Every year or so, a new exercise fad comes along that has everyone rushing to the gym. It’s a very healthy occurrence—since working out can become tedious after a while, it is important for people find a reason to be reenergized about staying in shape. As we’ve progressed through aerobics, yoga, Pilates, Tae-Bo, hot yoga, and the numerous other exercise trends, only a few have stayed around through the decades.
If you feel out of the loop as you review the current list of classes at your local gym, here’s a description of what’s hot in working out for 2012:
- Body Flow—A workout that combines yoga, Tai Chi, and Pilates for a workout that builds muscle and increases flexibility and balance.
- Zumba—This Columbian dance fitness routine has been all the rage in gyms for the past couple of years. Classes combine dances like salsa and merengue to help participants lose weight while having fun.
- BodyCombat—Incorporating various forms of martial arts, including karate, boxing, taekwondo, and Tai Chi, this class uses music and moves to create an intense workout that is as challenging as it is fun.
- Boot Camp—This type of training has been popular in gyms for several years. An instructor runs participants through a series of exercises, encouraging participants to work in teams and be competitive. These classes can be held in gyms or at parks and were initially inspired by the military style of training but have in some ways evolved to focus more on teamwork and competition.
- Body Pump—A workout class that remains popular year after year, many devotees change gyms to continue to participate. The class puts weightlifting to music, with participants lifting barbells and doing step aerobics.
Most gyms will allow members to try each one to find the right fit for them. Each year offers new possibilities when it comes to fitness, it’s just a matter of finding the one that motivates you to get fit and stay fit.
Speak Your Mind