As part of my job, I travel at least once a month. Although certain aspects can be improved (like investing in Global Entry, which has allowed me to keep my shoes on and electronics in my bags at security screenings), air travel is generally an unforgiving slog. I don’t expect much from the experience other than eventually getting to where I’m going. But on a recent trip from Los Angeles to London, I had the chance to experience a very different (and very luxe) way to travel through an airport: the PS private lounge.
PS aims to help people rethink the typical defeatist attitude toward flying. Located in its own corner of Los Angeles International Airport (otherwise known as LAX), the lounge is a private terminal for anyone hoping to escape the drain of modern air travel. PS offers private suites, complimentary food and drinks, concierge services, and its own TSA checkpoint for paying customers. Since its inception in 2017, it’s been a hit with business travelers and A-list celebrities looking for a crowd-free way to fly.
In early 2021, PS further expanded its services by opening up a “Salon,” or communal lounge space for travelers. It’s still a luxurious, privacy-focused experience (it’s housed two miles away from the main LAX terminals), but it now comes at a price point that makes everyday travelers merely gasp rather than outright faint.
The Salon starts at $695 per person (that’s on top of what you’re paying for the flight itself). It gets you access to the sleek communal lounge, complimentary cocktails and snacks, a dedicated TSA checkpoint, and private transportation to your flight. For $3,450, you can upgrade to a private lounge (with room for four), which includes free drinks and chef-prepared meals, among other perks. Add-ons, including checked bags, salon or massage services, cost extra.
You can also opt for an all-access membership for $4,850, which entitles you to a wide range of services, including chauffeured rides from LAX to your home in L.A. (for domestic flights only) and cheaper lounge fees. Joining as a Salon member ($1,250) gives you discounted access to the PS Salon.
I should pause this recap to point out the obvious: Because of its price tag, PS isn’t readily accessible to the majority of travelers. But if you’re willing to drop major cash for a truly luxurious airport experience, this is the way to do it.
Even with the high pricing, PS has its merits. While waiting for my first international flight in two years, I started to see how the company’s services could feel like a worthwhile splurge—at least for those with the means to do so. Designed by Cliff Fong, the earth-toned Salon is undeniably relaxing; being offered a glass of champagne within moments of arriving also helped me chill out. In the communal lounge, you can sprawl on plush couches rather than those uncomfortable chairs at terminal gates. And for those who crave complete solitude, you can always book a private suite.
In another airport first, I didn’t have to enter a Squid Game-style competition with other passengers just to snag a power outlet. Despite being a nominally communal experience, the PS Salon is built for discretion and privacy—great if you’re having a personal conversation, but not so helpful if you’re trying to eavesdrop to figure out just who else is paying for this experience. (Obviously, when it comes to their guests, PS won’t name names. But if you spend some time surfing Instagram you can identify a few of their more notable clients.)
Another highlight: eating food that tasted like it was cooked that day, rather than microwaved at 30,000 feet or in the back of a Dunkin’ Donuts. I’m a vegetarian, so I opted for the hummus platter (and later a cookie and a matcha latte, because why not), but the menu has all kinds of treats—even caviar.
As pleasant as it was to read and relax for a few uninterrupted hours before my flight, the real VIP experience came when it was time to board the plane to London. About an hour before takeoff, a representative retrieved me and we walked from the PS Salon to an adjacent building. There, I was handed my already stamped passport, and a single TSA agent waited patiently while I loaded my carry-on onto the scanner. In all, the security process took less than five minutes, rather than costing me half an hour and most of my sanity like it usually does.
On the other side of security, a suited driver met me and drove me onto the tarmac, passing rows of parked planes. It was a swanky and novel experience; I regretted not booking a flight during daylight hours to fully appreciate the unique view of the busy airport. He parked right next to my airplane and escorted me from the car up an elevator to the terminal to join the rest of the passengers lining up at the gate. Then I was off to London.
All in all, it was a far cry from the typically hectic and uncomfortable experience of navigating an airport.
