Filson and your new gym bag

Performance doesn't always mean cutting edge technical goods.

Sometimes it just means doing things well.

 

 

Now that you've seen that...

Buy this bag.

Filson Medium Tin Cloth Duffle

Fill it with these things

 

And be awesome.

Tom Ford List. Part 1

Tom Ford.

Designer. Director. Parfumier. Jay-Z song title. Best Smelling Man in the World.

Seriously, this man is the shit. I had the pleasure of working for him the first season he had his men's collection after leaving Gucci and I have to say, the man has an aura so enthralling that you begin to wonder if the perpetual cloud of proper masculinity that surrounds him is laced with some sort of drug. So if anyone has a list of things that every man should have, Tom Ford's is the one to read. Here's how to obtain it:

You laughed. Don't deny it.

     1. A SENSE OF HUMOUR - Rent these: Blazing Saddles, Groundhog Day, The Big Lebowski, Young Frankenstein, Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Anchorman. Extra credit: Major League, Coming to America, Eddie Murphy's Raw and Delirious, and any stand up from Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, Richard Pryor, Louis CK, Ricky Gervais, George Carlin or Bill Hicks. And if you still are as cold as stone, throw in a healthy dose of The Simpsons, Arrested Development, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Extras and Seinfeld. If you aren't at least in touch with your funny side now, you don't have one.

See also item 1

 2. A DAILY READ OF THE NEWSPAPER - This doesn't mean the sports page and the comics. Everyone is glued to their devices on their way to work. Make that time well spent and educate yourself on the world around you. No, TMZ doesn't count.

Nuthin' but a number...

 3. A SPORT YOU ARE LOVE AND ARE GOOD AT... -  AND ARE WILLING TO BETTER YOURSELF IN. That one wasn't quite complete in my opinion. Of course, this one resonates with me. I've worked with elite teenage athletes, but also men in their 40's who want to continually better themselves in their sport of choice. Work and kids aren't an excuse...invlove the kids and make it something you both can enjoy together. Whether chess (yes, its a sport), polo or a quick round of 3-on-3 at the local Y, immerse yourself into the game.

 4. TWEEZERS - If you wonder why, you are one of three things: 1) Married (and your wife would agree with Mr. Ford), 2) pre-pubescent, or 3) extremely hirsute. In which, tweezers can be substituted with garden shears. By a pointed pair and a slanted pair and use them for God sakes.

5. A GOOD COLOGNE THAT BECOMES A SIGNATURE - I've searched your the past few years for this one and after courting worthy suitors like Commes des Garcons x Monocle Hinoki, Tom Ford Oud Wood and Byredo Accord Oud, I've finally found the one. November 24th 2013 at the Elizabeth Street location of Le Labo. I know this because it is printed on the label of my Vetiver 46 bottle of perfume oil. The oil makes the scent feel as if it is seeping into the pores of your skin as opposed to the misted alcohol based spray that simply lays on top. It's warmer and lends itself better to the masculine yet not overpowering scent. Immediately I knew...yeah, I'd found my signature.

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Numbers 6 through 10 coming Monday...

(Another) Perfect Gym Bag

This won't be the only type of thing I post on here but in an effort to kick start a bit more activity on here, I'm starting this as a regular series. We'll try to have something twice a month that shows a celebrity and what they like to pack in their training bag. Followed with a few tips on how to use what's in there and train like they do. And yes, I will, on occasion, use the term celebrity loosely...

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​One stop shop for the coolest bag in town

​Clockwise from upper left:

• ​Berghaus Ilam 850 Fill Hydrodown™ Jacket - a client of mine wore this to an outdoor training session with me the other day and I've been obsessed ever since. At 320g, its super light, super warm and packs down to next to nothing. If you live in a warmer climate, check out this one as an alternative. Either way, it;s light and warm and will keep you prepared for any unexpected spring chills.
• Fitbit Flex Band - This guy will track your steps, distance, calories burned, active minutes, hours slept and quality of sleep. There are lots of pedometers and FuelBand-type products out there but this one's ability to track sleep quality sets it apart. Currently sold out of it's first run, get in a pre-order for their next.
• ​Byredo Gypsy Water Body Wash - It smells amazing. Perfect for the onset of spring. Just as entrancing? Oud Immortel, Accord Oud and Sunday Cologne.
• Vapur Element water bottle - When empty the bottle folds up into an easy little package. Perfect for hiking, climbing and outdoor adventure sports as well.
• Filson Duffle Bag - I have an addiction to Filson luggage. It's tough, reliable, stylish and looks better the rougher you treat it. They've just released their medium sized bag in navy. These bags will last a lifetime and then some. Get them in every color, I say.
• Pulsin' Maple and Peanut Bar - ​Perfect pre-workout snack. Proteins, fats, natural sugars and it's dairy/gluten free. They recommend it as a post-workout snack but with only 12g of protein per bar, it's probably better before. Either way it tastes great.
• Smartwool PhD Run Ultra Light Micro socks - ​Yes, not one but two pairs. Always keep an extra pair of socks (and underwear) in your bag. Clean, of course. There will inevitably be days where you will forget to pack one or the other and its not something you want to go without when training. Though these thin, slightly compressed, merino socks will make you think you're not even wearing any.
• Pendelton Glacier National Park Bath Towel - Do you need this towel? No. But you do need a towel and why not have one that harkens back to the iconic brand's ​park blanket. One thing is for sure, you won't forget this one in the locker room.