At-home fitness bikes are certainly nothing new—especially for those who work from home or simply don’t have the extra hours in the day to make the commute back and forth—but they’ve never been quite as in-demand as they are nowadays. Given that many gyms, fitness studios, and some exercise classes are still closed for the time being, virtual fitness and at-home workouts have never been more popular. For cycling and spin aficionados, the premium Peloton bike has been a game-changer over the course of the last couple of years, allowing loyal converts to the $2K+bike to get the same in-class experience from the comfort of their own homes.

Unlike traditional exercise bikes, the Peloton is engineered with a slew of upgraded features that help keep you accountable and motivated—just like you would if you were going to an IRL class with a helpful instructor cheering you on. From live streaming functionality to 24/7 access to deluxe virtual fitness classes, and a super-advanced touch-screen that allows you to stream your favorite content and music, there’s plenty of reasons that justify the indoor bike’s steep price tag.

Fortunately, if you’re just not quite ready to shell out a month’s worth of rent to elevated your at-home workout setup, there are a slew of comparable alternatives to the Peloton bike at much more palatable price points. The Echelon Connect cycling bikes are perhaps the most well-known Peloton dupe, and while it’s still about a grand, it’s nearly half the price of the original. Plus, Echelon also offers financing payment options, making the investment just $22 a month (that’s much less than a gym membership!). But, if you’re still not exactly comfortable with shelling out a grand for a bike, we get it. Fortunately, there are plenty of other more affordable options to choose from as well. Scroll through below to check out our favorite Peloton bike dupes.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. QVC is a STYLECASTER sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Courtesy of Echelon.

Echelon Smart Connect EX3 Bike w/ 3 Month App Membership

While this is on the premium end of the spectrum, this Echelon bike is still slightly less expensive than the Peloton, and when you buy it from QVC, you’re getting a three-month membership for free (only $39.99 a month after the trial period).

Courtesy of QVC.

Sunny Health & Fitness Evolution Pro Indoor Cycling Bike

This deluxe fitness bike is equipped with next-level features including four-way adjustable seating and handlebars and magnetic adjustment settings for ease of use. This bike doesn’t allow for digital instruction, so it’s a great option for those who aren’t looking to pay for an additional member fee or prefer to do their own thing in general.

Courtesy of Yosuda.

YOSUDA Indoor Cycling Stationary Bike

Featuring a crystal-clear LCD monitor to track your stats (heart rate, calories burned, distance, and speed) while you ride, this affordable indoor cycling bike also allows for customizable fit and resistance levels. It’s also designed with a cushioned, extra comfy seat to help minimize wobbling and prevent injury.

Buy: Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike $349.99

Courtesy of Cyclee.

Cyclee Indoor Exercise Bike

Engineered with a fitness-tracking LCD panel to monitor your performance and keep your motivation in check, this super sturdy yet stable cycling bike is perfect for smaller spaces. It’s designed with wheels on its legs, which allows you to easily store it when not in use.

Buy: Cyclee Exercise Bike $379.99

Courtesy of Pyhigh.

PYHIGH Stationary Bicycle

This budget-friendly indoor bike features several of the same design elements as the original Peloton bikes, including an anti-loosing grade belt, reinforced steel petals, and a bi-directional flywheel for enhanced performance and ease of use.

Buy: Pyhigh Stationary Bike $409

In many ways, networking was simpler before computers and the Internet. We met like-minded people face to face, and job hunting involved a personal exchange with a recruiter. Remember paper resumes? We joined interest groups and shared insights in person.

Now the world has changed, and information is shared mostly online. Since many women over 60 are still working, either by choice or necessity, it is essential that we understand how to use the available networking tools.

The good news is that there are many online networking groups for women over 60. Whether you are looking for a job, seeking a book or writing club or just want to meet other people, here are 6 useful networking groups for women over 60.

LinkedIn – The World’s Largest Professional Network

With over 756 million members, LinkedIn is the biggest social network for professionals. Don’t let the word “professional” put you off. It is true that many people use LinkedIn to create their online resume and network for jobs. It also offers hundreds of groups with interests ranging from photography to food blogging and entrepreneurship.

LinkedIn is an online tool, but when you have hundreds of people interested in the same things as you, the conversation and experience in the groups are amazing.

You can search for LinkedIn groups in your areas of interest. Some of my favorites are Project Eve, 85 Broads, and Women in Photography. You can also stay in touch with colleagues and classmates and get reminders of their birthdays and new projects they are working on.

Meetup – Neighbors Getting Together to Learn Something

If you would rather network in person and make new friends, Meetup is a good option to consider. It is the world’s largest network of local groups with over 49 million members.

You can search one of the thousands of local groups already meeting or create your own. Just go to Meetup and fill in a simple form.

It is possible to set any criteria, so, you can gather a small or large group who are passionate about something specific. If you are interested in visiting museums, for example, you can call your group “Women Who Love Museums in (your city).” Or you can join an existing group.

Small groups can meet in cafes or parks, or movie theatres. It is one of the best networking groups for women over 60 if you want to get together in person locally. You can go here to see examples of Meetup women’s groups already organized.

