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FROM THE EDITOR Time for sun, blue skies and green grass! Time for a season that fosters positive change, trying and opening up to new ideas. This is what we want to motivate you to do in the current edition – to inspire you and show you the directions you can follow to find your change. Why is it worth it? Then you will have a chance to experience something new, break with monotony and predictability, give yourself self-confidence and energy. Remember that one, even seemingly small, change often triggers a chain of good events. Just say to yourself, ”Yes, I’ll do it!” It doesn’t matter whether this means a new style, a change in philosophy to a conscious approach to shopping or going on a trip like never before – for example, taking a camper van across Europe. Isn’t this the best time to try something different? Or will it be pushing your limits on a mountain hike, adding yoga to your intensive training or just playing golf for the first time?

We’re keeping our fingers crossed for you!!

The S’portofino team

We dedicate this edition to Krzysztof, who will always be our inspiration.

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LIFESTYLE

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SLOW FASHION Dorota Zalepa advises you on how to buy clothes consciously MEN’S WARDROBE WITHOUT SECRETS Interview with Piotr Czaykowski about menswear basics

SPRING AWAKENING New brands for the spring and summer season

OUTDOOR

NO ONE PLAYS PERFECT GOLF Tomek Zembrowski breaks stereotypes about golf YOGA – THE BASIS OF INTENSIVE TRAINING Interview with Julita Kasztelan about combining yoga and crossfit

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ALWAYS TRENDY – LOUNGEWEAR Stylish comfort redefined

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ACTIVE 18 34

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A CAMPER VAN ACROSS EUROPE We talk to Piotr Kozłowski about holidays on wheels OUTDOOR IS THE NEW URBAN When fashion meets functionality RUNNING THROUGH LIFE Interview with Bartek Przedwojewski, a mountain running champion SPEED HIKING A way to spend time actively in the mountains

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ACTIVE

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Beyond the present Get beyond what you’re used to. Discover freedom and comfort anytime, anywhere. Do not think about what you should be or what is appropriate for you – just be the most comfortable version of yourself and stick with it. It is timeless.

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Spring awakening Revolution. This is a word that definitely has major importance in today’s everyday life. Recent times have shown that a lot can change – including for the better. Designers have taken a different look at comfort and outdoor activities. Their priority is you and your comfort. The new S’portofino collection brings you even closer to nature, to develop your passions and simply be yourself. We have been joined by leading brands in outdoor clothing, running and modern streetwear. Do you hear the call of the forests and mountains? Discover even more and enjoy every moment outdoors.

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Salewa

Haglöfs

Inov-8

Dynafit

Each mountain expedition isn’t only a unique experience, but also a considerable challenge. The mountains are beautiful, majestic and challenging. Therefore, to face them, you need a leader among outdoor clothing and shoes. Salewa is a global brand that guarantees the highest possible quality so you can conquer every trail. 80 years of tradition and experience have resulted in the very best products for mountain lovers – the range includes backpacks, outdoor clothing and shoes featuring modern technologies and unique design.

Salewa is the perfect choice, and not only for experienced hikers. It is also a great brand for those who are only just discovering their mountain passions. Take unfamiliar routes safely and comfortably.

This is much more than just outdoor clothing for adventurers. The Haglöfs brand was fouded in 1914 in Sweden. Its goal was to create excellent quality products that would prove useful not only during mountain hiking, but also wherever people might struggle with difficult weather conditions. This clothing is also reliable and comfortable for those who want to spend a nice weekend in nature or for just go for a walk with the family. The point is that every experience, even the smallest, should be memorable. Haglöfs is your partner for enjoying every moment outdoors

What are great running shoes? First of all, they provide comfort, good shock absorption and reliable grip. These are the features that make Inov-8 one of the most recognisable brands, offering shoes, clothing and equipment that will work in any conditions. The brand’s philosophy is to integrate the athlete and the environment.

Nature is the main factor that defines the design process. What else distinguishes these running shoes? Inov-8 was the first to use graphene, a pioneering material that increases the strength and grip of the sole on almost any surface.

Achieve even more – nothing stands in your way anymore.

Innovation cannot be stopped. Incredible acceleration, exceptional durability. Maximum speed. The values of the Dynafit brand are reflected in the snow leopard on the logo.

It is the epitome of dynamics, elegance and uncompromising attitude. These majestic animals can go where others cannot. In line with this idea, Dynafit clothing and footwear help athletes forge new paths. Trail running knows no bounds. Brand designers are pioneers in their field. They use advanced technologies while striving for minimalism of form. Unleash this wildness within you. Challenge unexplored trails. Simplicity and efficiency will support your every step.

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HOKA One One A clearly defined goal allowed the founders of the HOKA One One brand to start a real revolution on the sports shoes market. Two French runners used their knowledge and experience to create innovative solutions appreciated by both ultramarathoners and enthusiasts. It all started with an unusual inspiration. „It is all downhill now”? It sounds easy in theory, but every runner knows that this part of the route requires a lot of concentration and effort to maintain the right speed and light movement. Therefore, the creators of the HOKA One One brand decided to create footwear that will cope with challenging parts of the route and support the runner on uneven ground.

Feel the difference. Levitate over the ground. Time to fly!

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B rooks

Northwave

Running is an art, a passion, lack of limits.

The smile that breaks across your face with your every move. The creators of the Brooks brand, which has been delighting the world with its running shoe designs for over 100 years, know this only too well. The technologies used in Brooks footwear models are based on advanced research in the field of biomechanics. Solutions that are created in the heart of Seattle are designed to support runners, respond to their needs, constantly inspire and call to action. All these elements come together in the phrase „Run Happy”!

Discover the true joy that sport brings. Make each route a playground for you. Run with Brooks.

Are you hungry for adventure? Feel the adrenaline and unleash speed. Northwave is an Italian brand founded in 1993 by Gianni Piva. Since then, it has been a trendsetter in cycling clothing. There is no room for boredom here. There is, however, a perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality. Northwave footwear and clothing are tailored to the diverse requirements of cycling routes. At the same time, they are distinguished by a unique Italian style. It is a lifestyle you know and understand.

Technologies that minimise the risk of injury, help transform the energy put into movement into results and take pride in pushing the boundaries, breaking records. It is a brand loved by professionals. Check out why.

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HELIXCOIL®

SUPPRONATION® BANDAGE

PRONATION

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SUPPRONATION®

SUPINATION

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Ready, set…

GOLF! A perfect sunny day and you’re on the green. You’ve been waiting for this all year! Golf offers the perfect way to relax outside the city bustle. Concentration and relaxation at the same time are what you need after an intense week of work. Unique, sports emotions await you.

Immerse yourself in this passion in the best Italian style.

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Nobody plays perfect golf Impeccable clothing, a stroll around the course, chatting with friends – this is how many people mistakenly imagine golf. Even more damaging are the opinions that it is fun for the elite and has nothing to do with sporting ambitions. There are many more similar ideas. We decided to confront them in an interview with professional golfer Tomasz Zembrowski.

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Golf is an age-old sport with traditions known all over the world. It attracts different personalities, generations, women and men alike. What is unique about this sport?

It’s a very difficult question. The beauty of this sport is that it can mean something completely different to everyone. You can enjoy it in a totally recreational style or turn it into a real religion and train for days on end. It is worth remembering that professional golf is one of the most difficult disciplines known to man, and recreational golf is enjoyable even for those who can barely send the ball into the air. This beautiful and noble sport reaches people on many levels and offers everyone different benefits. This can mean health, improvement of physical fitness, motivation, belonging to a group or just enjoying nice company. Others

will find adrenaline, the need to compete, clearing the mind or escaping everyday life. Golf is also a SPA for the head and body, helping to commune with nature and contributing to the development of children. There are even more advantages and possibilities. I could go on and on.

Where did your passion for golf come from?

Life has always been a sum of strange coincidences for me. One of them was the arrival of golf in my life. It sounds perverse, but I started playing golf because a railroad crossing barrier came down in front of my father’s car. It happened in 1996 in the Wola district in Poznań. On his way to a business meeting, my father noticed some people making some weird movements while he was waiting in the line of cars at the railroad crossing.

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This intrigued him so much that on his way back home he returned the same route and found out that it was a golf shooting range. He knocked out a basket of balls on the spot, and then returned home grinning from ear to ear. He told us that he had been playing golf, that it was great and he wanted to go there again and asked me if I would go with him. So I went. This is how my adventure with golf began, which continues to this day.

golf and how much money you have to spend on it. However, I am an optimist and, looking at our European neighbours, I believe that in the future, from two hundred to even four hundred thousand Poles may play. But we have a long way to go.

Golf is an elite sport, expensive, boring, inaccessible. What other stereotypes have you encountered and how do you counter them?

The United States is a completely different world. There are 34,000 golf courses around the globe. Half of them are in the US. There, golf is everywhere. I love the golf exploration of the United States, although I don’t like the country itself that much apart from golf. Being there with my students, I always follow the golf course trail. We play there every day on a completely different course. This is just phenomenal. Golf is also literally everywhere and at every stage of school education. Each school has a golf team, and often its own course or at least a friendly facility. It’s wonderful. There is also a completely different approach to golf etiquette, although I don’t rate it either good or bad here, it’s just different. Europe is, you could say, more fossilised and traditional, but this isn’t surprising given the noble lineage of golf in the old continent. There is no dress code at all in the US. I myself remember when next to me there was a boy who looked like a professional basketball player straight from the NBA draft. No one was offended by it, no one paid the slightest attention to it. It only shows that there is a completely different perception of golf – definitely more casual, although there are also plenty of exclusive closed clubs for members only.