Chances are you already have your own airport rituals to make flying a little less painful. But if you’ve got the means to take the road less traveled on your way out of town, I highly recommend the view from PS.
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There’s no doubt when the weather turns colder as we settle into winter, stouts take center stage. And while we enjoy all its iterations: standard stout, imperial stout, and robust barrel-aged stouts, we think this malty, chocolate-filled beer’s close cousin deserves a little respect as well. Of course, we’re talking about the oft-overlooked porter. And the best porters, oh buddy, they’ll have you rethinking your seasonal bevvie of choice.
For those uninitiated, the porter style had its genesis in England like many other iconic beer styles. It first appeared in the 1700s and is (you guessed it) named after porters—individuals tasked with transporting luggage.
A confusing origin story
“Stout is the direct descendant of porter. In the 1700s, it was common to use the word ‘stout’ to refer to a bolder, higher-alcohol version of any beer style, much in the same way we use the word ‘imperial’ today,” says Zach Fowle, advanced cicerone and head of marketing for Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, AZ. “Porter was the most popular beer of the day, and over time, “stout porter” became a popular variant. But by the late 1800s, demand for regular porters evaporated, and stout porter shortened simply to stout.”
But more has changed between the 1800s and today than just our penchant for wearing top hats. “Today, most brewers seem to market beers as either stout or porter based on vibes, rather than on any notable stylistic differences,” he says.
Specifically, porters are known for their dark, almost pitch-black color and rich, sweet flavor profile. If you were to drink a porter and a stout side by side, you might even have difficulty discerning the differences between the two.
Stout versus porter is an enduring topic of discussion in the brewing industry. “While there’s no debating the porter came first—and stout used to be called stout porter, so it was a stronger version of a porter—the lines have become very blurred over the years,” says Rob Lightner, co-founder of East Brother Brewing in Richmond, CA.
“I would venture that even among professionals, a blind taste test would often yield inconclusive results,” says Lightner.
The difference between porters and stouts
Porters tend to be on the milder, more chocolatey end of the spectrum, Lightner says, whereas stouts are typically a little stronger and more roasty. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule
Fowle agrees, “Porters tend to be fruitier, sweeter, and less bitter than stouts, with cocoa and caramel flavors in balance with dark malt bitterness. And stouts are usually hoppier, drier, maltier, and more coffee-forward—and may even have a touch of acidity.”
Whether or not they fit neatly into boxes, one thing’s for sure: both make for incredible cold-weather brews.
“As the nights grow longer, drinking a light, summery beer just doesn’t seem right,” says Fowle. “Porter is the perfect style for the transition to winter: warming and toasty yet not too heavy, with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and pie crust that correspond with autumn weather and holidays.”
It’s the perfect time to broaden your repretoire. Sweet, robust, warming, and well-suited to the season, here are the best porters to drink now.
1. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
There are few porters more well-respected than Deschutes’ iconic Black Butte Porter. It’s brewed with Cascade and Tettnang hops as well as 2-row, Chocolate, Crystal, and Carapils malts as well as wheat. This 5.5% ABV year-round offering is great for cold-weather drinking because of its mix of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. It’s a robust, subtly sweet beer perfect for imbibing on a crisp fall night.
The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top. Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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If you haven’t picked up a jump rope since elementary school, you’re missing out on a fantastic cardio workout. Not only will you burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time—200 to 300 calories in 15 minutes—but jump ropes can also improve your coordination and agility. Better yet, jumping rope doesn’t require much space, so it’s easy to do at home, and it’s often more mentally stimulating than jogging or swimming.
Choosing a Jump Rope
When deciding which jump rope is best for you, it’s important to determine what your goals are. While lightweight speed ropes are popular for cardio-focused training, weighted or drag ropes will be best for those focused on strength training.
No matter what your training goals are, we’ve got you covered with this roundup of 10 jump ropes from top brands including Crossrope, TRX, Rogue, and more.
The Best Jump Ropes of 2022
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