Page 144 - Sharp: The Book For Men SS21

Fitness
A portabe all-in-one home gym
Changing up your workout routine is important for building muscle, but it’s easy to rely on the same old exercises when working out out at home — not by choice, but due to a lack of equipment. Enter Arena. What appears to be just a step-up box is, in fact, an incredibly versatile all-in-one gym. Created by a team of fitness experts that work with Olympians and other top athletes, Arena offers more than 100 exercise options — think deadlifts, squats, and bicep curls — thanks to an internal cable-resistance system and a bevy of smart attachments (a straight bar, single-hand grip, and tricep grip among them). Best of all, Arena ultimately replaces the need to buy a bunch of free weights or a hulking home gym, especially important for urbanites living in small spaces. At a portable 38 pounds, Arena also means you can now have a full-blown workout on the deck, in the yard, or — if you’re really into peacocking — even in the park. $1,995 USD
THE COOLEST BRAND IN CYCLING
Pas Normal Studios is modernizing cycling style
Road cycling is in vogue, and stylish amateur cyclists have glommed onto Pas Normal Studios. Since 2015, the Copenhagen-based apparel and accessories brand has pushed a new, more modern vision for what cycling gear should look like. High-end designs, from stowable jackets to breathable jerseys, marry technical details and fabrics with smart graphics. Even their cycling bibs — bibs — look cool.
THE SNACKING HOUR
You’re planning to work out. When’s the ideal time to have a quick bite?
Well, that depends on what constitutes a snack. According to the experts at the Mayo Clinic, snacks should ideally be eaten an hour before exercising, small meals two to three hours before, and large meals three to four hours before. That being said, you’re probably fine to eat a little nibble — preferably something carbohydrate- and protein-heavy — just before workout time. It likely won’t give you any extra jump, but it will help keep your blood sugar levels up.
GET PITTED ON THE GREAT LAKES
Yes, you can surf on freshwater
For those of you that live far from the ocean but dream of becoming a surf bum, good news: you can catch waves on the Great Lakes. It’s not easy. Good waves are more sporadic and arrive in tighter sets than their ocean counterparts, but there is a surf community in this neck of the woods for a reason. Lake conditions can make it difficult for aspiring beach bums to get started on their own. Here’s who can help:
1. Surf the Greats
The Toronto-based surf school is the only one on the Great Lakes with International Surfing Associ- ation–certified instructors. Clinics run from May to September on Lake Ontario.
2. Surf Ontario
Founded by Mike Sandusky, the Surf ON School can help you stand up on waves on Lake Huron, Erie, or Ontario between June and October.
3. Third Coast Surf Shop
This shop, based in St. Joseph, Michigan, has run small, personalized classes on Lake Michigan since 2005. It also offers board and wetsuit rentals.
The Endorsement
THE “RUNNER’S HIGH”
No, it’s not a myth. It’s real — and it’s worth chasing
You’ve heard of it: the temporary euphoria that expe- rienced runners enjoy. Researchers once thought the high was endorphin-fuelled, but more recent research suggests that it’s likely due to the brain’s release of endo- cannabinoids, which calm the body and dull pain. In all likelihood, the high is an artifact from a time when we were hunters (if you can’t feel your shin splints, you’ll do a better job chasing down that prey). Now to answer the question you really want answered: how can you unlock the high? The key is to run at a moderate and sustainable pace over a long distance. Be patient. Experience helps beget the runner’s high, so keep on running.
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