STAY FIT 305

JETSET MIAMI Pilates Sunset Harbour is officially open, thanks to Leila and David Centner, founders of the David and Leila Centner Family Foundation Inc. and Centner Academy, the company’s newest investors. Founded in 2010 by Tamara Galinsky, this marks the brand's fourth South Florida location, including Brickell, South Miami, and Miami Beach.

JETSET MIAMI employs a modern pilates method where custom reformers are used to merge strength training, pilates and cardio in a group class setting. The studio creates its own training program and holds training for new instructors every three months. Unlike the other locations, the new studio in Sunset Harbour will feature a large group reformer room and three private/duet rooms.

RELATED 10 Must-Try Miami Pilates Studios in 2020

“We look forward to what is to come from this partnership,” said Leila Centner, co-founder of the David and Leila Centner Family Foundation Inc. and Centner Academy. “My philosophy has always been centered around the wellbeing of others, and this opportunity is a step into investing in the wellness of people and allows me to play an active role in helping my community.”

“I have learned from my own mistakes that creating good operating agreements with strategic or operating partners from the start is the only way to grow,” stated Tamara Galinsky, founder of JETSET MIAMI. “JETSET is now a business in a box: after ten years in operation, we have learned best practices we can now pass on, which means it is worthy of franchising.”

In addition to their popular streaming service, “JETSET Miami 18,” designed to workout from anywhere in only 18 minutes, JETSET MIAMI has reopened their three studios and reformers have been spaced apart to respect clients’ personal space, health and safety. Dedicated reformers for JETSET clients means their clients feel safer coming into a group fitness class.

“With the cost of healthcare growing, prevention is key,” said Galinsky. “Staying active and healthy has become mainstream. People also want fast results and convenience – if they want their Starbucks – they can get it on almost every other corner. That is our vision for JETSET. Make it affordable and make it easily available.”

JETSET MIAMI studios are located in Brickell at 40 SW 13th St. #504, South Miami at 6448 S. Dixie Highway, and Miami Beach at 110 Washington Ave. The new location will be located at 1860 West Ave, Miami Beach. For more information, visit jetsetmiami.com.

Update September 23 @ 10:00 AM: Since publishing this article, Amazon stopped selling the product and said the bike “is not an Amazon product or related to Amazon Prime.”

“Echelon does not have a formal partnership with Amazon. We are working with Echelon to clarify this in its communications, stop the sale of the product, and change the product branding,” an Amazon spokesperson said.

Amazon teamed up with Echelon to build and sell the Prime Bike. The $500 exercise bike is similar to the Peloton bike minus the screen — even the color scheme and design are the same. The bike is available now from Amazon.

Echelon builds several fitness products and the Prime Bike is Echelon’s third smart bike. The other two feature video screens and are available for $999 and $1,1999. The Prime Bike has features including multiple adjustments and front-mounted wheels for easy movement. Instead of toe clips that many stationary bikes have, the Prime Bike uses straps to lock riders’ feet to the pedals. A screen is the notable missing feature, but that can be quickly resolved with a tablet.

“We were built on the idea of attainable fitness for everyone. The Prime Bike was developed in collaboration with Amazon, aiming to create an amazing, connected bike for less than $500, and it’s proven to be a phenomenal match,” said Lou Lentine, President, and CEO of Echelon Fitness. “Amazon looking to us to partner on their first-ever connected fitness product is recognition of our commitment to deliver quality at a reasonable price-point as reflected in our explosive growth over the last year.”

It’s worth noting that this same exercise bike is also available at Walmart for $500, where it sells under Echelon’s branding of the Connect Sport Bike.

This story was originally published on TechCrunch by Matt Burns and can be found here.

Tremble, the new Miami-based Pilates brand, and Anatomy, have announced a partnership that will bring the Tremble brand to Anatomy studios across the city, allowing exclusive access for Anatomy members.

"As we continue to grow and expand our offerings, we want to partner with like-minded brands that will bring value to our members. It’s a homerun," said David Geller, Chief Operating Officer at Anatomy.

Anatomy has been on a tear in the past 24 months, opening its Midtown Miami location, announcing plans for a Coconut Grove location, and expanding their group fitness programming across the board.

"Grow or die," said Geller. "We are constantly pushing ourselves to provide the best for the community, in a safe and thoughtful manner."

RELATED Anatomy Announces Fourth Miami Location in Coconut Grove

For Tremble, this is a huge win for the newly launched brand, but success and growth aren't new for founder Aryan Rashed, the former Co-Owner of JetSet Pilates. Tremble launched earlier this year after Rashed broke away from the JetSet Pilates brand, and now has Tremble locations in Miami Beach, North Miami, Coral Gables, and now inside Anatomy Midtown Miami.

"We are equally excited to work with Anatomy - not just the fitness aspect - culturally and value wise," said Rashed. "This is a challenging time across all businesses, so to have two brands come together to enhance the fitness experience is great."

Tremble is a high-intensity, low impact workout combining the best parts of Pilates, strength training, and cardio all into one sweaty session. Guests have the option to try one of six classes offered by Tremble when they step inside their studio, which will now also be featured exclusively at Anatomy facilities as well.

