Bari Studio may only be a year old, but the TriBeCa fitness hotspot is quickly gaining fame.  What makes it different from your average fitness studio is that it’s invitation only, which eliminates the possibility of over crowded classes.   Bari considers itself a tribe, because no member is ignored.  In fact, before joining the rest of the tribe, new members have to take a private BariONE class in which they are measured and prescribed a workout plan, so they can track their progress.

The Bari workout is a mix of anaerobic and aerobic movement, fusing together dance, pilates, yoga, gymnastics, martial arts and sports training.  Split between five different classes, you’ll never get bored at Bari.  In fact, you won’t even feel like you’re working out… until after class, when you’re too sore to even walk up a flight of stairs.

We decided to give Bari a try and signed up for BariPEEL, an 80-day workout challenge.  It started off with Bari’s signature 7-day detox meal plan, followed by frequent outdoor classes and nutrition seminars, such as a trip to the farmers market.  Kale shakes and 7AM workouts may not be on our list of favorite things, but only after ONE week we were welcoming toned abs back into our lives.

Bikini season is closer than you think.  Whether you join the tribe or stick to your old fitness regime, as the Bari Code states, it’s time to “get high from exercise” and whip yourself back into shape.

Everyone in the fitness industry will tell you that, in addition to having the magic touch, Will Torres also has a magic personality. In 2005, Will came to New York with over fifteen years of experience in charming his celebrity clients into shape and started willspace. Today, his personal training studio offers the city’s finest fitness experience under the supervision of a premier dream team of instructors. New York has embraced Will with open arms, which is why this November saw the opening of a new and improved willspace in the West Village. With New Year’s and the inevitable New Year’s resolutions around the corner, Will shares his advice on surviving the holiday eating madness. 

1. One great way to be able to enjoy the holiday food frenzy is to find a way to sneak a workout in. A 15-20 run first thing in the morning combined with 30 minutes of strength training will supercharge your metabolism for up to six hours after your workout is over. If out of town, pack gear and go for a run or hit the local gym.

2. Eat breakfast and a light lunch.  DO NOT show up to dinner hungry. The longer you go without eating the hungrier you become thus the more you’ll want to scarf down. It’s never a good idea to eat a whole days worth of calories in one sitting.

3. The best exercises during the holidays are called “pushaways.” Push your plate back and step away from the table.

4. Having tea, ideally one that is herbal, at the end of a meal helps. It signals to the brain that the meal is complete. It also helps with digestion.

5. If you’re going to do leftovers, then focus on protein. Plate some turkey with salad or veggies.

Last Monday, I packed my best workout drag and hoofed it over to David Barton Gym’s Chelsea location for one of their new Spring group training classes, Muscle Playground. From the name alone I thought, ”Ooh, fun! I get to workout on a jungle gym and maybe play on a swing!” Well, color me wrong. Painfully wrong.

First of all, the gym was exquisite. My shitty neighborhood gym has nothing on David Barton’s luxury health facilities — this is haute couture fitness. Walking in, I was struck by how unlike a gym it feels and then I was struck by the giant chandelier hanging in the lobby. Even the locker rooms were well-appointed.

This high-end concept is the result of a design process that David Barton himself calls “excruciating,” between Studio Sofield and Barton. Being very involved in the design, look and feel of his gyms, Barton revealed, ”Sometimes I’ve spent months just choosing a paint color for the ceiling.”

Once changed, I headed to the studio for my workout. Muscle Playground may sound like all fun and games, but little did I know that when I left work that night, my actual work was just beginning. The class promises to help you “tune into your body and connect to your muscles like never before.” I can easily say that my muscles and I have never been closer…though my legs were not on speaking terms with me for a few days afterwards.

The playground consisted of a series of lunges, squats, and what soon became the bane of my existence, wall-sits, which completely annihilated my lower half. All the while, our super cute trainer (I mean, that’s reason enough to join if you ask me) kept encouraging us to dig deeper, squat lower and not succumb to the urge to drop dead on the hardwood floors. As an extra motivator, or punishment depending on how you view it, he would stand on the thighs of some of the wall-sitters, prompting me to hope that for the first time in my life a hot guy would completely ignore me.

I can see why Muscle Playground is one of Barton’s favorite classes. He claims they help people “come to terms with their fear and loathing of weights.” And once all was said and done and I had dropped about 3 lbs of water weight from sweating, I was filled with a sense of accomplishment. I made it through and despite the pain, I felt great. Furthermore, I learned some new exercises to incorporate into my own workouts.

