Some fun ways to help keep that get-in-shape resolution
If you’re on track with a New Year’s resolution to get in shape, you’ve likely been increasing reps in CrossFit, slogging through steady-state rowing workouts or using fitness apps for coached treadmill runs.
But three months of the same indoor winter workouts can be a bore. Stay motivated and mix things up by trying something outside your comfort zone. We tried out four new fitness trends and had a ball.
KnockerBall at Legends of Pittsburgh Fitness
I will admit that I didn’t think rolling around inside a giant beach ball was a form of exercise. I was wrong.
After half an hour inside a KnockerBall at Pittsburgh Mills mall in Frazer, I was completely out of breath from a combination of exertion, claustrophobia and
laughter. I bounced off coworkers, rolled on the ground, somersaulted and struggled to stand back up afterward.
“The hardest part is getting back up,” said Stefan Lundberg, owner of Legends of Pittsburgh Fitness and Performance Center (559 Pittsburgh Mills Blvd.), which rents out the balls.
Mr. Lundberg and his coowner and brother, Nick, bought the balls about three years ago to be used in their facility or at other indoor or outdoor turf locations. They charge $249 per hour for 10 balls, child or adult size. Other outlets in Pittsburgh rent out similar “bubble soccer” balls.
The balls are popular at birthday parties, bachelor and bachelorette parties and business retreats. They will often run games with people inside the balls, such as soccer, sharks and minnows, or capture the flag. The only injury, said Mr. Lundberg, has been a sprained ankle at a bachelor party. “They’ll crush each other,” he said. Nationwide, there have been several reports of more serious injuries, including brain damage and paralysis.
At Legends, we were given safety instructions such as making sure that the balls were right-side up, holding the handles inside at all times and placing our arms and shoulders inside the safety straps. Being rammed by another ball didn’t hurt, though I often struggled to keep my balance afterward. The ball weighs about 20 pounds when fully inflated.
The inside smelled vaguely plastic-y, and by the end I was leaning over to stick my head out of the ball for some air. But mostly, it was just a lot of fun. I’ve certainly laughed a lot in life, and I’ve exercised, but never so much at the same time. — Anya Sostek
Elevate Fusion Fitness
A year ago, co-owner John McGough opened Elevate Fusion Fitness (5247 Butler St., Lawrenceville), a gym that includes Versa-Climbers, boxing classes and a weight room. His first intention was to open a cycling studio, but he saw that the market was getting saturated. “We wanted to open something that hadn’t yet come to Pittsburgh,” he said.
A word of warning: Versa-Climber makes a Stair-Master look like a cakewalk. This whole-body machine that mirrors climbing in place definitely delivers a more intense, full-body workout. Mr. McGough makes it fun with a mix of machine work, weights and other exercises. “The playlists are always different, and the choreography is always different,” he said.
While I agree, I’m glad this wasn’t my first visit to the gym after a long hiatus because the machine is a butt-kicker. Its intensity explains why beginner “climb 1” classes are short, just 30 minutes, while “climb 2” advanced classes are around 45 minutes with a mix of machine and weights.
First classes are free. A new client three-pack is $30 and an unlimited monthly membership on special is $179. The space is adjacent to a Salud Express, the Sewickley-based juicery that offers cold-pressed juices, smoothies and health shots. — Melissa McCart
Zenergy Cycling
A couple of months ago, a friend invited me to a Zenergy cycling class (6139 Spirit St., Shadyside), which was like a daytime party in a near pitch-black room with more (mock) candles than a church service. It also featured a Madonna medley on the playlist and employees running through the room with sparklers for the finale. I couldn’t imagine that was a typical 45-minute session, but I was wrong.
Zenergy founder Nick Staples opened the first locations in Morgantown and Charleston, W.Va., followed by this one about a year ago. The class features a lot of encouragement and highenergy cycling, including typical up-and-down in three positions on the bike as well as upper-body work with hand weights while riding.
Zenergy is developing a bit of a cult following, so classes fill up fast. The first ride is free and five-packs are $95. A full month is $225. Bring a water bottle and expect to check out their clip-in shoes, or bring your own. Sign up online at www.zenergycycling.com/pittsburgh. — M.M.
Athletic Trauma Unit
If you’re into big group fitness that includes burpees, situps, stairs, squats and box jumps, this class is for you — and it’s free. Former Cincinnati Bengals fullback Christopher Edmonds founded Athletic Trauma Unit in 2015 as a no-charge fitness program geared to help people build fitness and good nutrition into their daily routines.
It looks intense, but inclusivity is part of the nonprofit’s mission. “The #ATU family doesn’t care if you’re overweight, underweight, physically fit or have never done a single pushup in your life,” says the website, http://athletictraumaunit.org/.
“I did it for free because I didn’t want people to have any barriers to coming to work out, whether it would be day care, the cost of working out, the cost of trainers,” Mr. Edmonds says on his site. “I wanted to provide a service to the community for free and have them do it in a family environment.”
Check the Facebook page for locations, such as Greater Valley Community Services (300 Holland St., Braddock) and Gwen’s Girls (711 W. Commons St., North Side). Classes start at 5 and 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Even though the 60-minute workouts are free, donations are encouraged. Each class can accommodate up to 100 people. — M.M.