaurant, tap room and cocktail lounge.

Location: New York, NY | Cost: $8,500 initiation fee plus $3,030 annually | Learn More Here: nyac.org

East Bank Club

If you’re looking to tune up your golf game before your next business meeting, East Bank Club is for you. Not only does East Bank offer all of the strength and fitness training necessary to up your game, they also have an indoor golf center complete with private trainers. Your boss won’t be able to hate on your short game this time.

The Indulgences: Car wash, salon, spa, a business center plus a host of food options

Location: Chicago, IL | Cost: $8,404 | Learn More Here: eastbankclub.com

La Palestra at the Plaza

Walking into La Palestra at the Plaza is akin to walking into the Museum of Modern Art. The entire place feels extremely well curated, from the wall decorations to the fitness equipment itself — Woodway treadmils are the brand of choice. La Palestra has a number of locations, and while they specialize in overall fitness, they also offer everything from marathon training to pregnancy/postpartum exercise.

The Indulgences: Designed by Frank Gehry, individual therapy rooms, locker facilities with steam rooms and private showers, Hervé Descottes designed lighting.

Location: New York, NY | Cost: $10,000 annually | Learn More Here: lapalestra.com

EXOS

EXOS’s Phoenix location has been known to cater to some of the top professional athletes in the world. Looking to train next to Kevin Love and Mario Williams? No problem. The facilities feature a 60-meter track, 80-yard football field, an underwater treadmill and heated and cold pools. You can try intensive weekend retreats, 8-week offseason training programs or semi-private year-long packages.

The Indulgences: Train alongside professional athletes, two theaters, cafe with executive chef, athletes’ lounge.

Location: Phoenix, AZ | Cost: $13,000 to 30,000 annually | Learn More Here: athletesperformance.com

Mecca Gym and Spa

If you’re into meditation and relaxation, this spa and gym is for you. Add a jolt to your fitness routine with a three or six-week private training program and you’ll get two one-hour sessions with a trainer, as well as a fitness assesment. Everyone’s got to start somewhere. Post-class, grab a smoothie (or wine and beer if that’s more your speed post-workout), then pop in the steam room before your deep tissue massage that’s sure to help your recovery.

The Indulgences: Unlimited classes, laundry service and special pricing on spa services.

Location: Austin, TX | Cost: $18,000 annually, plus $500 initiation fee | Learn More Here: meccagymandspa.com

Madison Square Club

David Kirsch has worked with everyone from Danny Meyer (you might have heard of a few of his restaurants: Daily Provisions, Gramercy Tavern, Marta or the Union Square Cafe), to Liv Tyler and Kerry Washington. It’s an impressive list, and part of the reason these celebs choose Madison Square Cafe is that you’ll never see more than five other people in the gym at once. It’s all part of the personal training program Kirsch has built. One-on-one is the key to success — especially when you combine weights, stretching, cardio and nutrition counseling. The wood-paneled locker rooms are a nice contrast to the cutting-edge machinery found in the gym, where you’ll never see more than six people working out at once.

The Indulgences: Personal sessions only, a juice bar, steam showers and 5-minute workout daily emails.

Location: New York, NY | Cost: $25,000 annually, $125 monthly dues | Learn More Here: davidkirschwellness.com

The 3 Bikes We’re Most Excited to Test This Spring

Welcome to another installment of Staff Picks from our Outdoors and Fitness team. Every other week, we select our favorite pieces out of the gear we’re testing, mainstays in our kits, as well as items on our wish lists. It’s like a sneak peek at the gear we’re testing and what we’re stoked on. Have something you think we should check out? Or just want to say hi? Drop us a line at outdoor@gearpatrol.com.

