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Athleisure Aussie Style – by Claire Hastings

Posted on April 4, 2018

Anyone who’s ever been to Australia knows that our neighbors from the Down Under are pretty damn active. From surfing to netball and beach volleyball, is it any wonder that most of them look so hot and gorgeous when the love of sports and outdoor activities seems to be the favorite national pastime? Gymwear and athleisure are a lifestyle, and no one can pull off that slouchy, cool, I-do-push-ups-for-fun kind of chic like an Aussie can. Whether you’re interested in becoming more active or you simply want to up your athleisure game, here are some cool style tips and brands that can help you pull off that sassy gym look with ease.

Yoga every damn day

Photo by David Kuba on Unsplash

Yoga fanatics (or just those who favor yoga pants) are particularly fond of brands such as Dharma Bums, an activewear brand that was founded by Debbie Lawson, the famous guru back in 2013. Outdoor yoga is a huge thing in Australia, and some people actually make a living from creating Instagram and other social media profiles where they post a lot of pictures incorporating spiritual yoga poses with beautiful scenery to serve as a backdrop. Stylishness is important, and Dharma Bums offers elastic, high-quality stretch materials that don’t hinder movement, and it’s possibly the very reason why even people who don’t practice yoga are fond of this activewear. Comfort comes before all, but that absolutely doesn’t have to mean that it can’t be chic as well, so if you’re looking to pull off a slinky little yoga look, we suggest a vibrant, patterned pair of tight yoga pants with a solid black or gray top.

Combining pieces

The trick to pulling off that laidback Aussie style is knowing how to combine your pieces. This is First Base brand is spectacularly simple, but they embrace that old-school sporty vibe and pair body contoured clothes with other pieces that are loose-fitting, slouchy, and an absolute joy to wear. There’s nothing as great as a slouchy tee and leggings to not only get you through a workout, but through a regular day as well. You see, this is what athleisure is all about, a movement that helps busy people who need a way to get from work, to pick up the kids, and then go back to the gym without much fuss and changing in between. This is your everyday cool outfit, so just throw on a denim jacket over it to zhoosh it up a little, and maybe wear a cool pair of sunglasses and a messy bun to complete the look.

Sport as a passion

Photo by Bewakoof.com Official on Unsplash

Healthy lifestyle is what adventure-seekers are all about, and if you like to train, or just need a fun way to get in shape, the right outfit is incredibly important. You know how they claim you can’t have both high fashion and sporty comfort in one? Aussies beg to differ. People who play popular sports understand the motivation behind wearing something that makes you look good, so stepping into the room with a custom netball uniform that happens to be cute as hell is totally what they’re all about. We love that attitude – regardless of whether you surf or play rugby, or just happen to be a gym rat, fashion is still within your reach and you can indulge in it as much as you like.

Off Duty

source

While Australian weather is warm, evenings can still be cool, and layering your outfit properly is the ticket to both style and comfort. If you want to upgrade your getup and really make it special, a good jacket is required, and picking out something from Adidas by Stella McCartney collection is a perfect way to get that fashion diva vibe. The whole collection is very cute, very girly, and excellent to wear when you want to take a selfie, so find a hoodie to go with your shoes and enjoy your activewear.

Ready to pull your sneakers out and hit the pavement? Gymwear is slowly becoming daytime wear, and in Australia we’re already seeing people embrace this trend of comfort and leading a healthy lifestyle, so let it inspire you to start your own fitness journey.

Follow Claire here!

Fitness

Making Time for the Oceans

Posted on March 27, 2018

We’ve got a long way to go yet, but it’s a fantastic thing to see international renowned companies, such as Swiss watch brand Breitling, taking to the frontline to fight the good fight. The Oceans are in dire need of our help, only last week was it shown that all the fish in our supermarkets had various amounts of plastic actually inside the meat. So it’s great to see partnerships evolving with those who dominate billboards worldwide and on-the-ground eco-warriors.

Breitling and Ocean Conservancy, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to leading the global fight for healthy oceans and clean beaches will work together to set up and run beach cleanups around the world, as part of Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup.

Working closely with experts to recycle the collected trash in the most effective and ecologically responsible ways. Breitling is also taking the educative approach, ensuring it isn’t just the adults who participate. Not only are they getting active, but Breitling are also set to donate part of the proceeds from its limited-edition Superocean Heritage collection.

Polar bear, Arctic Ocean. (PPR/Breitling/Christopher Michel)

Known for their dedication, Ocean Conservancy has organised tens of thousands of coastal-cleanup operations for more than 30 years in 153 countries. Since 1986, more than 12 million people have picked up nearly 230 million pounds of trash as part of Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup.

