Welcome to “The Project: IMMERSIVE FITNESS” by Reebok and Les Mills, the global mastermind behind popular group fitness and team training programs like BODYPUMP (weights), BODYCOMBAT (martial arts), RPM (indoor cycling) and LES MILLS GRIT (30-minute high intensity interval).

Combining cinema quality video projected onto studio-sized screens with instructors who cue moves synchronized with exactly what’s in front of you, it’s the most high-tech way to get into the “zone” whether you’re riding through a kaleidoscopic cosmic explosion or stretching out under a sunset sky.

Recently debuted in London, The Project: IMMERSIVE FITNESS is on the road in Europe.  Stops include Stockholm, Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris and Milan, for any of you with international travel plans.  And, sign up to stay tuned, because it’s coming our way next year!

So, get ready for your turn in the spotlight.

And, the best part is: you don’t even have to go on a single audition.

WATCH THE PROJECT: IMMERSIVE FITNESS VIDEO HERE.
And, follow on Instagram.

The next level of fitness is here. IMMERSIVE FITNESS™ surrounds participants with cinema quality video content projected onto screens of a purpose-built studio.  Exercise moves synchronize perfectly with music and graphics, creating a truly immersive fitness experience. Learn more!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Les Mills. The opinions and text are all mine.

With his mega-watt smile, playful personality and perfect plié, you’ll find just that in FlyBarre’s Brandon Goodman.

Brandon got his start in the industry teaching in his living room at 7 a.m.  A former Tracy Anderson Method front desk staffer and member of the popular studio’s “first line of defense,” Brandon had what he calls a long-time “love/hate relationship” with fitness.  He wasn’t overweight, but, he wasn’t in shape, either.  So, using what he learned at his day job and via personal training, he kicked himself into high gear and invited a small but determined crew over for early morning exercise with light weights and high reps (essentially, FlyBarre’s key to success).

He’s a trained actor and creative writer, with a flair for fashion inherited from his mom. He describes her as “the most stylish minster you’ve ever met.” “If it sings to you, then you’ve gotta have it,” he says, listing colorful socks, vintage pieces from Beacon’s Closet and everything by ASOS as his go-to favorites. Check out those leopard print sweatpants! (They’re American Stitch.)

As a guy who not long ago was on the outside looking in, Brandon understands that fitness can be intimidating.  He suggests finding a personal trainer with whom you really connect and can be yourself.  Ask a friend to show you a few things around the gym or tag along with you to that boutique studio you’ve been wanting to try.  “Fitness is where you’re most vulnerable.  You’re either strong or you’re not.  You can either lift that weight or not,” he says, noting that FlyBarre’s classes are designed to be small enough that the instructor keeps a close eye on your form for maximum results but big enough to be social.  Why?  “You’re gonna work hard when someone is watching you.”

If you haven’t tried FlyBarre, a few things to know:

• When it comes to clothes, the more fitted, the better–but, wear what makes you feel comfortable.
• Set an attainable goal for just that particular class, whether it’s staying in plank or using your weights for a full song.
• And, bring socks, if you want (he teaches barefoot, but, lots of students wear them).

Above all, set goals that are realistic and are designed to make you happy.  So, if you’re working out to please your nagging boyfriend/husband or to squeeze into a string bikini for an upcoming beach vacation with friends, you may be heading down the wrong path.

“When it’s only about you, that’s when you change.”

Who needs a sweat session with Brandon?  Book it here.  And follow him around town: @manbgood.

For me, each of my long-term relationships has come hand-in-hand with the rotation of a specific pair of “fat” jeans toward the front of my closet.  They’re old but semi “designer” (Citizens for Humanity) and they never see the light of day when I’m single.  (Here they are and note that I’m also hiding behind my bag, which is a tactic that I’ve frequently employed when madly in love.)

It’s not that I’ve ever stopped working out, entirely, because I haven’t. My boyfriends have always been sporty types who share my love of running, biking, baseball, the beach and walking endlessly around the city.

It’s just that when I’m in a relationship, I tend to completely lose sight of my own routine when it comes to exercise, sleep and eating. Hardcore cycling classes get replaced by a few minutes on the elliptical, salads become steaks and the occasional dessert becomes an evening affair right before bed. And, as happy as I have been with the other person in those relationships, I haven’t been happy with myself. For me, “I” rarely comes before “us.”

Dating in New York can be a full-time job. In fact, it’s almost like playing professional baseball. Where are you in the lineup, did you strike out, knock it out of the park and are you the one consistently saving the game? Performance on a date or in a new relationship can be analyzed in a million ways, there could practically be a score card.