Seattle Midlife Reflection for Women

Fun, Feisty and Over Fifty – Pleasanton, California

Sensational Sixties Social Club – Perth, Australia

Hong Kong Golden Girls – Hong Kong

Happy Gatherings in Birmingham – England

NOTE: With the pandemic still on our heels, it’s wise to take necessary precautions when meeting in person. Meetup now has many virtual meetings and online events on its website.

Senior Chatters – Build Genuine, Worldwide Friendships with Over-50s

Senior Chatters is an online community of people over 50 who gather to chat virtually, play games, listen to music, and video chat. More of us have been confined to our homes since 2020 and we are being more cautious when venturing out to meet new people. Senior Chatters is an excellent alternative to when we can’t meet in person.

Ellevate Network – a Global Network of Over 30,000 Trailblazing Women

Ellevate Network is a professional women’s networking organization committed to women who are interested in work and entrepreneurship issues. They have members in 130 countries and run 37 professional chapters around the world.

The main goal is to provide support for women who are still working or retired from business and who want to stay connected with higher education and skills development.

Their LinkedIn group is full of fascinating women who have a passion for supporting women of all ages in business pursuits. In my view, it is one of the most useful online networking groups for women of all ages.

Red Hat Society – Women Who Meet for Tea Wearing Red Hats

The Red Hat Society has been around for a few years! You often will see a group of older women wearing their distinctive red hats and gloves in coffee shops and meeting places around the world. They attract women over 50 from all walks of life.

The Red Hats have a simple mission to embrace old age with frivolity. They say, “silliness is the comedy relief of life and since we are all in it together, we might as well go for the gusto together.”

Underneath the fun and games, they believe that older women should stand by each other and embrace whatever is coming next in life. This site is definitely not for everyone, but if you consider yourself a bit quirky, give it a try.

University of Third Age – Creative and Leisure Opportunities for Retired People

The University of the Third Age (U3A) is a unique organization providing online education opportunities for retired and semi-retired people. Their goal is to get people together and promote a passion for lifelong learning.

They offer courses not for educational qualification but to celebrate the sheer joy of discovery and learning! As they say, “Members share their skills and life experiences: the learners teach and the teachers learn, and there is no distinction between them.”

It is a great way to network with people in person as well as online. They hold regular conferences and events. The U3A movement is well established in the United Kingdom, but there are groups all around the world.

Where do you network? Do you prefer meeting people in real life or communicating online? Have you found any specific networking groups for women over 60? Please share your favorites in the comments below!

Watch John Tarnoff explain that personal development shouldn’t stop after 60:

Melissa Gorga’s Rose Gold Sequin Cutout Gown on Instagram

Real Housewives of New Jersey Instagram Fashion 2021

Hot aunt alert! Needless to say Melissa Gorga’s rose gold sequin cutout gown that she wore to her niece’s wedding over the weekend had her looking like a total smoke show. And as it turns out is still available to shop, now you just need a complimentary date like Joe Gorga on your arm while you wear it to fan the flames.

Fashionably,

Faryn

Click Here to Shop Her BCBG Max Azria Gown

Click Here to Shop it in Large

Click Here For Info on Margaret’s Dress

Photos: @MelissaGorga

Originally posted at: Melissa Gorga’s Rose Gold Sequin Cutout Gown

Now that we’re knee-deep in summer, one part of your beauty routine is probably pretty high up on your list: your high-visibility hair removal approach. You’ve likely asked yourself, “Should I shave? Wax? Laser off all that pesky hair in my bikini line, underarms and legs?!” If so, welcome to Hair Removal 101.

We all know that keeping our bodies hairless in all the right places isn’t always smooth sailing — all hair removal methods, whether it’s waxing, shaving, or laser has the potential for issues like nicks, bumps, ingrown hairs, and…general discomfort. Let’s take a cursory look at the multitude of removal options, and with them, the different levels of pain, commitment, expense, convenience and perhaps most importantly, longevity.

And as always, remember that how much hair you remove, if at all, is up to you and there’s nothing dirty or unsightly about body hair. It’s normal! It’s natural! So, you do you always. But if you do decide to jump into hair removal, these tips will help.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Completely Bare and Bella Verde are STYLECASTER sponsors, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

BELLA VERDE.

Waxing

How It Works: Hot (but not too hot!) wax is applied to the desired area and removed in the opposite direction of the hair growth, pulling hairs out from the root.
Best For: Legs, underarms, and bikini areas, and great for those with coarse, darker hair that tends to be stubborn.
Pros: Temporarily removes hair at the root for an average of three weeks of smooth skin, which can range from two to six weeks depending on your hair type and thickness.
Cons: Waxing requires some regrowth in order to be effective, as the wax needs at least a quarter-inch of stubble to adhere to. Treatments can be moderately painful, as hair is indeed being ripped out at the root, but it becomes more tolerable over time. Waxing can also result in ingrown hairs.
Average Cost: Anywhere from $15-80 for salon waxing, depending on areas waxed and your salon of choice. Or, you can go for at-home options, such as Bella Verde’s Wax Warmer Home Waxing Kit.
Tips: “Don’t drink and wax,” warns Noemi Grupenmager, founder and CEO of Uni K Wax Centers. “Some people come in after consuming alcohol thinking it’ll ease the pain, but alcohol tightens pores, making it much more painful.” Stimulants, like coffee, can also increase sensitivity, so be sure to remember this if you DIY.