"Clients were already bouncing between Tremble and Anatomy before COVID-19, so it's a natural fit," said Rashed. "We have the proper safety standards in our studio and at Anatomy, so clients can sweat together safely."

Anatomy and Tremble coming together is another sign of a clear trend that has swept the fitness industry in the past several years - collaboration is critical to survival.

"We are a both Miami born brands - and the ability to bring Miami brands together is important to both companies to provide more offerings to the Miami fitness community," said Geller.

Last month, the community saw unprecedented fish kill and algal blooms in the northern Biscayne Bay basin due to multiple factors, including extremely high-water temperatures, low-dissolved oxygen, increased freshwater flows from the Biscayne Canal and Little River, and an influx of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus — primary components found in many fertilizers.

In an effort to combat these nutrients from entering the city’s stormwater system, the City Commission today has unanimously passed an ordinance on first reading, which requires the use of best management practices and specific management guidelines to minimize negative secondary and cumulative environmental effects associated with the misuse of fertilizers

“These increased nutrients are one of the main pollutants that are degrading the water quality and health of Biscayne Bay — Miami Beach is committed to doing our part to protect our environment,” shared Mayor Dan Gelber. 

The proposed ordinance regulates and promotes the following:

• Prohibits fertilizers from being used during the rainy season from June 1 through November 1;
• Establishes fertilizer free zones adjacent to waterways and storm drains;
• Establishes proper fertilizer application rates and methods;
• Requires proper training of commercial and institutional fertilizer applicators;
• Establishes training and licensing requirements; and
• Establishes enforcement and penalties.
  

Currently, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department and the Public Works, Greenspace Management Division are required to apply Florida-Friendly Landscaping principles and best management practices for fertilizer application on public properties, including prohibition from using glysophate. Additionally, all city landscaping contractors are required to follow industry practices and standards found in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s “Florida-Friendly Best Management Practices for Protection of Water Resources by the Green Industries”.

“Commercial landscapers operating on private property are not currently required to abide by these standards,” explained Commissioner Michael Góngora who sponsored this item. “If this ordinance passes second reading next month, it will be a game-changer in limiting the amount of fertilizer runoff entering our bay.”

Several county and city governments in Florida that have enacted fertilizer bans to address improper fertilizer use on private properties. Manatee County, Pinellas County, Lee County, Martin County and the cities of Miami, Melbourne and Cape Coral are examples of communities that have enacted a blackout period for fertilizer use during the rainy season.

The draft ordinance was developed using template language provided by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and existing fertilizer ordinances that are in place in municipalities throughout Florida.

"This is a strong fertilizer ordinance and an important step towards limiting pollution in Biscayne Bay,” added Executive Director & Waterkeeper Rachel Silverstein with the Miami Waterkeeper. “Along with septic, sewer, and stormwater, the overuse of fertilizers contributes to algae blooms, seagrass die-offs, and the recent fish kill. I am thrilled that the City of Miami Beach is taking this important step."

Flywheel Sports, known for its spin classes, has filed for bankruptcy as the pandemic continues to devastate the boutique fitness industry.

Its parent company filed for Chapter 7 in New York late Monday, signaling that it is likely liquidating and permanently closing its remaining studios. Flywheel hasn't returned requests for comment, but some of its current and former instructors posted on social media that the company had gone under.

At its peak, the 10-year-old company had more than 40 studios across the United States that offered cycling and barre classes. But Flywheel was having troubles well before the pandemic hit.

Peloton sued Flywheel in September 2018, alleging the smaller company copied the technology used to create its in-home bikes and the leaderboard that lets customers race against each other. The decision made Flywheel's at-home bikes unusable, with Peloton offering its own bikes to Flywheel's customers.

In summer 2019, Flywheel permanently closed about a dozen of its studios. And in February 2020, Flywheel was forced to shut down the virtual classes that were connected to its in-home stationary bikes because of the two-year legal battle with Peloton over patent infringement.

RELATED 10 Must-Try Miami Spin Studios in 2020

Weeks later, the pandemic stuck and forced Flywheel to temporarily close all its studios. The company reportedly laid off 98% of its 1,200-person staff. Flywheel had recently begun offering classes in two cities (Hamptons, New York and Miami, Florida), but those are no longer bookable, according to its website.

The newly bankrupt Town Sports International (owner of New York Sports Club and other chains), dropped its plans in April to buy Flywheel after reaching an agreement just four months prior.

Without studios or an at-home bike, there isn't a strong path forward for Flywheel. Meanwhile, Peloton (PTON) has found success and reported blockbuster earnings last week. SoulCycle has reopened dozens of studios and has begun selling its $2,500 in-home bike.

This story was originally published on CNN by Jordan Valinsky and can be found here.

This morning, Peloton officially launched their Bike bootcamp classes. We first saw rumors about this in the leadup to the Bike+ launch, and Peloton confirmed they would be coming as part of the Bike+ announcement.

The initial Bike+ classes are taught by Jess Sims, Cody Rigsby, and Robin Arzon. To find them, you need to browse to the cycling section of the on-demand library – not the Bootcamp section as you might otherwise think! Peloton has now added a new “Bike Bootcamp” class type filter within the Cycling section, making them easier to find. The initial launch has just 4 Bike bootcamp classes available to take – we’re sure the pace of how often new ones are added will be determined based on how popular the classes end up being with members.