Muscle Playground was really one of the best and most intense workouts I’ve had in a long time and my gams have never looked better. David Barton Gym offers a plethora of other great classes, such as Six Pack Attack, Pain and Pleasure and Cycle Clinic to help you burn off those winter pounds. But remember, you can’t lose weight if you’re eating gross food all the time. Like David said, “Carbs are your mortal enemy.”  He suggests they don’t exceed more than 40% of your daily caloric intake. But like my other mortal enemies — Taylor Swift, polyester and religion — I want absolutely nothing to do with them.

Photos: Christopher Hall Photography

Lauren Manoogian is a true fashion pioneer. Her accessories and ready-to-wear line is wholly organic. She sources materials for jewelry from scrap metal and electronics surplus warehouses and finds inspiration almost everywhere, from Native American textiles to landscape art. With a training background in knitting, Lauren launched her line with a collection of brightly colored necklaces made of paper clips and painted leather bracelets. For the fall season, she has embraced her talent for making knitwear by debuting a line of scarves and tops. Meanwhile, her jewelry pieces are made of only three colors, which is a vast departure from previous collections. “I was really attracted to a more austere palette and materials that had a more industrial edge to them,” she says. “It was an exciting challenge, like a clean slate.”

We get a look into the Lauren’s studio space in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and a taste of what is on the horizon for this inspired designer.

“I am always really inspired by non-Western concepts of dress and form. It seems to give priority to the cloth, which I relate to. I get obsessed with certain artists, usually sculptors. Right now I am very into these early Lynda Bengalis pieces that are all dirtily sparkly. I always look to Richard Tuttle, Ron Nagle’s ceramics for color and texture, and West African textiles.”

“I grew up in St. Louis in a creative household. One of the perks of growing up in the Midwest is the great amount of untapped vintage finds. St. Louis is an old city, and people are not ostentatious about the way they dress. But they are really educated and travel and have cool stuff. I spent a lot of time with my mom and sister rummaging around at estate sales and thrift stores hunting for antiques and clothes. It definitely shaped my ability to see interesting things in unlikely places. More than anything, growing up there encouraged me to leave and get out and see the world!”

“My fall 2010 collection is the debut of the knitwear pieces, so that is obviously really exciting. Knitwear is something I have wanted to do for a long time but I didn’t have access to the right resources in the past. The best place to get knitting looms like this is on ebay or at yard sales.”

Lauren demonstrates how to use the knitting loom. A pattern card is inserted to create the pattern and the colored thread can be added or taken out for a linear pattern.

“I think that the best part of having your own business is that it can constantly evolve. I would like to do some projects with artisans. The knitwear collection will continue to develop and grow, maybe evolving into a ready-to-wear collection. I would also love to design crazy rugs, blankets, more like textile objects, without the constraints of wearability.”

“I love going to Los Angeles and visiting friends, eating, eating, eating, going to the park, doing some flea market shopping, going to the Huntington Gardens, soaking up the sun, recharging the battery, going to the desert.”

“I couldn’t work without light, plants, and NPR—probably in that order! Nourishing my body with light and plants. Nourishing my brain with information while I am doing the repetitive, often mindless techniques that all my work seems to require. Music-wise, I am really into listening to MP3s from the blog Awesome Tapes from Africa. I have also been into the band Ngozi Family, a Zambian rock band from the ’70s. I think that music is definitely influencing my work. I love the song ‘Keep Your Body Happy Through Exercise,’ by Jonny Corndawg—a positive anthem for people who live in the city.”

“I love the development process of designing—the first creative moments when the ideas are forming, making swatches, finding the materials, choosing the colors, experimenting with shapes, just being playful and open-minded. Hunting and gathering. I love that this is my job and that anything and everything is fair game and ‘work related’ because you never know where ideas will come from. The rest of the business is discipline.”

Jewelry pieces from the spring 2010 collection.

Knitwear swatches and pattern cards for the knitting loom.

“I most value this completely hand-tooled custom purse my boyfriend made me. It has pictures of my cat, my station wagon, and cacti all over it. It’s so special I am scared to carry it around! Also, the original paper-clip necklace I made.”

“I could really do some damage in Tokyo if someone gave me $1,000. I have been fantasizing about going back to Buenos Aires, renting an apartment, buying tons of beautiful leather, holing up to work on projects while consuming tons of yerba mate and gelato, and petting lots of awesome dogs.”

(Elle)

I love getting a sneak peek inside the studio of an artist or designer. It’s at once, fascinating, inspirational and educational. There’s just something about that particular “space.” I’d actually never heard of Lauren prior to reading this article, but I’m so glad that I’ve “made a new discovery.” Her design aesthetic is very interesting as well as her background. I look forward to hearing more about this exceptionally talented person.

