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Trampolines Aren’t Just for Kids: Urban Rebounding w/J.B. Berns

Last month, I became a member of the women’s organization Step Up. This Thursday night they had a wonderful Passport to Health event revolving around they keys to a balanced lifestyle. The event featured two main portions, the first half focused on meditation and inspiration lead by Gabrielle Bernestein while the second half focused on physical balance as presented by JB Berns. 

JB Berns was absolutely hilarious as he explained how he started Urban Rebounding. Urban Rebounding, for those of you who are not aware, is a high energy and high intensity trampoline workout that gets your heart pumping without putting stress on your joints. JB Berns developed the hour long low-impact workout over 20 years ago while recovering from a martial arts injury.Now this very successful and popular workout is in over 5,000 gyms worldwide including Crunch and Equinox. There are over 30 benefits to Urban Rebounding many of which are anti-aging. These include the following just to name a few:
-boosts red blood cells
-improves coordination
-improves balance
-improves circulation
-enhances digestion and elimination process

In addition to the great benefits of bouncing for an hour, the class also makes you smile! JB’s class, which is held each Tuesday evening at his “home” Equinox location in NYC, 63rd and Lexington, is filled with energy and fun. Each class revolves around an amazing playlist featuring hip hop, rap, and club mixes that keep the beat and bounce going strong. He leads each class with support, guidance, and a coach mentality. After a brief warm-up of gentle bouncing and stretching, the next 45 minutes are spent making your heart rate climb by jumping on your trampoline while holding light sandbags performing 10 interval workout sets. JB does a great job leading the class and ensuring everyone understands the concept, basic movement, and isn’t embarrassed about looking a bit silly. The basic jump is hands on hips with a slight bend in the knee while PUSHING DOWN with your feet so you perform a very short jump. The point is NOT to jump as high as you can. Throughout the class this one jump is adjusted to turn into jumping jacks, turns, include arm motions, and even squats. After the 45 minutes of intervals, the class ends with a quick ab and tricep workout followed by a cool-down.

I really enjoyed this class and was happy to have the opportunity to enjoy it for the second time this week. In fact, Lauren and I have discussed making it a weekly habit. There is something about jumping on your own personal trampoline for an hour surrounded by 50 other smiling women that just helps release the work week stress and leave you wanting more!Click here for an amusing video of JB Berns and Urban Rebounding on the Martha Stewart show! HAHA

Be sure to check out the Urban Rebounding site to find your closest available class. If you’re in NYC and interested in trying his class on Tuesday nights at 63rd and Lex please let me know as I have 2 free Equinox passes i’d love someone to use!


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Southern flavors in southern Manhattan

As any gourmet knows, the only format through which a chef / restaurant can really show their skills is a multi-course tasting menu. However, unless you are related to a duke, you most likely can’t afford to frequent Per Se, Gilt (this is where the bears dined the night they decided to be bears together forever – we’ll tell that story at some point) or Le Bernardin. The solution to this problem simply requires some initiative. Last week, in search of an affordable tasting menu, we inquired about the possibility of creating one even though not included on the standard menu. While we were shot down at a few spots, Duane Park in TriBeCa was happy to oblige us (5 courses for only $58.00 per person plus $27.50 for wine pairings). Although the restaurant was not packed when we arrived at eight (we are still getting used to the fact that New York keeps the same hours as Barcelona (dinner doesn’t begin till ten and lasts till one)) it quickly filled with patrons. After some slight confusion with regard to our previously arranged tasting menu, the service was great and the Southern influenced New American selections greatly pleased our palates. I highly recommend the quail appetizer served over black-eyed peas and the Cajun influenced bouillabaisse. While the food did not quite reach the level of Elizabeth’s on 37th Street (our favorite southern New American in the world located in Savannah, GA) the overall experience was wonderful and we look forward to returning to their weekly late-night jazz and burlesque show on Friday night.

Our review: A Bear

P.S. – This place had to be great as the chef and I share the same name.

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There is a new hoe in my Spring garden

The other night, Bo and I decided that it was a better idea to explore SoHo and eat dinner out instead of rushing home to cook dinner before Phantom. We took this opportunity to visit Peanut Butter & Co and then discover a new bar. We stumbled upon Bar 108 in SoHo. Bar 108 was your typical chill bar that had amazing music, flat screen televisions featuring the Masters, and delicious sesame seed wheat pretzels. Our waitress tried to convince us that since they had wheat in them they were healthy. 🙂 It was at this bar that I discovered a new love.

Now understand, Bo is a beer snob. A PBR has not his lips ever- even in high school! He has always been that one weird guy who would bring imported or craft brews to share at a party. While I could spend hours in Whole Food’s grocery section, Bo spends at least 15 minutes in front of the beer planogram EVEN if he isn’t buying anything. You name it- chocolate beer, quadruple IPA, or home brew he has tried it. For years i’ve been “that girl” who makes Bo hang his head in shame when we walk into any respectable bar or pub and requests a Mich Ultra. I mean come on, one has to watch his or her calories!

After a day of adventures including Roosevelt Island (freaky and NO we are not moving there), Long Island City apartment hunting, running errands, and traversing through the city for four hours running errands I was ready for another adventure. I justified any caloric difference with all the activity we had done and quickly asked Bo for a “light refreshing beer” that would not be hoppy or heavy. The waitress brought out a divine glass of Hoegaarden complete with an orange slice. It was love at first sip. This was better than any other beer i’d enjoyed previously including Blue Moon! Even more, I actually enjoyed and savored the beer. During the hour that we watched the Masters and talked, I only had one beer. Normally I would have had at least 2 Mich Ultras.

I highly recommend this beer especially if you’re looking for a lighter tasting beer that is actually on tap most places. It’s a great addition to any spring or summer wardrobe!
My review:
Bar 108: It will definitely be a bear once their kitchen opens later this year
Hoegaarden: MOST DEFINITELY A WIT BEAR
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