At this time, there are no live bike bootcamp classes scheduled for the next week or two, however, this will likely change in the future.

Prior to launch, Peloton hosted a Facebook live event with Robin, Jess, and Cody to go over what to expect and look forward to with the new classes.

It’s worth clarifying that although these new Bike bootcamp workouts are launching in coordination with the new Bike+ being released, they are available to all members – including those with the original bike and Peloton digital. There isn’t a requirement to use the new Bike+ for them – although Peloton expects it might be easier with the new rotating screen.

The classes are designed with enough time for you to change out of your cycling shoes into whatever shoes you feel most comfortable doing the strength/floor part of the workout with. Peloton has a blog post up with some tips on how to set up your room for the classes.

*This article was originally published on Pelo Buddy by Chris L and can be found here.

One of the new features coming to the Apple Watch this year is a tool for measuring your blood oxygen level. The Apple Watch Series 6 features a new sensor on the underside of the wearable’s casing that uses both red and infrared light to measure the oxygen in your red blood cells in about 15 seconds. It can also do background readings while you sleep.

Apple said it’s partnering with health networks across North America, including researchers at UC Irvine and the University of Toronto, to leverage the new feature to study the effects of COVID-19 on a person’s respiratory system.

Besides blood oxygen monitoring, watchOS 7 will include an improved framework for measuring VO2 max, which can give you a good idea of your cardiovascular health. Other new features coming to watchOS 7 include a handwashing feature and sleep tracking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kS-UAofYYI

*This article was originally published on Engadget by Igor Bonifacic and can be found here.

Online fitness services such as Peloton and Daily Burn have become very popular, and now Apple wants in on the business. They will soon offer Apple Fitness+, the latest service for Apple users. Fitness+ combines your Apple devices, videos, and collected exercise data to allow you to have satisfying workouts.

This article will tell you all you need to know about Apple Fitness+. We’ll update it whenever there are new developments.

What is Apple Fitness+?

Internet-based fitness services and apps that work on your iPhone has been around for a while from companies like Aaptiv, Daily Burn, and YogaGlo. They saw a huge growth in popularity thanks to the Coronavirus pandemic.

With the Apple Watch, Apple has a device that’s perfectly made to help people get the most out of their workouts. The new Apple Watch Series 6 includes new blood oxygen monitoring and an ECG app to go along with the heart-rate monitor that’s been with the Apple Watch from the beginning. Even before the Series 6 was released, the Apple Watch’s use in fitness has been on a steady growth path. And you don’t need a Series 6 watch to use Apple Fitness+.

With so many Apple Watch users using it as an exercise tool, Apple decided to create the Apple Fitness+ service. Fitness+ features a series of workout videos that users can play on an iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV. Data is collected by the Apple Watch and displayed with the workout video, so you can track stats such as workout time, heart rate, and calories burned.

How does Apple Fitness+ work?

To do Apple Fitness+, you need an Apple Watch. The Watch is used to track your data as you work out.

You then need another device for the videos: an iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV. Apple Fitness+ will be in the iPhone’s Fitness app. Apple will be releasing a Fitness app for the iPad and Apple TV.

Apple will have a catalog of workout videos for you to use. When you are ready to work out and start a video, your Apple Watch is automatically triggered to record your data. As you do the video, your fitness data appears on the video screen. You’ll also get notifications when you reach fitness goals.

When you finish a workout, you see a data summary screen, and there’s a “Burn Bar” that allows you to compare stats with other people who have done the same workout.

All that data that’s collected—will my privacy be protected?

Apple says that the workout recommendations are “powered using on-device intelligence,” so it’s not collected online. The calories burned and the trainers you choose are not stored with your Apple ID.

What types of workouts does Apple Fitness+ have?

Apple will offer 10 different workout types at launch:

• Core
• Cycling
• Dance
• High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
• Rowing
• Treadmill run
• Treadmill walk
• Strength
• Yoga
• Mindful cooldowns

New workouts will be added weekly, so you don’t get bored doing the same workouts over and over.

Apple Fitness+ can make workout recommendations based on your past activity data collected by the Apple Watch. Filtering tools for workout type, trainers, duration, and music are provided so you can exercise the way you want.

Do I need workout equipment for Apple Fitness+?

You can use your own equipment, so for example, if you want to do a Cycling workout, you can use your own exercise bike. You don’t need to buy special equipment. Apple says that many of the workouts don’t require equipment at all.

If you have a gym membership, you can do Apple Fitness+ there. You can play the videos on an iPhone or iPad and use your gym’s equipment or workout rooms.

I’m new to working out, or I’m coming back to it after an absence. Would Apple Fitness+ work for me?

Apple Fitness+ has an “Absolute Beginner” program for users who are just getting started or are returning to regular workouts. The program teaches the body movements often used in the workouts, so you can feel comfortable while you find your groove.

Can I play music while I work out?

The workouts play music, and Apple Fitness+ works with Apple Music so you can save the songs played and use them for future workouts, or listen to them at your leisure. This requires an Apple Music subscription.

What devices do I need for Apple Fitness+?

