Daily Front Row

2011 April 18

You and Your Body Image! With Nicole Miller

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For Nicole Miller, the SoulCycling pays off.
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(NEW YORK) Because Sex Diaries can't be the only thing to get you through Monday afternoons, The Daily's newest column, You and Your Body Image!, in which body-con chicsters share their diet and exercise regimens, debuts right now with fashion legend Nicole Miller. Fascination guaranteed. EDDIE ROCHE

Were you athletic growing up?
Mostly just skiing and ice skating, but I've always been a workout person. I used to run a lot—smaller marathons—and I've always belonged to a gym.

Why is exercise important?
I have to stay thin and look good, because I'm in fashion. And I have to go to the gym because I like to eat. It's always an uphill battle. Everybody’s getting older, for one thing.

Do you work out with a trainer?
No, I changed my routine last year, and I've become a Soul Cycle addict, as I think a lot of New Yorkers are. I see half the fashion industry there. I also go to Fly Wheel in the Hamptons.

Why is Soul Cycle taking off?
It's interesting, because spinning is not new. But Soul Cycle repackaged it, with music, candles, and cool instructors.

How often do you go?
In the summer, probably four or five times a week. In the winter, more like two to three.

How long have you been going to Soul Cycle?
I started in April so its a year. I had belonged to a gym on Leonard Street, Eastern Athletic Club, for six or seven years, but I wasn't using it as much, because I got bored with the routine.

What was your gym routine?
Bicycle, treadmill, Stairmaster, rowing machine…and I always did weights there.

Any Pilates or yoga?  
Sometimes, but not on any consistent basis.

What about weights?
SoulCycle incorporates a weight routine, as well as band classes that combine rubber band work with spinning.

What time do you work out?
On the weekends, in the morning, and during the week, around 6 p.m.. My favorite spin class is Monday night at 6:30, and I always try to make if I'm in town.

Who’s your favorite teacher?
Nick Oram.

Do you ever procrastinate exercising?
No. I never procrastinate about it now. SoulCycle is really fun. It's changed my whole attitude.

What do you wear?
I've been wearing my SoulCycle clothing, but of course, you can't wear your Soul Cycle clothing to Fly Wheel so I have to wear my Fly Wheel clothing there. I'd feel like a traitor if I wore the logo of one spinning class to the other place. I also wear biker leggings and a tank top, and sometimes the SoulCycle wife beater.

Would you ever design gym attire?
Actually, we're working on a collection. It hasn't come together yet, but it might happen.

What music gets you pumped up?
Lady Gaga, disco music…I like it when they splice the Beatles with rap.

Why are fashion people so obsessed with SoulCycle?
It’s a really uplifting environment. You go there, get your work done, and leave feeling…up.

Do you work out alone?
Sometimes I plan to meet friends, sometimes I go by myself.

Who do you see at Soul from our world?
Linda Wells, Sally Singer, Marshall Heyman, Caroline Angel, Kelly Klein, Charlotte Ronson, Kate Betts…

Do you do anything in your company to encourage your employees to work out?
Yeah. I got a SoulCycle party and invited the whole company to it. We rented out a class. We used to have yoga classes in the offices, which was great. When we first started doing them, everyone showed up— in the beginning there would be like 25 people in the showroom doing yoga. But eventually, people stopped bothering.

Tell us about your eating habits.
I'm a total foodie. I like to go to new restaurants, but I'm careful. If I put on a pound, I try to lose it right away. I went to St. Barts and ate foie gras every day. But generally, when I come back from vacation, I try to be more disciplined. My weight doesn't fluctuate very much—never more than 3 to 5 pounds.