Category: Health & Fitness

Bill Hader’s role as a “vocal consultant” for the beloved droid BB-8 makes him an official part of the Star Wars universe, but don’t think about asking for his autograph. In a recent appearance on the podcast Happy, Sad, Confused, the actor revealed that he has a blanket policy to not sign Star Wars merch.

“We’ll be on location and there will be these guys with these BB-8 dolls. I do not sign them. Autograph people don’t like me. I won’t sign things,” he said, recalling a late-night encounter with a fan that left him jaded.

“I used to sign stuff, and then one time I saw somebody and they had their kid come up to me to sign a BB-8 thing, and it was three in the morning,” Hader said. “I was leaving the Inside Out premiere and then we went to an after-party thing and it was super late and this guy kept his kid up all night. He’s like, ‘Go over there so he’ll sign it so I can sell it online.'”

According to Hader, the experience left him wary of signing anything Star Wars-related. “I was like, ‘That’s fucked up.’ So now, I’m just kind of blanket, like I’m not signing any of this shit.”

Although Hader had originally tried to do voice work for BB-8, he and J.J. Abrams agreed that it sounded too human-like. Later on, Abrams brought Hader back as a “vocal consultant,” where he strapped on a talk box and helped contribute the electronic noises that ended up in the final cut. On the podcast, the actor mused that “anybody can do that” when explaining why he didn’t work on subsequent Star Wars films.

When Maserati first unveiled its Grecale Trofeo last year, executives on hand for the big reveal in Hollywood minced no words about vying for borderline super SUV supremacy against some pretty stiff competition. To do so, Grecale will arrive with the choice of three gasoline engine options, all of which are now available, as well as an EV variant coming next year in the all-electric Grecale Folgore. Until then, the highest-spec 2023 Maserati Grecale Trofeo currently tops the lineup.

It’s got a true supercar power plant: a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 borrowed from MC20 that’s dubbed “Nettuno.” Of course, hoping to wow the world (and outshine its closest targeted competitors, Porsche’s Cayenne and Macan), Maserati earmarked a loaded 2023 Grecale Trofeo as a loaner for early press reviews.

Designed With Determination

From a distance, Grecale’s svelte lines clearly build upon previous muscular Maserati forms, with modern tweaks by designer Klaus Busse that first appeared on MC20, then the new GranTurismo. But the influence of both Porsche competitors shines through, too, namely in the slantback coupe roofline so popular among high-performance European SUVs today. With the hefty dose of carbon-fiber trim and massive 21-inch wheels included, 2023 Maserati Grecale Trofeo still manages to at least embody a hint of Italian exoticism—even while competing for daily driver status with the ubiquitous Porsches.

Related: Lamborghini CTO Rouven Mohr on Creating the Huracán Sterrato

Other than carbon and rims, Trofeo also gets all the expected performance goodies to complement the twin-turbo 3.0-liter Nettuno, which has been detuned for this application to “only” 523 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque. The aforementioned wheels come shod in Bridgestone Potenza Sport tires measuring 255 millimeters wide up front and 295 at the rear. A familiar eight-speed ZF transmission sends power to all four wheels, with an electronically locking rear differential to help induce a bit more sporty pep under hard acceleration. An air suspension and adjustable damping system is selectable via either a drive mode dial on the steering wheel or through the touchscreen vehicle interface.

Rounding out the specs and stats, the whole setup allows the 2023 Grecale Trofeo to launch off the line for a 0 to 60 time of 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 177 miles per hour. Only a few years ago, such numbers for an SUV weighing around 4,500 pounds would have seemed absurd. Today, while the turbo boost builds up to claimed peak torque at 3,000 rpm, the Grecale merely feels capable—but all the instantaneously available shove in electric cars makes even very fast cars now seem kinda slow, sadly.

A Hard-charging Canyon Carver

When pushed hard through canyons or while highway overtaking, though, the Grecale Trofeo’s true personality emerges. The Nettuno engine still powers along with a building rush of boost, unlike so many modern turbocharged engines that use electronically controlled wastegates to flatten out torque curves to the point of boredom. As on the MC20, Maserati may well have underrated the Nettuno engine—though in the Grecale, exhaust grumble replaces the exhilarating turbo whooshes and blowoffs just behind the MC20 cockpit. Popping through gears near redline produces that symphony of crackles as the next corner braking point approaches mind-bogglingly fast. On winding mountain roads, with the suspension firmed up to the max, you’ll be happily forgetting that this Maserati seats five and can haul groceries just as well as it hugs corners.

Only a hint of body roll develops in Corsa mode before the chassis squats and the AWD system compensates for that extra rear-end grip by pulling the nose right around tighter bends, right up until the Bridgestones give out—far earlier than the point at which the chassis’ capabilities feel fully exhausted.

