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Most vital piece of functional fitness equipment found under foot

The inclusion of functional training into a healthy lifestyle does not stop when traveling for business or pleasure, and may influence a traveler’s hospitality selection.

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By Bo Barber
VP of Marketing and Sales, Ecore
 

Today’s health-conscious consumers on the cutting-edge of fitness are realizing the limitations of stationary strength and cardio machines, and are opting instead to focus on functional strength and conditioning exercises such as high-intensity interval training. This evolution in fitness was documented in the American College of Sports Medicine’s worldwide survey of fitness trends for 2016, which ranked high-intensity interval training as the no. 1 choice by consumers who now want more open spaces to exercise to boost long-term wellness.

The inclusion of functional training into a healthy lifestyle does not stop when traveling for business or pleasure, and may influence a traveler’s hospitality selection. To appeal to the modern consumer and stand out from competition, many in the hospitality industry are offering a customizable approach to staying fit while away from home that includes a full-scale gym and wellness center to support functional fitness activities such as jumping, sprinting, throwing and crawling.

To ensure these facilities meet the high expectations of today’s fitness enthusiasts, contract architects and specifiers are opting for flooring that positively influences safety, ergonomics and acoustics to provide users with force reduction and energy restitution throughout each workout.

How Flooring Impacts Functional Fitness
During functional training, people use their bodies and weights to perform exercises, making the surface underneath their feet more critical than ever before. In response to the functional training trend, fitness centers nationwide are removing some of the standard equipment and adding open space and more supportive flooring for interval training.

Hilton Hotels is taking the functional fitness trend one step further by offering open space with athletic flooring in individual hotel rooms. The Hilton Five Feet to Fitness project offers fitness-minded guests with a functional fitness nook in their rooms, equipped with Ecore ergonomic flooring, functional training equipment and a video kiosk with a library of guided exercises. The specially-designed flooring keeps guest workouts quiet and non-disruptive to neighboring rooms while providing support underfoot for a variety of fitness activities.

Unlike traditional fitness center flooring, functional training flooring has a direct impact on the performance of the athlete, providing stability and support to protect from injury. Functional fitness flooring must withstand heavy weight drops, ropes, medicine ball slams and repeated jumping, all while providing a comfortable, ergonomically sound and quiet environment. Architects and designers should keep in mind these three important factors when specifying a functional fitness facility:

Safety

Athletes of all levels – weekend warriors to Olympic champions – train to improve their abilities and reach new achievements. With each push toward greatness, athletes put their bodies at risk of injury that could set back their efforts temporarily or permanently. Thus, measures are taken to protect athletes’ bodies to ensure they are able to perform at peak levels – including proper nutrition, adequate sleep and high-quality equipment. Flooring is a key piece of equipment for athletes, playing a role in nearly every activity from start to finish. To keep safety a priority, fitness facilities should invest in surfaces that mitigate injury, protect the body and promote ultimate and healthy performance.

Ergonomics

Once the athlete’s body is protected, the focus turns to enhancing and improving performance. Functional fitness calls for intense activities to be performed in different frequencies and directions over and over. No matter the intensity, the repetitive motion, swift movement and constant impact takes a toll on the body and the quality of the workout. Ergonomic flooring helps diminish fatigue, minimize discomfort and enable athletes to perform at their highest levels longer and more efficiently. The right flooring enhances longevity of athletes by absorbing force and providing a return of energy through innovative engineering and design.

Acoustics

While acoustics may not be the first thing that comes to mind when brainstorming a state-of-the-art workout facility, it has a surprisingly significant impact on the overall fitness experience. A room full of athletes performing various activities involving fast movements and heavy weights can become a noisy mess fast. Using a flooring surface that absorbs energy, vibrations and sound can greatly reduce the ambient noise and create a more pleasant experience for the user and those around this space, while also greatly increasing the longevity of the flooring and fitness equipment.

Additional Flooring Selection Considerations
There are many different flooring materials to choose from when designing a fitness facility – some offering more benefits than others. While the flooring should be selected to meet the needs of the fitness center user first and foremost, the durability and sustainability of the product should play a role in decision making as well.