Fighting stereotypes is a bit like chasing shadows.

Obviously, I have come across the stereotypes mentioned in the question. Unfortunately, they are repeated quite often. Recently, I even found one of them in a popular Polish comedy series.

My fellow golfers and I face stereotypes every day.

According to many of them, owning a private yacht and a horse stable is more or less on a par with playing golf. Obviously, this perception is very damaging to our passion and work. However, I am not saying that golf is cheap and that it is for everyone. Six hundred thousand people play golf in Germany. In England, as many as two million.

In turn, about eighty thousand of our Czech neighbours practice this sport. These are not small numbers and I can confirm that golf in these places is neither an elite nor inaccessible sport. Looking from the perspective of the huge number of people playing tennis or going skiing, I believe that the same number could apply to golf in Poland. The availability of golf courses is currently sufficient.

We have about forty of them in Poland at the moment. Apart from Poznań and Łódź, there are some large golf courses in every major city.

So it isn’t that this availability doesn’t exist. A bigger problem is how to reach people and explain to them that it’s not as expensive as it may seem.

In many cases, a golf lesson can even be cheaper than learning to play tennis. So the actual prices are far from what you might think about

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You travel a lot and have had the opportunity to play abroad. Is there a completely different player profile in other countries, such as the United States? Is there still room for stereotypes?

What would it take for this discipline to attract even more players?

The more golf courses there are, of course, the easier it will be to attract potential players.

It doesn’t mean, however, that we have too few of them. The problem, however, is how many peo-

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ple play regularly on a given golf course. There is a lot more room for improvement here. Poland has one of the lowest ratios in the world in this respect. On average, there are around 600 members per single golf club in Europe. In Poland, there are about 120 members for each golf course. Unfortunately, this isn’t enough, and the domestic golf courses have a problem with profitability. This is a more complex situation, but I believe that some of the golf courses were simply built in the wrong place. Often, such courses are several dozen kilometres away from the nearest agglomeration, and they’re accessed via roads that were renovated twenty years ago. This doesn’t encourage golfers to play, and a trip to play golf basically turns into a full-day excursion. Another issue is the lack of wider, coordinated cooperation between local clubs and surrounding cities, schools, companies

or offices. This is a huge loss of potential, because every golf course has space for regular players as well as newbies.

Golf in Poland is developing relatively slowly.

Please tell me something more about the new golf course that is being built near Poznań.

The driving range has been operating since September last year. Now we have a winter break and we are waiting for the weather to improve, to ultimately start the golfing season at the beginning of April. The next stage involves commissioning the six-hole academy and the so-called training areas, i.e. a chipping green with an area of 900 m2 and a putting green with an area of 2000 m2, which we are planning for May. According to the schedule, at the end of July or mid-August, we’ll

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be finishing the construction of a large 18-hole course. After this stage is completed, there will be no more construction crews left, and we will be left alone with our team of gardeners. Then we will focus only on watering and proper sowing of the grass. According to the schedule, the 18hole course will be put into use at the turn of April and May 2022. From that moment on, golfers will be able to play a full game. Interestingly, a lot of people have always played golf in Poznań, even though we have never had any real golf course within a vicinity of 100 km. There are many enthusiasts who have been playing for over twenty-five years.

There are as many as five associations in our city that bring together fans of this beautiful game and

if you count Poznań golfers who have their home clubs at other golf courses, today Poznań has five hundred active golfers. That is why our plan for the Black Water Links Golf Club to have 700 members after four years isn’t that difficult to achieve. In addition, we are open to foreign guests and people working in Poznań at foreign companies, who visited golf courses in other European locations before the pandemic on their way home for the weekend.

If you sum it all up, there are a lot of people in the area and we are waiting impatiently for everyone.

I would also like to ask about 2022 and the opening of the Black Water Links field near Poznań.

Is the date completely random?

As it happens in life, everything was again decided by chance. Only recently did we learn that 2022 will be a unique event due to its historical reference. The moment of the official debut will coincide exactly with the one hundredth anniversary of the opening of the golf course in Poznań, the first in interwar Poland. It turns out that in 1922, on the initiative of the British ambassador and soldiers of the 7th heavy artillery regiment, the Poznań Golf Club was established in Sołacz in Poznań. Unfortunately, most of the information in the city archives didn’t survive the war. For this reason, we can only rely on a few articles from the military newspapers from 1922. We also dug up a few names of people involved in it at the time. So we don’t lose hope and keep looking in the family archives. Overall, it will be a perfect year to open a new golf course.

In golf, is it that our biggest opponent is ourselves?

When playing the game, your biggest opponent is always yourself. It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner with a green card, an excellent amateur or a professional. At the first stage, the game is a fight with yourself, only then begins a struggle with the golf course, its obstacles, and only at the very end – a competition with other golfers. When it isn’t matchplay, i.e. you are not shooting holes with your opponent, then the fight against what lies outside remains distant.

The most important thing is what you do yourself, how you deal with the stress, pressure, golf course obstacles prepared by the designer and whether you accept everything that is happening.

Does the mental side of golf as entertainment, not professional sport, also matter?

It definitely matters a lot! Most professionals train mentally and have their own trainers. Some people treat their caddies (the person helping to carry the bag of clubs) in a purely therapeutic manner.

They are in some way a help and distraction from failure, tension, fear or hyperventilation. Those

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players who have not worked on their mental side immediately drop off the list of potential world leaders. In professional golf, if you don’t have a mental structure, you don’t exist. The key is how you handle pressure, hard hits, obstacles and spectators. It all affects the final effect of your game. Amateurs, apart from the level of the game itself, are no different from professionals. They have the same problems as they do. Unfortunately, ninety-five percent of amateurs don’t work on their mental state. There are some who don’t believe in it at all. It’s quite the opposite of professional players. There are plenty of difficulties that every golfer has to face. I mention this because mental training was a great discovery for me five years ago, which I started to share with my students as well. In my case, it brought spectacular results. I talk a lot about it. I’m even in the process of writing a book on the mental side of golf. I intend to finish writing it later this year.

We know perfectly well that various sports can be physically exhausting. Does golf also offer a strenuous workout? Or maybe golf extends life?

Golf definitely extends your life! This sport, however, isn’t only about strokes, but above all a lot of outdoor walks. You can play golf that will make your muscles sore. It can simply be played on several levels. Going alone with a bag on your back will burn two thousand calories without any problems. Traveling through the field with the cart, you will burn a little less, about fourteen hundred. If, on the other hand, you are not looking to improve your fitness, you can choose to drive an electric golf cart or have someone else to carry a bag for you. Personally, I love to walk while playing. It helps me stay in good shape. I can easily cover even thirty kilometres a day in this way. Beginners put so much strength into the game that after one round they are not able to get up physically even for several days due to muscle soreness or muscle tension. However, I have a group of sixand seventy-year-olds who, during a week-long training and golf trip, make five rounds on foot

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and have no problems. Golf is a great form of recreation and definitely improves your fitness. You can get very tired during the game. Not only that, it forces you to properly plan the entire game. This is a similar situation to pacing yourself in a marathon. Everything is important in golf. Even proper planning of the number and frequency of meals.

How many people have you enticed to the golf course?

I have never kept statistics showing how many people I persuaded to play golf. However, I can proudly say that over the past eleven years I have taught eight hundred and eighty people.

Of which exactly over a quarter were women.

This situation shows that more and more women are playing golf. This is definitely a big change.

What advice can you share with someone who wants or has already started their adventure with golf?

The most important piece of advice I can share is to accept whatever happens in the field. Never fight with yourself and don’t expect too much of yourself. Don’t expect the impossible from yourself. Just play golf that you enjoy. To be a happy golfer you have to enjoy the surrounding nature, the sun and the fact that we have the time and resources to play at all. You need the right perspective. Not every hit is perfect. Nobody plays perfect golf, not even the elite of world professionals.

It is important to be aware of your skills, your own shortcomings, level of commitment and simply accept it all.

So what is women’s golf like?

It is definitely different from men’s golf.

Ladies put much less energy into the game and approach it more methodologically. They ask more questions, are more technical, play shorter and simpler, so they lose fewer balls. They play much calmer and choose to attack the middle. Men, on the other hand, hit harder and often lose control over what is happening. There is a saying: „The forests are full of far-playing golfers”.

What are the best golf models?

The internet and watching the best players on portals such as www.golfchannel.pl and www.golfchannel.com will certainly be helpful.

Everyone will find someone for themselves.

It’s worth watching the swing of the best players from different age groups. By the way, you can tell your trainer about it, and he will tell you whether the swing you’ve chosen is safe and optimal for you. This is worth paying attention to, because physically demanding professional golf attacks are unattainable for most amateurs.

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Tomasz Zembrowski Born in 1981, from Poznań. He started his adventure with golf at the age of fifteen. Professional golfer, member and lecturer at PGA Poland, coach, sports director / Head Pro Black Water Links Tarnowo Podgórne. Member of the national team in 1998-1999. Golf journalist and commentator.