Related: 5 Luxury SUVs Actually Built to Go Off-Road

A set of Michelins might just take the brutal ballet too far, and that’s not even considering the unbelievable Brembo brakes—so good they simply must be carbon-ceramic and not steel (as Maserati claims). Throughout the dance, leaping from turn to turn with building urgency, the Grecale Trofeo remains surprisingly communicative to the point that hammering the throttle at the worst possible time becomes the best possible idea—inducing a bit of tail wag before traction control vainly attempts to reel in such shenanigans.

Daily Driving in Simple Luxury

Softening the suspension and turning the throttle response down from 11 by selecting GT or Comfort modes, the daily-driver Grecale emerges with nearly equal aplomb. Maserati also nails the true luxury experience: smoother and quieter than the leaning-towards-sporty GranTurismo, easy to drive, and very comfortable even on rougher roads. The simple interior contributes to a sense of spaciousness that many modern center consoles and dashes simply can’t match. Two panoramic touchscreens instead of one massive display help, along with minimalist switchgear and plenty of matte carbon-fiber trim.

And what kind of automotive journalist would fail to mention two of the largest cupholders ever seen in any car? Smack dab between the driver and passenger seat, they’re hilariously large and deep enough to devour a small Americano or flat white. A few other nits to pick do emerge when daily driving the Grecale: Namely, that the steering wheel buttons come finished in classic Stellantis piano-black plastic, and changing the volume requires reaching all the way over to flick through haptic buttons almost on the passenger’s knee. Maserati’s typical column-mounted paddle shifters are also a bit of a buzzkill when using turn signals, while abysmal rear visibility due to the roofline and massive C-pillars matches just about every other sport-coupe SUV on the market today.

Clearly Benchmarked Against Porsche

Many of those concerns apply to both the Macan and Cayenne, too, against which Maserati very obviously benchmarked nearly every detail of the Grecale. The similar style almost exactly matches in size, with a wheelbase four inches longer than the Macan and identical to the Cayenne. Yet, the Grecale Trofeo hammers out a full 94 horsepower more than the top-spec Macan GTS and matches the 0-60 time of a Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid.

The handling even feels somewhat similar, if not quite as sturdy as the overbuilt German engineering that Porsche built a brand upon but has, to an extent, lost over the past few generations of electronically assisted power steering and overly cluttered plastic dashes. Light and nimble as a Macan, but with more power and the interior space to match a Cayenne, clearly, Maserati is doing something right The next-gen Cayenne recently unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show may well make up ground, to be fair. There’s also the Cayenne Turbo GT, a baby Lambo with 631 horsepower—but that’s a whole different ballgame.

Related: Porsche’s $120,000, 400-Horsepower Ski Lift

Bordering on Super SUV Status—at a Fraction of the Price

Or is it? Grecale Trofeo starts at $105,500—and this tester came in at $118,600 with options. For context, the Macan GTS with less power starts around $82,000 and the Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid stickers closer to $165,000. The Turbo GT, meanwhile, ratchets the insanity up to $182,000.

Taking this arms race even deeper into the two and three-hundred-grand realm, Grecale Trofeo can really, truly, almost come close to matching the engaging emotionality of a Lamborghini Urus S or Performante. That spirit, combined with the sublime styling, legitimately vaults this Maserati leaps and bounds above even the brutally powerful, if somewhat anesthetized, Aston-Martin DBX707—which feels akin to a gorgeous $300,000-plus minivan by comparison.

Ignoring the top end of SUV absurdity, though, the base Grecale GT at $63,500 might be the more important variant from a sheer marketing perspective. A 296-horsepower turbo-four with mild hybrid assist powers the GT as well as the mid-range Modena package, which ups output to 325 ponies and may well end up as the most popular Grecale. After all, the Macan years ago established a new era in Porsche sales success thanks to a starting price around $55,000 that included all the panache and performance of classic Porsches in a much more expansive market segment. With the Grecale, a slightly higher starting sticker buys a bit more exotic appeal. As those same executives at the debut will happily admit, therein lies the magic that Maserati aimed for, and nailed, with the Grecale.

[From $63,500; maserati.com]

Actor Michael J. Fox opened up about his long-standing battle with Parkinson’s disease in a new CBS interview, saying his disease has progressed in recent years in a way that’s made everyday life harder. 

“It’s banging on the door,” the 61-year-old actor said about his struggles with Parkinson’s. “Yeah, I mean, I’m not gonna lie. It’s getting hard, it’s getting harder. Every day it’s tougher. But that’s the way it is. I mean, you know, who do I see about that?”

Fox explained that he’s struggled with the side effects of the disease, which have included repeated falls that led to broken bones.

“[Falling] is a big killer with Parkinson’s. Falling and aspirating food and getting pneumonia,” he said. “All these subtle ways that get you. You don’t die from Parkinson’s, you die with Parkinson’s. I’m not gonna be 80. I’m not gonna be 80.”

