April 13, 2026

Is Triathlon Camp the New Spa Vacation?

 
 
LUCY DANZIGER AT THE NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER POOL

 
For some people, the answer is yes!

Lucy Danziger and I have been friends, colleagues, and sport buddies for over 30 years. When she texted me pictures from a triathlon training camp, all excited and calling it her version of a spa vacation, I asked her to please write a story for SOS! Lucy, a former competitive triathlete who still loves to train like one, made me want to join her at the National Training Center (NTC) – and I’m not a triathlete (although I do enjoy all three sports). But as Lucy shares in her story, all are welcome here, from Olympic athletes to everyday athletes who just want to train like one…

Swim, Bike, Run, Bliss by Lucy Danziger

Some people dream of spa getaways — plush robes, cucumber water, and hours of pampering. Not me. My version of luxury? Three workouts a day — swim, bike, run — in any order, with little else on the schedule except eating and sleeping. So when I headed to a weeklong triathlon training camp at the National Training Center (NTC) in Clermont, Florida, it felt like I’d checked into paradise… just with a lot more sweat and “real” athletes everywhere you look.

Once upon a time I could call myself a competitive triathlete, since getting on the podium was a realistic goal and I would do about four long-course races a year, along with several shorter ones. But these days I’m just looking to get fit and healthy, have fun, and get back in the game, even if my “running” is now a steady trot due to an old ski injury and achy knee from surgery in my twenties. Everyone in triathlon has a strength (always biking for me) and a limiter (it used to be swimming, but now instead of getting out of the water with the backstrokers, I manage to arrive at my bike rack in the middle of the pack). Read More

 

April 9, 2026

Tee Time

 

CLICK ITEMS ABOVE FOR SHOPPING LINKS

The 90th edition of the Masters Tournament has teed off at Augusta National Golf Club. With its rich tradition and history, this prestigious tournament, the first golf major of the year, captures worldwide attention — even among those who don’t golf. If you are one of those, this collection of golf apparel might even appeal to you with its cool everyday lifestyle vibe.

 
LEFT COLUMN: GFORE COZY DOUBLE KNIT CROPPED COLLARED JACKET $225; RALPH LAUREN RLX STRETCH TWILL 5-POCKET PANT $128; ADIDAS STAN SMITH SPIKELESS GOLF SHOES NOW $69.99

CENTER COLUMN: BIRDS OF GEORGIA CALL WHISTLE SET $128; MALBON MANUELA GLOVE $48; LACOSTE POLO COLLAR GOLF SWEATER $165

RIGHT COLUMN: TORY BURCH PICK STITCH STRETCH POLO DRESS $360; SUN DAY RED CASHMERE CREW $298; PINNED GOLF PIRSM + RANGEFINDER $259.99

 

February 22, 2025

A Rooftop Ocean Skatepark

 

 

Perched between the mountains and the sea on the coast of China is the city of Qingdao, the location of a new skatepark with a design like no other. As the flow of skateboarding mirrors the essence of surfing, the skatepark recreates an ocean on the rooftop of Qingdao MixC mall. The layout incorporates flowing curves of ocean waves, highlighting the connection between the two sports.

Qingdao’s breathtaking coastal scenery is considered a natural treasure, yet it is also a commercial city. Qingdao Mixc Phase I and II Connection Area Skatepark Renovation Project, designed by Within Beyond Studio, allows the two to coexist in harmony. This dual activation, both in terms of spatial design and movement, infuses the entire terrace. Read More

 

August 1, 2024

“Pickleball” Elbow? New Sport… New Injuries

 

 

The Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP) recently unveiled updated pickleball participation research that revealed 48.3 million adult Americans – nearly 19% of the total adult population – have played pickleball at least once in the past 12 months. But with its surging popularity have come a rise in injuries related to the game. While many believe that pickleball is less strenuous and easier on the body than tennis, given the small size of the court, there are a number of contributing factors.

Dr. Donald Rose M.D., an orthopedic surgeon in New York City says the onset of pickleball has led to many different types of injuries. A lot of his patients are former tennis players, who feel they can’t play tennis anymore, and want an alternative. “Whereas they may have played an hour of tennis, they feel they can play multiple hours of pickleball because they don’t have to cover as much ground. They go out thinking it’s just a simple game.”

