Ladies and Gentlemen of the Zappos Family, I introduce the 7 stations of wellness!

The Zappos Family of Companies HR team kicked off the Winter wellness campaign with a parade. Check it out here!

As temperatures drop, many runners get discouraged and hang up their shoes until the Spring, but you don’t have to be one of them. Columbia and Nike are using new technology to help you stay warm and dry during your run, even when the conditions aren’t in your favor.

The Columbia Anytime Half Zip is a lightweight jacket that can be worn solo or used as a layering piece for active days and evenings. This jacket uses Omni-Dry®advanced evaporation to pull moisture away from your body quickly to maintain optimum comfort levels at all times. Fight the sun’s rays with UPF 50 sun protection, great for battling the sun’s reflection off of fresh snow. If you really want to get your run in, regardless of the conditions, the Nike Soft-Hand Long-Sleeve Half-Zip running top is going to be your top of choice when you hit the track on a chilly, rainy day. The Dri-FIT™ fabric helps wick moisture away from the skin to keep you dry and comfortable. Don’t give up on your fitness goals over cold weather. Bundle up and strive for the finish line. Check out the Running Shop for all of your running needs year-round.

Yoga is arguably one of the healthiest activities we can do to stay in shape both mentally and physically. Taking time out of your day to meditate and breathe calmly, even if you aren’t doing poses, can calm the mind and relieve stress. And the best part about yoga - you don’t even have to leave your house. If you’ve never done yoga before, don’t be overwhelmed. Here are some helpful tips for getting started.

1.     Find a yoga studio that you are comfortable with.

As mentioned before, you don’t even have to leave your house to practice yoga, but professional instruction can keep you from injuring yourself and speed along your progress. There are several types of Yoga, so find the style that suits your needs.

2.     Stay hydrated.

Yoga will cause you to naturally detoxify, so keep your body hydrated with water before, during and after your workout. Water helps you flush the toxins out of your body.

3.     Get some comfortable clothes.

You will need some exercise clothing that allows you to stretch and keeps you dry. We recommend the Adidas Multifunctional Strap Tank Top or the PUMA TP Seamless Jacket (both pictured above). Make sure you are as comfortable as you can be. Don’t forget to get a yoga mat too.

4.     Listen to your body.

There will be some discomfort when you start, but you ultimately need to know your tolerance. Don’t worry what other people think and go at your own pace. If you feel uncomfortable, talk to your instructor about what you can do to overcome it.

5.     Practice makes perfect.

You most likely won’t be able to fold yourself in half after your first session. Developing your flexibility is a rewarding experience that you should enjoy over a long period of time. Yoga can be really intense, but just have fun.

If watching the world’s finest cyclists weave through the daunting stages of the Tour de France isn’t satiating your need for speed and you want to jump on your steed, you’ll need a few items first. We have everything you’ll need to steal the yellow jersey.

Pearl Izumi has been dedicated to providing sportswear for the serious enthusiast through innovation, quality and experience for over 50 years. They even sponsored the 1984 US National Team that took home 9 gold medals. Stay dry for your entire ride with the Pearl Izumi SELECT Limited Edition Jersey, a three-pocket jersey offering UPF 40+ sun protection. Pair your jersey together with the six-panel Quest Short-10 and you’ll be crossing the finish line in style. The Quest Short-10 utilizes SELECT Transfer fabric and silicone leg grippers to keep them from running while providing UPF 50 sun protection even at the highest of elevations.

Clip in with a pair of Elite MTB II, the ultimate performance cycling shoe that uses one-piece uppers with laser technology for a lightweight second-skin fit. If triathlons are more your style, a pair of X-Alp Seek III WRX doubles as excellent trail-running shoes. This waterproof shoe gives you the stability you need to finish the race while providing the flexibility you need to stay comfortable through the last mile.

Stay cool with the high-performance Sugoi RSR Tank 10, a dimensionally-constructed cycling tank top that features a dimpled surface to create less friction and make you more aerodynamic. Store your tunes in one of the handy zip pockets on the back so you can power through the passes with full control.

Finding a durable cycling shoe can be tough, but the SIDI T2 can handle every situation. These handmade cycling shoes offer not only SIDI Heel Cup Technology but also Lorica uppers to allow your feet to breathe and stay dry. The anatomically-shaped plastic design keeps its shape and reduces heel slippage while increasing your power transfer.

Whether your goal is to stand atop the gold medal podium or just to get out and enjoy the outdoors, Zappos.com has the top products for all your cycling needs. Don’t forget your helmet.

There are few more relaxing activities than yoga and whether you practice it for fitness, mental clarity or physical therapy, you know the importance of being comfortable. Nike, the world’s leader in all things sport, has developed an entire line of products to help you achieve full range-of-motion in your poses.

Slip into the Nike Bliss Yoga Tank Top, an astonishingly comfortable and supportive tank with built-in bra. The Dri-FIT fabric will keep you dry and comfortable even during the adho mukha posture. Tap into your full freedom of movement with the racerback-style complemented by a contemporary screenprint front design and left-hem Swoosh logo. Your balance won’t be the only thing your instructor compliments you on.

Tie it together with the Nike Warrior II Open Hem Capri to get the full experience. These low-rise capris have a 26” leg opening to allow you maximum flexibility, even in the most difficult of postures. Zappos.com also offers a wide range of other yoga products to aid you in your quest toward inner-peace. Namaste!

Grace H., HR Coordinator, has many roles here in the KY Warehouse. One of which is to handle events and planning. One of her most recent events was the Health & Wellness Fair. Several vendors from the area came out to speak with the KY Warehouse Superheroes to share information about their services or products. Among the vendors were Bullitt County Health Department, Hester’s Gym, Etown Swim & Fitness, Two Ten Organization, Shepherdsville Chiropractic, and many more.

Employees received a Zappos.com goodie bag filled with lots of stuff including a jump rope, pedometer, jar openers, hand sanitizer, and many more things you shouldn’t ever be without.

It was a long, but fun filled day of blood pressure screenings, body fat analysis, stop smoking campaigns, financial planning chats, and tips on ways to be more active and healthy. Thanks for all the work, Grace. We really enjoyed it and are looking forward to the next one!