Still, the actor reflected on his own privilege in dealing with his diagnosis and how he’s managed to live a full and successful life thus far. “It’s been 30-plus years,” the 61-year-old actor said. “There’s not many of us that have had the disease for 30 years… I realized with gratitude, optimism it’s sustainable.” 

His philanthropic organization The Michael J. Fox Foundation has raised over $1.5 billion, and recently announced the discovery of a Parkinson’s biomarker that doctors hope will lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment. 

“Where we are right now, in five years we’ll be able to tell if they have it, tell if they’re ever gonna get it, and know how to treat it,” he said. 

Fox’s life and Parkinson’s battle are the subject of a new Apple TV+ documentary titled STILL: A Michael J. Fox Movie. It will be available to stream on May 12.

Padma Lakshmi’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit debut is officially here. The Top Chef star is set to appear in the 2023 edition of the magazine for the first time.

The multi-hyphenate Lakshmi is best known for hosting and executive producing Top Chef, but she got her start as a model in her 20s. In the years since, she’s authored multiple cookbooks and a best-selling children’s book; hosted and executive produced Hulu’s Taste the Nation; become a mother; earned an Emmy nomination; launched EndoFound, a philanthropic organization for women suffering from endometriosis; and much more.

The 52-year-old star spent a day in Dominica with photographer Yu Tsai to capture the SI Swim images. Lakshmi said she hopes the photos shows women they should embrace their body at any age.

“I want everybody to see this pictorial and understand that sometimes a whole new phase that’s even more exciting than anything you’ve ever experienced before can happen well over 40,” she said to the magazine. 

Lakshmi explained how she feels better than ever at this point in her life. “My thighs may have been leaner, and my boobs were probably slightly higher in earlier parts of my life, but I have never felt better about myself,” she said. “I hope they see a full woman in all my facets and nuances and some contradictions. I wouldn’t go back to my 20s if you paid me all the money in the world.”

You can check out her full spread over at SI Swim.

For supersized quads that fill out a pair of jeans, you need targeted quad exercises that yield muscle definition and, of course, strong legs.

The road to get there won’t be easy.

You’re going to be hobbling around like a baby deer after incorporating these quad exercises into your leg-day workouts. But, with some smart recovery tactics and serious resolve in the gym (and at home), you’ll have strong, thick thighs in no time.

People who start lifting often ignore the quadriceps in favor of higher-profile aesthetic muscles such as the biceps, triceps, and calves.

That’s too bad since the quads play a crucial role in everyday movement. To dismiss the quads as simply beach muscles or “lower body triceps” is to neglect a vital part of your body’s operating system.

What Are Quads?

The four-pronged quadriceps muscles of the front thigh—the rectus femoris, the vastus lateralis, the vastus intermedius, and the vastus medialis —extend the knees, making strong quads crucial for walking, running, squatting, and jumping. The quads play an important role in stabilizing the knees and helping to flex the hips.

In other words, the quads come into play in almost every movement, including everyday actions like climbing stairs or getting up from a chair. A well-developed set of quads is a thing of beauty, giving a body curvature and symmetry. It’s perhaps the one muscle group that looks equally impressive on women and men.

Why It’s Important to Work Out Quads

Because of our modern cubicle culture, where we hunch over computers and smartphones all day, there’s an emphasis on glute activation and loosening the hips and hamstrings that have tightened from too much sitting.

That’s important, but if we fail to do quad workouts, we’ll have poor posture since the quads help us maintain proper posture while sitting or standing. Many knee problems occur because of weak quads and instability around the hips. The knees overcompensate, resulting in chronic pain, injury, and the need for knee replacements.

Better to address this key muscle foursome now, improving your posture, stability, and, yes, how well you fill out a pair of shorts. 

Quad Warmups

The best quad exercises reflect the movements of daily life, which is why lower-body moves without weights serve as an effective warmup. Moves to do before a quad-focused leg day include split squats, yoga chair pose, wall squats, or a lateral lunge.

How to Train Quads

You’ll want to do a mix of explosive exercises and traditional strength training depending on your goals, according to research from Loughborough University. Quick, explosive exercise is more effective.

For the study, researchers pulled together 43 healthy men in their 20s who weren’t undergoing any type of physical training and hadn’t completed any lower-body strength training for 18 months. The participants were split into three groups:

• Group 1: 40 1-second reps of explosive isometric (one leg at a time) leg extensions. Participants were instructed to contract their quads as hard and fast as possible.
• Group 2: 40 3-second reps of sustained isometric leg extensions. Participants were instructed to gradually increase their maximum voluntary torque* to 75 percent before holding the extended position for 3 seconds.
• Group 3: Control group

All participants worked out three times a week for 12 weeks. They performed a range of performance and physiological measurements before and after training to see how different contractions affected participants’ quads muscles. At all phases, explosive contraction work improved explosive torque* from 17 to 34 percent by boosting neural drive (17 to 28 percent); meanwhile sustained-contraction work only improved explosive torque in the late phase of the movement and increased neural drive by 18 percent.