Apple Fitness+ requires:

• Apple Watch Series 3 or later paired with an iPhone 6s or later, or an iPhone SE
• If you want to use an iPad, you must have and iPad Pro, iPad (5th generation or later), iPad mini 4 or later, iPad Air 2, or iPad Air (3rd generation)
• Apple Fitness+ can be used on the Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD

How much does Apple Fitness+ cost?

Apple Fitness+ is a subscription service that is free for the first month. After that, you pay $9.99 per month, or $79.99 a year. A subscription can be shared with up to five other people though Family Sharing. An Apple Music subscription is not required.

Apple Fitness+ is part of the new Apple One service bundle, where you can sign up for serveral Apple services, such as Apple Music, Apple TV+, and iCloud in addition to Apple Fitness+ for a special price.

Can I try Apple Fitness+ for free before I sign up?

You can. There are a few trials plans available, but they may expire so check for their availability.

• Anyone who buys a new Apple Watch Series 3 or later after September 15, 2020, will get a free 3-month Apple Fitness+ trial.
• Best Buy deal: If you buy an Apple Watch Series 3 or later from Best Buy, you get six months of Apple Fitness+ for free. If you are a My Best Buy member and already have an Apple Watch Series 3 or later, you get two months of Apple Fitness+ free.
• CVS Health deal: Select Aetna commercial and Caremark members, CVS Pharmacy ExtraCare retail customers, and CVS Health employees can get “special access” to Apple Fitness+.

Where is Apple Fitness+ available?

It will be available in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the U.K., and the U.S.

When will Apple Fitness+ be available?

Apple has not announced a specific date. They’ve only said, “Later this year [2020].”

*This article was originally published on MacWorld by Roman Loyola and can be found here.

Swiss footwear maker On thinks that it’s high time that running sneakers were lighter and better for the environment than before. That’s why the company is launching its first completely-recyclable shoe as part of a service that’ll rent, rather than sell, you a new pair of trainers. Both the shoe and the service are dubbed Cyclon, and it’s a project whereby you’ll be able to send your kicks back when they’re worn out. And, when those shoes reach the end of their life, they’ll be ground down to make new ones.

The Cyclon shoe weighs in under seven ounces and is designed to be worn in “elite level competition” with high levels of energy return and cushioning. The upper is made from a material derived from castor beans, while the sole is made from an Evonik polymer that’s part of the same family as the upper. When returned, the shoes are shredded, ground down and re-used in their entirety to make sole parts. Specifically, the recycled material will be turned into speedboards, the custom plate that sits between the midsole and upper to cushion the blow when your foot strikes the ground. 

In order to grab a Cyclon, you’ll need to sign up to, er, Cyclon, putting down a deposit for $30 that’ll get you the first batch of Cyclon shoes when they land in the back half of 2021. When they arrive, you’ll be locked in paying $30 a month for a minimum commitment of six months. The general idea being that you’ll swap them every six months in order to make sure you never wear out your shoes enough to risk injury. Not to mention that you can get a new pair without the usual environmental guilt associated with buying a new pair of kicks.

*This article was originally published on Engadget by Daniel Cooper and can be found here.

Peloton revealed two new fitness products to its community this week - the Bike+ and a lower-priced treadmill.

"After years of research and development, including invaluable Member feedback, both of these products take everything you love about your Peloton experience and build upon it to expand the world of strength, stretching, and yoga", said Peloton CEO John Foley in an email to Peloton members.

For $2,495, the new bike has a larger, rotating touchscreen to stream its classes and make it easier to complement cardio workouts with floor activities. There is also a new digitally-controlled brake that will automatically change your resistance depending on the instructor's cues. The touchscreen also includes a powerful stereo soundbar and subwoofer to bring more of the immersive in-studio feeling into your home.

"Many of you are already enjoying Peloton workouts off the Bike with the Peloton App and have asked for combined cardio and strength classes on The Peloton Bike. I’m excited to share a new full-body Bike Bootcamp experience that we will launch next week with some familiar faces," said Foley.

Beginning Wednesday, Peloton's core bike will now cost $1,895 — a $350 reduction — with the monthly financing rate dropping $9 to $49 a month. For existing Bike owners, you can trade up to the new Bike+ with a $700 credit.

The price of Peloton's treadmill, renamed Tread+, remains $4,295. Peloton is adding a new lower-priced treadmill next year for $2,495.

Five years after the project was approved, plans to convert a former Miami Beach golf course into a public park are nearly finalized.

The city, which owns the long-inactive Bayshore Municipal Golf Course Par-3 in the Bayshore neighborhood in Mid Beach, wants to build a sprawling park on the 19-acre plot and excavate a 1.6-acre lake on the property, equipped with a pedestrian bridge and viewing docks. The new property will be named Bayshore Park, and also feature six tennis courts, a playground, dog park and parking lot. The lake will double as a stormwater-retention area.

The project is being funded by $15.7 million in general obligation funds approved by voters in 2018.

After the City Commission approved the project in 2015, an environmental survey found the site was contaminated with arsenic in the soil and groundwater, “which may have resulted from the historic use of the property as a golf course,” Planning Director Thomas Mooney wrote in a memo.

The property stopped serving as a golf course in 2005.

