Get Hip and Get Fit

Today’s hottest fitness trends mix exercise with pop culture and many health clubs are branching out.

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Move over Jazzercise, it’s time for Joneeba! If you thought spinning and Pilates were the latest crazes to hit New York metro health clubs, think again! Today’s hottest fitness trends – many of which are hybrid exercises mixed with pop culture – are bringing more and more people to the gym. For some, it’s a matter of getting hip and getting fit.

Just putting in a DVD and practicing yoga in the living room may seem like enough, but think what practicing bikram yoga – in which moves are made in a room heated to 90 – 120 degrees – would do to your energy bill. It’s incentives like this, along with a host of interesting new fitness classes that are keeping exercise rooms across the country full.

Here’s just a sample of some of the latest exercise classes popping up at health clubs:

Joneeba – incorporates floor exercises, yoga and African dance
Stiletto Strength – combines pilates and strength training with 3-inch heels
Budokon – involves marital arts, yoga and meditation
Forza – blends two Japanese sword training techniques
Indo-Row – indoor rowing
Yoga Ride – combination of spinning and yoga
Masala Bhangra – blends high-energy folk dance with traditional dance steps, Bollywood moves, salsa and hip-hop
IntenSati – promotes balanced living through meditation and martial arts
Rope Burn – involves a variety of boxing techniques (jumping rope, medicine balls, etc.) with in- and outdoor boxing

Why all these new workout routines? Overall, something like Pilates can get boring and repetitive. As a result, many health clubs are branching out and combining activities that not only keep exercising fun, but also target two key elements that people look for in exercise – fast results and classes tailored to clients’ interests. And classes that incorporate exercise with culture is a great way for clubs to keep members engaged.

So regardless of your idea of fitness, chances are there’s a club out there (and probably near you) with classes that will get your heart pumping and feet moving.

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