*Weightlifting and strength training have more in common with physics than you’d imagine. Torque is the force that causes an object to rotate; when it comes to lifting, explosive torque is all about producing force through your muscles to support your joints, then you exert a force on an object (e.g., a barbell or piece of machinery). Think of a snatch, screwing your feet into the ground before a lift, and (in this case) making sure your muscles and joints are working together to produce the most impactful and efficient leg extension. What’s more, a big part of improving torque is neural drive. This refers to how your nerves are responding to exercise to stimulate a muscle contraction. Someone untrained and inexperienced can have a huge increase in strength just by learning how to engage and use a muscle.

“Whereas traditional strength training is made up of slow, grinding contractions using heavy weights, which is quite hard work, this study shows that short, sharp contractions are relatively easy to perform and a very beneficial way of building up strength,” lead study author Jonathan Folland, Ph.D., said in a press release.

The explosive contractions were less tiring and more efficient in increasing strength and functional capacity of the thigh muscles because they flip your nervous system “on,” activating and engaging your trained muscles, the researchers explain.

“The easiest way to make muscles stronger has been debated by fitness and sports professionals for many years, but this study shows that it doesn’t have to mean lots of pain for any gain,” Folland adds.

However, if mass is your end game, then traditional sustained exercises are best. Because slow, heavy loads put such a high stress on your body, the effort taxes your muscles and triggers hypertrophy.

How Long Do Quads Take to Grow?

As leg muscles go, quads respond faster to resistance training than hamstrings, glutes, and the notoriously tough calves. Take a look at our ultimate list of exercises for a quad-focused leg day routine, courtesy of Felix Bangkuai, CPT; Louie Antuna, CPT; and Pete Williams, CPT.

Though the following is a list of 50 quad exercises, feel free to mix and match 10 moves for 3 sets of 10 based on your goals.

Use this as a guide if you’re unsure about how many reps to do:

• To build strength: Low reps (5 or less) and heavy weight.
• To build muscle: Moderate reps (8-12) and moderate weight. The increased time under tension leads to more muscle damage and buildup of lactic acid, which induces a surge of anabolic hormones like growth hormone and muscle-building testosterone.
• To build muscle endurance: High reps (15 or more) and low weight. If your load isn’t heavy enough to recruit fast-twitch type-2 muscle fibers, hypertrophy won’t follow.

50 Best Quad Exercises of All Time

Best Dumbbell Quad Exercises

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 Today I’m feeling reflective as I celebrate a major milestone – 20 years of practicing yoga!

Hi friends, I hope you had a wonderful weekend. Ours was low-key and we saw Riverdance, which was everything.

While I was at hot yoga last week, I realized that I’ve been practicing yoga for TWENTY YEARS. It hit me pretty hard and I couldn’t believe how much life I’ve been through since I was first introduced to yoga. Moves, deployments, babies, highs, and lows, yoga has been a fairly consistent part of my life. I’ve cried during savasana, mastered certain poses, struggled with others, spent 90% of certain classes in child’s pose, and learned to truly be present and focus on my breath.

It’s been two decades of unrolling my mat, connecting with my breath, and flowing through sequences that challenge and transform my mind and body. It’s hard to believe that 20 years have passed since I first discovered yoga, and while I can’t do any crazy tricks and I’m not the most flexible bear, this practice has shaped my life in countless ways. So, in honor of this milestone, I want to share with you some of the lessons I’ve learned, and the rewards I’ve reaped over the past 20 years of practicing yoga.

(Maisey also wants me to tell you that today is her birthday! OF COURSE she’s getting a doggy cake and birthday song)

20 years of practicing yoga

My introduction to yoga:

My very first class was a Rodney Yee yoga DVD I picked up at Target on a whim. I was in college, feeling the stressors of a dramatic relationship and constant homework deadlines, and figured I’d give it a whirl. Instantly, I was drawn in by the sense of calm it brought me. I also loved Rodney Yee’s clear, concise instruction and his ability to guide students to a deeper understanding of their bodies and the practice of yoga.

Looking back, this was the perfect way to get started: it was zero pressure (because I was solo, at home, in my mom’s living room). I started to practice yoga regularly, mostly before bed, and eventually transitioned into studio classes. Over the past 20 years, I’ve taken hundreds of yoga classes in studios all over the US, from California to Orlando and many spots in between.

Types of yoga I’ve tried:

There are so many different types of yoga out there, and each one offers a unique and challenging experience.

Here are a few types of yoga and what makes them so special:

Vinyasa Yoga:

Vinyasa yoga is a dynamic style of yoga that focuses on linking breath with movement. This flow-based practice is perfect for those who want to get their heart rate up and sweat it out on the mat. Classes can be slightly warm, or heated.

