Fusion workouts (those that mix two disciplines) are hot news over the pond in LA and New York and now theyre breaking into the UK too. By combining two exercises you work harder but will see results much faster - a fitness 2-for-1 if you like. Here is ELLEs pick of the six best
We told you about Kranking a while back. Masterminded by the same man, Johnny G, who invented Spin bikes, Kranking works your arms in exactly the same way. Krank Fusion is a high intensity interval class combining the use of Krank cycles and spin bikes, it’s just 30 minutes and you alternate between the two. You tone your legs and arms while burning calories, plus interval training is proven to supercharge your fitness levels, burning more calories and fat faster than performing one exercise solidly for 30 minutes (clever). Ideal for lunch breaks, or if you can’t bear to spend any more time in the gym than necessary!
Krank Fusion at Virgin Active, Membership from £55 per month virginactive.co.uk
Cardiolates is another form of interval training, but carried out on Pilates reformers. The hour-long class includes the usual toning and strength exercises, working a range of muscles in the arms and legs, while constantly working the core; however there are intermittent bursts of cardio too. These come from jump boards attached at the foot end of the reformers. The base moves up and down the bed, and by placing your feet against the board, you can 'jump' away from it – which really raises the heart rate. For fans of reformer Pilates this still works fast to build lean muscle, but the added element of the cardio strips fat faster leading to quicker, more visible results.
Cardiolates, £25 per class or £200 for ten; pilateshq.co.uk
Gymbox is well-known for its creative spin on traditional aerobics classes. Ballet Barre Conditioning is ideal for anyone who wants the figure of a ballerina without the stress of traditional training (did you see Black Swan?) The class fuses ballet with weight conditioning so, for example, you could be standing in first position and doing a plies whilst performing a bicep curl with a 2kg weight. The class is intense and the music is upbeat so you work up a sweat burning calories and building lean muscle fast. It’s especially good for anyone who did ballet as a child and knows the basics, but beginners are welcome too.
Ballet Barre Conditioning at Gymbox. Membership prices are from £62
If you thought boxing was for men, then think again. This is one sport that can give you incredibly lean, toned arms and shoulders – a must, especially in the summer. Boxer-circuit is just that so instead of doing the traditional squats at one station, sit-ups at the next and so on, you will be using a punch bag or sparring with a partner or alternating between jabs and hooks. The boxing part focuses on the arms and shoulders, but thanks to the circuit concept you’ll also develop strength, stamina and burn calories as you move around constantly for an hour.
Boxer-circuit at David Lloyd. To find you nearest club, visit the website davidlloyd.co.uk...
A couple of years ago barely anyone in the UK had heard of Zumba, but now the Latin-inspired dance classes are in practically every gym. Now Nuffield has taken the concept of Zumba to the swimming pool. Aqua Zumba has the same feel as a traditional class and it’s still cardio-based, but dancing against the water adds a toning element to the workout, so you lose weight while toning up. Plus, if rhythm isn’t your strong suit, no one will know if you drop a couple of steps as all your moves will be hidden under the water. Genius!
Aqua Zumba is available in selected Nuffield Health Fitness & Wellbeing Centres, find your nearest Centre at nuffieldhealth.com
It is unlikely cheerleading would have been on the timetable at your school (unless you’re reading this in the US) but if you liked the look of it, now you can factor it into your weekly workouts. Cheerobics is just as it sounds - a blend of cheerleading and aerobics. In the hour class you spend 10 minutes warming up, work through a simple 30 minute routine, followed by 10 minutes of strength before stretching. The dance moves are simple so anyone can learn them, plus they’re designed to maximise your fat-burning potential so you use up to 700 calories per class (impressive) – all while shaking your pom poms.
Classes in Richmond, from £4, cheerobics.net. Nationwide classes launching from July/August.
ASICS' Inspiring New Campaign
ELLE UK Launches New Fitness Podcast: Why I… Move
How 6 Professional Trainers Found Their Purpose
Jason Responds To Kate Dating Rumours