“We are excited to be working with Georges and his team at Breitling. Their customers are adventurers who explore every corner of the globe and see the beauty and wonder of the ocean from vantage points that are not easily accessible. Breitling and its customers understand first-hand that a healthy ocean – teeming with life, free of trash and plastic – is critical to life on our incredible, awe-inspiring planet. We look forward to working with them to advance our shared mission of maintaining a healthy ocean.” Ocean Conservancy CEO Janis Searles Jones

I took a little leap of faith last week with Bretiling too, as they launched their newest collection watches in Dubai, I took to the skies to see what all the fuss was about…

Breitling at SkyDive Dubai

So with Breitling covering the land, sea and air now – there’s little space left for them to conquer.

Dima Ayad X Hautletic Reinventing Athleisure

Posted on March 11, 2018

It’s a fairly new debate but one without a real answer – can you wear workout gear to work? Some of the athleisure pieces i own are without a doubt much more expensive than the skirts and tops hanging in the wardrobe, as well as remaining ‘un-used’ gym wise. Hautletic is the hub for most of these luxe pieces and there’s a new homegrown collab that’s stealing the show. Lebanese ready-to-wear designer Dima Ayad and Hautletic’s Priya Bhatia have launched a completely limited-edition range that’s definitely too good for the workout drawer.

A nine-piece collection in the Dima Ayad x Hautletic range celebrates female ingenuity; ‘blending Hautletic’s signature athleisure style with Dima Ayad’s precise understanding of the modern woman’s lifestyle’. It’s the kind of sports gear you could wear into a bar and not feel at all underdressed.

Enter a world of minimals, with abundant greys and blacks mixed with Ayad’s signature seasonal metallics. The floaty shapes are far from unflattering as they cinch in the waist and elongate the legs, whilst giving you a bit of wiggle room too. Picture the perfect ‘tracksuit,’ whilst being being as far from cliche as possible.

“I thought about the journey of the modern woman – from the day to the night. I want her to feel great from the morning to the evening without trying,” Dima Ayad, Designer

“It’s also about the value and versatility of the pieces you invest in. Quality and fit are paramount, even for seemingly ‘easy-wear’ athleisure.” Priya Bhatia, Hautletic

Get your hands on this urban wardrobe only at Hautletic in Galleria Mall, Dubai.

Featured Fitness

Shopping Sustainably This Season

Posted on March 4, 2018

Let’s talk eco. The more we say it, are shopping for it, challenge brands about it, the more it will stick. If you’re looking for something that’ll give you an added ‘feel good’ factor… these are the products for you.

Wild Body Active Yoga Mats

A sucker for brightly coloured yoga anything, these gorgeous mats from Wild Body Active are keeping me energised this year. Not only are they gorgeous to look at, their aim is to produce eco-friendly mats that are both unique in design and super functional too. Made from natural materials, these mats are extremely versatile whether you’re into yoga/Pilates or a more traditional workout, so the only question is… which pattern do you fancy the most. The premium microfiber top will absorb sweat making for a supremely grippy surface suitable. They are all 100% recyclable, biodegradable and free from PVC, chlorine, phthalates, latex, silicone and all other toxic nasty’s. Made with natural tree rubber and water-based inks so you’ll be able to wash them with ease too.

OHOY Swimwear

Founded by locally based Scandinavians Henna and Anna, OHOY is the uber chic and ethical solution to our summer, created with the ocean in mind. Their one-piece’s, boasting the hottest SS18 shades, are on my wish list this season and I salute these ladies for their environmentally friendly approach to my favourite piece of clothing. All OHOY swimwear is produced from plastic and fishing nets collected from the sea & recycled into luxurious Italian fabrics and to top it off… made here in the U.A.E.. Tested in real-life conditions and leading the way in terms of materials too, as they are also twice as resistant to chlorine, sun creams and oils so the weather’s the only excuse for not jumping in.

WildWood Sunglasses

Who doesn’t have a pair of sunglasses for every occasion? *I tell myself as I hand over the credit card for these…* The WildWood frames are without a doubt the perfect pair for the beach and all manner of outdoor adventures in the U.A.E.. Based in Dubai, these wooden sunglasses aren’t just for show, as they are fully U.V. protected. They’re on an eco-friendly fashion mission too, having recently teamed up with The Nature Conservancy and plant a trees through their ‘Plant a Billion’ campaign for every product they sell. 1 sale = 1 planted tree… Voila guilt-free shopping.

Veja

Why should my shopping be blameworthy when the World benefits from it… Right now I love products that are made differently and the VEJA sneaker project is made with a really positive process. Using organic & fairly traded cotton for the canvas of the shoes, wild and fairly traded rubber for the soles, they also use solely recycled plastic bottles to create their unique technological fabric! Made in Brazil, these beauties can be bought in Dubai’s favourite athleisure hub, Hautletic.