Although the average age of players is 34.8 years old, revealed in that same APP study, patients Dr. Rose sees are generally 50 and over, who he says perhaps are not as conditioned as they were or should be. The other problem, he says, is pickleball is played on hard courts. Resulting injuries are due to chronic repetitive overuse like stress fractures, hip bursitis, planter fasciitis, achilles tendinitis, as well as ankle and knee strain.
Read More

 

March 27, 2024

Spring Skiing Montana: 3 Days in Bozeman

 

 

When I headed out to Bozeman, Montana last week for a quick 3-day ski trip, I assumed those 3 days would be spent at Big Sky. It was one of the few ski resorts out west I hadn’t skied and been at the top of my list. As the name implies, Big Sky encompasses a sprawling 5850 acres of Rocky Mountain skiing terrain, ranging from wide-open groomers to dynamic glades to challenging steeps, with more runs to ski than I’d ever jam into 3 days. Little did I know there are two other mountains to ski in the vicinity: Bridger Bowl, the community run mountain where the locals ski, and at the other end of the spectrum, the ultra-exclusive Yellowstone Club.

A few years ago a good friend of mine, Lynn Shanahan, moved out to Bozeman. We met on a press trip about 20 years ago when she was a Group President at Tommy Hilfiger and I was the Visual Editor at Self magazine. Tommy Hilfiger was sponsoring the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team at the time and had invited a handful of editors to Deer Valley, Utah to watch an Olympic lead-up competition. In the good old days of the print magazine business, our accommodations were at the world-famous Stein Erikson Lodge and the rest of the weekend followed suit in alpine luxury.

Lynn has quite the different life now, having opened up a bar and café in Gallatin Gateway, just southwest of Bozeman, called The Jump. Once a strip club, The Jump still has dancing but not on poles. She herself is a competitive ballroom dancer. With regular live music, locals and tourists alike, along with students from Montana State University in Bozeman, can be found on the dance floor nightly for some country western two-step and line dancing. They offer dance lessons too. Read More

 

February 2, 2024

Masters Swimming

 

MASTERS SWIMMING AT ASPHALT GREEN

 
Contrary to what you might think, Masters Swimming is not just for master swimmers. In fact it’s for everyone, swimmers of all levels, as I learned last week at Asphalt Green where I trained with the AGUA Masters swim team.

“Masters Swimming is for anyone 18 and over. At Asphalt Green we’re really trying to welcome everyone, from someone who just learned how to swim to former Olympians”, says Jim Wu Head Coach AGUA Masters. “We try to incorporate workouts that will appeal to all levels.” AGUA Masters swim team is dedicated to helping adult swimmers improve their swimming by developing better technique, fitness, and endurance through structured group instruction and training.

The last time I was on a swim team, I think I was 12 or 13. I still swim regularly but recreationally, not very far or particularly fast. I had seen the AGUA Masters team practicing at Asphalt Green where I am a member, their workout written out on the white board, and thought it looked like a fun way to increase both my distance and speed. Read More

 

January 1, 2024

Tennis Everyone?

 

 

While everyone has been talking about Pickleball, tennis is alive and well, and you’re never too old to learn. Group adult instruction programs and classes like Drill & Play and Cardio Tennis are offered for all levels at almost any tennis club, at many of which you don’t need to be a member to join a class. It’s a fun and social approach to the game, with a non-stop format that makes it a great workout too. Read More

 

September 18, 2023

Like Pickleball? Try Padel

 

PADEL HAUS

It’s hard to miss the pickleball craze that has swept the country in the last few years. Nearly everywhere you look, courts have popped up in parks, schoolyards, driveways, and other open spaces. CityPickle took over Wollman Rink in New York City’s Central Park this summer with 14 courts.

But a few weeks ago I was strolling along the waterfront in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and I saw four packed padel courts in Domino Park at a place called Padel Haus. While pickleball may be the fastest growing sport in America with over 36 million participants (Association of Pickleball Professionals), padel is actually the fastest growing sport in the world with over 25 million players (International Federation of Padel).