Restorative Yoga:

If you’re looking for a more relaxing and restorative practice, restorative yoga is the way to go. This gentle practice uses props and long-held poses to release tension and promote deep relaxation.

Yoga Nidra:

this is a type of yoga practice that is often referred to as “yogic sleep”. Unlike traditional yoga classes, where you move through a series of postures, in Yoga Nidra, you lay down in a comfortable position and are guided through a deep relaxation and meditation. This practice is designed to help you enter a state of deep relaxation, where you can release tension, stress, and anxiety. Yoga Nidra can be incredibly powerful, not only for physical relaxation, but also for mental and emotional relaxation. It’s a great way to recharge your batteries, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve your overall well-being. So, if you’re looking for a way to relax and unwind, I highly recommend giving Yoga Nidra a try!

Ashtanga Yoga:

Ashtanga yoga is a traditional style of yoga that follows a set sequence of poses. This challenging practice is great for those who want to build strength, flexibility, and focus.

Bikram Yoga:

If you’re a fan of hot yoga, Bikram yoga is the ultimate challenge. This intense practice is done in a heated room and follows a specific sequence of 26 poses. This is what really got me hooked on yoga, and I’d drive almost two hours when we lived in Valdosta to take a Bikram class. My current favorite style is a blend of Vinyasa and Bikram, in a heated and humid room.

Yin Yoga:

Yin yoga is a slow-paced style of yoga that focuses on holding poses for longer periods of time. This practice helps to improve flexibility and increase circulation, making it perfect for those who want to work on their mobility.

Hatha yoga:

this a traditional form of yoga that focuses on physical postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), and meditation. The practice is designed to balance the body and mind, and create a sense of harmony and inner peace. Hatha Yoga classes typically move at a slower pace than other forms of yoga, allowing practitioners to focus on the alignment of the postures and their breath. Hatha Yoga is a great option for beginners or anyone looking to improve their physical fitness, flexibility, and overall well-being.

No matter what type of yoga you choose, remember to listen to your body and honor your limits. With regular practice, you’ll be able to find your flow and take your yoga practice to the next level. I also recommend trying out a variety of styles; you’ll find the ones that speak to you and that you enjoy the most!

Benefits I’ve noticed from practicing yoga regularly:

Not only does yoga help to increase flexibility and strength, but it also has numerous benefits for your overall well-being.

Reduces stress and anxiety:

Yoga provides a space for you to connect with your breath and quiet your mind, which can help to reduce stress and anxiety. As someone who’s battled anxiety in the past, I know firsthand the benefits of incorporating yoga into your wellness routine. Yoga provides a safe space to connect with your breath, release tension from your body, and quiet your mind. By practicing yoga regularly, you can learn to manage stress and anxiety more effectively, which can lead to a more balanced and fulfilling life. Additionally, certain yoga poses, such as forward folds and inversions, can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps to calm the body and reduce feelings of anxiety.

Improves flexibility and balance:

With regular practice, yoga can help to increase flexibility, improve balance, and potentially prevent injuries. This is especially important as we age and our bodies become less limber. It also involves getting on and off the mat, which is a great skill to maintain as we age. Many of the movements are functional and require core strength.

Strengthens the body:

Many yoga poses require strength and stability, which can help to build muscle and increase muscular endurance. Plus, yoga is a low-impact form of exercise, making it great for those who want to avoid high-impact workouts.

Promotes mindfulness and self-awareness:

By focusing on your breath and body during yoga practice, you can develop a greater sense of mindfulness and self-awareness. This can help to improve overall mood and well-being.

Connects you to a community:

Practicing yoga regularly can help you to connect with like-minded individuals and build a supportive community. This can be especially important for those who may feel isolated or disconnected. Something I learned during teacher training is that sometimes adjustments are the only physical touch that some people receive for the entire day. That was powerful for me and a reminder of how much we need connection and human touch to thrive.

My experience with yoga teacher training:

Selfishly, I did yoga teacher training just for me. I never really had the intention of teaching – I taught regularly when we lived in Valdosta but have only subbed here and there since then – but wanted to to deepen my own personal practice and learn as much as I could about yoga.

If you’re considering teacher training, here are some of the amazing things you can experience:

Deepen your practice:

Yoga teacher training is an opportunity to take your practice to the next level. You’ll learn new poses, refine your alignment, and enrich your understanding of the practice.

Learn about the philosophy of yoga:

Yoga is more than just a physical practice. In teacher training, you’ll learn about the history, philosophy, and spiritual aspects of yoga. I especially enjoyed reading the “Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga” and learning about primordial meditation.

Share your love of yoga with others:

As a certified yoga teacher, you’ll have the opportunity to share your love of yoga with others and help them to discover the transformative power of the practice.

Join a supportive community:

Yoga teacher training is a great way to connect with like-minded individuals and build a supportive community. You’ll be surrounded by others who share your passion for yoga and who will support you throughout your journey.

