Resolution weary? 8 workouts that might rev up your routine | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
Subscribe

Would you like to subscribe to our newsletter?

Resolution weary? 8 workouts that might rev up your routine

MIAMI - It's only mid-January and dedication to that New Year's fitness resolution may be seriously waning. Relaxe. Maybe it's time to try something new — live DJs, fog machines, raves, obstacle courses, even cocktails.

A few ideas for fitness that goes way beyond the treadmill and free weights:

MORNING RAVES

It's like going to the coolest club but with endorphins instead of a hangover.

Daybreaker hosts monthly raves in 15 cities including Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles and New York. Each party includes an hour-long workout that varies from an obstacle course to '80's themed aerobics followed by two hours of free-style dancing. Every event has a theme like ugly sweater party or '90s dress up.

Don't let the 6:30 am call time for Morning Gloryville 's four-hour dance party turn you off. The parties include free massage, organic coffee, a smoothie bar and yoga, as well as costumed performers who offer motivational tips. Available in in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Colorado and New York.

And if you're looking for a more regular dance party for a daily workout, try 305 Fitness in New York, Washington and Boston. There's always a live DJ and they throw in a few minutes of leg and arm exercises on alternating days.

IF YOU GO: Daybreaker cost between $20 and $35 a class. 305 Fitness single classes start at $32. Morning Gloryville prices are around $16.

Colour RUN

If you're not a runner, keep reading. This is a no-pressure event. Their motto pretty much says it all. "Less about your 10-minute-mile and more about having the time of your life." Walk, run or skip through the 5-kilometre event while being doused in colour powders. After you finish, take your rainbow covered body over to their insane party once the sun goes down.

IF YOU GO: There are dozens of events across the U.S. Basic entry fee is $25. Wear white.

UNDERWATER BIKING

Riding a bike underwater sounds easy, right? Not so much. Water's zero-gravity-feeling is perfect for people with muscular, joint or obesity problems. Water offers an extra layer of resistance while its buoyancy supports the joints. Translation: A high-intensity cardio and body toning workout that will leave you a lot less sore. The trend has been popular in Europe in recent years and is just starting to catch on in the U.S. New York's Aqua studio 's salt water pool draws celebrities, Miami just opened a sleek new centre called Element Aqua and West Hartford, Connecticut has Cornerstone Aquatics Center .

IF YOU GO: You need special water shoes but you can rent them at most studios for a small fee. Some studios require showers before entering the water. Class prices vary at studios but most start around $20.

BUNGEE FITNESS

Crunch gyms are taking the fear out of flying with a new bungee class that uses gravity. Think planks with a bungee belt around your waist, allowing you to lift your arms and legs in the air at the same time and then back to plank position on the ground. The elastic bungee harness can make the workout more challenging or also reduce impact on your joints depending on the move.

IF YOU GO: You must be a member of Crunch gyms to take a class. Bungee classes are being offered in New York, Los Angeles, Miami and San Francisco.

LYRA

It's Cirque du Soleil meets the gym. Giant hula loops known as lyras are suspended from the ceiling. Learn choreographed movements while getting a core workout as you twist and turn through the aerial hoop. You'll even perform a grand finale at the end. Lyra is also part of Crunch's new class lineup being offered in New York, Miami, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

IF YOU GO: Leggings and gloves are recommended.

IMAX SPIN

Just when you thought the spinning craze couldn't evolve any further than cool lightning and Hamilton-themed classes. IMAXShift , yes as in the movie theatres, recently opened a spinning class in Brooklyn. Participants will feel like they are cycling through the solar system, soaring over the coasts of Hawaii or pedaling to the beat with music-reactive visuals timed to the instructor's choreography in a sensory overload experience. Oh yeah, there's also a Beyonce and Jay-Z mash-up class. Mic drop.

IF YOU GO: Costs $35 for a 45-minute class. Currently only in Brooklyn but plans for expanding to several locations along the east coast like Boston and Washington later this year.

SWITCH PLAYGROUND

What other workout requires special effect? Instructors lead group classes through a playground of activities with a partner stopping at various stations to work on a boxing bag, rowers or stability balls for two minutes before moving to the next station. Sounds like a pretty standard high intensity interval training class so far, but this one's got a live DJ, a darkened room lit with lasers and a fog machine.

IF YOU GO: Switch has two locations in South Africa, one in New York with a second location opening there later this month and more studios planned around the country. Classes start at $35.

YOGA WITH A TWIST

There really is a yoga class for everybody these days. Steven Metz mixes virtual reality in an immersive yoga class at his Los Angeles studio with projected images of majestic canyons, twinkling galaxies and other serene pictures during his heated yoga classes. New York's Retox studio hosts monthly wine tastings after class. Many studios around the country, including the Shakti Shala in Aspen, Colorado, offer classes with live DJs. Black lights and glo sticks are becoming more common. Yoga classes for those with medical marijuana cards are popping up in a handful of cities and many cities have studios that offer the combo of yoga in craft breweries.

IF YOU GO: Check the schedules at your local yoga studios for offerings.

News from © The Associated Press, 2017
The Associated Press

  • Popular vernon News
View Site in: Desktop | Mobile