THE CHECK-IN

SUNDAY | 4.4.2021

UPGRADE YOUR PUSH-UPS.

In his Full Body Strengthening with Bands TB12 class on Equinox+, Joe Koudelka includes a banded push-up. “When you do push-ups you should think about the plank,” says Koudelka.  “You’re working your chest, you’re working your arms, but we want to focus on what the core is doing here." Watch Markcus Blair demonstrate in the video at right. Squeeze your abs and your glutes, and let your knees relax and bend a little bit.
In his Full Body Strengthening with Bands TB12 class on Equinox+, Joe Koudelka includes a banded push-up. “When you do push-ups you should think about the plank,” says Koudelka.  “You’re working your chest, you’re working your arms, but we want to focus on what the core is doing here." Watch Markcus Blair demonstrate in the video at right. Squeeze your abs and your glutes, and let your knees relax and bend a little bit.

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MAKE EGG CREPES.

Chickpea flour’s nutty flavor and light texture is perfect for crepes. This version is topped with turkey and egg for a high-protein meal, says Laura Rege, a New York City-based recipe developer. “Serve it with a salad for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.”

See Recipe

LEARN ON PAPER.

If you’re trying to master new information, whether it’s for a hobby—like learning a language—or to comprehend a work project, take notes on paper. New research at the University of Tokyo found that writing by hand, instead of digitally, activates stronger brain activity, which leads to longer memory. "Our take-home message is to use paper notebooks for information we need to learn or memorize," says Professor Kuniyoshi L. Sakai, Ph.D., a neuroscientist at the University of Tokyo and corresponding author of the research recently published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience.

In addition, the study showed that volunteers who took notes on paper completed the task about 25% faster than those who used smartphones or digital tablets, questioning the popular belief that digital tools are more efficient.

TAKE A REST DAY—SERIOUSLY.

“The biggest thing that helps to keep my momentum in my fitness and wellness routines is knowing that it's okay to take a day off and rest,” says Cathy Prince, fitness manager at Century City in California. “I used to be the trainer that worked out or did something really active every day of the week. I slowly came to learn, through a lot of trial and error, that I needed a day or two off every week. Giving myself permission to rest helps me move better and get more out of the workouts I do, and knowing that I have time off helps to keep me from getting burnt out.”