LINK LOVE:Designer Spotlight: Lauren Manoogian

Lauren Manoogian is a true fashion pioneer. Her accessories and ready-to-wear line is wholly organic. She sources materials for jewelry from scrap metal and electronics surplus warehouses and finds inspiration almost everywhere, from Native American textiles to landscape art. With a training background in knitting, Lauren launched her line with a collection of brightly colored necklaces made of paper clips and painted leather bracelets. For the fall season, she has embraced her talent for making knitwear by debuting a line of scarves and tops. Meanwhile, her jewelry pieces are made of only three colors, which is a vast departure from previous collections. “I was really attracted to a more austere palette and materials that had a more industrial edge to them,” she says. “It was an exciting challenge, like a clean slate.”

We get a look into the Lauren’s studio space in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and a taste of what is on the horizon for this inspired designer.

“I am always really inspired by non-Western concepts of dress and form. It seems to give priority to the cloth, which I relate to. I get obsessed with certain artists, usually sculptors. Right now I am very into these early Lynda Bengalis pieces that are all dirtily sparkly. I always look to Richard Tuttle, Ron Nagle’s ceramics for color and texture, and West African textiles.”

“I grew up in St. Louis in a creative household. One of the perks of growing up in the Midwest is the great amount of untapped vintage finds. St. Louis is an old city, and people are not ostentatious about the way they dress. But they are really educated and travel and have cool stuff. I spent a lot of time with my mom and sister rummaging around at estate sales and thrift stores hunting for antiques and clothes. It definitely shaped my ability to see interesting things in unlikely places. More than anything, growing up there encouraged me to leave and get out and see the world!”

“My fall 2010 collection is the debut of the knitwear pieces, so that is obviously really exciting. Knitwear is something I have wanted to do for a long time but I didn’t have access to the right resources in the past. The best place to get knitting looms like this is on ebay or at yard sales.”

Lauren demonstrates how to use the knitting loom. A pattern card is inserted to create the pattern and the colored thread can be added or taken out for a linear pattern.

“I think that the best part of having your own business is that it can constantly evolve. I would like to do some projects with artisans. The knitwear collection will continue to develop and grow, maybe evolving into a ready-to-wear collection. I would also love to design crazy rugs, blankets, more like textile objects, without the constraints of wearability.”

“I love going to Los Angeles and visiting friends, eating, eating, eating, going to the park, doing some flea market shopping, going to the Huntington Gardens, soaking up the sun, recharging the battery, going to the desert.”

“I couldn’t work without light, plants, and NPR—probably in that order! Nourishing my body with light and plants. Nourishing my brain with information while I am doing the repetitive, often mindless techniques that all my work seems to require. Music-wise, I am really into listening to MP3s from the blog Awesome Tapes from Africa. I have also been into the band Ngozi Family, a Zambian rock band from the ’70s. I think that music is definitely influencing my work. I love the song ‘Keep Your Body Happy Through Exercise,’ by Jonny Corndawg—a positive anthem for people who live in the city.”

“I love the development process of designing—the first creative moments when the ideas are forming, making swatches, finding the materials, choosing the colors, experimenting with shapes, just being playful and open-minded. Hunting and gathering. I love that this is my job and that anything and everything is fair game and ‘work related’ because you never know where ideas will come from. The rest of the business is discipline.”

Jewelry pieces from the spring 2010 collection.

Knitwear swatches and pattern cards for the knitting loom.

“I most value this completely hand-tooled custom purse my boyfriend made me. It has pictures of my cat, my station wagon, and cacti all over it. It’s so special I am scared to carry it around! Also, the original paper-clip necklace I made.”

“I could really do some damage in Tokyo if someone gave me $1,000. I have been fantasizing about going back to Buenos Aires, renting an apartment, buying tons of beautiful leather, holing up to work on projects while consuming tons of yerba mate and gelato, and petting lots of awesome dogs.”

(Elle)

I love getting a sneak peek inside the studio of an artist or designer. It’s at once, fascinating, inspirational and educational. There’s just something about that particular “space.” I’d actually never heard of Lauren prior to reading this article, but I’m so glad that I’ve “made a new discovery.” Her design aesthetic is very interesting as well as her background. I look forward to hearing more about this exceptionally talented person.

LINK LOVE:Designer Spotlight: Lauren Manoogian

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People are always talking about how being a binge drinker can add on quite a few pounds; however, no one really looked into what this meant for the average drinker. Recent studies are revealing that binge drinkers are much more likely to head to the gym than those who don’t drink. Why? I’m thinking it’s because they want to shed off the pounds they gained the night before, but some people say it’s the same kind of thrill.

LINKAGE: Allure