Headphones For Small Eared Runners

I am a small person.  I have small ears.  Earbuds are not my thing.  I have always wanted to run with over-the-ear headphones, but the plastic earpieces are always way too big.  Instead, I end up running with sports headphones that are more iPod-style.  Those are fine in winter, because my earwarmer holds them in place.  In summer, though, they slip out a lot and it drives me nuts.

Fortunately, I think I've found the solution: AirDrives FIT.   With these headphones, the part that goes around your ear is a thin wire that you can cinch to fit, like a noose.  One size really can fit all!  The speaker part rests just infront of your ear canal.  This configuration enables you to hear what's going on around you in addition to the music.  For just listening to music, that might not be ideal, but for running on the streets of Manhattan, it makes a lot of sense.  (It's also probably better for your ears.)

I do have one complaint about my AirDrives.  The cord is insanely long, so when I use my arm-band for my iPod, there's a lot of slack.  My old sports headphones had a removable section, so I could adjust the length.  The AirDrives have volume control on the cord, though, so I guess it evens out.

I paid $40 for my AirDrives FIT, which is a drop more than I usually spend on headphones.  I've been using mine for about a month and, so far, I think they were worth it. 

I'll keep you posted

-Gym Belle-

Flywheel: Spin by Numbers

Remember the old days, when your spin instructor told you to turn the "resistance" up "a quarter turn" or "just enough so you feel it, not enough that it slows you down?" Of course, each bike was different. Sometimes, you'd have to turn the knob a few times to go from a level 6 to a level 7 on your personal scale of perceived exertion.  Other times, the gentlest tap would take you from cruising to climbing.  Well, kiss those days goodbye; spin bikes have gone digital.

I realize that spin bikes with digital consoles aren't brand spanking new.  NYC Equinoxes started getting in the new Schwinns last fall.  Even now, though, they're far from ubiquitous, and until last weekend, I hadn't had an opportunity to try one out.

Last Saturday, Jess from Fit Chick in the City hosted a special class for her followers at Flywheel, the city's newest spin studio.  Flywheel was founded by Ruth Zuckerberg (formerly of Soul Cycle) and Tiki Barber.  There are currently two NYC locations, and a Sag Harbor location is set to open this weekend. 

Each bike at Flywheel has a small display with four numbers: torq, RPM and current and total power.  Torq (yes, that's how they spell it) replaces resistance, but is basically the same idea.  RPM is your rotations per minute.  Power gives you a sense of your output.  I'm told it's comparable to calorie burn, but my heart rate monitor wasn't cooperating that day, so I couldn't confirm that. 

The digital display really shaped my experience.  I realized how much time I usually spend during spin class trying to gauge my speed and resistance.  At Flywheel, all of those thoughts were unnecessary.  The instructor's cues are given in numeric form, i.e. "turn your torq to 20 and stay between 60 and 80 RPM."  I knew exactly where I was and where I wanted to be, so I was really able to focus.  Having a tangible goal also made the class that much more intense.  I really didn't want to fall short.  

The flatiron Flywheel location is sleek and modern.  The bikes are arranged stadium-style in a semi-circle.  Flatpanel "Torqboards" hang on either side of the instructor's podium.  I was a little disappointed that our instructor didn't make use of them.  I'm told they can broadcast your data on the screens so that people can compare their speeds, etc. 

Each bike is also equipped with a basket containing two adorable mini body bars.  One is 4 lbs, one is 6 lbs, and you can use either or both of them for the arm sequences at the end of class.

Our instructor, Erica, led a great class.  The playlist included Mama Said Knock You Out.  Really, it doesn't get better than that.  The best part for me, though, was getting to hang out with blogger friends old and new.  I didn't get to chat with everyone, but was very happy to spend some time with Jess, Mari from Namaste Mari, Alison from Foster Fitness, and Mo from Food Snob.  My good friend, and fitness blogger at heart, Erica, was also there.

Thank you, Jess!

-Gym Belle-

Cuerpaso For You

My sister and I weren't allowed to play soccer as kids.  No, really.  Dad's a pediatric neurologist, and heading soccer balls is apparently quite bad for one's frontal lobe.*  Soccer wasn't the only forbidden sport (see also gymnastics), but it's the one I really, really wanted to play.  It's the only team sport I wasn't awful at, and it seemed easier to fake than, say, softball.  No one wants to be the kid that strikes out all the time.  (BTW - that's still not fun, and actually a little scary when you're playing in the lawyer league.)  As long as I didn't score for the wrong team, I figured I couldn't really mess up playing soccer, but it wasn't meant to be.

Apparently, it's still not.  This week, I was supposed to meet Tadeo and try out his class, Cuerpaso.  Cuerpaso is Spanish for "ultimate body," and the class combines Caribbean dance moves with... soccer!  True, dance and soccer seem somewhat incongruous, but remember how much fun I had at that latin dance/kick-boxing fusion class?  Anyway, Cuerpaso looks ridiculously fun.  They get to use soccer balls!  And, the buzz is that it's an incredible workout.  Sadly, though, my evil pinched nerve acted up, and I had to cancel last minute.  (On the plus side, kudos to me for taking my own advice and not pushing it.) 

I may have to get my soccer fix from counting down to the World Cup, but you can check out Cuerpaso.  In fact, if you're curious, Tadeo's teaching a six-week class that kicks off this coming Monday.  The $199 class is held at Reebok, but you don't need to be a member to sign up.  (Details here.)  Cuerpaso is also offered at New York Health and Racquet and on video. 

I'll be checking out Cuerpaso as soon as I can, but if you beat me to it, let me know what you think!

-Gym Belle-

*AYSO has since amended its policy, and heading is no longer required.