This summer, the Genesis GV70 Sport was unveiled—a crossover built to rival the likes of BMW’s X3, Audi’s Q5, and the GLC from Mercedes-Benz. Quite a feat for a brand in only its third year.
The burden of success is expectation. The better you do, the more you have to push the envelope the next time out.
“Standing still is the fastest way of moving backwards,” to steal a few words from actress Lauren Bacall. So, after early and progressive successes with its G90 and G80 sedans, the nascent Genesis brand found an improbable conquest when its G70 sedan was named Motor Trend’s 2019 car of the year.
But in this epoch of SUVs, a car company can’t make just cars. Makers need to crank out full-sized family haulers and crossovers to compete in the most popular segments. So, last year the brand debuted the GV80 to acclaim and now with the Genesis GV70 Sport, there’s lots to look forward to.
Genesis has time and time again proven itself adept at straddling the line between performance and luxury, and is quite masterful in its plot to peel off luxury buyers from venerable German makers. We got behind the wheel of Genesis’ first crossover and spent a day driving around New York City and the Westchester suburbs to put the Genesis GV70 Sport through its paces. Here’s what we found.
Genesis GV70 Sport: Built to drive
The folks at Genesis baked a ton of spice into its first crossover effort. The GV70 Sport’s 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 cranks out a reported 375 hp, which is plenty enough power to fling it from a full stop to the 55mph speed limit on the Sawmill Parkway in a hurry (Genesis hasn’t released an official 0 to 60mph time, but we’d guess a scant five seconds.) The 8-speed transmission is a good match—smooth in most settings and frisky with RPMs in Sport Plus. You also get paddle shifters for when you want to go manual.
All wheel drive is standard and rear-biased as is the four-wheel independent suspension, but an option we’d tick off for performance and driving in the Northeast’s snowy and icy winters is the electric-limited slip differential that can send 100 percent of the rear power to a single wheel.
When the road starts to twist and turn, the GV70 Sport is nimble and precise. And while it’s built on the same platform as the G70, compared to the sedan, you feel the higher center of gravity and steering feedback is a few ticks less informative. It’s not a sports car, but rather a grocery-getting CUV, after all.
If looks could kill
Aesthetically, the GV70 is a standout and one of the bes- looking vehicles in the segment. Overall the look of the GV70 is assertive yet elegant. It’s a parking lot Adonis, easy to spot from several rows away. While the signature grille, as well as the bifurcated headlamps and brake lights, on the recent Genesis models can be a bit polarizing, we are unabashed fans. Those elements give the current Genesis line in general, and the GV70 in particular, undeniable visual impact.
On the inside
The cabin of the Genesis is a serene place to spend time. The minimalist, aeronautically inspired interior is refined with a focus on fit and finish.
The front seats are firm yet supple. They help you feel the road a bit, but won’t wear your butt out an hour or two into a drive. An automatic posture improvement feature that kicks in after a while behind the wheel is a nice touch, and a massaging driver’s seat makes longer hauls and sitting in traffic noticeably more pleasurable.
In the back, leg room is ample for adults on short- to medium-length drives, though we wouldn’t enjoy spending much more than an hour or two in the rear seats. But if your typical passengers are still in boosters, they won’t notice. The massive 28.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind is, however, large enough to haul a substantial amount of luggage or a hefty splurge from the local Costco.
Tech +
The GV70 comes loaded with a host of smart tech designed to enhance the driving experience. The brand’s adaptive cruise control uses cloud-based machine learning to better simulate a human driver’s style behind the wheel. The adaptive suspension with road preview uses the car’s cameras to detect bumps and potholes to soften impacts, making it a great daily commuter.
The extra-large, touchscreen infotainment display is easy to use and does a good job mirroring Apple CarPlay. The person behind the wheel gets a 12.3-inch 3D digital instrument cluster, and a 12-inch head-up display that offers speed, blind-spot info, and turn-by-turn navigation.
In a first for the auto industry, Genesis has also outfitted the GV70 with a fingerprint reader on the dashboard that can be used to start it. So, coupled with a digital key, owners can leave the FOB behind if they choose and still go for a drive.
A compelling price
Honestly, the price point is hard to argue with. A base model GV70 with a 300hp 2.5 liter, four-cylinder engine costs $42,045, and the V6 Sport starts at $53,645 which is a bit less than the German competition and its respective performance models. Fully loaded, our test model’s sticker clocked in around $63K, which presents a real value in segment. We won’t be shocked to see quite a few of these on the road by year’s end.
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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