Sea Shepherd U.A.E.

Ok, so not technically an apparel brand, but any product you buy from the Sea Shepherd UAE will all go towards helping to keep the ocean and its wonderful wildlife clean and safe. I’ve been stocking up on their famous swimwear and recently launched bikini’s, that features the iconic skull and harpoon logo and is made by famed Aussie brand Gypsea. They’re available now at Shay Martian at La Mer Dubai, and also the Surf House Dubai too!

*As featured in Women’s Health Middle East, Dec 2017.

Fitness

Learn to Kite Surf in Dubai

Posted on February 26, 2018

I’m a real water-baby and will literally try anything if it’s water-based, Kite Surfing is the next step as far as I’m concerned… wake-surfing, surfing, wake-boarding are all good fun and you can constantly improve, but to start from scratch again has genuinely been super exciting.

I teamed up with Adventure Faktory’s Thuymi Do, a fellow Women’s Health’er to test our aerial and aquatic skills down at Nessnass beach with Lewis, from KITE ZONE DUBAI. It’s certainly not the easiest activity, but it’s far from being too hard. You’re expected to need around 15-20 hours of training but in all honesty, you’re likely to want to buy your own kite by hour 10!

Here’s how we got on…

First you have to learn the proper terminology so that your instructor can communicate instructions to you clearly. This includes a few pieces of equipment and positions. As with flying any kite, when kitesurfing you always stand with your back to the wind.

Once you know how to discuss the position of the kite, it’s time to get it up in the air!

Then it’s time to learn how to control it… you’re first attached to it by a harness. This is the toughest part because your body tells you to do different things, like in my head, I wanted to pull the bar towards me when I should be keeping it level or pushing it away.

The bar controls the direction of the kite, as well as the power it exudes… you will pull one side of the bar closer to you, whilst pushing the other side away to help the kite change direction. If you panic or feel out of control, let the bar go completely and it will power down.

Next it’s time for some sand skiing to get the feel of the kite pulling you across the sand…

Then you’ll test it out in the water with some body dragging so that you can get to grips with the resistance.

And when you’re ready… you can give it a go with the board on your feet!

Fitness Recommended

Eco-Conscious Activewear from H&M

Posted on February 7, 2018

Blending fashion with function and fitness, H&M has announced that its latest activewear collection is made from totally eco-friendly, sustainable materials. Now we know H&M are great when it comes to encouraging conscious consumerism with their sought-after conscious collection, it’s great to see it transpire across more of the clothing in-store. “Inspired by nature and positive, strong women” the collection revolves around the theme of ‘In it for the long run’ …as we all want our most-washed items to last.

The collection includes; tights, sports bras, hoodies and tops for training, running and yoga. With a precedence on nature and sustainability, the prints and the colours feature Earthy greens, blacks and beiges. So where’s the Eco element? The clothes are made with recycled polyester and elastane and for an added bonus, are made for our quick gym-tan-laundry turnaround too, with quick-dry and seamless finishings.

“By bringing together the functional and feminine, the aim is to give customers a stylish, conscious sports collection. And not just through the fabrics – we utilized a new knitting technique that creates seamless garments while using less yarn or fabric waste. Blending function with sustainable thinking and fashion in this way is the way forward,” says Petra Smeds, head designer of sportswear.

What are we eyeing:

Fitness Recommended

How Fit Is Your DNA?

Posted on January 9, 2018

Is this even a thing? Can your DNA really predetermine how fit you can be? I wasn’t so sure at first, but a consultation with specialist Intercare Wellness doctor, DR. Nas Al-Jafari, sat around a cosy table in a cafe in Al Serkal gave me a lot more faith in the process… he was less mad-scientist and more professor X.

Based in Al Marina, Abu Dhabi, Intercare Wellness takes a holistic and ‘whole person’ approach to health. Offering a unique range of testing and treatments, the centre highlight’s these genetic screening processes:
• Advanced Preventative DNA & Genetic Testing aimed at identifying a range of hereditary diseases from cancers through to a variety of long-term illnesses, including cardiovascular disease and dementia.
• Lifestyle DNA profiles including ancestry genetics, diet and exercise profiles, skin DNA and personality genetics.

“DNA & Genetic testing goes far beyond learning about ancestry, 90% of diets fail because each person’s body reacts differently to various foods, exercise, and micronutrient levels, which is somewhat down to our DNA. Your genes don’t just determine your eye colour; but determine diet and nutrition, physiological traits like endurance, fat burning ability, metabolism and undiagnosed nutrient deficiencies. They can also help determine if you’ve got more of a predisposition for certain illnesses, based on testing how our skin will age!” DR. Nas

For myself, I wanted more of a focus on fitness & sport, so I chose to try out their DNAFit genetic testing. Recommended for those who are already fit and looking for a more indepth analysis, DNAFit can tell you what your recovery nutrition needs, your aerobic potential and your power endurance response is.

