Culture Writer

Maya Ito

Maya covers the social side of movement: founders, communities, sponsorship, and the trends that turn exercise into culture rather than a solo habit.

Culture and trends reporting
Movement community coverage

run clubswellness clubsstudio foundersmovement culturesportswear

18 published stories · How bendiii reports and corrects its work

Culture

Why 'Hybrid Athlete' Became a Personality

Running a marathon used to mean you weren't lifting, and lifting seriously used to mean you weren't running far. 'Hybrid athlete' rejects that trade, and turned it into a whole aesthetic.

Maya ItoAugust 23, 20266 min read

Culture

Inside the Run Club Dating Boom

Maya ItoAugust 23, 20265 min read

A group fitness class in an active studio

Culture

The Fitness Trends That Actually Matter in 2026, Ranked

Maya ItoAugust 18, 202612 min read

Move

The CrossFit Open Explained: How It Works and Who It's For

Maya ItoAugust 17, 202611 min read

Culture

The Fitness Racing Boom

Maya ItoAugust 16, 20269 min read

A weight training class shown in black and white

Culture

The Most Algorithm-Friendly Workout Formats Right Now, Ranked

Maya ItoAugust 16, 20267 min read

Culture

parkrun and the Case for a Free Weekly Race

Maya ItoAugust 14, 20268 min read

A candid rooftop portrait against a city skyline, hair in motion

Culture

Health Is Fashion: Inside the New Wellness Uniform

Maya ItoAugust 12, 20267 min read

Runners in silhouette against a dusk sky

Culture

Why Movement Became the New Luxury

Maya ItoAugust 1, 20267 min read

A rack of clothing in a boutique, warm tones

Culture

The Rise of the Pilates Uniform

Maya ItoJuly 24, 20265 min read

A minimal gym interior shown in black and white

Culture

Why Pilates Became LA's Status Workout

Maya ItoJune 27, 20266 min read

A runner's legs shown in motion blur on a road

Culture

How Run Clubs Became the New Social Clubs

Maya ItoJune 19, 20266 min read

A group gathered around a table in a shared workspace

Culture

Meet the Instructor Turning Studio Classes Into a Following

Maya ItoMay 30, 20266 min read

A candid rooftop portrait with the city skyline in the background

Culture

How the Algorithm Decides What Workout Is Trending

Maya ItoMay 19, 20266 min read

Culture

The Rise of the Wellness Club

Maya ItoApril 3, 20266 min read

Culture

Why the Fashion Returns Problem Still Isn't Solved

Maya ItoMarch 18, 20266 min read

Culture

Why Grip Socks Became Fashion

Maya ItoFebruary 27, 20265 min read

Interior of a minimal clothing boutique with garment racks

Culture

Meet the Designers Rethinking Activewear

Maya ItoJanuary 18, 20266 min read