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Time for a good day A recipe for a successful day? Enjoying nature in your favourite company. Sharing passion. A unique background for talking and relaxation together. Make it an active and relaxing time at the same time. Forget about competition, have some fun and feel energised.

Be here and now, immerse yourself in the day.

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Yoga – the basis of intense training For some, yoga is a way to find balance; for others, it’s just some boring gymnastics. There are many myths about practicing yoga, but it is worth taking a closer look and, above all, ... having a go. It is especially suitable for runners, gym-goers or cyclists. What does crossfit have to do with yoga? How can runners improve their performance? We talked to Julita Kasztelan – an enthusiast of healthy development and a yoga instructor, who also discovered a great passion for crossfit – about why it is worth including yoga in your training.

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For the past year, most of us have been working remotely, and therefore, to feel better, some have become interested in yoga. They started to see its benefits and practice it at home. However, there are still stereotypes that yoga is only for a select few and it’s boring. How can this approach be changed?

True, people have learned to use the time they spend at home a little differently. However, despite the fact that gyms have been closed for a long time, yoga schools are open and you can go to classes. Restrictions are in place. It is safe.

In practice all you need is space. It is difficult to convince someone to do yoga – in my opinion, you have to grow into it and want to practice it. Yoga isn’t only one type of activity. There are many of them, so everyone will find something for themselves. To practice yoga, you have to look at it a bit differently than building muscle at the

gym. And it is true that even in the gym, or some gyms, you can do yoga and you can check out if there’s something suitable for you and join a group. There are also web portals that show the various types. It’s good to know them.

In my opinion, yoga isn’t boring and monotonous.

It has a very wide range of uses, not just meditation or stretching. It has a strengthening, cognitive and even fitness aspect. It all depends on your needs.

Yoga is also a great way to supplement endurance and relaxation training.

People who exercise or run pay a lot of attention to what and how they eat, often counting calories. Do you agree that you should approach yoga practice in a similar way as other aspects of your training?

If you want to include yoga in your daily routine, of course. Over time, however, you will find that

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it is the other disciplines that complement your practice. Yoga is very versatile and it all depends on the goal you want to achieve – be it better mobility, correct body posture or lower weight.

Yoga helps to shape your body. First and foremost, it’s about not hurting yourself. Coming back to the fact that the other exercises complement yoga practice, for example, the more you can achieve doing crossfit, the more difficult positions/ asanas you can make during yoga classes. This is a broader approach to the sport you play. Everything complements everything else and you don’t have to focus on just one discipline that limits you to some extent. Instead, you can improve your training and incorporate yoga into your program.

It will definitely affect what you do.

to it, develop proprioception, i.e. the sense of orientation of the body’s position, which is located, among others, in the muscles and joints. Practice also has a great effect on the nervous system – it regulates it, and this is especially important in disciplines that strongly stimulate the body. With more dynamic yoga, you also learn about the behaviour and spatial position of your body. In some positions your body trembles and then it either stops or lets itself ring out. The most important rule is that you control your body and not the other way round.

So can yoga be considered the basis of our training pyramid?

According to the philosophical approach of yoga and the eight-step path, one of them is prana-yama, or breath control, which coexists with the asanas. Nowadays you live fast, bombarded by a huge amount of stimuli and you often forget

Of course. Thanks to yoga, you learn to exercise with the weight of your own body, get used

Yoga is also about learning how to breathe properly. Why is it worth paying special attention to how to breathe?

to breathe with your whole body. It also happens that during some greater effort you wonder how to breathe and then this breathing isn’t natural, because somewhere this line is constantly blurring. Yoga opens your eyes to how to breathe and allows you to control this process, especially when the movements during training become more and more demanding and intensive. The most oxygenating and correct breathing is diaphragmatic. Conscious practice of breathing with the diaphragm keeps the muscle trained. It can be practiced at any time, even at home while watching your favourite series. Over time, you will find that your breathing is more steady, calmer, and of more value. Yoga allows you to increase oxygen thresholds, cross the barrier, and this is especially useful in sports. It is worth learning, because even when lifting weights, breathing is crucial. If the effort is strenuous, if you can’t breathe, you won’t be able to do the exercise. It also causes internal damage and damage to the nervous system. If you are running, practicing your breathing will help you run more efficiently and faster. It is similar with dancing, where, with different rhythms, proper breathing is extremely helpful. Yoga has trained me to work properly on my breath. Thanks to this, I am able to lift heavier weights, because I know where to direct my breath and how to do it so that the core is stable and holds more weight during sit ups or other exercises.

What does it look like with crossfit and similar disciplines that are demanding and focus on buiding body strength? How many yoga sessions should we do and what benefits will we gain?

It is all individual. Everyone gets tired training, but some may exercise more intensively and for longer. I am of the opinion that the time devoted to training should be equal to the time the body needs to regenerate itself. It is difficult, of course, but every moment is important. After strength or endurance exercises, the body is severely damaged, and you build up your muscles with new cells. Strength isn’t everything, it is also

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about mobility and flexibility. In crossfit, you often reach the limit where your body has had enough.

Yoga introduces balance and the aforementioned breath, thanks to which you can function better later. Sport is healthy, but you can’t go crazy and make an unconscious effort to do more harm than good.

In addition to performance, what else can runners gain by incorporating yoga into their training program?

In addition to performance, control and increasing oxygen thresholds, yoga will be beneficial for tense calves. Stretching them is key here, because the muscles work very intensively. Runners themselves know how their legs and joints get tired, so they need additional regeneration. Yoga balances the advantage of the lower body in running and focuses on overall development. It helps to get rid of tense muscles, and evens out the work of the legs. When someone comes to my class, I can immediately see that this is a person who runs a lot, you can see it in the body posture. The same is true of footballers, who also mostly use the lower body. It is also easy to see if someone doesn’t really warm up properly and isn’t doing the exercises correctly. If they don’t act in time, they will simply lose the desire to continue training. Yoga is also a great practice of self-discipline.

So you can definitely say that there are a lot of these positive aspects.

How was it for you, did you discover yoga first or did you start with crossfit?

First there was yoga, which I have 10 years of experience with, and crossfit appeared 5-6 years ago.

What made me want to try this discipline? I just wanted to improve my figure. But it didn’t stop there. Crossfit inspires me a lot and I have noticed that these two seemingly different disciplines just overlap. During my yoga lessons, I use the postures that I previously trained in crossfit classes. I noticed a huge influence from yoga while exercising on an airbike. This is a combination of a bicycle

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and an elliptical cross trainer where the whole body is heavily involved. For me personally, it is a strenuous effort, but asana practice helped me shake the pain in my legs faster. It is similar when I do intense squats and my thighs are not so hard. As I mentioned before – strength isn’t everything, and this is confirmed when my friends who give their best in cross country have difficulties with standing in yoga and get tired doing it.

It also shows that you can often overtrain.

What is the best way to start when you want to bring yoga into your training?

It may sound trivial, but just have the body and practice. It doesn’t take a lot of effort, but I know there are some people who get discouraged from the very beginning. After all, it is worth asking yourself when exercising, running, dancing or cycling – is my body going in the right direction? And despite the fact that you already devote some part of the week to training, at least 10 minutes a day is enough to do something better for yourself and see if it suits you. Secondly, don’t shut yourself up and keep your head open, because yoga allows you to accept what is and what may still come. I am of the opinion that every yoga practice is a success and the next step towards understanding the needs of your body. A lot also depends on the stage of life you are at. At different ages, under different circumstances, your needs are different, and this is normal, which is why yoga offers so many solutions. You can go to yoga classes or turn on a YouTube video – it all depends on your personality. Some of my students started out with yoga online and then decided to do some classical practice. At this point, I would like to emphasise that it is a good idea to double check some points with the teacher, because again it comes down to not wanting to hurt yourself. Home practice is valuable, but the teacher can guide you along a safe path. Let’s face it, no one likes pain and we work together to make it comfortable, pleasant for our body and if you feel it, it means that you are going the right way in asana.

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Julita Kasztelan A graduate of the Faculty of Melioration and Environmental Engineering at the University of Life Sciences in Poznań. She started her adventure with yoga in high school, and today she works as an instructor. She combines her passion for yoga with calisthenics and crossfit, which enables her to discover the capabilities of her own body from a different side.

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Follow the swiftness Can you feel the energy that lies dormant within you?

Free it. Let it lead you to the goal you’ve set for yourself. The city lights turn into a colourful glow, making you want to run even faster. Nothing stands in the way, there are no restrictions, only a road. A new horizon stretches out before you. Every step matters. Follow it.

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LIFESTYLE

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A breeze of comfort What do you associate warm days with? With bliss, vacation and freedom. The sea breeze in your hair, the softness of the sand under your feet and warm rays of the sun on the skin. You want this moment to last forever. What stands in the way? Don’t give up on summer comfort, soak it up any way you can.

Emphasise it with an original style that makes you feel special. Celebrate this moment.

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Timeless experience Nostalgia of the 90s and modern solutions. A style that moves in time and at the same time fits so much into today’s everyday life. Classic colours, simple forms and forward-looking materials create a unique story. You are an integral part of it. Your personality stands out from the background of futuristic buildings. As you walk the streets, you set a new direction. This is the quintessence of street style.

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Always trendy – loungewear A meeting of fashion and functionality. This is how you can describe the loungewear trend, which has been winning the hearts and wardrobes of most of us for almost a year now. Now it’s time for catwalks and top styling lists.

