Trends of 2011
Kettle bells
The epitome of what’s hot in 2011, these workouts have been described as the swinging of a cannon ball attached to a handle. The description is not far off but it does conjure images of a rather uncontrolled and clumsy way to build strength. In fact, kettle bell workouts are the opposite and focus on steady and measured exercises which utilise the kettle bell’s unique shape, allowing for sweeping movements and repetitions.
They are a fun but effective alternative to regular weight training and a move away from the overly macho world of the bench press.
BootcampThis year the popularity of ultra-intense ‘boot camp’ workout is predicted to grow as more of us look to these army inspired classes to get ‘fighting fit’. Boot camp workouts emphasise short but extremely high intensity programmes which use traditional stretches and exercises like push-ups, jumping jacks and lunges to heavily work your body.
They offer an old-school form of workout, with little use of expensive equipment, and can be tailored to bring every class of fitness enthusiast to their knees ? You will very literally be dropping and giving 20 over and over again.
TRX suspension training
TRX or ‘Total Body Resistance Exercise’ is a member of a new school of suspension exercise regimes which utilise equipment akin to harnesses or gymnastic rings to suspend participants off the ground.
This allows you to perform a range of poses and repetitions which exploit the strength of gravity in a pretty unique way, leaving you free reap the benefits. The equipment is lightweight and packs into a handy carry bag meaning that, so long as you can find something to clip onto, you can take it anywhere.
Budokan
If all of these intense and high impact workouts terrify you another stylish new way to get fit in 2011 is Budokan. Celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox swear by this Japanese workout which combines a mixture of martial arts and yoga movements to achieve a balance of physical and mental conditioning. The workout aims to improve stamina, speed, agility and flexibility. On top of that, a focus on meditation aims to calm the mind. In one 90-minute session you can shed around 800 calories, making this an all-over workout.
Zumba fitness
Zumba fitness is now a mega-movement and the biggest dance fitness regime on the planet ? with its own merchandise and even a dedicated video game. The workout alternates between fast-paced and slow-paced dance moves which are practiced in time to Latin rhythm influenced by well known dance form such as salsa, hip-hop and rumba.
Zumba tones the body through its use of resistance exercises which effectively amount to interval training due to the varying speeds at which they are carried out. It is sexy, lively and great fun and has drawn a devoted following which has catapulted it to the top of the world of trendy workout regimes for 2011.
A lot to consider but one thing’s for sure you won’t be going back that dusty stairmaster!
The epitome of what’s hot in 2011, these workouts have been described as the swinging of a cannon ball attached to a handle. The description is not far off but it does conjure images of a rather uncontrolled and clumsy way to build strength. In fact, kettle bell workouts are the opposite and focus on steady and measured exercises which utilise the kettle bell’s unique shape, allowing for sweeping movements and repetitions.
They are a fun but effective alternative to regular weight training and a move away from the overly macho world of the bench press.
BootcampThis year the popularity of ultra-intense ‘boot camp’ workout is predicted to grow as more of us look to these army inspired classes to get ‘fighting fit’. Boot camp workouts emphasise short but extremely high intensity programmes which use traditional stretches and exercises like push-ups, jumping jacks and lunges to heavily work your body.
They offer an old-school form of workout, with little use of expensive equipment, and can be tailored to bring every class of fitness enthusiast to their knees ? You will very literally be dropping and giving 20 over and over again.
TRX suspension training
TRX or ‘Total Body Resistance Exercise’ is a member of a new school of suspension exercise regimes which utilise equipment akin to harnesses or gymnastic rings to suspend participants off the ground.
This allows you to perform a range of poses and repetitions which exploit the strength of gravity in a pretty unique way, leaving you free reap the benefits. The equipment is lightweight and packs into a handy carry bag meaning that, so long as you can find something to clip onto, you can take it anywhere.
Budokan
If all of these intense and high impact workouts terrify you another stylish new way to get fit in 2011 is Budokan. Celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox swear by this Japanese workout which combines a mixture of martial arts and yoga movements to achieve a balance of physical and mental conditioning. The workout aims to improve stamina, speed, agility and flexibility. On top of that, a focus on meditation aims to calm the mind. In one 90-minute session you can shed around 800 calories, making this an all-over workout.
Zumba fitness
Zumba fitness is now a mega-movement and the biggest dance fitness regime on the planet ? with its own merchandise and even a dedicated video game. The workout alternates between fast-paced and slow-paced dance moves which are practiced in time to Latin rhythm influenced by well known dance form such as salsa, hip-hop and rumba.
Zumba tones the body through its use of resistance exercises which effectively amount to interval training due to the varying speeds at which they are carried out. It is sexy, lively and great fun and has drawn a devoted following which has catapulted it to the top of the world of trendy workout regimes for 2011.
A lot to consider but one thing’s for sure you won’t be going back that dusty stairmaster!