Yeti SB100

Ever since riding Yeti’s SB4.5, my eyes have been opened to how capable shorter travel bikes can be. Naturally, when Yeti launched the SB100 last week, I got pretty excited. The SB4.5 is my all-time favorite bike, and the prospect of another slack, spry, short-travel 29’er is worth getting excited over. On most of the east coast, these short-travel bikes excel in rolling, technical terrain where pedaling efficiency and nimbleness are valued over being able to take five-foot drops. So there’s no reason that the SB100 won’t crush in that kind of terrain. I’m also pretty interested to see how the Step Cast version of Fox’s 120mm 34 performs. — AJ Powell, Assistant Editor

If you’re looking for something similar, but the pick above isn’t quite right, try these alternatives: Trek Top Fuel 9.8 SL ($5,200) | Transition Smuggler ($5,999)

Priority Bicycles Classic Plus

As a newbie to the world of bike commuting, I’m thrilled that the Gear Patrol offices offer bike storage. No longer do I have to fear losing my bike while working, nor do I have to figure out where the closest Citi Bike hub is (although I’ve heard the app makes it simple). I’m currently riding a step-through model from Priority to test its Never Flat tires (stay tuned!), but after a few days of riding, I’m excited to test out a slightly more technical bike. While commuting is not a race, my dream is to not get passed 100 times on my way to work — it makes riding over the Williamsburg bridge slightly demoralizing. As for the Classic I’m testing now, it makes getting groceries home a breeze (thanks to the basket) and to and from brunch way more fun. — Meg Lappe, Staff Writer

If you’re looking for something similar, but the pick above isn’t quite right, try these alternatives: State Bicycle Co. Elliston Deluxe ($469) | Brilliant Bicycles Astor ($300)

Specialized S-Works Diverge

I’ve been a mountain biker and a bike commuter for years, but it wasn’t until recently that I slid into a stretchy kit and went on a real road ride. I was immediately transfixed; road cycling presented a more-adventurous alternative to driving with greater access to pedestrian-only paths. As I learned more about the sport, I came across adventure and touring bikes — machines built to relocate between pavement and trails. I can’t count the number of Instagram rabbit holes I’ve buried my head in that continue to fuel my desire for a longer two-wheeled adventure ride far from painted roads and reflective signage.

I’ve yet to head out on any such trip, but the skeleton of a plan exists. If I had my way, I’d make the journey on Specialized’s S-Works Diverge, a highly-praised (albeit pricey) adventure bike that balances adeptly between road and trail. The build includes a 1×11 drivetrain and a feature called Future Shock, which minimizes vibration and bottoming out on bumps with a finely-tuned spring housed between the stem and frame. The Diverge is also equipped with a nifty box at the bottom of the frame called SWAT that can fit an extra tube, CO2 canister, tire levers, an inner tube valve extender and a multi-tool. — Tanner Bowden, Associate Staff Writer

If you’re looking for something similar, but the pick above isn’t quite right, try these alternatives: Alchemy Aithon Force 1 ($7,999) | Ridley X-Trail Carbon eTap HRD ($5,000)

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

Everything You Need to Know Before Weight Lifting

Starting a new gym routine can be intimidating, especially if you’re starting from scratch. But if you’ve gone a little too Dad Bod, there’s an easy fix — start lifting weights. Strong muscles help keep bones healthy, prevent injuries (runners, we’re looking at you) and increase your resting metabolic rate. And it’s good for your heart. Weightlifting has been shown to lower blood pressure, too. It’s a good idea to mix in cardio as well as strength training, to get the full health benefits, but even if you have just twenty minutes, you can strength train and fit in cardio.

To get you started on the right track to bulking up, we talked to experts from gyms across the country to hear what they recommend for beginners. Rick Richey, owner of the Independent Training Spot; Nicole Spizzirri, Studio manager at Life Time Athletic Sandy Springs in Atlanta, GA; David Freeman, National Program Manager, TEAM Alpha, Life Time Fitness; James Garcia, Senior Personal Training Manager, Life Time Athletic Flatirons in Boulder, CO; and Daury Dross, one of the FHIT Pro trainers at Fhitting Room in New York City.