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professional rules. Along with the observation that many meetings can be successfully replaced by e-mail or a short videoconference, there was a belief that aesthetics and comfort don’t have to be mutually exclusive. On the contrary. The spring and summer loungewear range reflects all the current colour trends. Natural colours, fashionable pastels, and on the other hand, expressive accents and intriguing prints. Thanks to its variety, loungewear dazzles in living rooms and on the streets, with unconventional, eye-catching stylisations.

Back to the 90’s Inspirations from the 90s are more and more visible in the collections of well-known brands.

Perhaps this is due to nostalgia for a period when

Fashion and lifestyle go hand in hand. Designers’ creativity cannot move in a vacuum. Therefore, each social change is reflected in trends. Much has been written about the impact of the pandemic on everyday life. Experts agree on one point – that most of the time is spent at home. This results in a natural need to dress in casual clothes made for comfort. However, this doesn’t have to mean abandoning aesthetics, which is one reason we appreciate fashion. The answer to new needs is loungewear, previously known as homewear or leisure.

Freedom in a new version The functional aspect of loungewear is of key importance. This relates to both the cut of the garment and the materials used. Loose tracksuits, joggers, soft sweaters and sweatshirts, in which you can hide from the challenges of everyday life.

Sounds good? This style will be complemented by delicate fabrics made of high-quality cotton,

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everything seemed easier. You can carry the hope of returning to greater freedom and a more carefree you, and that includes what you wear. Hence the oversize trousers and sweatshirts. It is worth adding some classic tank tops and asymmetrical t-shirts.

Tracksuit fashion Until recently, the idea that tracksuits are synonymous with top trends would have seemed bizarre. However, fashion proves once again that it knows no limits. Creations are designed in relation to needs. Hence the romance of comfort and luxury, which is reflected in the excellent quality of the material. It can be assumed that the adventure with the loungewear will continue, so look forward to its further evolution.

wool and cashmere. All this to give you complete freedom and make you feel at home – also when you are away from it. The proposals of premium brands for the spring and summer season look very promising. The latest Allude collection will delight you with its pastel shades and craftsmanship.

By choosing among the models of Deha clothes, you can combine the classics with unusual prints and a cross-sectional colour palette. Phenomenal dresses used to be the first association with the LoveShackFancy brand. Now is the time to broaden that perspective for a range of loungewear at its best. Romantic, yet aggressive, intriguing and bold creations. Give your wardrobe a unique character.

More than just homewear The evolution of this trend took it beyond the comfort of the home. The time of necessarily limited social activity brought about some discoveries that influenced the current social and

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Faces of femininity Femininity cannot be defined. It is as diverse as any woman. Its beauty is in you. You decide how you want to spend your day. Regardless of your plans, you always look phenomenal because you feel like yourself.

You exude strength and courage, but you also have mystery, delicacy and a hint of romanticism. You no longer have to choose between comfort and good style. The most important thing is that you accept yourself.

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Slow fashion Fashion awareness has changed significantly in recent years. The slow philosophy isn’t only about food or lifestyle but is also related to the approach to what you have in your wardrobe and how you approach shopping. The idea of slow fashion is based on a few simple rules that are worth learning and practicing – both for your own well-being and for the good of the environment. Dorota Zalepa – author of e-books and the blog www.kameralna.com.pl, suggests how to consciously approach shopping, what to pay special attention to, how to free yourself from negative emotions and why it is worth building a capsule wardrobe.

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Why is there a need to collect various, often inconsistent things in the wardrobe that are never even worn?

It is difficult to part with things that are not damaged. You might think that if they are good, they can still be useful. After all, fashion comes full circle. So you keep clothes in your closet that you haven’t worn in years, and the likelihood of wearing them again is very small. Yes, fashion is back, but the styles are refreshed, more modern, and even if the vintage dress you have from your mom is back in fashion, you can still feel stuck in a past wearing it. Choosing vintage clothes is an art and it takes a lot of skill not to add years to the clothes. If you are in doubt as to whether or not to get rid of unworn clothes that are still in very good condition, start wearing them and see if there is a chance that you will come back to them.

How and why should you pay more attention to what, how and where to buy?

First of all, it’s worth starting with yourself. Find out more about what style you like, how you want to look and what you feel best in. Then, going with the intention to complete your own wardrobe, try it on, take photos, analyse it. Shopping is at the very end of the road. Make a detailed list of the things you are missing and complete it when something really ticks the boxes. You have to learn about yourself, find out what colours, styles and materials will be best for you and match the wardrobe to your activities.

The first step to conscious shopping is ...?

Accepting yourself, your appearance, your place in life. This is where you have to start. It is worth drawing inspiration from fashion magazines and the Internet, but always look for yourself in a given style. Check if it fits your life and your personality. Don’t build a wardrobe based on what you’ll be in a year or two. You need to love yourself, your body, and find the pleasure of dressing for yourself.

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It often seems that if you buy something cheaper, but not the best quality, it’s still better than spending more money on a more decent item. How to change this approach?

Poor quality clothes have a very short life span.

Often, the first wash exposes their poor quality.

As a result, you have to keep buying something new, and you are actually spending more than buying one good quality, more expensive item once in a while. Then you can be sure that it will serve you for several years. There are many such clothes in my wardrobe. A good woollen coat, jacket, decent jeans, shirt or T-shirt are the basic clothes that I wear most often. You can see good quality with the naked eye. Such clothes simply look better. Defects, crooked seams, inaccurate hems, low-quality materials mean that the garment fits poorly and, even if it is super fashionable, you will not look as good in it as in clothes that are well-cut and sewn with attention to detail.

What should you pay special attention to when shopping, and what should you definitely avoid?

I don’t go shopping without a list. Also, when shopping online, I stick to my list of things that I want to supplement in a given season. Then I know exactly what shape, colour and material I am looking for. Shopping is faster and more efficient because I only buy what really replenishes my wardrobe. Yes, there are exceptions to this rule when I buy something outside the list, because I liked it very much, but then I use the rule of three.

In my head I compose three complete outfits with the clothes I already have in my wardrobe in order not to find out later that I have to buy shoes, a coat and a handbag. Of course, I look carefully at the clothes for quality. For example, a good quality cotton T-shirt will be made of supima cotton, a combed, mercerised cotton. I check if a knitted fabric has a so-called strong grip, indicating a higher grammage, tighter weave, if there is no pilling already on the hanger. It’s a good idea to walk up to the light and check that the weave is even and that you don’t see any blemishes or gaps that can

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later turn into holes. Protruding fibres also indicate that the product was made of lower quality material. A good quality T-shirt is smooth, may even be shiny. It has a tighter weave and doesn’t show through.

scratch, you have a 14 or 30 day right of return, no questions asked.

Such information can certainly be handled better in brick-and-mortar stores, but how to make good online purchases when you can only see a photo and a description?

It is definitely a process that must take a while.

It isn’t worth rushing. You have to give yourself as much time as you need. I always encourage girls to start working on a capsule shopping detox wardrobe, which lasts a minimum of two months. In order to soothe your needs a bit and start making more conscious purchases. Give yourself time to get to know your figure, colours, learn to compose clothes in neat sets. The key point when working on your wardrobe is the cleanup. You have to get rid of clothes that you haven’t worn for years, get rid of any excess and leave only clothes that you know you’ll enjoy wearing. It is worth considering why they are among your favourites. What is it about them that makes you put them on most often. Colour, material, cut? It is worth taking notes, photos of successful outfits that you can come back to later. A good exercise that I organise on my blog every now and then is the 10x10 challenge. To-

It is definitely better to touch the garment, look at it, check its quality. However, you can also shop successfully online. Always check the composition of the material. Choose clothes made of natural materials such as cotton, linen, wool, silk, cashmere or artificial, but obtained from natural raw materials, viscose. The smaller the addition of polyester or polyamide, the better (apart from specialist and sports clothing, of course). Try to match the clothes to your type of beauty.

Knowing your colours makes it much easier to shop because you can use filters. Go back to brands whose clothes have already worked well, then there is less risk of getting the size wrong. Use the returns option. If something doesn’t come up to

How to start building your capsule wardrobe and how long could it take?

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gether with the readers, we choose 10 items from our wardrobe and create 10 sets of them for the next 10 days. Thanks to this exercise, you learn to compose clothes with each other and develop your creativity. You begin to notice what suits you and what doesn’t. This is the seed of your capsule wardrobe.

chosen an item and you are waiting for its price to drop. At the end of each season, it’s a good idea to take notes of what you’ve been missing and hunt for these things during the discount period.

What is a good capsule wardrobe? What are the necessary elements to build a style?

Window shopping means checking out shop window displays; in practice this involves strolling around a shopping mall or browsing online stores, without a clear shopping purpose. To check what’s new in the shops, or for fun, to pass the time. Window shopping contributes to impulsive shopping. You buy things you didn’t plan, you succumb to emotions and fill your wardrobe with clothes you don’t wear later.

That is why I don’t go shopping without a list and visit online stores only for a specific purpose.