Challenge yourself:

Yoga teacher training can be a challenging experience, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. You’ll push yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally, and come out on the other side with new perspective and a stronger practice.

There ya have it, friends! 20 years of practicing yoga has been an amazing journey filled with challenges, growth, and transformation. Through this practice, I’ve learned to connect with my breath, calm my mind, and listen to my body. I’ve gained strength, flexibility, and resilience, both on and off the mat. I’ve met incredible friends and had the opportunity to learn from some of the very best teachers. And most importantly, I’ve learned to cultivate a sense of inner peace and well-being that, along with my faith, has carried me through life’s ups and downs.

If you’re new to yoga or have been practicing for a while, I encourage you to stay committed to your practice, and allow it to guide you on your own journey of growth and transformation. <3

Are you a yoga fan or not so much? How often do you practice? What’s your favorite style?

The post 20 years of practicing yoga appeared first on The Fitnessista.

There was once a time when high-quality beers and whiskeys were enjoyed side by side in slow-sipping harmony. Known as a “boilermaker,” the combo was likely popularized by steam locomotive workers in the 19th century to maximize alcohol intake with supreme efficiency after a hard day’s work.

What Is a Boilermaker?

The boilermaker as a drink has multiple iterations. Consumers can ask a bartender to fill a pint glass halfway with beer, then drop a shot—glass and all—into the brew, then toss it all back in one go. You can forgo the shot glass (helpful if you want to preserve your teeth) and pour the liquor straight into the beer. Or, you can go the more leisurely route of sipping both slowly. 

Here’s the misconception: A boilermaker doesn’t have to consist of chasing a shot of unpleasant liquor with a pint of watery lager as quickly as possible. It need not be a fratty ritual.

Now, amidst an explosion of craft beer and artisanal spirits, this cocktail is making a classy comeback.

“Today it’s not uncommon for many cocktail bars and restaurants to incorporate some sort of upscale beer-and-shot pairing on the menu,” says James Tune, who co-founded a bar called Boilermaker in New York, NY. “Boilermakers are not just found in dive bars as was the case for so many years.”

Related: 50 Best Whiskeys in the World 2023

Because why would you want to sip your whiskey on its own when you can pair it with a complementary beer?

How to Make a Boilermaker

While we enjoy a nice glass of single malt Scotch, rye, bourbon, Canadian whisky, Japanese whisky, and literally every other kind of whiskey neat, on the rocks, and mixed into any number of cocktails, we also love to pair it with a nice pint of beer. The flavors open up even more.

The difficult thing is finding the right beer and whiskey to pair together. Sure, you can grab a bottle of your favorite beer from the fridge and blindly pair it with a whiskey off your bar car. But that might not work out too well if the flavors don’t work together.

We asked 10 mixologists, bartenders, and booze experts to tell us their favorite whiskey and beer pairings. Here’s how to enjoy a boilermaker at home.

Best Beer and Whiskey Combinations to Make a Boilermaker

“The best whiskey and beer pairing is Jefferson’s Ocean Aged at Sea Rye with Kona Wave Golden Ale,” claims Donny Largotta, beverage director at Gansevoort Meatpacking in New York, NY. The two make an incredible duo, especially during the warmer months. Their flavor profiles aren’t too intense; they’re smooth and refreshing.

For Thomas Muscolino, director of beverage innovation at Landmark Hospitality in Plainfield, NJ, the ultimate combo is Miller High Life and Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey. “Both are full of flavor while still being incredibly crushable, perfect after a long day of work,” Muscolino says.

“My favorite beer and whiskey pairing is New Belgium Voodoo Ranger Juicy Haze IPA with a nice shot of Basil Hayden,” says Vernice Reyes, bartender at Pívat Cigar Lounge in Rancho Mirage, CA.  

“As we come into warmer weather, I’m a big fan of a straightforward lager with a high-corn mash bill bourbon or corn whiskey,” says Will Krepop, beverage director at Wiggle Room in New York, NY. “To ramp up this combination a bit, I’m really enjoying Talea Brewing’s Weekender Lager paired with Mellow Corn 100% Corn Whiskey, which unsurprisingly has a distinct roasted corn flavor.” 

“If you ask any Chicago industry person at the end of a long shift what the best beer and whiskey pairing is, they’ll say a bonded bourbon and an ice-cold pilsner or Kolsch,” says Abe Vucekovich, beverage director at Meadowlark Hospitality in Chicago, IL. “I like a bold bourbon like Old Grand-Dad Bottled-In-Bond and a deliciously accessible beer like Metropolitan’s Krankshaft—together, they’re the perfect way to end a long night of serving and bartending.” 

“Recently, I’ve been pairing bourbon with non-alcoholic beer,” says Alex Barbatsis, head bartender at The Whistler in Chicago, IL. 

“A decadent combo, I recommend Firestone Velvet Merlin Oatmeal stout with Glenmorangie Signet,” says Danmy Nguyen, director of outlets at The Ballantyne in Charlotte, NC.

