Tension in the Air: Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner, and Fin Attend LA Play Together

By Felix Howard | 28 January 2025
Welcome Back! count: 822... 6.3 min. Copy edited by Meg.
Was this email forwarded to you by someone awesome? You need your own — subscribe here for free.

FITNESS FOCUS
Vibration Plates: Are They Really Worth the Hype in the Fitness World?

By now, you’ve likely seen vibrating plates all over your social media feeds. While they may seem like a new trend, vibration-based exercise has actually been around for decades. Back in the mid-20th century, vibrating belt machines were marketed as a way to lose weight. Since then, researchers have continued to explore the potential benefits of vibration workouts.

Today, vibration plates have become a popular alternative to traditional exercise, with advocates claiming they offer various health benefits. But do they really work? Let’s take a closer look.

So, what exactly is a vibration plate? It’s a machine that shakes rapidly when you stand on it, engaging your muscles in whole-body vibration exercise. This causes your muscles to contract and relax quickly.

“The goal of vibration plates is to generate quick vibrations that cause your muscles to contract and relax several times per second,” explains Dr. Leah Verebes, a physical therapist and assistant professor at Touro University’s School of Health Sciences. “At a much higher frequency, this mimics the natural muscle contractions that happen during exercise.”

Laura Wilson, a personal trainer at Life Time Fishers and director of training at Power Plate, adds, “The vibrations trigger subconscious muscle activation, meaning your muscles engage far more than they would on a stable surface.”

You can use vibration plates in a variety of ways, with the most common being to simply stand on the rectangular platform. However, exercises like squats and push-ups are also possible. Wilson notes that these plates move in different directions—up and down, side to side, and front to back—producing harmonic vibrations at a frequency of 25 to 50 times per second, activating your muscles in the process.

FASHION FEATURES
Pandora's 2025 Valentine’s Day Launch: Diamonds, Fashion, and New Sparkle

New year, new reasons to shop!

It seems like every day brings fresh updates on the latest clothing, shoes, and accessories. Since it's our job to sift through what's hot (and what's not), we've rounded up the best new releases for you right here.

From exciting collaborations to major relaunches, keep reading for all the details on the hottest fashion finds we're currently obsessed with. We’re sure you’ll love them as much as we do!

01
Pandora
Pandora V-Day Jewelry
If gift-giving is your or your partner’s love language, Pandora’s new Valentine’s Day collection is sure to impress. The jewelry brand continues to lead with its stunning sustainable lab-grown diamonds, offering a fresh line of rings, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and charms perfect for the most romantic day of the year. Plus, 16 new pieces featuring petite lab-grown diamonds on solid 14K gold are absolute showstoppers.

02
Saks Fifth Avenue x "Saturday Night Live"
Saks Fifth Avenue x SNL
Live from New York, it's Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary merchandise! Saks Fifth Avenue has launched a limited-edition collection featuring SNL-branded sweatshirts, hats, tote bags, tees, denim, and Le Labo candles. Plus, before the anniversary special airs on February 16, Saks will host pop-ups in Beverly Hills and New York City, including at the flagship on Fifth Avenue with a special window installation for the big TV milestone.

03
Charles & Keith
Charles & Keith Red Bag
Charles & Keith is celebrating Lunar New Year (January 29) with a collection of shoes and bags in festive red hues and Chinese motifs for the Year of the Snake. The collection includes ballet-inspired sneakers, flats, platform sandals, pumps, and chain shoulder bags.

ENTERTAINMENT
Tension in the Air: Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner, and Fin Attend LA Play Together

Ben Affleck reunited with his first ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, and their middle child, Fin, to attend a school play in Santa Monica on Saturday night. The former couple, both 52, have maintained a friendly relationship since their 2018 divorce after a decade-long marriage, and they live near each other in Brentwood. In fact, Ben briefly moved from his $20.5M mansion to stay at Jennifer’s $7.8M home during a recent wildfire that ravaged Los Angeles, destroying over 40,000 acres and claiming 28 lives. Jennifer, dressed in a hooded jacket, turtleneck, and jeans, arrived with their 16-year-old son to support the event.