I’ve spent hours over the past year boxing, climbing and kicking major butt on the bike, largely in part to build this blog. I’ve really challenged myself (and changed my body) in order to create something to share with–and inspire–you. And, I’m not giving that back.

And, while I know that I’ll always have to work for my abs, regardless of my relationship status (that’s just my genetics), I also know now that when I do find the right guy, I’ll never again need to look back.

Are you where you want to be? How do you balance work, life, love and your fitness level?

Photos by Mariana Zenteno Photography, Shante Carlan Photography & Lindsay M. Koffler Photography.

Seriously, though, a few cool things seen & heard over the weekend that I can’t wait to share with you:

1) There’s a new fitness app coming to town and it’s called SportSetter.  You input data like where you live and work, what types of exercise you enjoy and your availability, and the app curates a highly-personalized fitness program, complete with 2-4 class passes at gyms and boutique studios per month.  You can also join forces with friends to make the experience more social, both online and off.   I’m interested to see how it differs from the other passport programs that we already know and love.  Click here to be notified when the app is ready for download!

2) Have you tried a FlyBoard?  I hadn’t.  It looks like a skinny snowboard with edges that curve up toward the sky, born from the Italian BodyFly technique centered around postural alignment and balance.

More info and photos to come (I’m curious), but, judging from my first encounter, I could totally see it popping up at gyms and studios everywhere this year.  It’s strangely soothing.  And, maybe you’ll even find me on one of these in my apartment, while talking on the phone or answering emails.  Stationary standing desks are so 2013.

3) When you hear the name Reebok, you might think of fluorescent high tops or the super-sized fitness space on NYC’s Upper West Side.  Now, the brand is a publisher, too.  The first edition of RALLY (available as both a print book and e-mag, which you can download here) was floating around the event, featuring fitness industry influencer profiles and stylishly sweaty action shots. Plus, of course, a few of those signature colorful, can’t-miss high tops.

High fives to readers Elyse and Liza for joining me.  Hope that you both had fun and here’s to more STRENGTH+Sole “socials” this year!

Want to attend a STRENGTH+Sole event?  Comment below and I’ll add you to my list.

Reebok RALLY images are property of the brand.

If you’re this woman, you’d step to the front of the room, cue some music and teach the class yourself.

Meet Carol Scott, the reigning queen of international fitness and founder of ECA, the industry’s most high-profile trend incubator and events organization. We met for decaf skim lattes at the Gramercy Park Hotel to talk lunges, labels and what to look for at this weekend’s One Body One World (OBOW) event in New York City.

Her story: Carol has a Phys. Ed. background; having played college basketball and softball, it was a natural fit. On that day, when the instructor didn’t show up for class, she stepped up, literally, and taught it herself. Shortly thereafter, she decided to become a bona fide instructor, got her certification and started teaching high-impact, dance-based “Donna Summer” aerobics.  In 1991, she took her life’s savings and put on the first ECA show, what she now refers to as “the fitness industry’s family reunion.”

What we’ll find at the event: A jam-packed, 3-day schedule of fitness classes, instructor meet-and-greets, beauty touch-ups (by Benefit!) and previews of new and improved fitness equipment like modified bosu balls and a re-designed FlyBoard to help us refine our dynamic balance.

On Sunday, lace up your Flyknits or Fresh Foams and join in on the ultimate fitness mash-up class organized by FITist featuring über instructors Shay Kostabi of FlyBarre, Noah Neiman of Barry’s Bootcamp, Layla Luciano of SLT & Barry’s Bootcamp, Natalie Uhling of NUfit and Sadie Kurzban, founder of ((305)) Fitness.  Add to your Google calendar now: 11am-1pm!

And, when we started talking fashion, I was giddy to learn that Carol knows her labels.

What’s in her closet:
She’s a self-proclaimed “Nike girl” and calls it the ultimate performance brand.  At the gym, you’ll also find her in gear by lululemon, Splits59 and sweats & tees by Peace Love World.  Otherwise, her look is decidedly city chic: Alexander Wang, Isabelle Marant, McQ, Narcisco Rodriguez, Rick Owens & Urban Zen.

The day we met, she rocked the PS 1 cross body bag by Proenza Schouler and shearling-lined Engineer boots by Jeffrey Campbell.

Wanna meet the hottest instructors, preview the newest fitness trends and get cool stuff? Buy your tickets here.