It’ll also tell you your potential for optimal fitness, such as regimes that will help you meet your health goals and whether you’re at risk for certain vitamin deficiencies that can affect your heart, memory and energy levels. It can also give you insight in into traits such as sodium intake, lactose and alcohol metabolism and gluten sensitivity.

My results arrived after 6 weeks:

You get a much larger, much more in-depth analysis online, accessible with your log in details and you can enter a world of DNA, including chat rooms and Olympic medalist comparisons, that will help give you a much better understanding of your overall DNA design, all from a simple little cheek swap.

Fitness

Lashes for the Active

Posted on December 29, 2017

I get that going make-up free can be intimidating in a mixed workout, and I’m not against wearing make-up in the gym, but one of my pet peeves is walking into a class in the morning and seeing someone with their full face and lashes on… after work it’s much more common obviously – but before? Aside from sweating through the foundation (think about all those blocked pores), I’d struggle to keep my mascara smudge free as I blink through a sweaty bikram session or spin class.

There seems to be one solution I can totally jump on board with – one which allows us to look slightly more put-together, without having to wake up earlier than sun to do so.

Nouveau Lash LVL treatment is a new form of lash elongation, without the need for falsies. Think of it as a perm for your eyelashes, coupled with a tint that adds a bit of extra visibility. Not painful to apply, the whole process takes roughly 45mins and will last for up to a month (if you’re not in and out of the water as often as I am). Not harmful to the lashes either, the process merely curls them upwards slightly for a little natural boost.

I went for the medium curl with a dark brown tint so that it really wouldn’t be too noticeable. The Dollhouse is a great place to check out this service…

Fitness

The Fittest Hotel in Town

Posted on December 20, 2017

Let’s talk hotel gyms… now when you travel it’s common to find a fairly well equipped but standardised fitness studio that mayyyyybe offers a yoga class or PT session. Well Fairmont the Palm is making sure it’s the fittest hotel in town, as it opens another new studio, located adjacent to the North residences.

Already familiar with their full moon beach side yoga where a hundred yogi’s salute the supermoon? This time the Fairmont’s taking things up a notch mixing classes of high intensity training, endurance and mind training. I have tried and tested all their new classes and I recommend you give these a go…

Cardio Muay Thai
A high intensity, cardio blasting combat style work out that includes a mixture of boxing and kickboxing techniques, intense military style drills and a little touch of Zumba.

PRAMA, by Pavigym
a functional training system based on spatial references on the floor and walls brings fitness to life with lights, sound and sensors. PRAMA is a high-intensity, circuit-based workout that quickly improves muscle memory, endurance, strength, balance, speed, agility, reaction time and overall fitness. It is a high-energy workout that provides complete strength and cardio conditioning, burning up to 1,000 calories in just one 45-minute session

Aquaspin™
the latest revolutionary aqua exercise that’s kind to the joints and muscles, yet burns the calories and improves cardio vascular fitness. The 45 minute class involves cycling on state-of-the-art spin bikes submerged inside the water.

All classes are 75 AED, with packages of 10 available at 500 AED where you can mix and match your workouts.

Fitness

Crossfit with the Fittest Women Alive

Posted on November 30, 2017

Total inspiration… Having won the Reebok Crossfit Games 2017, Tia Toomey is officially classed as the Fittest Women Alive, so when Reebok and the new Goldbox gym in Business Bay brought her across to help us all get a bit more physical during the Dubai Fitness Challenge, I was initially in two minds.

Not usually a Crossfit fan, (I’ve maybe only tried it once or twice in the past) I can’t say a morning of burpees and squats amongst a room full of Crossfit instructors was quite my #morningmotivation, but I wanted to hear from the once Olympic weightlifter about her shift in training.

Toomey is fairly young too, but having recently married to her coach, she has a few insights to share. The key with her training has been communication and actually acknowledging that her partner is doing what’s best for her, so listening to him 100% out on the floor is non-negotiable. Off the Crossfit floor however… 😉

Having been asked which she preferred between this and the Olympics, Toomey said “the games have an unbeatable atmosphere, something which helps push you through the toughest parts. It’s all about the fans, family and community out there who are literally willing you to win.”

Well, I was certainly beyond sore the next morning, and as much as Toomey gave persuading me a good go, Crossfit isn’t my forte. But I love the feeling of inner competition it gives you, especially as a team, so it won’t be my last.

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