The firm designing the park, Savino & Miller Design Studio, proposes using “golf-like land forms to cap contaminated soil,” according to a presentation given before the city’s Design Review Board on Monday.

The city’s Design Review Board approved the concept in 2017, but the city did not obtain the required permits within the given 18-month time frame. The design firm again came before the board on Monday with updated plans, including new signage that requires City Commission approval due to its location near a single-family neighborhood.

Miami-Dade County must approve environmental reports related to soil management at the site and grant a permit to the city for its site and stormwater system, a city spokeswoman said.

The firm has submitted its design plans to the city’s building department for review and approval, and the city anticipates completing the permitting process and then putting the project out to bid by the end of the year, the spokeswoman said.

Jason Koslowe, a resident and board member with the Bayshore Homeowners Association, said the presence of arsenic at the site does not concern him because of the planned mitigation and that he is excited about the project.

“It’s been a long time coming for neighborhood residents,” he said. “All of our neighbors are excited.”

This story was originally published on The Miami Herald by Mario Vassolo and can be found here.

Peloton Interactive Inc. is preparing to launch a cheaper treadmill and a new high-end bike, while cutting the price of its existing bike to stoke demand as many gyms remain closed, according to people familiar with the matter.

The new treadmill, called Tread, will cost less than $3,000, compared with $4,295 for the current model. It will also be smaller and have a cheaper belt design like most other treadmills on the market versus the current model’s slat design. The existing Peloton treadmill will continue to be sold as the company’s high-end offering and will be renamed the “Tread+,” the people said. They asked not to be identified discussing private product plans.

The new stationary bike will be a premium offering called Bike+, and will likely cost more than the current $2,245 version. Peloton will then drop the price of the existing machine to less than $1,900, the people said. The shares fell almost 4% to $79.05 in early trading in New York.

One of the new features of the cheaper Tread and higher-end bike will be a more adjustable tablet screen. This will help users do different workouts near the machine, not just on it, expanding the variety of classes. Peloton is also preparing bootcamp training classes for its bikes, which are strength training video workouts currently available on the Tread and the Peloton mobile app, according to the people familiar with the matter.

The New York-based fitness and technology company could announce the new products as early as next week, ahead of quarterly results scheduled for Sept. 10, one of the people said. A Peloton spokeswoman declined to comment.

The COVID-19 pandemic has boosted demand for Peloton’s products and services as consumers look for new ways to work out at home. Many gyms across the U.S. remain closed, giving the company a rare opportunity to lure new customers and subscribers. The stock has surged 178% this year.

However, the outbreak has also limited the company’s ability to produce new products and has paused deliveries of the treadmill in most U.S. markets. In May, Peloton Chief Executive Officer John Foley said Covid-19 forced the company to rethink its product launch timing. He also noted a significant backlog of future devices and said eventually releasing a cheaper treadmill was a high priority.

The cheaper treadmill is likely to go on sale later than the new Bike+, according to one of the people familiar with the matter.

Bloomberg News previously reported on Peloton’s plans for a cheaper treadmill. The company is also working on a rowing machine, but that is not expected to be announced until later.

*This article was originally published on Bloomberg by Mark Gurman and can be found here.

While Fitbit focused on fitness trackers earlier this year with the launch of the Charge 4, the fall is all about new smartwatches. The latest timepiece from the company is the $329 Fitbit Sense, an “advanced health” wearable that includes new hardware like an electrodermal activity (EDA) sensor and new features like electrocardiogram (ECG) measurements. Fitbit’s also updating its Versa smartwatch family and its Inspire fitness trackers, all the while bolstering its Fitbit Premium subscription service with the hope that users will choose it as their health service of choice for the long haul.

“Advanced health” smartwatch is a vague monicker, but it essentially means that the Fitbit Sense can do things that other Fitbit devices haven’t been able to do before. Key among those things are measuring EDA response and ECG information. The EDA sensor looks for electrical changes in your skin that may be caused by stress — to use it, you’ll navigate to the EDA app on the smartwatch, place your palm over the Sense’s display and breathe while it takes a measurement.

This feeds into Fitbit’s renewed focus on helping users track and manage stress, which now goes beyond the guided breathing exercises already available on most of its wearables. The EDA sensor records and shows data on a graph in the Fitbit mobile app alongside the new Stress Management Score, which is yet another all-encompassing number that takes into account heart rate, sleep and activity data. The higher the number, the better your body is doing at physically managing stress. This number will change regularly, and when it’s on the low side, it’ll be coupled with advice on how to manage stress, breathing exercises you can do and other resources.

Users will likely be more familiar with the Sense’s ECG capabilities now that many wearables are trying to incorporate the technology. Fitbit’s feature works similarly to that on the Apple Watch Series 5: place two fingers on the corners of the Fitbit Sense for 30 seconds and it’ll take a reading of the electrical signals coming from your heart. ECG measurements have become popular in wearables because they allow a user to get a quick glimpse into their heart’s health and possibly learn of early signs of conditions like atrial fibrillation. None of the most popular wearables on the market, including the Fitbit Sense or the Apple Watch, are considered medical devices, but they are capable of providing limited data that a user can then take to their doctor if they believe something isn’t right.