“I was lucky enough to find myself in a room with a bottle of Springbank 21 year and 3 Floyds’ Dark Lord Russian Imperial Stout, which is only released once a year,” says Dennis Gobis, co-owner and master mixologist at The Roosevelt Room in Austin, TX.

“Few Immortal Rye—rye whiskey proofed with 8Immortals Tea—paired with Noon Whistle Brewing Co. Fuzzy Smack-Berliner Weiss With Peach is my go-to pairing to enjoy on a warm day,” says Allen Rodriguez, bar manager at Fuller House Bar in Chicago, IL.

“We’re adding WayBird hazy IPA to our menu as an approachable summer IPA, which I find to have a delightful passion fruit finish,” says Andrew Bone, bartender at Viceroy Chicago, IL. “I like to match it with Woodinville Straight Bourbon Port.” 

Bringing the right gear is arguably the most important part of preparing for any multi-day river trip—and even more so if it’s multi-week. You can save yourself a lot of grief and wasted space by fine-tuning what you really need to bring along and what you’re better off leaving at home. I learned this (occasionally the hard way) last fall during 21 days of rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon with seven friends. 

The rafting trip was, of course, incredible beyond words. It was also a lesson in thresholds and preparation. Spending three weeks self-supported in any backcountry automatically comes with a level of discomfort, but The Big Ditch is uniquely hard on both gear and your body.

For three weeks, we were sand-logged from start to finish. The sand along this stretch of the Colorado River is so fine and invasive that it’s actually more than just an annoyance. It clogs the zippers and seals of every piece of gear. It worms its way into the fibers of every fabric and micro-rubs your skin non-stop. Then there’s the weather. The floor of the Grand Canyon is dry, arid, and either scorching hot or bone-chillingly cold depending on the time of year. 

Related: 5 Awesome Unconventional River Rafting Trips

So, while having the right layers, the right sleep setup, and the right dry gear is crucial for any rafting trip, your river kit needs to be seriously dialed in to do the Grand.

What I Wish I Didn’t Bring Rafting the Grand Canyon

When it comes to gear, the beauty of rafting is that you don’t have to haul your belongings on your back—just row them downriver. That means you can pack more than the bare minimum, while still running the risk of overpacking and/or leaving essentials behind. If you don’t bring the right items to stay dry, cool, and comfortable, those inescapable frustrations—day-in and day-out with 150 more river miles ahead of you—will start to sour those breathtaking views.

Before we get into the do’s and don’ts, let’s just start off by naming my worst decision: grabbing hiking poles and adding them to my pile of gear. Half a river trip involves trekking and Grand Canyon hiking is notorious for steep climbs with loose rocks—which is why I thought hiking poles would be helpful. But the hikes from the river’s bottom aren’t as developed as those from the top, which meant there was a lot of scrambling over huge boulders. 

I brought my hiking poles on the first few hikes only to realize they were more helpful stashed away. Not only did I not need them for hiking after all, but they were a pain to pack on the boat, given they’re too pointy to be stuffed into a dry bag and too long for most dry boxes. So you can nix those from your load-out list right away.

Assuming you already have a list of the usual must-haves for a river trip, like water shoes, sun shirts, and maybe a dry suit depending on what time of year you’re going, here are the best pieces of gear I was very grateful to have—and a couple of rethinks. 

What to Pack on a Grand Canyon Rafting Trip

Waterproof, knee-high boots might be the single best item I brought on the trip. Chacos or Tevas are great on the raft during the day, but the more your skin is exposed to the elements, the drier it gets, which becomes painful past a certain point. What’s more, constant abrasion from all that sand once at camp can create small cuts that can lead to bacterial infections like tolio, which runs rampant on the Grand and other multi-week river trips. In short: You need to protect your feet when you can.

From bighorn sheep to great blue herons, wildlife is one of the coolest parts about being down in the canyon. I was surprised to find I was the only person in the group who’d brought binoculars. Soon enough, a favorite pastime as we slowly cruised flatwater or relaxed at camp was zooming in on canyon walls to spot what was quietly hiding in the surrounding cliffs—from abundant canyon wildlife to the odd lone hiker.

Merino is ideal for temperature regulating, as it can hold heat and still be breathable. These properties could not be better-suited to shoulder-season river trips where temperature, sun, and wind conditions are constantly fluctuating as you move through the canyon.

Personal headlamps are crucial, but outdoor lanterns that you can place on a table are such a nice, small luxury to illuminate things while cooking, on dish duty, or just hanging out playing cards. Some people brought solar-rechargeable lanterns, but they didn’t hold their charges long and if we forgot to pull them out to charge on the boats during the day, they weren’t helpful.

Rafting is all about luxury while roughing it. Who wants to sleep with their head on a blow-up camping pillow for 21 days straight? A lot of people bring full-size bed pillows, but they take up a lot of room in your dry bags—and sand gets permanently embedded in them.

