André Balazs and Samantha Yanks playing table tennis at his cover shoot at Sunset Beach

Body of Work

There really is nothing more freeing and satisfying than pushing your body to its limit. This past week I embarked on a regimen that seemed overly aggressive—certainly more so than my infrequent gym routine during the fall and winter months in New York City. But for me, when I am out East, I find fitness invigorating.

Our surroundings inspired me to do a boot-camp workout on the beach with George Vafiades of As One. His program on Flying Point Beach is a combination of strength training, endurance and flexibility. My fitness journey also brought me to the Paddle Diva. I had the pleasure of gathering some close friends to go paddleboarding with the diva herself, Gina Bradley. We loaded up at Three Mile Harbor then traveled to Maidstone Park Beach, where we hopped on our boards and paddled around the bay into different coves, passing Sammy’s Beach Preserve. We ended the trip digging for oysters, which we brought home to grill with butter and herbs. While the workout is already intense for your core and your arms, Bradley preaches pushing it to a more extreme level, going so far as to teach you yoga moves on your boards. Only here in the Hamptons can a workout turn into a spectacular journey.

In addition to exploring the endless options of outdoor trainers, guides and athletes, I like a little consistency in my schedule. Spinning at Flywheel Sports in Sag Harbor has become part of my morning routine: I drop my daughter at camp at Hayground in Bridgehampton and hop on a bike for 45 heartpounding minutes. I have been pushing myself harder and harder every class—and feeling better and better every time. Ruth, Sarah and Kate each motivate me in different ways, challenging my old body to help me find my new one. After all, aren’t we all trying to feel and look our best?

Follow me at twitter.com/samanthayanks and on hamptons-magazine.com.

EDITOR IN CHIEF

PHOTOGRAPH BY ABBEY DRUCKER