The use of environmentally-conscious and sustainable materials – such as tire scrap, recycled rubber, bamboo and cork – renders high-quality products for modern flooring demands without leaving a detrimental carbon footprint on the environment. Ecore’s Performance Collection, for example, features a durable top layer made of sustainable materials that is slip resistant when wet or dry, as well as fade resistant to hold up against the toughest workouts. The base layers provide significant sound and force reduction while delivering energy restitution, enabling the materials to last longer without additional repairs. These types of materials, when utilized properly, often exceed customer expectations in performance and durability, while greatly reducing maintenance costs over time. 

Modern athletes are looking for fitness equipment and accessories that not only accommodate their physical activities, but work equally hard to enhance performance and safety. Likewise, fitness center managers want to protect and support their members by investing in innovative equipment that will withstand heavy demands. Building up fitness and reaching new physical limits starts with the right foundation: quiet, safe, resilient, ergonomic flooring designed specifically to meet the needs of athletes and fitness centers.

Bo Barber is the Vice President of marketing and sales for Ecore, a company that transforms reclaimed materials into performance surfaces that make people’s lives better. Ecore’s products align substantial force reduction with a balanced amount of energy return to create surfaces to meet virtually every commercial flooring application need. 

Believing that everyone's perspective is important, Zest Magazine has opted to provide an avenue for these perspectives to be known. care to hear the publication's contributing writers; or better yet, do some contributing yourself by contacting info@zestmag.com.

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Sarap ng Pasko, Sarap ng Purefoods

Purefoods helps families celebrate cherished traditions, new additions this holiday season.

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In a country of more than 7,600 islands, Christmas in the Philippines is celebrated in many ways, varying across the regions through traditions that have remained through generations, along with new iterations that reflect the growing diversity among Filipino families.

Today’s Christmas celebrations in Filipino households range from grand gatherings among extended families, along with OFW households, dual-income no kids (DINKs) couples, single parents, and same-gender partners who are marking the season in their own meaningful way. Through it all, the desire to gather, to share, and to connect remains at the heart of each celebration. 

Feast for Filipino families

This holiday season, Purefoods recognizes both the traditions that have been passed down through generations, along with the new meaningful ones that we create along the way. Around the Noche Buena table, families remember the Christmases past, while embracing the present, and celebrating what brings them together.

Whether its recipes that have been handed down through many generations, or new dishes to celebrate the joy of togetherness, Purefoods provides a wide range of products to make every holiday meal more memorable.

As a legacy brand with generations-long trusted consistency in quality and taste, Purefoods products have long been a part of occasions that matter most to Filipino families. The different Purefoods products help make homecooked Noche Buena feasts easier and more enjoyable. What’s more, the products are easily available in supermarkets, groceries, and markets to support different regional traditions and unique family celebrations across the country.

As part of its mission to spread Christmas cheer, Purefoods turned the homecoming of OFWs into a full-blown holiday celebration this December, taking center stage at the newly refreshed Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 just as its new facilities officially opened. Seizing this landmark moment, the “Sarap ng Pasko, Sarap ng Purefoods” installation at the Arrival area and a dazzling LED display at the new Mezzanine Food Hall transformed the terminal into a festive gateway home, filling arrivals with warmth, joy, and inspiration to create new Christmas memories with their loved ones through food.

Food that is lovingly prepared and joyfully shared is at the core of every Christmas celebration. No matter how Filipino families celebrate, Purefoods helps bring the joy of the season to every table.

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Christmas reunions made more joyful with Magnolia Chicken Timplados, #SarapMadeEasy

Magnolia Chicken Timplados makes meals that are easy to prepare and comes in flavorful options, removing the stress out of meal preparation. Just cook and it’s ready to be served in minutes.

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With the Christmas season in, one of the most anticipated moments for many people is the Christmas reunion – a time when family and friends gather to celebrate and reconnect. However, the idea of preparing a delicious Christmas feast can be overwhelming and can lead to stress. Between planning the menu, grocery shopping, and cooking, it’s easy to feel like the holidays are more about hustle than a joyful celebration.

That is why Magnolia Chicken Timplados makes meals that are easy to prepare and comes in flavorful options, removing the stress out of meal preparation. Just cook and it’s ready to be served in minutes! Whether it’s Fried Chicken or Smoked Pepper Roasted Chicken, it is made with quality, real chicken, that’s sure to win hearts at any Christmas reunion feast, bringing families and friends together over meals filled with joy, flavor, and festive warmth.