Padel is like a hybrid of tennis and squash. The sport originated in 1969 in Acapulco, Mexico. Like pickleball, it is played with a paddle, but one that is thicker, perforated, and with a slightly different shape. Unlike pickleball, the ball is not plastic, but a tennis ball. The court is bigger, roughly half the size of a tennis court, and enclosed with glass walls. What makes the sport really fun is you can play the ball off the back wall, adding a new and challenging element to the game. Like pickleball, padel is quick and easy to learn, making it as fun and addictive of a sport to play. Read More

 

October 22, 2022

Snow Falls at the Mall

 

 

Photographs by Evan Kay

Some people go to the mall to shop, others to eat, some go the movies, or to hang out with their friends. At the American Dream mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey you can ski and snowboard too at Big Snow, North America’s only indoor, year-round, real-snow ski and snowboard facility.

About 20 minutes from Penn Station without traffic, Big Snow is situated across from Met Life stadium, home of the New York Giants and New York Jets, in the middle of the mall. Just get off the escalator and there it is, alongside other stores and attractions. They make fresh snow and groom the hill every day, where the slogan goes “Every day is a Snow Day”.
Read More

 

September 30, 2022

Field Station

 

FIELD STATION

AutoCamp has just introduced Field Station, their latest foray into revolutionizing the camping experience. AutoCamp was founded in 2013 and has redefined outdoor lodging by bringing uniquely modern hospitality to some of America’s most beautiful locations. Accommodations include Airstream suites and luxury tents in such destinations as Yosemite National Park, the Russian River Valley, Cape Cod, the Catskills, and Joshua Tree National Park.

With boutique-style amenities and mid-century modern design, AutoCamp invites people to experience nature and camping in a whole new way. Launching early 2023 in Moab, Utah, Field Station offers a more affordable option with the same modern design and outdoor spirit, in a traditional hotel footprint. Field Station is upcycling and renovating existing lodging and motels in prime outdoor destinations to provide inclusive, supportive, and sustainable basecamps for exploring nearby natural areas. Read More

 

September 21, 2022

Meditation On The Run

 

Photo by Larry Gloth

Whether you already meditate or want to get started, meditating while running is a different way to meditate and a different way to run. While running itself can be a meditative experience, when you combine it with a guided meditation it changes the experience. “Mindful running is the ability to run with a clear intention, fully connected in body and mind, free from distraction, and with an equal balance of focus and relaxation”, says Andy Puddicombe, co-founder of the popular meditation app Headspace.

At the core of meditation is the focus on staying present in the moment. The goal is to leave thoughts of the past behind and not get caught up in the future that has yet to happen. The breath is the tool that keeps you present by focusing on the rhythm of inhales and exhales — hard to ignore when running. Running can help you meditate and meditation can help you run. The two together can help make you better at both.

If you’re like most recreational runners, myself included, you run with music. Music gives you rhythm, energy, and motivation, but it’s also a distraction. It blocks out many sensations your body is feeling. There’s nothing wrong with that, but when you turn the music off, running becomes a different experience. You take in the sights and sounds. You become aware of your inhales and exhales. You hear the sound of your breath. I discovered how loud that can be when I tried the Mindful Running with Lynne Goldberg on the Breethe meditation app, which on that particular run was more labored than I realized. Read More

 

December 1, 2021

E-asy Riders

 

 

Forget the car and driver… the electric bicyle has become the ultimate way to get around town. From luxury fashion designers like Saint Laurent, to automotive and motorcycle brands like BMW and Harley-Davison, a deluxe fleet of e-bikes has hit the streets — tailor made for the stylish commuter.

SAINT LAURENT (above)

SUPER73-S2 ELECTRIC BIKE $6500

 
The Saint Laurent SUPER73-S2 combines American motorcycle culture with the refined aesthetics of the French fashion house. Produced in collaboration with Super73, it is rugged as it is chic: crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum alloy; with a battery pack designed like a fuel tank; and a cafe racer style seat. This Saint Laurent limited edition is distinguished by its all-black matte finish and logo on the frame, tires, and seat. Other features include a rear-hub mounted 250 watt DC motor with 2000 watts of peak power; 4 levels of pedal assist; a 10-Speed Rear Derailleur; and fully adjustable air spring suspension fork to max out your ride at speeds up to 28 mph. Read More

 

September 17, 2020

Lift Off

 

 

It’s surfing without a wave, snowboarding without the powder, flying without a plane… it’s eFoiling, your new (albeit expensive) board sport! An eFoil is a motorized surfboard with a sleek hydrofoil design that lifts the board out of the water at speeds of up to 25 mph with the control of a wireless handheld remote. Lift, the family-owned, Puerto Rico based company, is the creator of the best-selling eFoil on the market — and one can be yours for a mere $12,000.

