Photograph provided by Bianca Jade
Bianca Jade discovered her alter ego while dressing for the gym: She swapped worn-out T-shirts and sweats for chic and sexy activewear—and MizzFIT was born. The St. Louis native now spends her days in Manhattan working as a full-time fitness expert. She tracks workout trends, styles celebs for the gym, and samples new ways to stay in shape. (Her athletic escapades are chronicled online at mizzfit.com.) On a recent visit to her hometown, Jade shared the skinny on the latest and greatest clothing and ideas in the workout world.
What are some of your favorite activewear brands?
I love Body Rock Sport; it’s very funky, L.A.-style, and the sports bras are really supportive and made for girls who are big-chested. I love Oscar Mimosa; the line is very sexy and built for the summertime, when you don’t want to have too much on. I also love the premium lines by Adidas, like Stella McCartney and SLVR.
Where can you find these brands in St. Louis?
It’s definitely tough here. The nice thing is that you can easily shop online and return it. To be honest, a lot of the brands I mentioned don’t have flagship stores. They sell out of gyms, health spas, or boutiques because they are all not powerhouses like Lululemon. Definitely follow those brands on Twitter for coupons.
What is the one must-have in fitness fashion?
Sneakers that are less cagey. For many years, we have been wearing shoes that are so cushiony and over-supportive. So when you are running, you are not moving your toes or gripping them down, and the tendons have become weaker. A lot of people were getting injuries when they shouldn’t.
What motivates you on those blah days?
New York has days where it never stops raining. I will sometimes take that opportunity to go for a run in my neighborhood because I know that a lot of people won’t be out running that day. I dress in shoes that are ultra–water-resistant and a windbreaker.
What are your fitness tips for 2012?
Look for cool, trendy workouts—make it something that you have never tried before, so it will be exciting. Keeping a prepacked gym bag and investing in a cute pair of capris or leggings is also really important. I recommend wearing capris in dark colors, because it’s way more flattering.
Is it more difficult to stay in shape in St. Louis?
I think that it’s just about making it a part of your life. It might take more research to find those good studios and gyms. There are beautiful places where you can run outside. If you are anti-gym, which a lot of people are, find a Meetup.com running group or try a boot-camp class through Groupon.
What workout equipment is essential for you?
A weighted fitness hula hoop. It’s a great abdominal workout. It’s boring to travel with weights, but I’ve hula-hooped in my hotel room. It’s fun and silly, and that’s what makes things interesting about life.