**WIN IT!**
Two lucky readers will be selected to join me at ECA/OBOW this Sunday, March 9th, including the FITiST mash-up class (complimentary day pass: $99 value).

Let me know why you should be part of my crew by commenting below.  My only requirement?  You have to show up in workout gear and be ready to pose for a few sweaty selfies!

Meet Kari Nicolle (pronounced “Kah-ree”). She’s an actress on the rise, an in-demand Flywheel instructor and the ultimate optimist.  I recently rocked a bike in Kari’s Flatiron class then sat down with her to talk about fitness, favorite products and her forecast for the notoriously tough-to-break-through town of New York City.

Her story: Kari hails from the San Francisco Bay Area and moved cross-country to study theater at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. For her, it was “New York, all the way.” Forever an athlete, having played soccer, softball and ridden horses competitively since grade school, she had never actually worked out inside a gym before moving east.

Now, she’s an actress with an agent and few Broadway and TV gigs under her skinny belt, out to score her first national commercial in 2014. “The talent level in this city is so beyond incredible, it makes me speechless.”

Why she’s different: She’s intensely positive–in and out of the studio. “Being a performer helps, it’s so in our bones to share ourselves with a crowd.”

Kari has mastered the art of teaching (she just celebrated her first “Flyversary” this month) and it may sound strange, but, I felt that she made amazing eye contact, despite the studio’s darkness during class. “I try to connect with every person in the room. People are only there because they really love it, from the staff to our clients…there are so many options,” she says.

What’s inside her beauty bag:
Clarins Gentle Care Day Cream: It’s the only thing that works for her super sensitive skin.

Paul Mitchell Super Clean Sculpting Gel: Great for girls with tight, stubborn curls.

MAC Lipglass in Prrr: “I don’t leave the house without it,” she says, and quickly whipped it out of her handbag to show me.

Fitness (and life) motto: “Don’t get in your own way–and, just keep showing up.”

Want to book a class with Kari?  Click here.

And, nowhere is that more important than when it comes to well-being.  From diet and exercise to relaxation and sleep, knowing what you actually do (vs. what you think you do) is the first step toward setting goals for significant improvement over time.

A few weeks go, I attended the NYC launch of the Bowflex Boost, a 24-hour activity monitor, joining the popular NikeFuel and Jawbone UP.  It syncs with my iPhone to measure steps, distance, calories burned and sleep patterns on a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly basis.

I immediately set my goals…

Some of the things that I’ve learned are obvious.

For instance, I move more on weekends, when I’m not behind my desk: walking to/from morning cycling classes, with my dog from Chelsea to the Union Square Greenmarket and with friends in the West Village.

On a typical work day, I average 5-6 miles vs. a Saturday or Sunday, when it’s more like 10-12.

Something that I’ve found interesting is that it takes me, literally, NO time to fall asleep: between 8-10 minutes. I’ve always been a sound sleeper, but, seriously?! I must be really tired.

The Boost has been a great addition to my day-to-day for information and motivation. Here, wearing my Boost before a run in Hudson River Park.

And, if all else fails, here in the city there’s always a little caffeine nearby…have you tried Intelligentsia at The High Line Hotel?

Bowflex Boost (c/o), Eddie Bauer vest (c/o), SmartWool shirt (c/o), Lululemon leggings, SparklySoul headband, New Balance sneakers (c/o).

The High Line Hotel: 180 Tenth Avenue @ 20th Street, NYC

This December, I’ll be toasting the new year in Costa Rica.  It’s a destination that has been on my “to do” list forever and why not now?

The Costa Rican saying “Pura Vida” literally means “pure life,” but, it’s really closer to “plenty of life,” which is how I’ve read that Costa Ricans not only greet each other, but, live their lives: enjoying and being happy.  It’s true that sometimes the way that you choose to feel is how you actually feel.

On my action-packed itinerary: white water rafting, waterfall rapelling, zip lining, surfing and soaking in the hot springs of La Fortuna (“fortune”).

Sounds like a week in the rainforest just might do this girl good.

Photo credit: puravidacr.tumblr.com

Well, he’s back. And, in a big way.

He’s running a new box, Brick, which opened just two months ago in Chelsea.  With over 400 members, it’s taking the city’s CrossFit scene by storm.

The decor is industrial and upscale; the vibe is upbeat and empowering.

On Saturday morning, my brother and I did an amazing class led by Heidi, a totally zen ultramarathoner-turned-CrossFit instructor.

Then…I joined.

So, stay tuned for much more about burpees, squats and slam balls.  Buh bye, elliptical and treadmill.  Hello, Brick!