Gillette.

Shaving

How It Works: Shaving removes hair from the skin’s surface by cutting it off with a razor.
Best For: Legs, underarms, and those with lighter, finer hair.
Pros: Inexpensive, painless, quick, and easy; and shaving creams used can help moisturize the skin, keeping it soft.
Cons: Regrowth happens quickly, and because hair is cut off at the surface, regrown hair is blunt, not tapered, so it can appear thicker. Razor burn, nicks, and cuts are possibilities, and those who shave regularly can also become prone to ingrown hairs.
Average Cost: Razors and shaving cream can be inexpensively purchased at any grocery or drugstore.
Tips: For those who can’t quit their shaving habit, “growth reduction” products promise to help inhibit hair regrowth, thus reducing the frequency of shaving required.

Completely Bare.

Depilatory Creams

How It Works: Hair removal creams use chemicals to weaken the hair follicle, so you can effectively wipe it away.
Best For: Those who want quick, easy, relatively painless at-home results. Depilatories are most popular for facial hair, bikini lines, and underarms.
Pros: Can be done at home, and removes hair just below the surface of the skin, ensuring slower and less coarse regrowth than shaving.
Cons: Chemicals in these products can irritate sensitive skin, particularly in more delicate areas. These creams are infamous for their odor, and can also lead to ingrown hairs.
Average Cost: Around $6-$12 for a tube of cream or spray-on depilatory lotion.
Tips: Choose a cream suited for the specific area you’re treating—and maybe light some scented candles in the bathroom to mask the strong smell most of these products tend to have. A solid option is Completely Bare’s Easy Off Foaming Hair Removal Spray, which comes in an easy-to-apply foam that washes off in the shower.

MiSMON.

Laser Hair Removal

How It Works: Laser penetrates the skin to target the hair shaft and inhibit hair growth. It essentially destroys the follicle, meaning it can achieve permanent removal. Typically, the hair in treated areas falls out within 2-3 weeks.
Best For: People with hair darker than their skin—while professional dermatologists can vary the type of laser used, laser targets the melanin in the hair, so it’s not suited as well for people with dark skin or pale hair. The laser needs to be able to lock on to the dark pigment in order to differentiate the dark hair from the skin.
Pros: Great for long-term hair removal in all areas. “It causes no damage to the dermis, so even the most sensitive skin can be treated,” says New York dermatologist Dr. Ariel Ostad.
Cons: Laser hair removal can be painful, with most people describing it as a “snapping” sensation against the skin, as well as a sensation of heat from the laser. Also, it requires numerous visits to a dermatologist for best results. “It is important to go to a dermatologist who can offer different lasers which are customized to the patient’s skin color and hair color,” says Ostad.
Average Cost: $150 to $500 per treatment, with an average of six sessions recommended, depending on the area being treated. Several cycles of treatment are usually recommended to capture the hair follicles at different stages of the growth cycle. Some people require touch-up treatments to maintain, especially on larger areas.
Tips: While it may seem expensive, in the long run, many consider laser removal to be an investment that can pay off. “It is the most effective and cost-effective treatment, considering how much one can spend over a lifetime with options such as waxing or electrolysis,” says Ostad.

Finishing Touch.

Electrolysis

How It Works: Electrolysis uses a fine, needle-shaped electrode to apply an electrical current to the hair follicle.
Best For: Small areas such as the eyebrows, upper lip, and underarms, as it treats each hair and follicle individually, which is time-consuming and can get expensive.
Pros: Can permanently remove hair and is suitable for very fine and light-colored hair, unlike laser, which works best on darker hair.
Cons: When improperly done, electrolysis can lead to scarring or skin discoloration. Treatments can be uncomfortable and cause a “stinging” or “pricking” sensation, and as with laser hair removal, permanent results require multiple sessions.
Average Cost: Around $25 to $150 an hour.
Tips: Dehydrated follicles can be more difficult to treat, so be sure to drink plenty of water the day before, the day of, and the day after your treatment.

Adobe. Design: Cierra Miller/STYLECASTER.

Robyn Dixon’s Mixed Animal Print Sweater

Real Housewives of Potomac Season 6 Episode 5 Fashion

Robyn Dixon was a total animal on the bus pole. But maybe that’s because she was wearing her mixed animal print sweater while doing so. I mean Robyn and the ladies looked like they had so much fun on their way to booming Williamsburg. And I love the little tidbit Robyn shared about a possible baby no. 3??? Congrats to her and Juan if they are trying. And congrats to us on our own little bundle of joy- a Style Stealer of this sweater.

Sincerely Stylish,

Jess

Click Here to See Her DKNY Animal Print Sweater

Originally posted at: Robyn Dixon’s Mixed Animal Print Sweater