A good capsule wardrobe is one that suits your needs, lifestyle and fashion preferences. You adjust it to your favourite activities. You don’t need a lot of elegant clothes if you are at home with your children on a daily basis. The clothes from the capsule wardrobe must be mixable. It means most things fit together. For example, when you take out some trousers, you can quickly match some other elements – a blouse, shoes, jacket, handbag. The main rule is: less, but better. Less clothes, better quality that fit together nicely. There is also no such thing as a list of things that should be in every wardrobe, because our fashion preferences differ. For many women, these classics will include a white blouse, a trench coat, well-cut jeans, a wool jacket, but there are women who love, for example, the boho style and will go for maxi dresses, flares, and a leather jacket.

We build a wardrobe based on our style.

What is window shopping and how can it negatively affect the well-being of the buyer?

What is your approach to impulsive buying, especially when the sales are on? Is it worth considering seasonal reductions in your purchasing plans at all?

Compulsive shopping leads to wardrobes filled with random things. Such purchases generate more purchases. When I feel that my shopping choices are dictated by external inspirations, changing trends, and not my actual needs, I take a 2-3 month break from shopping and window shopping. I don’t want unhealthy emotions to accompany me while shopping. I believe that using a sale makes sense when you have already

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Dorota Zalepa author of the blog www.kameralna.pl, expert in the field of women’s capsule wardrobes. Her blog combines fashion topics with motivation for slow living. Author of e-books about mindfulness, conscious shopping and discovering your style..

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Off duty Confidence has never been so on trend. It’s great because you know very well how to emphasise your personality. Your style exudes strength and blends perfectly with the pace of city life. Even when everyday life slows down, you don’t give up on being yourself. You are in the centre, and everything around you completes your individuality.

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Menswear without secrets A few simple and timeless clothes in neutral colours are enough to create sets for many occasions. Sounds good? A capsule wardrobe is the perfect solution for every man who not only wants to save time, but most of all wants to look and feel good.

We spoke with Piotr Czaykowski – a model who worked with the most famous brands in the world and the author of the e-book „Stylish guide for a modern man” – about what elements should be in a man’s wardrobe and why it is worth building one’s style

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The term capsule wardrobe appears more and more often in men’s fashion. What does this term actually mean?

An anecdote comes to mind. It was in 2013, when the capsule wardrobe was not a wellknown term in the male world. I was working as a model for Giorgio Armani. The designer personally selects the faces he wants to represent his collections. Once you are selected, you go to a special database from which people are selected for shows or photo sessions. Armani has a position of a so-called trainer who flies all over the world, trains salesmen and salesmen, shows the collections, discusses their details. I had the opportunity to work with him and during this meeting he showed me the most important elements of a given collection. It is also worth noting that each collection is very extensive and contains a lot of clothes. He chose just a few – sweaters, cardigans, trousers, T-shirts. He put them together on one hanger and despite the fact that they were different colours, he said that they went together perfectly. They have been designed in such a way as not to require too much thought, to save time when choosing an outfit. For me, this is the essence of the male capsule wardrobe – everything is consistent, well-tailored, fits perfectly and you can mix it freely.

Why should men spend more time analysing what’s in their wardrobes?

I believe that they should change their approach from practical to aesthetic. The clothes themselves are an extension of your personality. Therefore, what you wear should be in line with how you feel. The label or pattern don’t matter as much, because the point is to be dressed, not disguised.

You have to remember that we can only make a good impression once and you never know when the opportunity will arise. If you feel good, you’re confident, that is how others will perceive you. That’s why it’s worth it. This will make it easier for you in various situations, because it still translates into smaller or greater successes. Let me quote

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Giorgio Armani again who said that it is easy to be noticed, but the point is to be remembered. And this is where a well-chosen wardrobe helps. By extending your personality and well-being, you are remembered for the different, better quality that you represent as you.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of creating a capsule wardrobe?

I believe that there are no disadvantages. If you are just getting to know yourself and your style, you have no experience doing it, then the capsule wardrobe has only advantages. You can use it to create the perfect base for setting the trend and complementing the clothes you already have in your wardrobe. This is the perfect way to find good solutions for the male figure. It will also not limit people who have already developed their own style, because they can always add a bolder colour or accessories that will always look good in the company of basic clothes.

ting from this base, which can be modified in various ways. These are well-cut trousers, a T-shirt that fits perfectly, or a shirt. Will you make them more casual or streetwear, it depends on your preferences or on a given occasion that requires a specific look from you. It is a neutral style for you that is the starting point for the whole. It should start with finding perfectly fitting clothes for your physique. Focus on yourself, feel comfortable in what you wear, look for good solutions for yourself. You must be aware that working out your clothing plan is a constant process and that’s what it’s all about.

So what are the consistent elements that should be mainstays in a man’s wardrobe?

The basis for many everyday stylisations are jeans.

A few pairs of straight trousers made, for example, from linen. The upper garment is definitely

a navy blue turtleneck, classic T-shirts and a white shirt. Every man should have a black, navy blue or graphite suit in his wardrobe. A very important note for men here – the suit jacket isn’t independent from the suit trousers and it isn’t to be combined with another pair of trousers. This particular jacket has a specific task and is complemented by the set dedicated to it. It doesn’t look good otherwise. There are other models that can be worn more casually. The wardrobe will also be complemented by sweaters, cardigans and a hoodie. Everything is best in smooth textures and in neutral colours, such as beige, grey and navy blue. I didn’t mention black on purpose, because if we are talking about a person who is just starting to complete his wardrobe, the colours I previously mentioned are more practical, complement each other and match most others. People also say that black is safe and elegant, but it must be proper-

For whom is the capsule wardrobe a great solution and for whom is it definitely not?

There is a belief that men don’t care about their appearance and don’t pay attention to what is in their wardrobe. I don’t agree with that. Nobody likes to be disguised and uncomfortable with the things they’re wearing. The capsule wardrobe is definitely for everyone. Both for people who are interested in fashion and for those who just want to look neat and look good. It should be treated as a foundation, a springboard that sets you off in different directions. It is up to you to decide how you want to develop it. I believe that a capsule wardrobe is something completely independent, and so it’s suitable for every man.

Where should we start if we want to build a good capsule wardrobe? Is such a wardrobe created in only one style?

It can be said that the capsule wardrobe has its own style which is... your style. Again, we are star-

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ly cared for. It loses colour easily, which makes it look unsightly and more often the item has to be replaced, so it results in wasting money. There fore, I caution those who don’t have experience or time to treat black clothes with special agents.

you and your surroundings benefit. Instead of 6 T-shirts, it is better to buy 2 more expensive ones, but made of certified materials and of much better quality. I have 12-year-old sweaters in my wardrobe. They are still in great shape and I still wear them

Should we pay special attention to the material from which a given item is made?

Does each season require separate sets or are additional elements sufficient for particular weather?

Definitely. At the beginning, it’s best to read all the labels for the composition. With time, you will see and feel if the material is of good quality. Cotton is the most desirable fabric. It is pleasant, doesn’t crease, and fits well. It is also worth knowing that a T-shirt can have different proportions of cotton in its composition. The higher the value, of course, the less artificial and the better quality – from 80% to 100% is the preferred range. There is often an admixture of elastane, which helps the garment retain its shape, which is a great solution. In addition to cotton, it is worth investing in cashmere sweaters. They are very warm and can be used for a very long time. If you want to buy more conscientiously, choose clothes made of ecological cotton for your wardrobe, which is more and more popular, and also more easily available. It differs in price from its classic counterparts due to the sustainable production process and this is also the reason why you should pay attention to the composition, because you are aware of what you are buying.

Does building such a wardrobe also lead to a more conscious approach to purchasing, and then to environmental protection?

Absolutely yes to both. By arranging your capsule wardrobe, you build your style, approach your choices with some awareness, know what you are looking for and don’t buy more than you need.

At the same time, by choosing the previously mentioned ecological materials, you contribute to environmental care. Thanks to the timelessness, neutrality and functionality of a capsule wardrobe,

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Yes and no. It all depends on the person and the effect they want to achieve. People more familiar with techniques and fashion can divide their wardrobes into typical spring and winter sets. In turn, for those who are just in the process of organising their wardrobes, it is enough, for example, to change their jacket from a lighter one to a down jacket. You are still working with neutral clothes to which you add individual elements appropriate to the weather. However, it’s worth noting that there are garments that should have their seasonal counterparts. One of them is, for example, a suit.

A summer one is made of a different fabric than a winter one. On colder days, just throw a coat over it – in summer it will be much too cold for you. Currently, jackets are designed from materials that don’t pose a problem, even in 40 degrees of heat. We come back to the conscious choice again. The better constructed fabric, the more comfortable you feel and look good.

into my wardrobe. And for travelling I would take a travel bag that I can also use at the gym.

The capsule wardrobe doesn’t blindly follow trends. However, sometimes interesting fashion trends appear, is it worth adding them to the wardrobe as you go along? What to do then?

It is worth trusting yourself and let your well-being guide you primarily. If a trend makes you uncomfortable, insecure, and you feel that you are more disguised than dressed, then this garment isn’t worth considering. This involves how you wear the clothes, not the clothes themselves.

I mentioned that the capsule wardrobe is for everyone, yet the opposite is true of trends.

A lot also depends on the physique and even the complexion. A man with a very fair complexion or irritated skin will not feel and look good in a red sweater. This shade is better suited to a swarthy complexion. After all, you have to test, try on and match everything individually. Men are inspired by social media, magazines, and they look for tried-and-tested stuff for themselves. Certain cuts don’t always fit, so it is worth taking photos, comparing and considering whether it is something you need.

