First Look: The New Fitbit Charge 2 and Flex 2

For all of you tracker fanatics out there, I have great news: Fitbit just announced the second generation to their Charge and  Flex (Charge 2 and Flex 2 respectively) that is bound to make keeping tabs on your daily movement even easier. Lucky me, I got my hands on both wearables last week, ahead of their release, kicking off a week-long testing period with a 20-minute circuit workout from non other than former pro volleyball player Gabrielle “Gabby” Reece. (For the record, she was intense, and the workout was no joke!).  Soreness-inducing circuit aside, here is what you should know if you are in the market for a new activity monitor:

Fitbit Charge 2, $150 ($180 for the limited edition model); nordstrom.com

The look: Right away, you'll notice that this model's display is four times larger than its predecessor (the easier to see you with my dear!). And you can choose from seven clock faces for a more customized look. Band wise, you can go classic with the rubber one or opt for the more stylish leather version-for a price, of course.

New standout features: GPS-enabled, this device not only has multi-sport modes, allowing for the ability to track up to 19 different activities (think running, biking, tennis, weight-lifting), but if you are engaging in one of these activities for 15 minutes (the default time, but you can change this), this wearable will automatically recognize that you are exercising. This is a pretty big deal considering I, like may others I suspect, often forget to put their current wearables into exercise mode. (And if you didn't track it, didn't it really happen?) Also handy: an interval timer will make HIIT lovers happy. And for the more mindful folks, or those who need an extra nudge to get grounded, there is a guided breathing functionality. Choose from two- or five-minute get-zen sessions.

The most intriguing feature for me is this tracker's ability to use your heart rate and exercise stats to give you a cardio fitness score (which you can view on the app). This score shows how you compare to others of your same gender and age range. (Mine said, I was average… I'm not buying that!)

The bottom line: The water-resistant Charge 2 has all of the features you know and love from the original Charge HR plus a few extra bells and whistles that the more tech savvy crowd (read: those who want to go beyond fitness tracking) will enjoy, such as call, text and calendar notifications on your wrist.

Fitbit Flex 2, $100; nordstrom.com

The look: While the Charge 2 got bigger, the Flex 2 seems to have gotten much slimmer and sleeker. For those of you who like your wearables to be as discreet as possible, you can pop the tracker out of your classic rubber band (there are seven colors) and into one of the more luxe options: a silver, gold, or rose gold bangle or a silver or gold pendant.  Not to mention the designer collections-Tory Burch, Public School, and Vera Wang for Kohl's-which also offer much more modern takes on tracker holders.

New standout features: First of all the big win for this model, in my opinion, is that it is swim-proof up to 50 meters. And while I haven't jumped into the pool or ocean with it just yet, at the unveiling event, I did watch several synchronized swimmers sport the device while wading through a rather complicated water routine.  I was impressed-with how well the Flex 2 handled the water and how easy those women made synchronized swimming. (FYI: It's not, I tried it once). Like the Charge 2, the Flex 2 also has auto exercise notification (even for swimming!) as well as call and text notification, which you'll be alerted to by various color patterns on the LED display.

The bottom line: As someone who like to always wear a tracker, I appreciate the more stylish carriers for this version. Seriously, who wants to be the girl in a cocktail dress sporting an obvious fitness tracker? (I have been known to try and stuff one in my evening bag, so I can still rack up steps on the dance floor. Hey, leave no step behind!)

I do have a bit of bad news about the Flex 2: You'll have to wait until October to get your hands on it. I do, however, think it's worth the wait, especially for those of you who want a functional device with a bit of fashionable flair. You can preorder both now at nordstrom.com at the links above. 

A New Survey Reveals the Most Popular Workouts in Major Cities

If you find workout waitlists truly infuriating (do you want to wake up at 5 AM to check if you made a class?) and you happen to live in New York City, you may want to stay away from cycling. Why, you may ask? Well, it turns out that this is the most popular workout class in the Big Apple, according to new data from ClassPass which broke down the trendiest exercise routines in major cities.

RELATED: The Hottest Workouts in New York City

Curious what other types of classes were booking the fastest across the country? Well, in Miami, barre happens to be the most popular class. This sunshine-y destination was also dubbed "the most spontaneous city," with 57 percent of classes booked on the same day. Serious props to those of you who can fit gym clothes in your handbag. 

Turns out, barre is getting some serious lovin' across the U.S., as the workout is also the number one class in Seattle, Atlanta, and Baltimore. The California cities apparently have a thing for Pilates-the brand's research showed it's the buzziest workout in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego! 

And if you're ever in Austin, you might want to bust out those LuLu leggings, as yoga tops the charts. 

Another interesting tidbit, ClassPass found that Tuesday is the most popular day of the week to workout, and while the Southeast prefers early morning exercise (early bird gets the worm?), people in the Northeast workout the latest in the evening-around 6:30 pm. 

 

 

This article originally appeared on InStyle.com/MIMI.

Here’s What Happens to Your Body During an Aerial Yoga Class

It is well-documented that I'm a huge fan of Savasana, the final resting pose at the end of yoga class. So when I heard that aerial yoga classes offer particularly relaxing Savasana sessions, I signed up for what I thought was a restorative class at Christopher Harrison's AntiGravity Fitness Lab in New York City. Gently rocking back and forth in a hammock? That's a Savasana lover's dream.