  • Fried Chicken: Magnolia Fried Chicken delivers golden, delicious and crispy goodness right to your Christmas table. A classic favorite because it is simple yet celebratory, Magnolia Fried Chicken captures the heart of Christmas cooking: togetherness, indulgence, and the joy of sharing something made with love. It is perfect for family feasts or holiday get-togethers with friends because it’s pre-marinated, just coat with breading and deep fry. It saves a lot of time and energy, keeping your cooking hassle-free.
  • Smoked Pepper Roasted Chicken: What better way to enjoy the holidays than by savoring an aromatic, hearty roasted chicken? Magnolia Smoked Pepper Roasted Chicken brings a classic favorite to an entirely new level! What makes it special is its bold yet balanced flavor – the smoky aroma mingling with sweet, caramelized skin, the sharp bite of pepper meeting the natural richness of roast chicken. It’s simple enough for a weeknight dinner yet sophisticated enough for entertaining guests. There’s no need to worry about the tiresome task of seasoning the chicken and marinating overnight, as it can be cooked straight in the oven or air fryer. It is a special delight for everyone to enjoy, especially during gatherings around the table with loved ones.

With ready to cook Magnolia Chicken Timplados, it’s possible to enjoy a delectable holiday meal without the chaos of traditional cooking. Sarap Super Moms and Timplanners can spend less time worrying about the kitchen, leaving more time to create happy and unforgettable moments to cherish with loved ones.

Lasapin ang #SarapMadeEasy meals this Christmas with Magnolia Chicken Timplados! #CountlessMomentsEndlessGoodness

To learn more about Magnolia Ready-to-Cook Chicken Timplados, visit magnoliachicken.com or follow Magnolia Chicken on social media.

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Sip the magic of Christmas with Seattle’s Best S’mores Ghirardelli Collection

Each drink captures the comforting spirit of Christmas with rich chocolate indulgence and a touch of sweetness that feels like a cozy holiday hug.

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There’s something about S’mores that brings people together—melting chocolate, toasted marshmallows, and moments that feel like home. This holiday season, Seattle’s Best Coffee and Ghirardelli are turning that warmth into a cup with the S’mores Collection Made with Ghirardelli. Each drink captures the comforting spirit of Christmas with rich chocolate indulgence and a touch of sweetness that feels like a cozy holiday hug.

Starting November 2025, chocolate lovers can indulge in this limited-edition collection in Seattle’s Best Coffee stores nationwide and via GrabFood and FoodPanda.

What Makes the S’mores Collection Special?

  • A Taste of Comfort – Inspired by the familiar joy of S’mores, each drink blends marshmallow sweetness, velvety chocolate, and bold coffee warmth for that fireside feeling—no campfire needed.
  • Premium Collaboration – Made with Ghirardelli’s signature chocolate and Seattle’s Best bold espresso, delivering a smooth, indulgent coffee experience that feels festive and luxurious.
  • Crafted for Every Craving – From hot to iced to blended, there’s a S’mores drink for every holiday mood, perfect for sharing cozy moments or treating yourself to something special.

Find Your Perfect Holiday Match

Whether you’re sipping by the tree, catching up with friends, or gifting yourself a well-deserved break, there’s a S’mores Collection drink for every kind of Christmas craving.

  • Hot S’mores Ghirardelli – Cozy up with this comforting blend of Ghirardelli chocolate powder, rich espresso, and creamy marshmallow meringue, topped with a dark chocolate drizzle and crushed graham cracker. It’s Christmas warmth in a cup.
  • Iced S’mores Ghirardelli – A refreshing yet indulgent twist that combines bold espresso, Ghirardelli chocolate, and half & half over ice, finished with marshmallow meringue and a graham cracker crunch.
  • S’mores Javakula – A frozen holiday treat that blends Ghirardelli chocolate, marshmallow meringue, dark chocolate sauce, and graham cracker bits, perfect for cooling down while staying in the holiday spirit.

Make Your Holidays Sweeter

The Seattle’s Best Coffee x Ghirardelli S’mores Collection is available for a limited ti

me in all Seattle’s Best Coffee stores nationwide and via GrabFood and FoodPanda.

Indulge in the rich, chocolatey comfort of the holidays—warm, bold, and oh-so-delightful with every sip of Seattle’s Best Coffee’s S’mores Collection.

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