Five Alternative and Unusual Fitness Classes!

If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done.

Thomas Jefferson

If you’re anything like me, there’s only so many spin classes or circuits you can do in the Gym before you get really bored and start to think feck this for a game of soldiers! A dangerous frame of mind, which is why I try a range of stuff to keep me on the straight and narrow, some gym, some running, some Pilates or yoga however, even that sometimes tests my motivation! I’m lucky though, the gym I’m a member of does try lots of different types of classes and outside that, being in a big city, there’s lots of independent clubs or studios that do a variety of different activities. Here’s a few I’ve tried and enjoyed!

Barre Fitness

Barre fitness is an exercise style that takes influences from yoga, pilates and ballet to create a high intensity but relatively low impact workout suitable for any age. You’ll work through a series of poses and stretches designed to improve your flexibility and overall body strength by holding each position for an extended period of time and pushing your muscles to the max.

This may seem like a simple workout to begin with, but working with the barre will certainly put your muscles to the test! As alternative fitness classes in the UK go, this one is fairly common in the bigger cities where dance studios already have a barre to practice with, there’s lots in London but be careful of the price, I’ve seen it a cheap as £10 a session up to £40, robbing so and so’s!!

Pole Fitness

I first discovered this on a hen weekend and really enjoyed it, then found a studio that offers it! It may seem like a strange fitness class to begin with, but pole fitness has become hugely popular over the last decade as both a fitness trend and confidence booster.

Pole fitness isn’t all about looking good - but it’s certainly a bonus! This is a deceptively intense whole-body workout that will leave you feeling the burn all over the next day. You’ll be building practical strength as you climb the pole and hold various positions with your arms and legs, making it a great form of strength training.

You’ll also have the option to increase the difficulty by moving from a static to a spin pole, which means you’ll have to consider how both you and the pole moves to pull off your routine.

Boxercise

Boxercise is a largely non-contact version of boxing that involves all of the intensity with less bruises! In these weird fitness classes, you’ll be learning punches and jabs in different combinations either with a partner or in the air to engage your body and your brain. It’s a fun and interactive exercise style that encourages confidence physically and mentally.

Boxercise is also easily turned into a one-on-one class with a trainer that is focussing purely on you and your progress. You’ll be able to get more specific advice on your form and fitness than you would in a group session.

In fairness, this is actually quite common now across the UK, my gym has been offering it for a few years now!

80s Aerobics

Do you love to dance and have an affinity for Lycra and leg warmers? If so, 80s style aerobics is just the quirky fitness class for you! This throwback workout style combines cardio and callisthenics to build your fitness and endurance, all whilst blasting classic 80s hits to get you pumped and motivated.

Dancing is well known as one of the best ways to reduce stress, and the sometimes complicated choreography of aerobics engages the mind and encourages you to let go and enjoy yourself. If you do want to have a go… please enter into the spirit and wear the leg warmers, just adds to the fun!

Disco Spin

We all know that riding a bike is one of the best ways to get fit but you have to admit it can get pretty monotonous. So, why not liven things up and do it to disco music?

Whilst glitter and flares are not required, Disco Spin takes all of the energy from popular disco tunes to pump you up for your spin class. If you don’t like cycling in the winter in the cold and rain, indoor cycling classes are a great way to keep up your cycling routine all year round.

With a regular spin class, you can expect intense acceleration drills over the flats and high gear inclines that will get your heart pumping and your body sweating. It’s a great low impact cardio workout that is easier on the knees than running, but maintains the same intensity.

By adding in some choreographed dance moves and music from the 70s and 80s, Disco Spin is one of the most fun alternative fitness classes out there!

So, if your Mojo is waning but you want to get going again… try something a little different! I recently came across something called Disco Yoga, I’ve not tried it yet however, if it’s as much fun as it sounds, I might revisit this topic!

What’s on this week?