You are likely familiar with the concept of foiling as it applies to sailing, and have seen the hydrofoil race boats that have become standard design in the America’s Cup. As speed increases, wing-like foils propel the board up and you float above the surface as the blade slices through the water below. A two-hour charge lets you ride for about 90 minutes.

Described by some as a cross between a Jet Ski and a surfboard, thankfully the electric motor is silent, and eFoiling takes some athletic skill to master. I’ve been wanting to demo an e-Foil for a while, and Lift hooked me up with a lesson in Montauk, L.I. earlier this week. Kai Costanzo, owner of KaiKai sandals located at Gossman’s Dock (and other locations) was my instructor. Telling me most people don’t stand up on their first lesson, such would be my motivation!
Read More

 

October 28, 2016

The XPT Experience

 

3 DAYS WITH GABBY REECE, LAIRD HAMILTON…

AND KERRI WALSH JENNINGS, TOO!

IT’S THIS SPORTY GIRL’S DREAM COME TRUE!

 

PHOTOGRAPHS & COLLAGES BY KEITH KING

Ever wonder what life is like for Gabrielle Reece and Laird Hamilton? Well, wonder no more. Gabby and Laird, along with Brian MacKenzie, a human performance specialist, have created The XPT Experience, a 3-day turbo-charged immersion into their lives. XPT stands for Extreme Performance Training and for $5000, you get full access to this trio and a roster of the most buzzed about – although you may not have heard about them yet — trainers, coaches, health and wellness experts. The XPT Experience is an action packed program of workouts, lectures, and playtime too, all of which comes from the cutting edge training, nutrition and recovery these professional athletes have integrated into their daily lives.

For those who don’t know this Amazonian beauty, Gabby Reece is a former professional beach volleyball player, model, best-selling author, mother, and world-renowned fitness personality, most recently seen as the host of NBC’s Strong. At 6’3 she is a towering presence, and at 47 years old, as gorgeous and fit as ever, enhanced by a big heart and generosity as large. Husband Laird Hamilton is the world famous big wave surfer, who at 53 defies age and gravity, riding massive walls of water for a living and inventing new water sports for the rest of us to enjoy. He is recognized as the creator of Stand Up Paddleboarding. His rock hard physique and hunky good looks are hard to ignore, along with an engaging stream of dialogue that questions many common assumptions on health and fitness, while offering alternative ways of thinking with the latest discoveries in human performance. Read More

 

July 20, 2015

Lie Down Paddleboarding

 
   YOUR EDITOR VENTURING OUT ON A BARK COMMANDER AST PRONE PADDLEBOARD

 
While the popularity of stand up paddleboarding has exploded, a new offshoot of the sport has arrived, which is actually where SUP got its start. Prone paddleboards are now what many of the pros use on the SUP race circuit, and this trend has begun to trickle down to the recreational paddler. Designed to be paddled while lying flat or sitting on your knees, prone paddleboards are like bullets — sexy and fast! No paddle is required, nor is there standing involved. Typically 12 or 14ft, these boards slice through the water with ease and make chop feel like glass. Prone paddleboarding delivers a great endurance workout and can also improve your surfing by strengthening those paddling muscles needed to catch waves.
 
CommanderProElite12

BARK COMMANDER PRO ELITE

 

One of the biggest names in SUP, Bark Paddleboards and namesake surfboard shaper Joe Bark, manufactures some of the top prone boards as well.  Shown above is the Bark Commander Pro Elite ($1999/2249), the carbon fiber production model of the winning board for the last seven years of Molokai-2-Oahu — the 32-mile island-to-island World Championship race in Hawaii. Up top, and what I demoed at Island Surf in Westhampton Beach, is the less expensive and more durable Bark Commander AST ($1499/$1699) — ready for those who want to go out and have some fun trying a new summer sport. Ideal for both fitness and racing, the AST features comfortable knee wells and a built in chest rise, so you can max out every stroke. It has a sleek matte finish too, for a cool look both in and out of the water.

Top photo by Ally Greenberg / Swimsuit by Milly Cabana

 
 

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