Aside from these two features, there are two others that up the Sense’s health-monitoring game: a skin temperature sensor and high and low heart rate alerts. The former does exactly what you’d expect — it monitors your body temperature throughout the day and takes baseline measurements at night while you’re sleeping so you can better understand fluctuations over time. The latter uses Fitbit’s updated heart rate monitoring technology to alert you when your pulse is above or below a certain BPM threshold.

Both of these are practical, albeit unexciting, features mostly because they’re automatic: you don’t have to prompt the smartwatch to take your temperature or to check if your heart rate is sky high — it’ll just do it. Also, changes in body temperature can be early signs of illness, showing up before other symptoms, and knowing when your heart rate suddenly increases can prompt you to take a deep breath, relax and possibly remove yourself from a stressful situation.

Most of the Sense smartwatch’s extraordinary features lie under the hood as the actual wearable looks pretty similar to the company’s Versa smartwatches. It has that familiar rounded square case with detachable bands, and now it supports “infinity bands” that look very close to those that come with the Apple Watch.

The Sense’s case is made of aluminum and stainless steel and it has a slightly larger AMOLED display than other Fitbit smartwatches. In addition to built-in GPS, it also has the new PurePulse 2.0 heart rate monitor, onboard storage for music, an SpO2 sensor, Fitbit Pay support and a new built-in speaker that lets compatible voice assistants reply to your queries audibly and lets you quick-answer phone calls (while your smartphone is on and nearby, of course — there are no LTE capabilities on this device).

Fitbit’s trying to do two things with the Sense smartwatch: compete with devices like the Apple Watch and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3, and encourage users to pay for Fitbit Premium. The first is a bit more obvious than the second: the Sense’s spec sheet puts it squarely in competition with other premium smartwatches and features like EDA and ECG measurements emphasize its potential as a long-term health device.

But that last fact feeds into the company’s apparent strategy for Fitbit Premium: give users devices that can track tons of health data, give them just enough of that information to satisfy most people’s needs and put the rest behind a paywall. The most detailed data for Fitbit’s advanced health metrics, such as the breakdown of how that new Stress Management Score is calculated, will only be available to Fitbit Premium users. In addition to data, Fitbit’s continuously adding resources to Premium — things like meditation sessions, exercise programs and healthy eating routines — to persuade users to pay $10 per month or $80 per year for the service.

All of Fitbit’s new devices come with a free trial of Fitbit Premium. The $329 Fitbit Sense smartwatch along with the $229 Versa 3 and the $99 Inspire 2 are available for pre-order today and will be widely available in late September.

This story was originally published on Engaget.com by Valentina Palladino and can be found here.

Today, Art Basel released a statement formally cancelling the annual event due to the pandemic.

This decision was based on a number of factors, including restrictions on international travel, large-scale events, and gatherings, as well as other quarantine regulations. Florida also continues to be a COVID hotspot in the United States. There were a lot of logistics surrounding an event with a high-risk for low attendance.

“It is with great regret and disappointment that we announce the cancellation of our December show in Miami Beach, as we know how crucial our show is for our galleries, as well as for the greater Miami arts community and economy, said Noah Horowitz, Director Americas, Art Basel, in a statement. "We thank everyone who shared their perspectives and insights with us over the past months and weeks and look forward to returning to Miami Beach next year to deliver a successful show.”

In the statement, Art Basel also said that, despite not having any physical editions this year, organizers still hope to have a variety of online programming. All galleries that were set to show at the in-person 2020 fair will have access to virtual booths in the online version of Art Basel Miami Beach, set to appear on screens in December.

ADAPT Gym in North Miami launches free classes for Miami residents. Locals now have the opportunity to attend in-person group fitness classes every first Saturday of the month and complimentary virtual cooking classes once per month hosted by the in-house registered dietician.

ADAPT’s founders, Scott Grondin and Jorge Sanchez, understand the significance of health and well-being, especially at this crucial moment in time. As of today, the facility will offer open access to its renowned trainers and methods to everyone in the community.

“We have been fortunate enough to see a substantial comeback since the re-opening and believe it’s largely due to our amazing trainers, and the fact we have more than 20k square feet of space,” states Scott Grondin, co-founder of ADAPT. “Now more than ever we need to help our community get back on their feet by offering new options to keep them healthy and active, even when budgets are tight.”

Every first Saturday of the month at 8 and 9 am, participants can burn calories either indoor or outdoor on the newly installed covered training area for a one-hour workout with the best trainers in Miami.

Dining out also looks a bit different these days in Miami, which is why ADAPT now offers a fun approach to date-night, all while supporting local businesses. Every second Wednesday of the month, ADAPT offers a complimentary virtual cooking class with the facility’s in-house registered dietician. Each menu will feature healthy, delicious meals with local grocery partners such as Mr. Fresh to provide the ingredient kit for pick-up.

“We put a creative spin on our nutrition program and felt the virtual cooking classes were a fun way to stay healthy while
supporting the local businesses in our own neighborhood," said Grondin.

For more information, visit www.trainadapt.com or call 786-717-7470. You can reserve a free group fitness class by clicking here or register for a complimentary cooking class here.

Be sure to follow ADAPT on Instagram and Facebook @trainadapt.