This once again underlines why the neutrality of a capsule wardrobe is a great solution for every man.

Do specific accessories and shoe styles also matter?

Finally, we want to ask about your capsule wardrobe. What is it? Do you sometimes deviate from this neutrality?

Of course. The man’s wardrobe is complemented by white sports shoes, black and brown shoes, which are timeless and even look great slightly worn. For this, it is worth equipping yourself with a black and brown leather belt or one that imitates natural material. Those made of ecological materials are also of great quality.

Personally, I’m not a fan of men’s bags. If I need to stow something larger, e.g. a laptop, I would choose a neutral, urban backpack that fits perfectly

I’m the type that doesn’t really have anything that doesn’t match. My wardrobe is 90% black, the other colours are grey, navy blue and white, but these are quite rare. And when I go for it, you could say that it’s a departure from the norm. This is because I was used to traveling as a model for almost 10 years and had to fit everything in a 20 kg suitcase. Thanks to this, I significantly cut down on my needs, including my wardrobe. I analysed what clothes I would need, taking into account

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the various occasions that I had during those business trips. Casting, meeting, going to the cinema or the opera. Playing with one or two elements can change the whole look and give it a completely different character. I always go for shoes, belts, trousers in different colours and it changed everything when I was still wearing the same T-shirt on top. I have one pretty crazy thing in my wardrobe, and it’s a made-to-measure orange suit.

It was made for a concert in New York. Inside, the lining is a combination of Versace and Etro, so it’s very distinctive. I have put it on several times and there will certainly be more than one opportunity to show it off.

Piotr Czaykowski A model who began his career in Asia and has cooperated with the major fashion houses, incl.

Giorgio Armani and Dolce & Gabbana. Thanks to world travel and various contracts, he has developed his own man’s wardrobe method. He is the author of the e-book „Stylish guide for a modern man”.

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Joyful moments Summer creates memories that you love coming back to. The illuminating rays of the sun, a sweet scent and colours that you cannot take your eyes off. You can enjoy it all in a moment. Put your worries behind you, they don’t matter that much. Watch the sunsets, dance and enjoy a time that gives you so much fun.

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Powerful summer Sun, lots of sun! Rays that give you energy and warmth that brings you bliss. A summer full of endorphins! You’ve been waiting for them. Use these days how you like the most. Long walks or relaxing on a sun lounger? Allow yourself to do just nothing – this is the essence of holidays and real rest! You fully deserve it.

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OUTDOOR

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Close to nature Forget about responsibilities. Put your phone away.

Leave your everyday life in the city and go to see nature – this will be an amazing time, spent differently than usual. Let it be active and carefree. Let nothing get in the way of enjoying the beauty of nature. This is your perfect weekend plan!

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In a camper van across Europe Spontaneous trips and the possibility of unhindered exploration have always attracted a group of devoted fans. Now, when the possibility of free movement is in short supply, there is also no shortage of enthusiasts of nearer or further expeditions. Caravanning, i.e. trips in a camper van, have turned out to be the perfect solution. We talk about this method of exploring the world with Piotr Kozłowski – a camper van travel enthusiast, CEO of Camprest.com.

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Traveling with a camper van has gained great popularity. So, it might be a good idea to start with the question: caravanning – who is it for?

In my opinion, this is a form of travel for everyone.

The size of your wallet doesn’t matter here, because camper van trips can be cheap or expensive.

It all depends on how the traveller wants to spend time, what model of motorhome they plan to use and where they will stop. Caravanning also gives you a choice in terms of parking. You can stay „in the wild”, but also at luxury campsites, which will be a good solution for people used to hotel-style comfort. Some of them even have 5 stars, offer

a private bathroom or their own barbecue area on the seafront and access to many amenities such as swimming pools, gyms and SPA centres. When it comes to the aforementioned traveling in the wild, it is worth knowing that in Europe there are more and more stopping bans. Most of them strictly concern the holiday season and tourist destinations. In many places, it is also not allowed to park a vehicle by the beach. An exception to these restrictions is Scandinavia. Even “wild” caravanning is permitted in this region. They use a visual criterion. This means that you may decide to stop if there are no visible buildings around. Until last year, Portugal adopted a similar approach, but

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then introduced a law limiting this type of travel to staying overnight in certain (usually paid) places only. Places to stay can be divided into two types – campsites and camper parks. The former offer full infrastructure, electricity, swimming pools, sanitary facilities and various attractions. In turn, camper parks are simply car parks for motorhomes.

They allow you to connect to electricity, empty dirty water tanks and refill fresh water. There are about 2.5 thousand camper parks in Germany, so this country is a perfect area for caravanning. There are parking spaces everywhere, also in the vicinity of small villages and towns or lakes.

An overnight stay usually costs between € 5-10, and is often free outside the holiday season. The situation is similar in France. On the other hand, Italy and Croatia are countries where you can find a lot of 5-star campsites. Many of them are worth considering, and the search engine on CampRest. com helps you conveniently plan such a trip.

In Poland, the infrastructure for camper vans is just beginning to develop, but it is a growing trend.

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be especially useful in winter, providing space and comfort when the time spent inside is longer than during summer trips.

We already know that a comfortable camper van is essential. The question immediately arises where to go?

For the first route, I recommend countries with a well-developed infrastructure. In Europe, this means Italy, Croatia and France. They all have interesting 5-star campsites. However, if the theme is proximity to nature and exploration „in the wild”, then Scandinavia and small towns in France are a better choice. These are mainly countries where you can easily refill the water and empty waste from the van – good for your first trip if you don’t have to worry about it, so I advise you not to travel to countries that don’t have these amenities well developed.

How to prepare for the trip? Where to start?

Let’s talk about the facts and myths related to traveling in a camper. Which ones come to mind?

The beginning of anyone’s caravanning adventure is usually when you rent a camper van. It is worth booking it as far in advance as possible. Currently, most rental companies have full calendars from April to October. And although it seems that traveling with a camper offers great spontaneity, when renting a vehicle it is worth planning. The decision will be difficult to make overnight. When choosing a camper, consider the number of people who will take part in the trip. The rule is that if the vehicle is designed for 6 people, then 4 people will be comfortable, and 2 people will be as comfortable as in a motorhome designed for 4 people. This is because usually 1 bed is fixed, the other is foldable, so you’ll have to fold and unfold it every time you stop. It isn’t difficult, but it can affect the comfort of traveling, especially when you change the parking space frequently or even daily. In addition, larger vans will

Myth number one is the belief that you can pack anything in a camper. Unfortunately, the vehicles have limited space, even those with the largest storage spaces in the rear. Another element is weight. Most motorhomes have a gross vehicle weight of 3.5 tons to drive with a category B driving license. However, these cars are quite heavy themselves, so you can’t pack too many things to avoid overloading the motorhome. Another myth relates to the camping experience. It isn’t true that campsites are necessary for caravanning. The current campgrounds are luxurious. Everything you need for a comfortable holiday can be found on site. On the other hand, there is an opinion that traveling with a camper van is the cheapest form of traveling. Not necessarily. It is worth considring the costs of renting and refuelling the vehicle.

In addition, campsites in the high season are not the cheapest stopping places. Caravanning? Total

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freedom! This is one of the most popular myths I come across. The fact is that you can leave nearly anytime, whenever you feel like it. There is no need to book flights. You should be aware of many restrictions, prohibitions and regulations in force in a given area. Additionally, it is worth remembering about the aforementioned reservation of parking spaces at campsites, especially in high season.

Let’s move on to the advantages of camper van holidays. What are the most important in your opinion?

We recently visited Portugal, where we met a couple from England. They bought a camper at the turn of October and November. They decided that they would hit the road for a week, test the vehicle, and if they felt like some longer trips, they would return home and pack their luggage for a longer journey. Their plans were changed by the restrictions introduced in England, because they could enter but they wouldn’t be able to leave the country again. At the time we met, they had been traveling for 3 months, happy that in their retirement they could afford to spontaneously change their plans.

It is certainly high mobility. Bad weather, bored with the place you stopped – you pack up and go.

The opportunity to meet new people is also a big advantage. I know from experience that people traveling with camper vans are open to new friendships and interesting conversations.

What should you be careful about when traveling with a camper?

It is quite a safe form of traveling, but in the case of traveling in the wild, it is worth paying attention to the surroundings of the place where you park.

It is said for a reason that opportunity makes a thief.

Let’s talk about rookie mistakes. Which ones are most common?

The most common mistake is taking too much luggage. The traveller sees a lot of space in the back, which results in the belief that everything can be packed. However, at least half of the items are unnecessary and not used during the journey.

The second common mistake is the lack of route planning skills. The whole „Italian boot” in a week?

Plans like that. It is feasible assuming you drive 24/7, but this isn’t what caravanning is about.

Traveling in a camper is also an adventure. You’ve certainly had plenty. Could you tell me about one of them?

