Is it me or is exercise no longer exercise? Sure, you can still visit your local gym or leisure centre and can find classes that are designed to strengthen your core and work your abs. However, unlike the days of the past where you were encouraged to sign up to aerobics and cardio classes; all these of traditional workouts now seem to have been revamped or relaunched with a new twist.
From performing aerobics whilst floating on a mat in a swimming pool, to twirling around a pole; everywhere you turn, leisure centres are looking for new and exciting ways to entice you to join.
So why the revamp?
Part of the problem is willpower. Whilst we all might make New Year’s resolutions to lose weight or attain a beach body before our next holiday; for many of us actually sticking to these resolutions is hard.
Not only are we all naturally prone to feeling self-conscious when we place ourselves in a new environment – especially in a class that is bound to make all your wobbly bits jiggle – but when faced with the prospective of performing the same repetitive motions week in and week out; finding the motivation to keep going can prove difficult with every visit.
Knowing this, it is easy to see why fitness centres are going above and beyond to find new and exciting ways to entice us into the gym. Make it different and attention-grabbing, and maybe they can keep you interested.
Yet are these quirky fitness classes actually worth attending?
Why should you consider alternative fitness classes?
There is no denying that the fastest way to capture someone’s attention is to offer them something that has never been done before or been seen on the market. Instead of walking past, your interest is immediately peaked as you’re left wondering how working out whilst attached to a bungee cord – for instance – is any better than attending a regular aerobics class.
And this is a legitimate question…
When placed side by side – are alternative fitness classes actually any better than a traditional cardio workout?
In many cases, yes they are and here’s why. Take a look at the following alternative fitness classes that are currently trending in London:
- Pole dancing – whilst this fitness class isn’t exactly new, it certainly beats doing aerobics. In fact, pole dancing is a great way to tone your abs, strengthen your core and build up muscles across your entire body. Plus, it is a fantastic way to burn a tonne of calories. In one 1 hour session you can burn 200-350 calories.
- Play school games – popular in London, the idea behind this class is to take all of your classic playground games – bulldog, capture the flag and dodgeball – and use them to experience an intense yet fun workout. Choose your games wisely, and this workout can help to increase your agility, endurance and strength.
- Disco yoga – instead of a traditional yoga session that is filled with white walls, tranquil song anthems and 30 minutes of various stretching techniques; disco yoga differs as it offers you a unique and quirky way to perform these poses. Try disco yoga in London and you’ll also get to enjoy countless 1970s disco songs; a range of power infused cocktails, and in some classes glitter stations.
- Aerial trapeze – there is a reason why singer Pink is so fit and toned; she regularly uses aerial trapeze within her routines. And the good news is, you can get to experiment with it now too. Using a combination of ropes, silk, hoops and slings – that will keep you suspended in the air – during these circus style sessions, you’ll be taught how to perform various positions on the trapeze, whilst also witnessing an increase in your core strength and flexibility. FACT: you can burn 300-400 calories during 1 hour class.
- Trampolining – these sessions can vary from the small step ones you can use in your own home, to the large trampolines that you see at kid’s birthday parties. In fact, a lot of trampoline centres now offer a range of trampoline and obstacle courses (for adults), as well as a number of fitness classes that are each designed to workout your entire body. From doing jump squats and lunges, to using resistance bands; no matter the size of the trampoline you use, it can prove to be an exhilarating workout. FACT: doing aerobics on a small trampoline can burn 126 calories in 30 minutes.
- Wobble on water – combining fitness mats with swimming pools; this particular fitness class encourages you to perform a series of burbees, lunges and squats whilst trying to maintain your balance on a mat – and not fall – in a swimming pool.
- Hula hoop – this class takes the hoop out of the playground and teaches you how to tone your core, abs, legs and arms whilst performing tricks with a hula hoop. From jogging whilst keeping the hoop on your waist to doing squats; this can offer you a serious workout as it can help to build your abs and coordination skills. Luckily, you don’t have to be a pro with a hula hoop in order to join. Instead you can choose from a range of classes that focus on different skill levels.
- Bounce and rave – combining rave music with neon lights and bouncing; this class adds a twist to traditional trampoline classes as you’ll get to perform energetic dance moves throughout. These classes even come with dimmed lights and glow sticks to help enhance the rave-like vibe.
- Kangaroo jumps – this futuristic workout comprises of wearing bouncing boots whilst doing an intense workout. Yet it is worth it, as it can help you to burn twice the amount of calories you would if you did the same routine wearing regular shoes (without the usual strain you’d normally experience on your joints and feet). This is due to the intense workout it gives your leg muscles as you hop around. FACT: in one class you can burn up to 1,200 calories.
- Aqua spinning – a spin class with a twist; during this workout your bike is fully submerged underwater. However, given that this added water resistance can help you to burn 800 calories during one session; the strangeness is very worth it. In addition, you can also benefit from increased blood flow; additional body weight support, and less pressure on your joints and muscles.
- Twerking – this dance style may no longer be in fashion in the dancing world; however, many fitness centres are now incorporating it into their routines due to its ability to tone your quads, oblique’s and glutes – the same muscles you work out when squatting.
- Megaformer –a favourite of Kim Kardashian, this workout uses new-gen reformer Pilates beds to exercise your body. This is achieved thanks to its use of levers and weights that encourage you to build on your strength, endurance, cardio, balance, core and flexibility with every movement that you make.
Now, as you can guess the group above are a mixed bunch. Sure, some of them can’t compete with 1 hour of aerobics, where – depending on your weight – you can burn 420-600 calories. However, there are a few hidden gems in this bunch that are definitely worth exploring if you are looking for an incentive to get back into exercise.
Not only are they far from boring, but they will definitely encourage you to view exercise in a much more light hearted way.
What does this mean for the future of fitness centers?
With fitness centers across the globe all competing to offer new and exciting ways to exercise, ensuring your team are up to the task is important. Not only do they have to be knowledgeable on how to use the different pieces of equipment; these days they also need to know how to take a basic Pilates class and teach it to fit in with these new trends.
For that reason, ensuring you are trained on all the latest fitness techniques is essential. From registering into college, to signing onto an online fitness course supplied by providers such as Association of Learning; you CAN strengthen your arsenal of knowledge and ensure that your gym is equipped to keep up with this trend of quirky workouts. Do that, and you can help to keep your gym thriving.
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