For many, the New Year brings stark determination to improve one's health and overall well-being. It also brings the search for new twists and innovations to keep one's fitness routine from becoming exactly that: “routine.” The body's incredible ability to adapt is the reason why variety and change are needed to improve one's fitness. Doing the same thing repeatedly without change results in plateaus. Some of the latest and most innovative trends, ideas and tools exist right here in the Valley.
Pound
Who Should Try It
Anyone who likes great music, wants to “rock out in their workout,” get a great core, arm and leg workout while having fun.
If you thought dance-inspired workouts were limited to Zumba, think again. There is a new genre of classes that are sure to fire up your metabolism, get your heart rate going and challenge your core.
If you've ever found yourself air drumming to a favorite song in your car or at a concert, a Pound class is for you. According to Inner Strength's owner Wendy Strohl, “It's like going to a rock concert and being the drummer.” Using lightly weighted drumsticks called Rip Sticks, the class beats its way through choreographed music ranging from rock to rap and everything in between. Strohl says, “The music makes class go fast and people just have fun.” It is done in three positions: standing, seated and on your back so there is no impact. All levels of fitness can do the class, and adaptations can easily be made. Strohl has had members do the entire class in a seated position. Make no mistake, drumming burns a lot of calories. Waving sticks in the air and moving your body for 45 solid minutes builds stamina, strength and core development.
Where
Inner Strength Fitness StudioPersevere Fitness
Aerial Yoga
Who Should Try It
Those looking for a new experience, and a change from impact-based activities, with added bonuses of aiding in joint hydration and lymph flow. Yogis and non-yogis alike, interested in exploring postures and movement in a safe, suspended, fun environment.
Yoga has proven to be a mainstay in fitness routines and, therefore, continues to evolve and expand into new variations and versions. The newest version? Antigravity yoga.
Imagine hanging from silk hammocks, floating above the mat in various yoga-based postures and defying gravity. Body movements are supported by a suspended hammock, which helps to increase body awareness and allows for movements that may not be as easily achieved in mat-based yoga. Inversion positions are accomplished without risk of spine compression and allow for increased movement that might not be possible otherwise. AntiGravity Yoga Lab owner Kristine McCreary says, “After some simple instruction, students are able to let go of fear, step out of their comfort zone and experience how amazing it feels.”
Where
AntiGravity Yoga LabSteel Fitness Riverport
Ki-Movement Training
Who Should Try It
Anyone who is seeking to move better, whether for improved athletic performance, fitness or daily life, and unlock their movement potential in a new fun way.
Being able to move athletically and without limitations is becoming the latest evolution in fitness. There is an increased awareness and realization that your training and quality of life are only as good as the quality of your movement. Structured training and daily life patterns have limited the true capacity of human movement. Sitting at a desk, poor posture, muscle imbalances and asymmetries create leaks in the systems and can limit how well you move.
The answer is a new breed of training. Ki-Movement Training™ classes are an innovative blend of cutting-edge Ki-Hara Resistance Flexibility training paired with primal-based movements. Using your own body for resistance and ground-based multi-planar movements gets your body to move in ways it may have forgotten. It will immerse you in flexibility, strength and mobility in a fun, dynamic approach. It can look like play, but it is sure to make you sweat, challenge you and redefine what you thought was possible.
Where
Athletic Performance
Who Should Try It
Those with an established level of fitness and form and a desire for intense athletic training, including lifting and explosive movement exercises.
CrossFit and its model of high-athletic performance have shown no signs of slowing down. Incorporating Olympic-style lifting, plyometrics and bodyweight exercises performed at a high intensity, the CrossFit model has created a loyal culture and has influenced the entire fitness industry.
While the high-athletic performance continues to be in demand, there is also a trend toward broadening the experience. South Mountain CrossFit owner Kurt Miller has expanded offerings like cycling and boot camp-style classes that don't have heavy lifting, as well as recovery therapies like massage and chiropractics. Miller says, “We maintain the core values of CrossFit and are able to provide performance level training for competitive athletes, but we also can provide a variety of fitness level training for those interested in improving overall health.”
Where
Christmas City CrossFitCrossFit AdvancedCrossFit AdorationCrossFit Lehigh ValleySouth Mountain CrossFit
Barre3 photo by by Alison Conklin | Pure Barre Bethlehem photo by Colin Coleman
Barre
Who Should Try It
Those seeking to tone muscle in a focused manner without impact, use of heavy weights or traditional lifting.
It may look like you are entering a ballet class, but not to fear; tights or ballet experience are not required for a Barre class. Developed by a former dancer and choreographer, Barre classes use small isometric movements until the muscle is worked to fatigue. It is followed by stretching or incorporating larger movements with the intent to create long, lean muscle. Classes concentrate on often-viewed “problem” areas, including hips, thighs, buttocks, abdominals and arms. Pure Barre™ owner Katie Johnson loves the fact that “Since there is no jumping or pounding, it is very accessible to everyone. We have clients from 17 to 75 years of age.”
Barre classes can vary in approach, with new classes adding larger, faster movements for a greater cardio component and complete body workout.
If you don't have an hour but still want to focus on the hips and core, a 30-minute “Tweek the Cheeks” class at Studio Fitness is an option to tone and tighten those areas around the hips that need a little extra attention. Utilizing bands and bodyweight exercises, the core and hip areas are put to the test in a short concise format.
Where
Barre3Pure Barre BethlehemStudio Fitness
By Susan Bianchi, M.S., Health & Wellness Coach
