Fitness Trends To Try

Posted by Kristin on Jan 17, 2012 in Health & Fitness | 0 comments

What fitness trends will you be trying in 2012 then? According to the American College of Sports Medicine, people worldwide are more likely to be shaking it in a Zumba class than engaging their core in Pilates. Not to worry, the world is still aware of the importance of working the core as they did appear in the Top 20 “trends” – just not in a Pilates class. Other fitness trends included strength training, exercise and weight loss, a focus on childhood obesity, and fitness programs for older adults. But what about specifics? Are there classes that are new and exciting? Sports that the masses are yet to know of, but that will soon be a household name?

Here’s my list of fitness trends to try this year. Some may be familiar, some not, but hopefully you’ll be inspired to get out there and try at least one new sport or class that you haven’t tried. Who knows, maybe you’ll be hooked?

Barre Classes

Maybe Pilates has fallen off the list of fitness trends because other dance-inspired workouts are taking the world by storm? Huge in New York and taking off in a big way in the UK, Barre classes use small, intense movements from dancer’s workout; then add a muscle-lengthening stretch immediately after. Many moves are performed on a ballet barre – hence the name. A Barre workout is not easy (some of those moves are TOUGH!) but you don’t have to be a dancer to do them. It’s nice to know that you can have two left feet, but still get a dancer’s body from the ankles up!

Stand Up Paddle-boarding (SUP)

Stand Up Paddle Surfing is an ancient version of surfing, originally founded in Polynesian region. As nice as it would be to go to the Polynesia, SUP Boarding can be done in the UK! There are numerous places to take lessons or rent equipment, from North Yorkshire down to the Isle of Wight. I like SUP for a lot of reasons: it’s a great workout, especially for toning your core, it can be easier to catch waves than in traditional surfing, and even if there are no waves (or you’re a bit of a chicken, like me) you can still paddle around and have a great time. Last year, Groupon even had a great SUP deal! Keep your eyes open; maybe we’ll get lucky again in 2012?

Kiting

Kiting includes Kite-surfing, Kite-boarding, and Kite-skiing. It essentially involves standing on a board with foot straps or bindings and using the power of a large controllable kite to propel the rider and the board across the water, land, or snow. Kite sports can be done in very little wind and, with good training, in very heavy winds as well. Because of the variety of conditions and environments that are favourable to participate, kiting can be taught (and done) all over and throughout the seasons. Of course, learning to maneuver a board and a very technical kite at the same time is a challenge and should be taken very seriously, so lessons and working with a good instructor is a must.

Fortunately, despite Kite-surfing being a very young sport, there are great resources available and a variety of certified schools throughout the UK.

CrossFit

Less of an adventure, but no less challenging – CrossFit is high on my list for this year. I have to admit, CrossFit does scare me a little; I know that it involves moving heavy things quickly, and I know that their aim is to prepare people for life’s challenges. The ‘Unknown and the Unknowable’ is ingrained into CrossFit lingo. I also know that the US Navy Seals uses CrossFit principals in their training so it must be intense. That said, I really like the principles behind CrossFit’s short, yet high-intensity workouts. The training is varied so that you never plateau or get bored, and you are guaranteed improvement in a multitude of areas like strength, power, speed, stamina, cardio respiratory endurance; as well as coordination, agility, balance, accuracy and flexibility.

Sounds great, right? Let’s hope so – I’m trying my first CrossFit workout on 8 February with a group of women ranging in age and fitness levels. Once again I have seen some great CrossFit deals at Groupon so keep an eye out for them and look out after for my full report soon!

No matter which fitness trends you embrace in this year, I hope that you find fun, variety, and fitness gains.

P.s If you or someone you know loves hitting the gym or working out – be sure to snap up todays Groupon deal with Bio-Synergy: 2.25kg Whey Protein Powder and Shaker for only £30 – that’s 30% off! Definitely a great way to replenish your muscles after a gruelling workout!