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Piotr Kozłowski Piotr Kozłowski is a travel enthusiast and CEO of Camprest.com and a board member of the Polish Caravanning Group Association. He aims to popularise caravanning by consistently updat-ing the campsite search engine available on the website. He is usually on tour for 4 months a year. Co-author of a series of e-books (a guide and guides with prepared routes for caravanners) available at https://gdziekamperem.pl/. Available to readers of S’portofino Magazine with a 20% discount with the code: SPORTOFINO20

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Outdoor is the new urban What do you associate outdoor with? Surely your first thought is technological clothing, distinguished by functionality. Tailored to the activity, breathable, waterproof, thermoactive. Among these terms, however, there is no bold, fashionable or intriguing form. It’s about time to get rid of boredom in outdoor styling.

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The dynamics of trends can be surprising.

Recently, there has been a significant upturn in interest in outdoor activities. This is largely due to the numerous limitations that have changed everyday life and contributed to the formation of new habits.

For this reason, outdoor is a form of escape from stress and a chance to pursue sporting passions.

At the same time, the group of adventure enthusiasts is growing, especially those who have only now discovered the charms of trekking, hiking or long hiking tours surrounded by nature.

Fashion x Outdoor Does such a collaboration make sense? It certainly does. The best evidence of the overlap of the worlds of fashion and outdoor are the spring and summer collections from brands such as Arc’teryx, Bogner, Mammut or Peak Performance. The winter season has already brought some original combinations. Hardshell jackets with crinolines and ruffles in haute couture style at the Virgil Abloh show and the nature-inspired Tackling

Tundra Monclera collection are just some examples of how outdoor meets high fashion. Goretex elements, down jackets and climbing shoes have conquered not only the catwalks, but also the streets.

Outdoor is the new urban The undoubted advantage of outdoor clothing is its quality. It is made with attention to every detail, thus ensuring maximum comfort. No wonder it has also gained recognition in the urban arena.

The colours of nature, combined with expressive accents, work well not only in the forest wilderness, but also in the labyrinth of the streets. Intriguing prints let you play with style. Importantly, outdoor brands follow a growing interest, adapting new products to the needs of a wider audience.

They go beyond pure functionality and put more emphasis on aesthetics. Create your own looks or be inspired by combos straight from the catwalks. An outdoor jacket is perfectly balanced by a floral creation. Strong colour accents will stand out against classic, deep black. You can combine chunky shoes with airy dresses. Allow yourself a touch of madness and have fun with fashion.

Men will also find themselves in the urban jungle of trends. Especially if they already have technological clothing in their closet, which they have used so far for sports activities. In the absence of outdoor outfits, it’s time to complete your wardrobe. The combination of subdued colours from the grey and black palette with the energetic colours of Goretex jackets will hit the bull’s eye.

An interesting approach is contrasting sporty elegance with shoes for road or trail running. Such a set is perfect for everyday use and work, when there is no strict dress code. The colours of nature can also be an inspiration. The total look in shades of blue will match the image of the traveller, even if he currently traverses city streets rather than the wilderness.

Reliable and... stylish footwear It is also impossible to ignore the footwear category. So far, brands such as On Running, Altra, Innov8

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and Hoka One One have reigned among athletes involved in trail running. Currently, they are appreciated for their lightness, perfect adaptation of the shape of the shoe and technology supporting the smoothness of every movement. The colour combinations that distinguish each of the brands allow for a trouble-free combination of this footwear with sports stylisations, an urban look and elegant sets that will come in handy with a note of extravgance. Perfect for everyday use. They offer you full comfort. You don’t need to slow down anymore.

The choice between a phenomenal look and comfort is a thing of the past. Now sports technologies go hand in hand with your everyday life.

Break the convention Fashion doesn’t like rigidly defined paths. It is similar with lovers of outdoor sports, for whom the wilderness is an ideal space to explore. This season encourages you to discover new products and go beyond classic combinations. Get inspired, create a new style. Without limits.

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Running through life with Bartek Przedwojewski – a mountain running champion

When in 2017 he won the 10th High Mountain Run named after Franciszek Marduła, defeating the titled Bartek Gorczyca and Marcin Świerc, he could confidently claim the title of the Running Discovery of the Year. In December 2018, he became a back-up member of the international Salomon team. From that moment on, his career only gained momentum – so much so that in 2020 he found himself in Salomon Elite and won the prestigious Golden Trail World Series. We managed to catch Bartek during a cross-country training camp in Tenerife, where he is preparing for the new season. What is it like to be a runner who stands shoulder to shoulder with legend Kilian Jornet? We talk to Bartek about hard work, motivation, success and combining sport with a difficult everyday life.

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Before we ask how your running camp in Tenerife is going and your plans for the next season, uncertain due to the pandemic, please tell us where you came from in the running world. Where did you take your first steps?

It was a long time ago. I have been practicing sports regularly for almost thirteen years. In the sports and running environment, it was not accidental. I started my adventure with athletics by specialising in obstacle and middle-distance runs.

In 2014, I finished my running career in terms of running in athletics stadiums. Then I had a two-year break to study at the fire brigade aspirants’ school. Of course, I was also training at the time.

I participated in street runs, several mountain runs, but most of all I was focusing on training. Since 2016, I have been specialising in typical mountain training and running.

Your predisposition led you to the World Cup in Tirana, where you finished sixth. Even then, did you feel that the mountains would become your backyard?

I definitely did. I come from Głuchołazy located in the Opawskie Mountains, so naturally I have contact with the mountains during my training.

From the very beginning, during the training, it was obvious that I can cope better in mountainous terrain than my other friends with whom I trained at that time. My first regional mountain runs took place as a teenager. Then every year I tried to participate in some kind of competition. In 2011, I already entered the Polish Championships, which were also qualifying rounds for the World Championships. I successfully qualified. I came sixth in Tirana and then I knew for sure that after finishing my athletic career I would train for mountain

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running. This sixth place in the competition was a kind of complement and made me even more aware that mountain running is the discipline for me.

The end of high school and adulthood inevitably drew near. Where did the idea to work as a professional firefighter come from? It is a demanding job, both physically and mentally. How do you deal with it?

My father is a retired firefighter. So, I knew what working in the fire department was all about.

I also liked the 24-hour system of work very well.

It helped me make a decision as I was growing up.

I knew that when I became a firefighter, I would also be able to train for high-level mountain running. I just started to go for it. I finished school, got into the fire department and eventually became a firefighter. And so I did as I said. I successfully combine working as a firefighter with running in the mountains.

Is there any feature of Bartek the firefighter that helps you survive crises during competitions?

Undoubtedly, working in the fire department has had an impact on my running. It makes me realise that I can handle any situation in which I compete. On the other hand, running gives me a lot of efficiency necessary for work, it motivates me to constantly train and give a lot of myself during my service. It makes me think I’m a good firefighter and mountain runner. When you have to run to the tenth floor, then I can see that it comes in handy.

How do you manage to combine such demanding world-class training with equally demanding work? How and when do you find time to regenerate?

Regeneration is a very important issue. It is as important as the training itself. The most important

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thing for me is to get enough sleep, to eat lunch after the first training session, switch off and simply rest. When a harder time comes and I have more demanding duties, I am able to give up training to rest and cut myself some slack. I don’t forget that regeneration is important, and my body needs to rest. I never just train at any cost.

The pandemic turned the traditional formula of the legendary Golden Trail World Series upside down. How has the information about running in the staged formula influenced your training?

sleep and I couldn’t compete effectively. Now I am under the supervision of doctors who regularly check my health. It makes me feel much better.

The example of your bravery and how you cope with health problems shows that they can be overcome. How do you see it from the perspective of recent years?

I am a young man. However, I have had many difficult moments in my life. I surprised myself more than once that I managed at all. Then I was able

to get up and become much stronger after such events. I guess that’s just who I am. I never let go, but not at any cost. Most of all, however, everything I do comes from my passion and the fact that I have dreams. In the worst moments of my life, the awareness of constantly striving for a greater goal also helps me. I always say that in life we will have logs thrown at our feet. What is important, is how we handle it. For me, these logs are the next stages in my life that I have to overcome in order to become stronger. These are challenges for me.

When you have such approach to life, it is easier.

At the beginning of November, I’m starting preparations for the next season and I always prepare with a specific event in mind. This goal and some starting point motivate me to train hard and a lot. In 2020, it was also like that, because I was training all the time for my first time in the Golden Trail World Series. After my main preparations for the winter period, I have already seen that this period has been good for me and that I am in shape.

Later, I just focused on reorganising my training and preparing my body for the four-day struggle.

Your problems with a pulmonary and bronchial disorder are no secret. You also have to deal with Hashimoto’s disease on a daily basis. How do these difficulties translate into your training and the competition itself during the competition?

I am still struggling with Hashimoto’s and lung problems. Added to this is the fact that I also had a coronavirus infection last year. My treatment for the past three years or so has had very positive results. However, I have the impression that the coronavirus infection set me back two years.

This situation didn’t help me during my preparations. However, I am glad that my health problems have been diagnosed. I’m controlling them and thanks to this I can train much harder and better. Along the way, I also had problems with regeneration and concentration. I couldn’t

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Success isn’t only you and your work under the wings of coach Andrzej Orłowski, but probably the crowd of relatives who support and motivate you every day. How is your family affected by what is going on or happening around you – especially after the success of the Golden Trail World Series in the Azores?

It was an amazing moment for me. Before each run, I looked at my social media and private messages. Every day I saw more and more people cheering for me and keeping their fingers crossed for me. It motivated me a lot and was another positive stimulus during this competition.