Once the class started however, I quickly realized I'd accidentally registered for an open level session. In other words, I was going to have to do some pretty intimidating hanging-upside-down poses in order to earn that glorious Savasana. As someone who has never-not once, not even almost-done any kind of inversion in a regular yoga class, this was a big deal. Cue panic mode. Can I escape without the teacher noticing? I wondered frantically. (It was a six-person class, so that was a no.)

But after my initial fear, I found that moving into an aerial handstand with the support of the very encouraging instructor was surprisingly easy-and awesome. I left class feeling extra-stretchy and accomplished. I thought my skin even looked a little glowy, maybe thanks to all the blood that had rushed to my face. I was so impressed by my experience that I convinced the Health.com team to film a Facebook Live video at AntiGravity Fitness Lab a few weeks later. (You can check it out here.)

While yoga in general offers a slew of health benefits, I wondered if aerial yoga could provide its own unique perks. To find out whether hanging upside down is especially good for you, I called Allan Stewart, MD, director of aortic surgery and co-director of the Valve Center at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

RELATED: Can Yoga Prevent-Even Reverse-an Osteoporosis-Related Hunchback?

The answer, he said, is yes and no. There are plenty of reasons to love yoga in general: It can increase flexibility, improve your blood pressure and cholesterol, even whittle your waist. You'll reap all these benefits during an aerial yoga class. And if you suffer from back spasms, scoliosis, or a herniated disc, hanging upside down may ease painful symptoms. "It can lengthen your ligaments, and at least temporarily relax your muscles," Dr. Stewart explains.

You may also notice temporary changes in your skin, such as an improvement in varicose veins, a subtle reduction in fine lines, and more color in your face, says Dr. Stewart. (Hence my #glow.) But the claim that hanging upside down can somehow improve overall circulation is simply untrue, he says. 

That's because your circulation system knows how to direct the flow of blood; it doesn't need gravity to help it do its job. When you're upright, oxygenated blood gets pumped to your entire body (including your brain), and deoxygenated blood returns to your heart. Hanging upside down sends more blood to your head, but both oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood. "You're not increasing the amount of nutrients in the blood going to your brain," Dr. Stewart says, "and you're actually reducing the flow of 'good' blood." This explains that lightheaded feeling you get when you're inverted. 

RELATED: How Yoga Can Relieve Back Pain

"I'm not saying that hanging upside down is necessarily bad," he says. But any positive effects, like a flushed face, are transient. If you're specifically hoping to ease back pain, you may be better off using an inversion table, which is designed for therapeutic use, says Dr. Stewart. "A few studies suggest [inversion tables] can reduce the need for back surgery if you have a herniated disc," he adds. But you should consult your doctor before using one, he cautions, "and make sure there's someone nearby who can help you get out of it should you become stuck."

It's also important to note that some people should skip aerial yoga and inversion tables (and avoid going upside down entirely), says Dr. Stewart, including "anyone with heart failure, defined spinal problems, or glaucoma."

The Worst Push-Up Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)

Many people find push-ups difficult to master. Watch this video with Sarah Wingo from Pure Barre to learn how to do the perfect push-up for stronger arms. She'll also show you how to correct three of the most common push-up mistakes.

5-Minute Hotel Room Workout for Arms, Shoulders, and Back

Lower your odds of pulling a muscle.

17 Great Gifts for Runners on Your List

With this fun and practical gift guide for runners, you're sure to find a present any runner will appreciate, both on and off the trail.

5-Minute Hotel Room Workout for High-Intensity Interval Training

Reduce stress before hopping on a plane.

5-Minute Hotel Room Workout for Core, Legs, and Butt

You can fit in this quick workout anywhere.

Travel Exercises: 5 Post-Flight Stretches to Do in Your Hotel Room

Loosen up after a long flight.

The Total-Body Exercise That Keeps Gabrielle Reece in Killer Shape

Looking at Gabrielle “Gabby” Reece, 46, you might find it hard to believe that the six-foot-three phenom is no longer a pro volleyball player. The way her body moves is still strikingly strong. In fact the only hint of physical aging is the knee replacement surgery she mentioned she had four months earlier. 

That clearly hasn't stopped her though. And we are pretty sure part of the reason is her commitment to staying fit. “I do a lot of squatting and lunging-those basic, functional movements we as human beings do that help us live our everyday lives, play sports, and get from point A to point B,” says Reece, who created the HIGHX training program. The aesthetics come when your body is moving right, she says, and you're fueling up with the good stuff.

“It's also about understanding that whatever I am doing, I am working in the right movement patterns,” Reece adds. In other words, make sure you form is on point!

RELATED: Gabrielle Reece on Her Most Embarrassing Moment, Biggest Weakness, and Best Fitness Tip

Another secret to Reece's fountain-of-youth frame: the clean and jerk. “It is a dynamic, ballistic movement that is fundamental. And if done correctly, it is beautiful,” says Reece of this classic Olympic lift that helps develop total-body power, as well as boost sports performance.

How to do it: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart with a barbell on the ground in front of you. With weight in heels, squat down and grip the bar so that your hands are just outside of the legs. In one explosive movement, driving through your hips and legs, bring the bar up to your chin. Rotate hands underneath the bar, bend knees, and then catch the bar on the top of your shoulders. Jump legs out into a lunge position and then press the bar overhead, locking out elbows. Step feet back together to come to standing. This is one rep.

Watch Camille Leblanc-Bazinet, winner of the 2014 CrossFit Games, execute the clean and jerk in this video. (Needless to say, she's using a lot more weight than the average person would!)

Gabby's tip: Use dumbbells to start. “This way, both sides are working independently and you don't develop imbalances,” she says.

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