One of the best parts of being on the river for weeks at a time is being able to completely disconnect—but you’re still going to want the content. Bringing a GoPro camera meant I could keep my phone off and away but still capture memories. And because it’s waterproof, super durable, and was attached to a floating mount, I also got rad footage of us sending Lava, hitting holes in Sockdolager, and nearly swimming in Crystal.

In this day and age, it’s nearly impossible to go three weeks and not use some kind of electronic that’ll eventually need to be recharged. We kept everything pretty low-tech, but BioLite Charge 80 PD Power Bank was the perfect size to charge up the GoPro every other day (or a smartphone five times, a tablet twice, or a laptop once).

There are two types of dry bags: zippered and roll-top. While both are just as reliable for most rivers, the sand down in the Grand Canyon truly infiltrates everything. When fine sand gets into zippers, it’s like throwing a wrench in a machine. Two of the zippered duffels we brought failed by our second week. Luckily, we had enough space in other roll-top dry bags to tide us over, but save yourself the trouble and opt for all roll tops down here. 

Rechargeable headlamps are a great, sustainable option 95 percent of the time, but three weeks away from a power outlet isn’t one of them. Save your portable power bank juice and bring an old-school, AA battery-powered headlamp and a stash of backup batteries.

“My dentist always comments on how clean my teeth are.”

Regular brushings are the best way to keep your teeth sparkling between cleanings from your dentist, but there’s a tool to help do a better job of getting the plaque off. Most dentists and dental hygienists these days recommend using an electric toothbrush over an ordinary one to improve your overall oral health. That might sound like an expensive investment, but there are actually affordable options that work just as well, like the Aquasonic Ultra-Whitening Toothbrush.

This electric toothbrush is the no. 1 bestseller in Amazon’s ultrasonic toothbrushes category and is on sale for just $34 right now. The starter kit comes with a base, wireless charger, eight brush heads, and a travel case. This is everything you’ll need to use the toothbrush for more than two years since the brush heads only need to be changed every three months. The small yet mighty motor produces up to 40,000 vibrations per minute that scrubs every nook and cranny between each tooth with minimal effort on your part. All you have to do is slowly move the brush across each tooth until the two-minute smart timer runs out.

There are four cleaning modes to choose from (clean, soft, whiten, and massage) that allow you to customize how you want to brush. This is great for anyone with sensitive teeth and gums. 

Get it: Aquasonic Ultra-Whitening Electric Toothbrush, $34 (was $60) on Amazon

With this electric toothbrush being a bestseller, it shouldn’t be a surprise that it has more than 73,000 perfect ratings. One 5-star reviewer who’s been using it for five years said, “your teeth get so much cleaner with this than a traditional toothbrush” and added, “my dentist always comments on how clean my teeth are.”

“After brushing, my teeth feel like they were cleaned at the dentist,” wrote another shopper. “The small head on the brush makes it super easy to clean back teeth.”

At this low price, the Aquasonic Electric Toothbrush is significantly cheaper than name brands like Phillips and Oral-B that cost $130 and $200 respectively, even while on sale. Pick up the Aquasonic bestseller while it’s on sale to help ensure you’re brushing your teeth properly every time. 

Get yourself a little help cleaning the house with this Robot Vacuum that’s on sale for a whopping 78% off.

Cleaning up the home is important but it can be time-consuming. Who really wants to deal with all of that after a long day/week of work? That is why it would be smart for you to head on over to Amazon and pick up this OKP K3 Robot Vacuum while you can grab it for under $100 at a whopping 78% discount.

The OKP K3 Robot Vacuum is an amazing item for anyone looking to clean the house without breaking a sweat. You can charge it and set it up with ease, then let it get to cleaning on its own with a battery that lasts for up to 100 minutes.

Pick up the OKP K3 Robot Vacuum ($92; was $420) at Amazon

Another benefit of the OKP K3 Robot Vacuum, which is pretty important for this kind of gadget, is that the suction is strong, measuring in at 2000pa. With two side brushes, this can really clean up those floors without a problem. You can set it to four different cleaning modes based on your needs, and it’ll get to work without getting in the way thanks to its ultra-slim design. When it needs to recharge, it’ll go back to the charging station on its own.

This voice-controlled robot vac is a wonderful device that will make home cleaning so much easier. Not sure you want to take our word on it? Then look at the reviews on Amazon. With over 2,500 ratings, 71% of those are 4 stars are higher, and the vast majority are 5-star marks, meaning most shoppers have been really happy with the results.

At a discount of 78%, the OKP K3 Robot Vacuum is a worthwhile pickup. For a much easier time keeping the floors clean, you can set this bad boy up to do the work for you while you aren’t around. And for just $92, that’s a deal you can’t beat.

Check out the great products and gear we recommend to Men’s Journal readers