Well, well, well

More zen, more well balanced, healthier, stronger! All very reasonable goals, but pretty ambitious nonetheless. Staying focused is so much easier when everything is readily available at home, and when a sense of pleasure boosts your motivation. 
Weights, springs, mechanisms... all too often, fitness equipment looks like some kind of torture device, somewhat lessening its appeal. Not to mention the fact that it takes up so much space and that the gym-like vibe it creates conjures up images of hard work and sweat, making it totally out of place in a bedroom, for example. But WaterRower has put a stop to all that by designing the kind of equipment almost anyone would happily leave out on show.  Manufactured by artisans in the USA or Germany for the NOHrD range, the wood is sourced solely from certified Appalachian Hardwood forests. The eponymously named DumbBells crafted from nickel-plated steel are finished with a solid wooden endplate in walnut, cherry or oak, which despite not making them any lighter certainly makes them far more elegant. Plus they come with their own sculptural storage rack, where they can be neatly stowed away. The WeightBench workout bench can be leather-upholstered, whilst the exercise bike is so spectacular it’s clearly designed to be flaunted. Just like the results it helps its owners achieve. And once it’s hooked up to a handheld device, it displays the user’s exercise data via a dedicated app. Technogym’s range of hyper-connected equipment, such as treadmills, cross trainers and rowing machines, is not only designed to help you work up a sweat but also to help you keep a close eye on your performance, organise your fitness schedule and even connect with coaches. Cardio-training and bodybuilding machines are linked to a digital cloud platform that gives users anytime access to their own “Wellness experience”, both via the brand’s equipment and via their own mobile devices when getting active outdoors. In design terms, the Personal Bike designed by Antonio Citterio is, well, an absolute stunner. 

Phew! After all that hard work we all deserve a little pampering. Whilst nonetheless remaining “mindful” of how the products we use impact the planet, ensuring we don’t just feel good about our body but about our actions, too. At Autour du bain, everything is hand-made in France and Switzerland from meticulously selected natural active ingredients. Indulgent soaps and loose bath salts, shampoos and toothpastes, balm deodorants, make-up removers and hair care products from the “Ma Salle de Bain 0 Déchet” (My Zero Waste Bathroom) range are solid and, for the most part, Cosmébio Cosmos Organic-certified.

Now it’s time to head to the coalface! No-one needs any reminding of charcoal’s many merits when it comes to keeping body and home hygienically clean. Today, it’s popping up in a variety of forms, and notably incorporated into toothbrushes.  Those designed by Bijin Takesumi feature bamboo handles and nylon heads infused with bamboo charcoal. At Cookut, they go by the name of Bam Bam and are also made from natural bamboo, this time from sustainably managed forests. Their bristles, on the other hand, are manufactured from castor oil, which is once again infused with bamboo charcoal for its antibacterial properties and whitening prowess. They last just as long as plastic toothbrushes, but are recyclable and biodegradable, too.
Charcoal makes yet another appearance over at Uchino, only this time it’s in extra-fine powder form that is incorporated into a yarn made of cotton and rayon and then woven into the brand’s Kishu Binchotan towels. It absorbs the molecules responsible for unpleasant odours as well as boasting outstanding deodorising properties. To further prolong these products’ virtues, the responsible choice would be to wash them with environmentally friendly products. 

Anotherway has come up with a simple and effective eco-friendly detergent. And while we’re on the subject of hygiene and cleaning, the brand also markets a washable and reusable sponge and a solid dish soap that cuts through grease. All these products are, of course, non-toxic for humans and the planet and, above all, plastic-free. Kerzon’s fragranced detergent, which is made in France in the heart of the Provence region using biodegradable natural oils, produces outstanding results both in the machine and when washing laundry by hand. Looking after ourselves also means looking after the fabrics that envelop our bodies from morning till night, offering us protection or comfort.
The sheets from Sunday In Bed are a blend of cotton and washed linen, which isn’t solely loved for its looks. Growing flax uses very little water, as does its transformation into linen. Along with hemp, which is produced in France and dyed with GOTS-certified plant-based dyes, it is the main raw material from which Lissoy’s bed linen, table linen, bath linen and home decor collections are produced. The brand’s signature style is masculine weaves, heavily inspired by clothing. In a totally different vein, the Lexington Company fuses two well-established home wellness trends: the Scandinavian “hygge” mindset and the Anglo-Saxon “home sweet home” vibe. These traits filter through into the brand’s bed linen, bath linen, table linen, cushions, throws and other snuggly creations, as well as its versatile and elegant loungewear range. 

Soft, tactile objects, a spot of cocooning, and for the ultimate experience? A sprinkling of discipline! True relaxation takes careful planning prior to being enjoyed. Begin by snuggling up in a scarf, one of Giardino Segreto’s linen stoles or Lapuan Kankurit’s merino wool shawls. 
Next, light a candle. Mademoiselle Lulubelle’s Boudoir Privé diffuses powdery notes of iris and violet. The candles from Côté Bougie, meanwhile, come in pots that are hand painted by young Casablancan artist Chama Chraibi, whilst the delicate raffia that hugs the recyclable glass holding the hand-poured candles in the “Raphia” collection is hand-woven by artisans from a female cooperative in Essaouira that the brand supports.  All that’s left to do is to grab a nice cup of tea, possibly with its own splash of fun. Produced in a workshop in Lyons, Tea Heritage’s sachets come in a whole host of eclectic shapes, ranging from hearts for Valentine’s Day to aeroplanes, hot air balloons and stars. Bespoke shapes are also available on request. A lovely little touch when your cuppa is intended to be shared. 
Because after all, when we’re feeling zen, healthy and well balanced, we’re more open and attentive to others. Wouldn’t you agree? 

By Marie Montuir

Discover these brands on MOM
WaterRower
Autour du bain
Bijin Takesumi
Cookut
Uchino
Anotherway
Kerzon
Sunday In Bed
Lissoy
Lexington Company
Giardino Segreto
Lapuan Kankurit
Mademoiselle Lulubelle
Côté Bougie
Tea Heritage

Tehnogym