NEW FITNESS TRENDS
By Dominic Moody (January 2004)

Keen to get back in shape but can't face the prospect of hours spent mindlessly pumping iron or pedalling an exercise cycle? It seems you're not alone, because over the last year, there's been something of a sea-change in the types of health and fitness class on offer at gyms and fitness centres. And while there's still plenty of the 'traditional' activities on offer, a growing number of centres now offer options that target the mind as well as the body, whether via relaxation techniques or through activities that introduce elements of dance or performance.

The former can be traced back to the recent explosion in popularity of yoga. With Geri Halliwell championing its take-up, yoga has become a huge hit at health clubs and Robin Gargrave, director of the YMCA's Fitness Industry Training programme, says that off-shoots of yoga, with an emphasis on the mind as well as the body, are winning ever more converts. "The main thing is the more holistic mind/body workout," he says. "You have Yogawise, for example, which is an adaptation of yoga postures for health and fitness purposes.

"In fact, there are lots of classes that borrow from yoga, like Body Balance, a body training system that's really hot at the moment. The classes concentrate on skills like balance, muscular strength, flexibility and stretching but they also try to focus the mind - so it's not about mindless sitting around on an exercise bike."

But does that mean chanting 'om' while in the middle of your stretching exercises? No, says Robin: "Typically, very simple breathing techniques and the calming voice of the instructor will be used to focus the participant on the muscles being worked. It's not a spiritual approach, like yoga, so much as an attempt to make a mind/body connection. It's not just about thrashing yourself, it's much more about working with your body and calming the mind at the same time."

Robin says that another trend that has taken off in a big way is classes that work on posture. "Techniques such as Swiss Balls are becoming very popular," he explains. "They're exercise balls - if you can imagine a big inflatable plastic ball, four times bigger than a beach ball, you're getting the idea. You do exercises using the ball, sitting and laying on it in very slow, controlled movements, to develop your deep postural muscles, concentrating particularly on the trunk."

Another class that continues to grow in popularity is the Alexander Technique, a method to improve ease and freedom of movement, balance, support and coordination via a 're-education' of our movement habits. But if this is starting to sound a bit too easy-going for a New Year exercise regime, it could be that there are some more lively options available at a centre near you.

In fact, some may appear to bear little relation to our 'traditional' image of a cardiovascular class altogether, with everything from pole and belly dancing to trapeze classes taking on a new lease of life as a popular - and entertaining - alternative to step or circuit training.

"We've been doing trapeze classes for 10 years, but in the last few years we've seen interest really grow," says Rob Colebert, adult programme manager at London circus skills school The Circus Space. Trapeze famously got top 'trendy' rating after Sex and the City's Carrie took it up as a new way of toning up, and it seems that in London at least, there are plenty of fitness fans who've taken note.

"Gym is great at supplementing strength and conditioning for other purposes, like sport," says Rob, "but it can be boring. And we get people on the course who regularly say that it's so much more fun than gym. "It gets you fit, it's great for toning and overall strength, as well as stability and spatial and body awareness. It's a great one to do if you're clumsy!" He adds: "The other thing is that you get an end-result with trapeze, as you would do with dance - you can see yourself improve and show off your skills."

And while the YMCA may not yet be offering members the opportunity for glory on the flying trapeze, there's certainly the chance for 15 minutes - or 45 - of fame with the burgeoning popularity of dance. "Dance-style choreography is back in again and it's very big," says Robin Gargrave. "It's the Kids From Fame-style stuff, very vigorous and dynamic. And yes, leg-warmers and headbands are back in again too!"

'BOLLYWOOD WORKOUT' EXERCISE VIDEO

Britain is currently being bedazzled by all things Bollywood. With Europeans having acquired a seemingly insatiable appetite for Indian culture in all its forms (and not just the cuisine!), it seems that the UK cannot get enough of the vibrant colours, passion, glamour and energy of India. To follow this trend, Momentum Pictures has released Honey Kalaria's 'Bollywood Workout', an exercise video and DVD based on the music and dance of the Indian film and dance music industry. read more

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