I was aware that I was well-prepared and ready to compete. On the other hand, how the head works is also extremely important. At any worst moment, I always remembered those good words and news. It helped me a lot to train and work even harder. The fans pushed me to give even more at each stage of the run. Of course, after the win, my relatives were very happy. However, I was terribly exhausted and for some time I didn’t realise what I had achieved. I even had the impression that people were happier than I was.

The support of loved ones is extremely important in such an intense lifestyle. What else motivates you to work so hard to be the best runner in the world?

My greatest motivation is to be stronger in all the areas where I am weaker. This pushes me to work on these elements during my training. The awareness of this improvement gives me confidence that I will be better during the competition. In turn, the very start motivates me to prepare for them as best as possible, compete with the best and simply win.

How long have you been in Tenerife and what was it like planning such a long camp these days?

This is my third stay in Tenerife and the second in one month. The arrival and organisation itself,

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however, were not as difficult as it might seem.

Tenerife itself is a great place to prepare, thanks to, for example, training at high altitudes. I think I’ll be spending three to five weeks here every year.

In the Canary Islands, you are accompanied by a group of other equally strong mountain runners. Do you like training alone or do you enjoy the possibility of joint training competitions?

I don’t hide that I like to prepare alone for the competition. But here, when we’ve been together for almost five weeks and exercising hard, it’s good to have company. Thanks to this, we motivate ourselves to go out to training together, do it qualitatively and leave the comfort zone.

What are your main goals for this year 2021?

We know you don’t like to look too far ahead, so where do you see yourself at the end of this year or running season?

I would like to win the entire Golden Trail World Series this year. I mean entering three or four qualifying runs for the final run, the final run itself with a total number of points that will allow me to take first place.

Do you even consider running in Poland, of course, if the events take place?

Of course I don’t exclude national events. Many race dates overlap and some don’t even have a set date. I think that these runs in Poland will be more spontaneous – just like last year. Poland is very important to me. As a country, we are a leader in the number of mountain runs organised.

This obliges me. But now I’m concentrating on training hard in Tenerife and I don’t even think about target events. I’m just trying to do what the coach has planned for me, and so far, it’s not easy.

I don’t have time and strength to think about where I will be competing this season. I will return from Tenerife and decide where I should compete before the Zegama-Aizkorri mountain marathon

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(June 6, 2021). Before this start I need at least two runs and I will look for competitions where I can do them.

Before you go for a coffee before the next training, what can we wish you in the coming season?

Let your imagination run wild. If you weren’t running, then what? Would any other sport be able to occupy a place in your heart like running?

First of all, health and good regeneration. That will do.

Until some time ago I thought that I could become a bodybuilder because I really like getting tired in the gym. Now, however, I think road cycling suits me. I have a new bike, I ride a lot and I’m getting better at it. I can feel myself getting stronger on the bike. I even had the opportunity to meet the great cyclist Rafał Majka on one of the local climbs. I would like to try some harder workouts with stronger cycling groups. I am in love with the climbs. I can ride up all the time.

All my routes in Tenerife have over two thousand elevations.

How do you see your future in sports and do you consider that you might not be competing someday?

I definitely think I will be running for a long time.

As long as my health allows, I won’t let go. As for the competition and the passage of time, I am convinced that the race distances I will be in will naturally extend. I will stop running professionally when I decide that I am a complete mountain runner. I also secretly hope to become a father and then take care of my family.

Please describe the feeling of being on a par with Kiljan Jornet himself.

Keeping up with Kiljan and beating him is almost impossible. He is a phenomenon when it comes to preparation and approach to training. I’m glad that somehow I can gently step on the heels of the runner I have always admired and followed his career. I haven’t caught up with him yet. However, I am following Kiljan well.

Bartłomiej Przedwojewski Born in 1993. Mountain runner from Głuchołazy. Multiple medallist of the Polish Athletics Championships. Three-time Polish Champion in mountain running 2017. Polish Champion 2019 in the long distance. Since 2018, he has successfully represented Team Salomon in the international arena. The first Pole on the podium of the legendary Zegama Aizkorri competition.

Winner of the Golden Trail Series 2018 final in South Africa and the entire series in 2020.

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Among the majestic mountains This summer, focus on exploration. Both nature and the inner you. Mountains are the right direction to experience something extraordinary. This is where you can immerse yourself in your thoughts and take a deep breath. Wildness, austerity and beauty merge to create an extraordinary landscape. You see the sun rise from the peaks. Is there anything greater?

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Speed hiking – a quick pace for a mountain record There are many ways to spend time actively in the mountains. Backpacking, trail running, or climbing are just a fraction of they ways you can make the most of your vacation or weekend time. But what to do when you are tired of a slow hike along the trail, but you don’t really want to go cross-country running, which requires good fitness and preparation? An ideal solution for you may be the recently popular speed hiking. Thanks to it, you will see more, reach several peaks in one day and most importantly – you will face your own weaknesses.

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pass. For breaking new records and setting new mountain challenges, a map with information about the times of individual passages will be useful. They will be your reference points and an indication of what you will face. All kinds of posts, signs and signposts giving information about how long you will need to get to a specific location are also highly motivating. Each such sign marks another challenge and an opportunity to break your own boundaries. Nothing is more fun than reaching a destination much faster. Even minute or a quarter of an hour less is your personal success and a source of great satisfaction. Let the final step be an equally fast descent. If you feel confident in mountainous terrain, you can even try a quick run to the very bottom. Satisfaction after such a performance is guaranteed!

Prepare for a challenge

Discover the mountains anew Speed hiking is currently experiencing a kind of renaissance. Recall if you have ever hiked mountains faster than your normal pace. That satisfaction of crossing one’s own boundaries and reachintg the top in record time is precisely the activity referred to in this text. Speed hiking is actually a fast hike in mountainous terrain. However, don’t con-fuse it with running. It differs from typical hiking or trekking in that it doesn’t use heavy trekking shoes and backpacks with equipment for a multiday trip. The essence of speed hiking is best expressedt as fast & light. In this case, the higher walking speed results from taking with you only the most necessary and, at the same time, the lightest possible equipment. Lightness and minimalism pay off. Do some research, slim down your luggage and go to the mountains. There are many advantages of speed hiking. The first is the opportunity to rediscover your favourite routes.

As you travel faster than before, you will quickly

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notice that the route you are familiar with may turn out to be more challenging and technically difficult. Going through it in a new way will give you a lot of satisfaction and offer you new skills related to moving in mountainous terrain.

A faster hike also allows you to cover a much greater distance than in the case of slow walking.

As a result, it allows you to get to know many new places in one day and reach more than just one peak. It is also important that speed hiking will improve your condition and overall performance.

It can also be an ideal introduction to your adventure with mountain running. Ultimately, speed hiking is a good opportunity to get away from everyday life and enjoy unlimited speed on the mountain trail.

Speed hiking, like any other area of mountain activity, requires appropriate clothing, shoes and equipment. Fast hiking takes full advantage of off-road runs, known as trail running. For this reason,

the low weight of the equipment taken on the trail is a key issue. This is what translates to a large extent into achieving better and better times, and your overall satisfaction. Each excess gram makes the hike longer and you more tired. Keep this in mind when you pack your backpack and choose shoes and clothes. When completing your equipment, opt for a lightweight backpack with a capacity of up to 20 litres, which will easily accommodate emergency clothing, provisions, a small first aid kit and necessary accessories. It should also have ventilated braces and back. There should also be room for a water bottle and side loops for attaching trekking poles. Choose folding, low-weight poles with an inside string. In this case, models dedicated to mountain runs will work best. The poles improve balance during fast hiking, provide additional support and facilitate dynamic walking.

A lightweight jacket with a membrane is also a must-have in your backpack. It is an emergency piece of clothing that will protect you in the event of bad weather. The jacket should breathe perfectly and offer tight protection against wind and rain. In this regard, membrane models based on a two-and-

Reset your mind to speed Speed hiking isn’t about reaching the tops at the pace of top mountain runners. Concentrate on walking briskly, faster than most tourists you

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a-half layer laminate (2.5 L) are perfect. If you value minimalist solutions, choose typical running jackets. When, on the other hand, you want versatility, opt for a lightweight trekking model. For colder days of the year, a light jacket with synthetic insulation based on PrimaLoft® will be a great complement to the set. You can use it as an outer layer or wear it under a jacket with a membrane. When completing your clothing before going on the trail, remember about thermo-active underwear. This will transport excess moisture that appears on the skin during exercise and prevent unwanted cooling. When it comes to trousers, breathable softshell models will work best as they will protect against gusts of wind and not get wet when a spot of summer drizzle catches you our. On hot days, opt for shorts or long trousers with zip-off legs. The most important complement to the set are, of course,

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the right shoes. Typical trekking models will not be suitable in this case. They are too heavy, excessively stiff and effectively limit the mobility of the ankle area. In speed hiking, typical footwear for running in the field, i.e. trail shoes with a clear and grippy tread, will work best. This category also includes versions with a higher upper that slightly covers the ankle, but doesn’t significantly impair walking performance. An equally good alternative to both solutions can be low ascent shoes, which are very popular. Perfect for difficult mountain terrain and thanks to their lightness they will not tire your feet.

Speed hiking is a new way of thinking about the mountains and spending your free time there.

It is also an opportunity to face new life challenges and overcome your own limitations. Every trip on the trail should be a chance for you to walk faster, farther and higher.

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