North Miami’s largest fitness & wellness facility, introduces ADAPT Study Hall as an in-person option for school this Fall. Children grades three and up can now attend their virtual classes, do homework, and study within a safe and moderated space at ADAPT.

This program comes at an essential moment for parents and children alike, with an unprecedented fall semester made up of mostly virtual classrooms. ADAPT’s founders, Scott Grondin and Jorge Sanchez, have long supported programs Miami’s younger generation with their highly successful youth development programs and summer camps.

”It seemed like a logical option for us to open up the available space on our second floor to children that need a safe place where there is less distraction in order to better pay attention in class, complete their work and stay on task.” states Grondin. “Our ADAPT Study Hall also provides a big relief to parents who have been trying to juggle their own work-at-home life balance, or for those who no longer have a childcare option with many schools being closed.”

The facility will provide students with a socially-distanced personal workspace, high-speed WiFi, a printer, and a dedicated Staff Member to monitor behavior and activity, and offer any assistance when needed. ADAPT Study Hall will be open Monday through Friday for both morning and afternoon sessions. A CDC-approved deep cleaning will be done daily before and after each session.

After school programs are also available for ages 8 - 17 years old with ADAPT Kids and the Youth Development Program, which focus on perfecting athletic technique, and training for sport-specific skills.

ADAPT Study Hall launches on Monday, August 31st. Space is limited, and reservations must be made in advance. Weekly pricing is $175 for one session per day or $300 for both.

For more information on ADAPT Study Hall, or to reserve a spot, visit https://trainadapt.com/studyhall/ or call 786-717-7470.

For more information on ADAPT, visit www.trainadapt.com, and be sure to follow ADAPT on Instagram and Facebook @trainadapt.

There’s a lot being done to help fight food insecurity in Miami. Restaurants across the city are playing the role of food banks, providing meals for out-of-work employees and essential workers. While Instagram-led initiatives like Adopt a Family are providing for entire households in need. And over in Miami’s hardest-hit, low-income neighborhoods, there’s a new kind of grassroots activism emerging: community fridges.

Already a movement in New York City, these public refrigerators filled with free produce and pantry staples for at-risk neighbors have started popping up in Miami. South Florida aesthetician Sherina Jones placed the first one nearly two weeks ago in Little Haiti. It’s located in front of Roots Collective (5505 NW Seventh Ave)—a clothing store owned by her cousin Isaiah Thomas and is partner Danny Agnew—with a sign that reads “Take what you need, donate what you don’t.”

It’s filled with milk, cereal, bread, fruit juices, and eggs, among other essential items. There are also turkey sandwiches packed in Ziplock bags, which Jones makes herself reported the Miami Herald. According to the paper, Jones is keeping her fridge stocked with donations she’s receiving on CashApp at $villagepantry as well as through her GoFundMe site. Down the road in Overtown, Buddy System Miami set up its own community fridge at Harbo convenience store, where people can both donate healthy groceries and collect items to bring home for their families.

“At Buddy System, we’re all about connecting people to sustainable resources and fighting food insecurity, and these community fridges are the next step in providing for our Miami home,” says Eric Trope, vice president of the volunteer-run nonprofit.

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Members are responsible for monitoring the fridge, taking inventory, and restocking it. People interested in donating their time can sign up online on Buddy System’s website. Cash contributions are also welcomed ($BuddySystemMIA) and go toward filling the fridge as well as expanding the project across the county.

Both the Little Haiti and Overtown fridges are located in what’s known as food deserts, low-income areas without a grocery store or fresh-food market within close proximity. Buddy System plans to bring the fridges to another 20 affected neighborhoods in Miami, including Homestead, Cutler Ridge, and Miami Gardens.

“We’re narrowing it down but we’re looking at the areas without a supermarket and where most of the people rely on public transportation, which living [in Miami] we know is unreliable,” Kelly Mayorga, project manager for Buddy System Miami. Reducing food waste is also part of Buddy System’s mission and integral to expanding its community fridge project.

“So much food gets thrown out because it’s not sold by a specific date so if they can give us the food, we can use it for our fridges and keep it from getting tossed out,” says Mallorca.

Certainly a win-win for all.

This story was originally published on Time Out Miami by Virginia Gil and can be found here

Tapout Fitness Miami is bringing a whole new fitness experience to the Magic City. Here are four things you should know about Tapout before you book a class.

1. Tapout is for all fitness levels - Tapout Fitness Miami mixes old school and new school training. As you would expect from a boxing class, there's no love lost when you're grinding through a workout, with some of Miami's hottest trainers will be taking you to places you've never been before. Tapout features branded boxing, kickboxing, and HIIT classes for all ages and fitness levels, and also allows for families to join together in their fitness journeys.

2. Tapout is More Than a Boxing Studio - Tapout Miami features all the bells and whistles you'd come to expect from your typical boxing gym. The 2,000 square-foot Black and Blue fitness room sports heavy bags, weights, and assault bikes. Tapout Fitness Miami also features The Focusmaster, which combines the resistance training of a heavy bag with the accuracy, speed, and combination training of focus mitts. While Tapout honors the martial arts philosophy of discipline, it brings along the energy of cardio, resistance, and HIIT, creating an experience that fully integrates the mind and body.