All the Gear You Need

Water Bottle

We’ll start with the very basics. You need water to do fitness. “You need a water bottle for the gym whether you’re doing cardio or lifting weights. 50 Strong water bottles are BPA free, non-toxic and leak-resistant,” Richey says. Another pro-favorite is Hydro Flask. “Not only will it cut down on the cost of purchasing a water every time you go to the gym, this bottle will not hold or transfer flavors from [anything] you put in your water,” Spizzirri says.

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Sneaker

Heading to the gym is different from heading out for a run — you need a pair of shoes specifically for the gym floor. The best gym sneakers our trainers recommended include the Nike Metcon and Metcon DSX. The Metcon “is the perfect shoe for weightlifters,” Freeman says. “It has extra support and stability for Olympic lifting.” Look for a pair of shoes without a ton of cushion — the exact opposite of what you look for in a running shoe. “Shoes without too much height in the heel should be avoided when weightlifting or doing HIIT workouts,” Dross says. “The Nike Metcon DSX Flyknit are as comfortable as the Nike Flyknit, and they are flat, which is good for stability when squatting and lifting.”

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Shorts

Heading to a gym likely means you’re going indoors, so shorts are the play. Wear something you’re comfortable in, whether that’s shorts, tights or both. Dross likes Lululemon running shorts with 3/4 length compression training tights underneath, whereas Garcia prefers “loose breathable fabric” found in the Jumpman short. “It allows you to move, and is still a great length for any workout you may be doing,” he says.

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Shirt

Comfort is key up top as well. Whether you prefer a tank, tee or long sleeve, the cut and style are up to you. The trainers all recommended Nike and Lululemon gear, as well as 32 Degrees. “They have technologically advanced fabrics that are anti-microbial, anti-static, stylish and a great price,” Richey says. And if you’re more comfortable in a sweatshirt, find one that’s sweat-wicking like the Nike Dri-Fit that Garcia recommends.

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Weight Lifting Gloves

If you’re starting from scratch, your hands might take a beating as you get used to lifting dumbbells and bars. To prevent calluses, blisters and other gross-looking hand issues, use gloves. “A minimalist glove that protects your hands from calluses while still allowing you to grip and feel the bar during your lifts fix the problem,” Spizzirri says. The slim ones from Barehand combat stink with anti-odor strips. Harbinger’s Power Non-Wristwrap Weightlifting gloves have mesh for breathability and extra lycra so the gloves will stretch to any hand size.

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Heart Rate Tracker

The only way to really track your fitness is to hook yourself up to a heart rate monitor. While most wrist-based trackers will have one, the more accurate way is to wear a chest or forearm-strap. “I usually wear a Polar H10 strap to track my heart rate and see how many calories I burn,” Dross says.

“No workout is complete without the proper heart rate monitor,” Garcia confirms. “The Garmin Fenix has a great look for every day, and offers everything a multisport watch should, from performance metrics and heart rate to GPS and smart notifications.”

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Foam Roller

If you take a class or work with a personal trainer, you’re likely to start sweating during the warm-up and properly prime your muscles to work hard. On your own, it can be tempting to skip the warm-up and jump right into the workout. To encourage warming up, Dross recommends foam rolling, something he does before starting any workout. “I have injuries, so I have to make sure my muscles are relaxed and properly warmed up before I lift.” Foam rollers are a simple way to bring more blood to your muscles to literally ‘warm them up.’ They’re cheap and easy to store. High-density foam rollers are basic and do exactly what you need and nothing more. The PERformance Roller is an easy go-to. If you’re looking for something that kicks it up a notch or makes you look like more of a pro, the new HyperIce HyperVolt is a vibrating massage tool that you can use to quickly ‘roll’ out IT bands, calves, quads and hamstrings. You’ll just need someone to help you reach your back and shoulder girdle.

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