With Australia’s obesity levels reaching alarming new heights, it’s never been so crucial to get moving. So if memories of Lycra and legwarmers are halting your progress, put Olivia back on the shelf and get physical the 2011 way. From high-heel routines to pole dancing, there’s no excuse for an excuse with these class acts.
Bounce your way to weight loss with Kangoo Jump fitness. Whether you hop right in to your nearest class or buy your own jumping shoes and pogo your way round the park, the benefits will astound you and your calves. Check the official site.
The craze that’s swept the nation has proved to be more than just a passing infomercial. A mix between a Latin dance party and a gym work-out, Zumba launched in Australia to such rave reviews that everyone’s partying their way to rock-hard abs.
Move over downward dog, there’s a new breed in town: Yoga Fusion — a blend of yoga and, well, any other discipline it chooses. There’s Kayoga, combining intervals of kayaking and dry-land yoga, Acroyoga which introduces yoga to the circus with a blend of acrobatics and Thai massage and Anti-gravity yoga which suspends you from hammock-like slings.
One thing’s for sure, you’ll never get bored with Bellyfit. Each session incorporates varied styles of fitness from meditation to cardio to belly dancing and even African and Bollywood dance steps.
The latest rage in the US is an exhausting cardio and muscle toning regime that mixes Pilates with boxing. Although Piloxing hasn’t hit our shores yet, the growing celebrity following guarantees it’s set to pack a punch in your local gym very soon.
If exercising mind and body at the same time is your thing, try chi running. Combining a form of running with an awareness of nature (tai chi), advocates claim it has a softer impact on the joints because you lean from the ankle rather than foot.
Gyrating its way from seedy clubs to upscale studios, pole dancing has evolved into a worthy exercise trend. In Hollywood, getting down and dirty has never been so aerobic with the raunchy S Factor phenomenon: a mix of ballet, yoga, pole dancing and you guessed it, striptease. But if G-string flinging is a bit too Playboy mansion for you, try the tamer Dirty Dancing class. Each week a sensual new work-out based on the movie promises to give you the time of your life, with your clothes on.
Jump to the beat with this fat-burning, low-impact aerobic class. Urban rebounding uses a mini-trampoline to improve balance, strengthen muscles and build cardiovascular stamina.
Love those fad-tastic DVDs that promise celebrity bodies? Tracy Anderson is the latest fitness guru in Tinseltown with her method being responsible for many A-list abs. Now, we mortals can get just as sculpted as Madonna with her simple two-hour-a-day, six-days-a-week program.
These creative takes on exercise could only be found in: UK: The WAG work-out. This cardio routine promises bodies like footballers’ wives, so you too can snag your premiership partner. Requirements? A lack of sensible clothing and a love of bubblegum pop.
US: The High Heel work-out. Strut your stuff and groove to the beat in your Jimmy Choos. The routine assures buns of steel by performing a series of lower-body exercises.
Japan: Karaoke work-outs. For that total body work-out, karaoke cardio keeps you motivated by exercising those vocal chords as well as the major muscles groups. Related: Avoid diet fat traps
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