Tokyo Weekender - January 2016

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If you find the whole idea of getting fit to be too much of a hassle, you may not be alone. That’s one of the common ideas that we noticed while checking in on some of the latest trends in the fitness world. The upside of this is that there are more and more ways to get your exercise in without having to spend hours (or yen) at a gym. Here’s a bit of the state of the art for improving your condition in <strong>2016</strong> KEEP IT SHORT It might be a sign of just how busy our lives have gotten, but the “short workout” trend certainly isn’t just a fast flash in the pan. The 7-Minute Workout was the first brief, high-intensity exercise routine to make it into the mainstream, but workouts based around short bursts of activity have been popular in some fitness circles for a while. The best thing about these bite-sized workouts is that they’re much easier to say “yes” to than a full-length gym session, and easier to fit into a tight schedule. All of the fitness apps below can provide these quick hits of fitness, but if you haven’t been working at all, you should let yourself get up to speed gradually with these workouts. WEARABLES EVERYWHERE Wearable products that measure fitness activity are nothing new, but they have truly come into their own this year in both form and function. The Apple Watch is a multifunction product, but a strong contender in this new space, which also features the reliable standbys from Jawbone and Fitbit. If you’re on the fence about the wearable fitness tracker trend, you can dip your toes in with the easy-on-the wallet Misfit Flash, which should only set you back about the cost of a night at the movies. Sleep tracking is a common feature on most of these products, and it’s a good reminder to pay as much attention to that precious downtime as you do your workouts. Paired with the many apps that can connect with your wearable of choice and you can get a detailed understanding of your fitness progress, and set achievable goals. Of course, this also means that your devices know when you’ve been slacking... APPED UP You may not be able to beat a personal trainer for the kind of dialed in advice and “get in your head” coaching that a live human being can provide, but a smartphone app will always be around, and you’re even less likely to leave your phone behind than skip an appointment with the trainer. We mentioned the Sworkit Pro app last year in our fitness guide last year, and a few updates have increased the number of exercises that you can use in premade or custom workout sessions. The Runtastic series got its start, obviously enough, as an app that would get users ready for running 10Ks and similar distances, but has branched out to everything from pushups and pullups to collections of weightlifting exercises that you can do at the gym. Zova is a relatively new product that kicked off in 2014, and with a monthly subscription, it is one of the pricier apps, but features a good-looking interface and Apple Watch integration. Currently, this one is only available for iOS. One app that we have on our list of resolutions to try is Lark, an app that chats with you about your food intake.
KEEP YOUR SMARTPHONE CLOSE AT “HAND” Tuneband Exercising with a soundtrack is always more fun, but it hasn’t always been practical. The days of running with your phone awkwardly in your hand or having it bounce out of your pocket are over. Tuneband has nailed the shortcomings of other products in the market with a smartphone holder and armband that is packed with all the right features. Made from a durable silicone that allows access to all ports, buttons and camera lenses, the Tuneband comes with screen protectors included and two soft and flexible straps with sturdy velcro fastenings to ensure fit and comfort for all sizes. Price: ¥¥2,800 | Where: www.grantwoodtechnology.com A STYLISH COACH FOR YOUR WRIST Jawbone UP2 Fitness Tracker Wearable tech has had a tough time in recent years with many products simply not cutting it in the fashion stakes, regardless of items’ functionality and features. Jawbone’s UP2 tracker (a step up from the UP24 that we recommended last year, but still a bit more trusted than the newest model UP3) has done a great job of successfully combining both style and practicality. Its sleek, lightweight design and range of vibrant colors are far from just a fashion statement—the UP2 tracks your daily sleeping and activity patterns, and provides tips and tricks for improvement along the way. Particularly impressive is the “Smart Coach” feature—your own trainer that gives you detailed personalized health and fitness advice based on your habits. Price: ¥14,000 | Where: jawbone.com FITNESS FOURSOME Whether it’s keeping track of your vital statistics, motivating you to take the stairs a few more times each day, or helping you work the kinks out of sore muscles, this four-member team of fitness products is a good one to have in your corner. YOUR OWN PERSONAL MASSAGE THERAPIST GRID Foam Roller An invaluable and versatile product, especially for those of us stuck behind a desk for most of the week. The GRID Foam Roller is ideal for self-massage and working through any tight muscles, kinks and knots that get in the way of free and easy movement after too many hours in front of the computer or a particularly tough workout. Its multitextured surface is firmer than many traditional rollers, which provides a consistent and deep pressure that hurts so good. Perfect for the back, glutes, hamstrings or calf muscles, it comes in a range of colors and sizes. Price: ¥3,600 | Where: www.tptherapy.com THERE’S NO OUTSMARTING THIS SCALE Withings Smart Body Analyzer Step onto this scale and not only will it tell you your weight and body composition, all right, it can check your heart rate through your feet. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections allow it to connect with your smartphone and feed data right into a Withings app or more than 60 different applications. The Body Analyzer can help as many as eight different users set up weight loss goals that can be broken down into bite-sized targets, and the companion app can offer a few tips that might motivate you to stay away from the snacks. Price: ¥18,000 | Where: www.withings.com
Page 1 and 2: JANUARY 2016 Japan’s number one E
Page 3 and 4: JANUARY 2016 CONTENTS 13 16 22 POWD
Page 5 and 6: Join the Conversation, Join the Clu
Page 7 and 8: DENTS LEATHER GLOVES Hate taking yo
Page 9 and 10: GALLERY GUIDE | WEEKENDER | 9 18th
Page 11 and 12: MAY Demolition of Tokyo’s old Oly
Page 13 and 14: POWDER QUEST | FEATURE | 13 by Phil
Page 15: POWDER QUEST | FEATURE | 15 Skiers
Page 19 and 20: EXPAT LIFE | WEEKENDER | 19 “Disa
Page 21 and 22: IN PURSUIT OF BEAUTY Wabist began s
Page 23 and 24: Young Athlete of the Year 1. KENZO
Page 25 and 26: Taking a look at Japan’s “possi
Page 27 and 28: PEOPLE, PARTIES, PLACES | SOCIETY |
Page 29 and 30: PEOPLE, PARTIES, PLACES | SOCIETY |
Page 31 and 32: PREVIEWS | MOVIES | 31 JAN 30 10 OF
Page 33 and 34: JANUARY | AGENDA | 33 JANUARY 9 10
Page 35: PHOTO BY FORWARD STROKE Opening in

Tokyo Weekender - January 2016

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