We’re currently right in the middle of the holy trinity of global fashion weeks, and next week wraps up with ‘Milan’, arguably the fashion capital of the world. I was there very recently for blog meetings, and decided to go on an expedition through the sprawling streets in search of fitness fashion inspiration. I found far less than I’d imagined, which totally amazed me. In the era when fitness and mainstream fashion are unstoppably converging, with the activewear category literally growing at double the pace of broader UK general merchandise, the Milanese shop fronts did nothing to persuade me to dress ‘sporty chic’. Click MORE to see some of the discoveries I did make, along with some snaps from the stopover!
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ACTIVE WEEKEND BREAK WITH WESTIN!
A couple of weeks ago, I went on an exceptional Active Weekend Break with Westin Hotels & Resorts, for whom I’m a Wellbeing Movement ambassador. The trip’s destinations were the Italian cities of Milan & Florence and amongst runs, workouts, walks and sightseeing, I savoured some truly epic national cuisine. I’m no stranger to Italy and its awesome interpretation of the mediterranean diet (see my previous visits HERE), but this trip really brought home the love of exceptional food that Italians have. Yes, for me, it’s about eating healthy much of the time, but I understand that brings an associated stress that can taint the joy that comes from ‘the delicious’! This post is a little insight into what I think a great ‘Active Weekend’ break can look like, as well as some thoughts about enjoying your food, as the Italians seem to do best! (more…)
WALK THE PLANK !!!
The modern day human spends an disproportionate amount of time seated; at a desk, in a car, by the computer or watching TV at home. Often, this means slumped shoulders, a curved neck, and generally ‘weak posture’… and then eventually, the scourge of ageing Britain, back pain. Whilst some muscles will naturally grow tighter and others weaker, there are exercises and stretches you can perform to encourage a stronger core. The word ‘core’ mainly describes the central band of the torso, and the purpose of training it, is to encourage better support and protection for the load-bearing joints in and around the back. Almost every move the body makes relies on the core – balance, running, reaching, lifting, kicking. Therefore it’s crucial to build and maintain well-conditioned core strength. This post is about doing exactly that! Read MORE to see 4 flavours of plank…
WELLNESS DESTINATION: LAKE COMO
After my search for fitness fashion inspiration in Milan, I hopped on the train for 45 minutes and ended up at the breathtaking Lake Como. The eagle-eyed reader will notice this is entitled a ‘Wellness Destination’ as opposed to an ‘Active Escape’; that’s because my choice of hotel, the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, seemed entirely geared around revival, wellness and relaxation, blended with a healthy strand of mischievous indulgence! A brief 3 days here was the perfect amount to recharge, ready for the worst that a British autumn might throw at me! This ‘review’ post is a full photographic round-up of my little wellness escape to an inspiringly glamorous part of this wonderful country! (MORE)
DISCOVER TECHNOGYM CITY WITH ME !!!
I’ve just returned from a trip to Cesena, a town near Italy’s Bologna, which houses the 150,000 square meter mega-campus of Technogym, the purveyor of fine exercise machines. In the fitness industry, there’s nothing else like this in the world; perhaps only Google or Bloomberg can compare as ‘destination’ employers. The site is both strikingly vast and visually exquisite, crafted by the virtuoso architect Antonio Citterio, and comprising a super-slick factory, a clandestine R&D facility, a university, a vast gym, a spa, a medical facility, an organic restaurant and far more. This ‘Wellness Village’ is the iconic focal piece of a totally unique firm, regularly recognised as offering the ‘Best European company working conditions’. I’ve had a privileged behind-the-scenes peek into their HQ, and this post shares my findings on something you’ve probably never considered, but certainly should! Click MORE to see it all…