Exercise is the key to weight loss and toning-up, dieting can only do so much in the fight against fat. Here are six new fitness trends that will get you excited about exercise again…
Want to push your fitness to the extreme? Read ELLE's Extremist Avril Mair's marathon training feature in ELLE's April issue, out 9 March...
TRX Suspension Training
Best for: toning and building lean muscle
What is it? The TRX is basically a nylon strap attached to a metal frame which is supplied at gyms (or you can buy the straps separately to use at home). TRX stands for Total Body Resistance (don’t ask us how...); you use the straps, along with your own body weight and gravity, to move your body into different positions working different muscle groups as you go. You can use the TRX to do pull-ups, bicep curls, pikes and deltoid raises, in fact there are over 300 exercises that you can do. Celebrity Fitness Trainer Matt Roberts says, ‘The TRX and other suspension trainers are brilliant. They’re suitable for anyone. You can use them to get a really full body workout and they’re a brilliant fallback if you are pushed for space/time/kit.’
Celebrity Fan: Gwen Stefani
TRX Suspension Training is available at Virgin Active Clubs. virginactive.co.uk
Kranking
Best for: toning your arms
What is it? A Krank Cycle is just like a spinning machine, but for your arms. It’s bought to us by Johnny G who invented the spinning bikes and works in the same way – high-repetition and adjustable resistance. So, instead of peddling with your legs, you peddle with your arms during the 30-minute class. Gyms also offer them in with the rest of the cardio equipment, so you can krank in your own time too. As well as toning, Kranking burns loads of calories (a 30 minute class burns the same calories as a 30 minute run at a 10 minute-mile pace), as well as building lean muscle and burning fat. Bye, bye bingo wings.
Celebrity Fan: Jennifer Lopez
Barefoot Running
Best for: improving your running and preventing injury
What is it? ‘The traditional way of running is with a heel striking the ground first to absorb the impact, but with Barefoot Running or Natural Running, the emphasis is put on the fore foot or mid foot, allowing the natural arch of the foot to take the force’ explains Gareth Cole, Head of Education at The Third Space Health Club. There is little research on Barefoot Running, but it is thought that running through the heel is like braking with force on each step, whereas running on the middle of the foot allows for a smoother, more fluid run. And according to barefoot runner, Christopher McDougall running shoes ‘warp our natural stride, encourage bad form, and lead to injuries’. Of course, running barefoot isn’t ideal on the grubby streets of Britain compared to say the Californian coastline, but shoe makers Vibram have created a Barefoot Running Shoe which works like a second skin. If you want to give it a go, Gareth says ‘It is essential that a full biomechanical assessment along with a gait analysis must be completed before you start’.
Celebrity fan: Jake Gyllenhaal and Scarlett Johansson
Vibram Five Fingers Ksos Womens Barefoot Running Shoe, from £98.99 at barefootjunkie.co.uk
To find out more read Christopher McDougall’s Born to Run [£8.99, Profile Books], from Amazon .
Jacobs Ladder
Best for: Anyone prone to injury who still wants a cardio workout
What is it? The Jacobs Ladder is a revolving ladder set at a 40 degree incline. It was invented for people recovering from injury (back, hip, knee, ankle) but who still want to work out; the Jacobs Ladder offers low-impact cardio and strength benefits. Celebrity fitness trainer Patrick Murphy (he hones the bodies of actress Olivia Wilde and Eva Longoria) says ‘The trend in fitness is that people who truly understand the body and human movement are using less and less seated machines in their workout programs’. On the Jacobs Ladder, each climbing stroke forces you into a long, dynamic move ensuring a full range of motion, so you work multiple muscle groups at one time, meaning you can tone up your arms, legs, bum and core - fast. Studies show that exercise that uses both arms and legs requires more energy use, which means more calories are burnt. Oh and it’s good fun too.
Celebrity Fans: Jessica Biel
Fitness First is trialling the Jacobs Ladder at its Poole and Cheltenham clubs. fitnessfirst.co.uk
ViPR
Best for: burning calories and toning up in one
What is it? The ViPR is one of the most versatile pieces of exercise kit on the market. A cylindrical rubber tube, it comes in seven weights from 4-20kg and there are around 9000 exercises you can do with this modest-looking tool. The ViPR was masterminded by Olympic Trainer Michol Dalcourt and is super versatile; it has the same functionality as a barbell, dumbbell, kettlebell, stability ball and medicine ball all-in-one. The equipment originates from the idea of Whole Body Integration (WBI) which focuses on the importance of training the body as a whole (and to mimic real life movement), rather than isolating certain areas, which can be boring and lead to uneven muscle tone. Over time the ViPR can help to increase flexibility, balance, tone, strength, as well as burning fat and calories.
Celebrity Fan: Jenna Ushkowitz from Glee
ViPRs are available in Fitness First Gyms nationwide. fitnessfirst.co.uk
Gravity Training
Best for: building lean muscle and boosting metabolism
What is it? Gravity training (yoga, running and resistance training) is a big trend right now, but not all forms have been well received; Matt Roberts says, ‘Some gravity training I find absolutely pointless, like gravity yoga, others such as gravity treadmills have a great use’. One form that does really work is Gravity Training Nuffield Health Fitness & Wellbeing Centres has introduced Gravity Blast classes, which is performed on equipment called a Gravity Training System (GTS), to its centres. The GTS looks similar to a Pilates Reformer, but you can set it 8 different incline levels, so you are working against gravity for a tougher workout. The class is basically weight training and the GTS can potentially work every muscle in your body (although not all in one class). ‘Gravity Training also allows a more diverse and broad range of movements (over 200 different exercises) providing a low-impact but intense, strenuous workout – perfect for gaining overall body strength and toning’ explains Sean McBurney, Fitness & Wellbeing Manager, Nuffield Health.
Celebrity Fan: Coleen Rooney
Gravity Training is available at selected Nuffield Health Fitness & Wellbeing Centres. nuffieldhealth.com
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