Yes, there are workout fads ... but some really work
Change it up and results may surprise you
MIAMI — The latest workout crazes promise to stimulate your brain and muscles in new ways with barre plies in the air (think aerial ballet), dance cardio (think a night out) or a killer routine modelled after a popular cooking show.
“Everybody falls into fitness ruts,” said fitness expert Jeff Halevy, owner of Halevy Life gym in New York. “It either means you are no longer getting results from your program or you’re just sick and tired of doing the same old thing.”
His advice? Change it up. That might mean adding yoga if you’re a runner, trying Tabata or changing the grip on your dumbbells. “You’re going to naturally see new results that you haven’t seen in a while,” he said.
A look at a few of the latest fitness trends:
IF YOU LIKE P90X AND INSANITY
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) alternates between short, intense bursts of activity followed by rest or low-intensity moves. Durations vary, but the principle is the same — for example, a circuit of burpees, mountain climbers and jumping jacks going all out for 60 seconds per move with a 10-second rest in between.
The fast-paced routine means numerous combinations so muscles don’t plateau and you’re less likely to get bored. Plus, researchers say pushing yourself until you’re ready to drop for shorter intervals burns more calories than steady cardio. Try Tabata classes at a local YMCA where they follow a strict 20 seconds of super intense working out followed by a 10-second rest series.
If you’re more competitive, try Crunch’s Cutthroat Cardio class. Based on the TV show Cutthroat Kitchen, the class offers three circuits of cardio, each with new challenges that escalate each week. One example: A set of gruelling balancing, singleleg deadlifts, and just when you’re ready to give up, the teacher throws in knee-high jumps.
“People love the challenge of not knowing what you’re getting plus the competitive edge,” says Donna Cyrus, Crunch’s senior VP of programming.
IF YOU LIKE BARRE , SUSPENDED YOGA
Airbarre will have you doing lifts higher than Natalie Portman in Black Swan. It uses hammock-like swings over the ballet barre to help maintain proper alignment and take the stress off joints. Don’t be fooled; the hammock isn’t a crutch. Since it’s not a fixed barre, you have to use core strength to stabilize it. The hammock can help conquer moves you couldn’t do before and you can rely on it as little or as much as you need, making it perfect for beginners and ballet buffs.
Classes are playful, with dancer-style kick lines and short choreographed numbers. Most importantly “participants get these crazy inner thigh and butt workout without knowing it,” says AntiGravity’s Alex Schlempp.
HIGH- INTENSITY CARDIO RECOVERY
It’s hard to get the results you want when you’re constantly sidelined with injuries. The high-intensity cardio craze has spawned a new fitness regime of recovery and self-care workouts. Some classes start with a 30-minute traditional workout like spinning or strength training and then switch over to yoga or self-massage with foam rollers. The classes teach you to break up knots in the tissue surrounding your bones and muscles, increase range of motion and improve breathing.
IF YOU LIKE ZUMBA
If you don’t want your workout to feel like work, try a class that feels more like a night out on the town. Dress like you’re hitting up a club for the Vixen Workout, where up to a 100 women lunge and squat their way with strobe lights and foggy mirrors and a little diva music from Beyoncé for inspiration.
Or take your vinyasa to the next level with a yoga class like the one at Brooklyn’s Verboten night club where soothing deep house music from live DJs helps transport you to a tranquil place.
NO IDEA?
Sample everything from Pilates and boot camps to newer trends like underwater spinning through a free trial period at various fitness facilities.