Fitness In Vogue
Here’s to a New Year of health and fitness!So you have resolved to try something new.Like the latest trends in fashion, fitness also has its current “vogue.” What follows is a list of ten suggested fitness activities that may represent an opportunity for you to try something new as we enter into 2014:
1. High Intensity Training HIT: Working out as hard as you can for short bursts followed by a shorter, less intense period.
2. Suspension Training: Uses a system of ropes to allow the user to work against their own body weight. Works the body on multiple planes. Examples are TRX and Core Suspend. Aerial fitness is also gaining in popularity and is based on the same principles
3. Group Personal Training: Sharing training sessions and the cost of them with a fitness professional. Examples: Gyms, health clubs and boutique- style studios typically offer private and group sessions.
4. Outdoor Group Fitness: Can be done alone or in groups. Examples: Running, walking, cycling and winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding.
5. Indoor Group Fitness: Group sessions on fixed bikes are attracting cyclists of all abilities.
6. Yoga and Pilates: Mind body fitness offered in group classes or one-on- one instruction with or without equipment. Yoga and pilates studios are the most popular destination for this specific type of practice.
7. Barre Training: A combination of some ballet, weights and core training.
8. Weight Training: Use of weight to generate resistance to develop the strength and size of muscle. Many sports use strength training as part of the regimen.
9. Fitness Programs for Older Adults: Low intensity, safe and mindful type exercises such a aquatics, tai chi and pilates that can be programmed towards the age population of 60 years and older.
10. Cross Fitness: Strength and conditioning to the extreme! Typically conducted in a group fitness type setting.
Remember that in your quest for “appearing fit” and “feeling well,” the number one motivator to your success will be you! Almost any fitness activity or type that you choose will become a fad unless it is something that you are passionate about and it brings you the results you want.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of gimmicks in the fitness industry. Look for exercise programs that are backed by solid research and are accredited by a reputable certifying body for fitness/health professionals, which represents an effective means to safely make progress at a consistent pace and one that produces the results that are appropriate and right for you. The key is to be the best that you can be!
Resolve to invest in you and to find and do what you love. The fastest way will be to surround yourself with something that brings you joy and a sense of well-being. Surround yourself with passionate people that motivate and inspire you to achieve your fitness goals. Reward yourself with milestones and take inventory of what you have already achieved. For example, when you realize that you can run a mile, then two miles, five miles... a marathon can be within your reach! Nothing is impossible.
We are capable of achieving many things—here’s to a new year of health and fitness! May your trends become your good habits and your habits reflect mindful and healthy living for 2014 and beyond. Remember that slow and steady wins the race!
Monica Hoekstra
Society Magazine – February 2014
