Exercise

Exercise gets a workout

Bodies are moving in motion to the changing world of workouts.

The fitness industry is always changing and adapting in order to keep us interested in exercise. Over the last decade, we have been introduced to some exercise concepts that have caused worldwide sensations. Groups ‘spinning’ on stationary bikes became a hot trend in gyms and lifting weights became accessible to women through aerobics-based classes such as ‘Pump’. Not to mention, I’m sure there are many of us that still have ‘Tai-Bo’ DVDs in a corner somewhere collecting dust.

But what are the newest trends in exercise for this decade? Think fast, effective accessible and fun and you’ll be describing three new exercise programmes that are worth trying out!

Outdoor group workouts
Outdoor workouts have become hugely popular in the UK, America and Australia with groups and individuals following trainers in many major parks and outdoor venues. In some cases, keen participants have even been sited in inner city car parks and industrial areas.
A groundswell of followers in New Zealand is emerging in some of our major cities, which is excellent – but what is it about group exercise in public parks that has people around the world so excited? Well, for those choosing to exercise outdoors, the backdrop of open spaces and fresh air is a welcome change, especially after spending a day cooped up in an office.

Outdoor workouts make use of a huge variety of exercises including the usual exercise basics such as squats, lunges and press ups but tend to be given new twists that provide the necessary challenge and variety participants need to stay interested and motivated. Training sessions usually mix both resistance and cardiovascular training, creating a fun, fast-paced yet effective workout. The added motivation of being part of a group makes it appealing for many people.

Many of the workouts are designed to fit into a lunch hour, making exercise easier for those of us who are time-poor. Your fitness levels could actually increase faster by doing short bursts of interval cardiovascular/resistance training, and group sessions are usually more cost-effective than a one-on-one session with a personal trainer.

Suspended bodyweight training using TRX
Using bodyweight (think press-ups and sit-ups) as part of a training regime has always been the core tools of the fitness industry, used to increase strength and muscle condition. But the hottest world-wide trend in bodyweight resistance is ‘suspension trainers’. The TRX suspension training system was developed by a former navy seal to enable troops to train in small spaces and with very minimal equipment. The system consists of straps that are light, portable and easily secured to doors, trees or even playgrounds. Once in use, the system provides a full-body workout that rivals pumping some serious iron. But don’t be scared off, the system is versatile enough that it can be used easily by anyone new to exercise or recovering from injuries; the resistance level and difficulty is controlled by the user’s body position.

If you enjoy variety and don’t always want to be stuck in a gym, using the TRX system could be just right for you to help develop strength, balance, flexibility and joint stability. The system is a form of resistance training and benefits your body by increasing muscle mass therefore increasing your resting metabolism, decreasing your risk of muscular injuries and osteoporosis as well as burning additional calories/kilojoules.
The TRX system is a refreshing new method that could help you increase your muscle tone and lose weight. Find out more info at www.fitnessanywhere.com

ZUMBA fitness dance workout
Not content with turning our parks and playgrounds into makeshift gyms, the fitness industry is now providing a way to create a nightclub atmosphere in our own homes! Let’s face it, shaking your booty on the dance floor burns kilojoules, and tones muscles yet is so much fun it hardly feels like exercise at all. Getting to the club three or four times a week may not be realistic for the average working mum, so it’s probably why Zumba has become so popular.

This new dancing sensation taking aerobic-loving fans by storm is a fitness program created by a Miami-based choreographer and comes in the form of a DVD. The workouts are based on dance moves to a mix of music ranging from calypso, samba, salsa and meringue. If the kids (or husband) object to the takeover of the home entertainment system, distract them by getting them involved – you can easily have them participating in some quality family time and exercise that they won’t have seen coming.
Once you have your Zumba moves down pat at home, you’ll be ready to hit the dancefloors feeling fit and fantastic.

Vonita White
www.getitfitness.co.nz


Whether you choose to become an exercise fanatic or just participate in exercise for leisure …
1. Think about your safety – exercise in a safe place, improve your motivation by working out with a friend, or find a group fitness class, gym or outdoor training session near you.
2. Always consult with your local physician (GP) before starting any exercise regime or if you have any health concerns at any point.
3. Consult a fitness professional to ensure you stay on track and follow an exercise routine that will get you the results you want in a safe and effective manner.
4. Find activities you love doing and keep living a healthy well-balanced life.
5. Try new things; variety is the spice of life.