Power Pilates, Raverobics, primitive running... what will they think of next?
Every summer the fitness community converges on Los Angeles for IDEA World – the mother of all exercise conventions. It is here that the latest – and maddest – workout trends are unveiled to Lycra-clad masses of personal trainers (more the 14,000 of them, from 60 countries), all looking for an edge and something new to give their clients. And what do we want? A better body, in less time, without pain or being forced to do dull, repetitive movements that we know are a highway to injury.
As ever, the buzzword is fun – and Zumba was just the beginning: now classes combine dance, ‘primitive’ movement, yoga, Pilates, and ‘mindful’ martial arts into hybrid workouts that really do deliver on every front. The Mail on Sunday was granted exclusive access to the show, and here is our pick of the classes and gadgets that will be making waves in gyms in 2016… Keep an eye out in local press for classes launching near you.
THE NEXT BIG THING!
WHAT? In-Trinity is the latest invention from Johnny G, the man who came up with ubiquitous indoor-cycling class Spinning in 1987.
His new concept hits just about every current fitness trend: a group class combining yoga, Pilates and martial-arts moves, building strength, flexibility and balance. Exercises are performed on a specially designed wooden board which sits on a frame that puts it at an angle.
WHY? The incline adds the effect of gravity to the workout: working on a decline, can make stretches more intense, and makes resistance moves more challenging. The class itself is easily modified to suit all physical needs.
A CLUB CLASSIC
WHAT? The latest dance-inspired workout craze is Pulse, a 60minute class set to 1990s club anthems. Studios have disco lights, glow-sticks and neon aplenty. Either the most fun you can have with your gym clothes on, or your worst nightmare becoming reality.
WHY? Pulse ‘feels more like a night out than a workout,’ says Virgin, which has bought in the concept. It’s a blend of simple aerobic and streetdance moves offering high- and low-impact options.
SCULPTED BY SCIENCE
WHAT? A trained specialist looks at your health, lifestyle and physical fitness levels. The test assesses whether your body’s age is older or younger than your actual age, in terms of specific abilities, so you can easily see the areas you need to work on. Following the tests, personalised workouts called CustomFit digital training programmes can be downloaded on to a tablet or phone. These also allow you to track you progress.
WHY? The theory is that having a deeper knowledge of personal fitness and health – not just relying on numbers on the scales – gives gymgoers a way of charting progress toward ultimate goals.
GET PRIMITIVE
WHAT? A Natural Movement Fitness – or MovNat for short – fuses elements of obstacle-course racing, Parkour (also known as free-running, a gymnastic pursuit that involves lots of leaping), yoga and traditional cross-training (think press-ups). Classes, held inside or outdoors, feature various props to jump over, crawl under, balance or lug about and throw.
WHY? The MoveNat promotional video features a shirtless, barefoot Adonistype leaping across rivers, swimming while pushing huge logs, and climbing up trees. The theory is that primitive man would have performed all these movements as part of everyday life – and for his (or her) survival. Advocates promise improved mobility, stability, balance, focus and strength.
STAY BALANCED
WHAT? The ActivMotion bar – a hollow bar partially filled with steel ball-bearings that roll from one end to the other as you move it, throwing you off balance and activating the core muscles as you try not to wobble over. You can already purchase bars and instructional DVDs from €400 on amazon.co.uk
WHY? The catchphrase is ‘disruptive training’: basically the use of tools that challenge balance during exercise. The internal movement of the weighted balls – bars weigh up to 8kg – activate the muscles 170% more than ‘static’ tools such as medicine balls, according to research from the University of Michigan.
IN SUSPENSE
WHAT? Gwyneth Paltrow is said to be a fan of Bodhi, the Spidermanstyle suspension training class. Two thin ropes are lashed over a frame, above head height, with handles at both ends – you perform exercises with your hands, or feet or both – so your whole body is suspended in the air. There are classes but you can get instructional DVDs.
WHY? The use of the ropes gives a helping hand while doing body-weight exercises such as squats and lunges, but once
fully suspended you need a core of steel – or, rather, you’ll quickly develop one – to carry out even the most minor manoeuvres.
FEEL THE FLEX
WHAT? CoreStix is basically a board – about body height with grips at the top and holes in one end, in which you insert various flexible poles. Exercises involve bending, pushing and pulling the poles, which can be swapped. Some are easier to bend than others, providing different levels of resistance. The board can even be adjusted to accommodate wheelchair users.
WHY? A great all-round workout that combines cardio exercises – one set of moves can segue into the next – with resistance training. Various US sports teams have already adopted the class. The Stix can be used to make normal moves such as lunges more challenging for the core muscles and balance.
BOX CLEVER
WHAT? What else do you call a class that combines Pilates, boxing and dance but Piloxing? It blends the high-intensity speed and agility moves of boxing training (without actually hitting anyone) with slower, more controlled exercises, drawn from ballet barre and Pilates, to sculpt and tone muscles.
WHY? The class is high-intensity interval training – at an exhausting 145 beats a minute. Aside from the cardiovascular element – which is medically proven to be heart-healthy for even those who suffer cardiac disease – the moves increase balance, co-ordination, and challenge the core, those muscle around the midriff that keep the body upright (and tummy looking flat). It’s all performed barefoot, giving even the foot muscles a good workout.