RELATED Tapout Fitness Is Coming to Downtown Miami

3. Get Technical with Tapout's Martial Art Program - For those who crave a more traditional path, Tapout Fitness Miami offers a variety of inspired martial arts classes. The Tapout Fitness Miami Martial Arts Program incorporates a belt ranking program for both adults and children. You can also jump in the ring to get personal training with any of their trainers or work on your punches with specialized mitt training sessions.

4. Tapout Has all the High-End Amenities You Could Want - Tapout Fitness Miami offers an elevated fitness experience in this flagship location. From a complete organic juice and coffee bar, Ringside Organics, to a boxing ring and a fitness room where you'll be transported by the beats, Tapout has thought of every detail possible to deliver a complete experience once you walk in the door. Let's not forget the changing room, lockers, and showers for the full sweat-and-go experience.

On Tuesday, Mayor Bill de Blasio dashed any hopes that gyms would reopen in New York City next week.

Governor Andrew Cuomo had announced that fitness centers would finally be able to reopen on August 24 with a reduced capacity of 33 percent and various health protocols on Monday, but in his Tuesday morning press conference, de Blasio said that would not be the case for NYC.

RELATED New York Gyms Can Reopen Next Week, Masks Required, Cuomo Says

In order to reopen under state guidelines, gyms would have to be inspected by the city's health department to make sure they're following regulations and to determine whether each gym can have classes. Unfortunately, the city doesn't have enough bandwidth to do both gyms and schools, the mayor said.

"This is about health and safety first," the mayor said on Tuesday. "One thing the governor's executive order makes clear — local discretion is in a lot of this — and based on reality in New York City, we won't start before September 2. I want to be real clear: the priority is going to be on the inspections we need to do for childcare centers and schools."

September 10 is the proposed opening date for NYC schools, but many lawmakers are pushing for a delayed start.

Even when reopening gyms is possible, the regulations will still prove difficult for many local gyms. 

BK Fit, which has been offering outdoor training at its locations and at an outdoor facility for several weeks now, says it'll continue doing so for those uncomfortable working out indoors. It'll also offer access to its indoor facilities 24/7, according to its Instagram account.

*This article was originally published on Timeout by Shaye Weaver and can be found here.

Gyms in New York can reopen as soon as Aug. 24, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said today.

Detailed guidance is on the way later today, but gyms will be limited to 33% of their total capacity and masks will be required at all times, Cuomo said during a press conference in New York City this morning.

Gyms are among the last businesses Cuomo has allowed to return following months of coronavirus shutdowns. Like other nonessential businesses, gyms closed in March to help slow the spread of the pandemic.

Other reopening rules include:

• Patrons will be required to sign in to aid tracing contacts if someone at a gym tests positive for the virus.
• Gyms will have to install strong air filters, similar to those required of businesses like malls.
• Health screenings will be required.

The new guidance is strict and it should be, Cuomo said. Gyms present a higher risk of spreading the virus than some other businesses.

RELATED NYC Gyms File Class-Action Against State After Being Removed From Phase 4

Cuomo acknowledged some patrons might be unhappy with the mask requirement, but they’re not optional.

Local governments also have a role to play in reopening gyms, Cuomo said. They’ll have to inspect the facilities before they open or within two weeks of their opening to make sure they’re meeting state requirements.

Local officials will determine whether gyms can hold indoor fitness classes.

The state began a phased reopening of businesses in May, but even when all of New York reached the fourth and final phase, gyms were not allowed to return. Earlier in August, Cuomo said they’d remain dark indefinitely and called them a “dangerous activity” amid the ongoing pandemic.

But last week, he softened his stance and said the state would issue reopening guidance today.

The previous lack of clear guidance from the state on when gyms would be allowed to come back has been a major source of frustration for owners, trainers, and others.

The state’s nontribal casinos and movie theaters have also not yet been allowed to reopen. Malls were not initially allowed to reopen in the fourth phase of the reopening plan either, but were then allowed to return in July.

Cuomo gave permission last week for bowling alleys to reopen starting today.

*This article was originally published on Syracuse.com and can be found here.

Earlier, we learned that Apple may be preparing “Apple One” subscription bundles that combine its existing services like Apple TV and Apple Music. However, it might also enter an all-new arena. The company is reportedly working on virtual fitness classes that would compete against offerings from Nike and Peloton, via an app for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV, according to Bloomberg.

Codenamed “Seymour,” the fitness subscriptions would be available as part of a higher-end bundle with other Apple services. It would offer classes that rival Nike’s Class Pass and Peloton, Bloomberg reported, so presumably, that would include guided live and on-demand sessions. Apple isn’t likely to sell a bike (though you never know), so it might be closer to Class Pass with aerobic, yoga, kettlebells, and other classes that have limited equipment requirements.

The service makes sense for Apple, as products like the Watch and iPhone are already widely used for fitness and health tracking. On top of that, Apple Music would be a good fit by giving users workout tunes, while participants could be follow along on Apple TV.

There are a lot of other possibilities — Apple might even figure out a way to incorporate the Watch into exercise sessions using heart-rate, accelerometers, and other sensors. None of this is confirmed yet, however, so take it all with some serious skepticism.

*This article was originally published on Engadget by Steve Dent and can be found here.