Growing tired of the monotony of the treadmill? Sick of the same circuit workout every visit to the gym? Introduce a little spontaneity to your routine and check out the latest and greatest in fitness trends! Select one – or several – to try and see what all the hype is about.
High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
Short, intense workouts that have been shown to improve both your aerobic and anaerobic endurance, and burn fat more effectively than a longer workout at a moderate intensity. HIIT workouts have you perform challenging activities for a short amount of time with brief rest periods in between.
Give it a try if:
You have ever used “not having enough time” as an excuse for not exercising. These workouts usually last between 20 and 30 minutes – something we all have time for!
Themed Races
From the Color Run to the Tough Mudder, get ready for a wild race that involves obstacles such as climbing over rope walls, army-crawling through mud pits, and being chased by zombies. Many of these races promote eccentric costumes, so tap into your creative side while you get your heart pumping.
Give it a try if:
Having a specific event in mind will motivate you to reach your exercise goals, and you don’t mind ruining your clothes (see: mud pits, volunteers throwing paint at you, fake zombie blood).
Group Personal Training
More private than a group exercise class without the focus being all on you. Many personal trainers are now offering group personal training, which is exactly what it sounds like: the trainer will create a workout plan for and coach two to four people at a time.
Give it a try if:
You like the idea of personal training, but aren’t ready to financially commit to individual sessions.
Dancercise Classes
Zumba took off after its introduction to the fitness industry in 2001 and quickly became the most popular dance exercise class in the country. For a new twist, try one of these up-and-comers: NIA, a combination of dance, martial arts, and yoga; barre, which utilizes ballet movements to sculpt long, lean muscles; or belly dancing, the traditional Egyptian and Turkish dance that provides a great core workout while increasing flexibility.
Give it a try if:
You dread the idea of working out. You will have so much fun learning the moves (or laughing at yourself trying) that you might forget you’re at the gym. But don’t be fooled – these classes will work up quite a sweat.
Sources: American College of Sports Medicine:
PC Magazine: Greatist: greatist.com