Hot new trends are constantly cropping up in every aspect of our lives, from fashion, food, and music, all the way to fitness. Which sizzling new trends are right for you? Whether you are looking for a fun new exercise to spice up your fitness program, or ways to reduce stress, lose weight, or enhance your sports performance, you should know the benefits and risks before you start. Fitness is an evolving and constantly innovating industry.
During the past decade there has emerged a wealth of activities and equipment that were barely recognized or never imagined 25 years ago. Have you ever wondered how the fitness industry keeps creating new forms of exercise? Have you pondered about the combination of exercises your trainer teaches you? Read on, you are about to learn more than you ever thought possible about fitness trends, modes of exercise, and creative ways to stay fit. Often times a new fitness trend is spurred on for modifications to existing fitness disciplines. New trends can also just be in the creative minds of a fast-thinking marketing department. Either way the latest innovations keep us excited about getting in shape and a welcome detour from impending boredom. There are as many theories on exercise and fitness as there are so-called experts. Any way you slice it, time and time again, it is proven that a sound exercise regimen is the way to a healthy life. So what are some emerging trends in fitness? There are more on the rise than on the decline. Regardless of the latest trend or infomercial, one thing is certainly evolving with both for the consumer and the fitness professional, and that is education. For the consumer, it's more about "caveat emptor" - let the buyer beware. It's important to see if the product being marketed has inherent value or is just a marketing department's dream come true. Look to see if the claims seem too lofty for what seems too simplistic an exercise. Here is a great example: There are numerous abdominal exercise devices that show dramatic claims of washboard abs in just weeks. Remember, if it was that easy, we would all have incredible abs. What they fail to mention is that the models are carefully selected for their body structure, which will show results more rapidly. The after photos are enhanced with better lighting, sheen of oil, and shaving the model's bodies to show muscular definition. In addition, they were likely placed on a lower carbohydrate diet and given diuretics for a couple days before the shoot to further enhance the desired "after" look. Education for the fitness professional needs to come in the form of continuing education by way of workshops, distance learning, advanced degrees, and listening to others who have worldly advice to offer. All too frequently trainers believe they have all the answers. Only wise instructors realize that the more they are taught, the more they have yet to learn.
We talk a lot about fitness. But how much aware are we? How much abreast with the latest trends and researches abroad are we? Is sufficient happening in the field of fitness? Today the West is turning to us and getting inspiration from out age-old fitness regimes like yoga and is combining it with Pilates to develop yogilates. Bhangra aerobics is first being practiced in US. But we are blissfully unaware of these regimes. N number of gyms and spas are mushrooming all over India. We hear about services like, meditation, reiki, acupressure, aroma therapy. Kalarippayat Classes are very popular in south India. Aerobics and step aerobics are gaining fame too. Let's view some less known but very exciting, hot, new, fitness regimes and gadgets. Bosu When you introduce an idea into the world of fitness, you can't expect it to stay the same. It may sprout several heads, mix with other ideas and give birth to hybrids. Or others may dissect it and refine it. Some time back, the inflated half-dome with a flat rubber base, at its inventor's booth received curious looks. There was no companion exercise regimen utilizing Bosu (both sides up). Yet, fitness experts figured it out. This year, instructors showed that step moves and abdominal and core stability exercises can be applied to the Bosu. Bosu has two functional surfaces to integrate dynamic balance with functional or sports specific training. The burst resistant dome can be used for balance, core stability, cardio and Proprioceptive training. It can be used platform side up for push-ups or seated exercises. Indoor group cycling or spin cycling This format can provide a good cardiovascular workout for a wide variety of fitness levels. Pilates While there's still the classic Pilates practice, its principles are being applied to other regimens. There's Pilates in the pool (aqualates) Pilates on the exercise ball and various permutations of Pilates like yogilates. Other equipments Equipment Is Almost Universally Used. There are few calisthenics classes or closed kinetic chain exercises that do not use equipment. From mats for yoga to balls, steps and tubing or Thera band for a circuit, equipment is an intrinsic part of most exercise routines. Some equipment, like barbell & dumbbells, hasn't really changed in years. But instructors have innovated new methods to use equipment, and companies have followed with updated designs. For keeping a consumer challenged and interested, new equipment is a vital tool. Mind you, these are not fads. These are very effective exercising tools and options, developed after a lot of research and are gaining popularity world over. There has also been a rise in stability balls and they are now staples in personal training.
Physio roll
Apart from that to offer challenge in balance and stability, trainers are using, physio roll, moving step, ramp, bosu, stability trainer medicine balls, reflex balls, thera bands, trampoline, etc. These are very innovative, inexpensive, light weight and portable exercising tools. Most of them, except ramp and trampoline are within Rs. 2000. Not only do they make the exercises so challenging and fun, but you also achieve your target on the bull's eye. Done under careful supervision of a qualified trainer, they can work on all the parts of the body and cover whole range of activities - be it cardiovascular or strength or stretch and flexibility or even rehabilitation.
Swiss ball Also known as stability ball or exercise ball are heavy duty inflatable vinyl balls which are brightly colored and grouped in size according to the height of the person. These can support up to 600 pounds of weight. Therapy with these balls promotes flexibility, balance, vestibular stimulation, Strengthening, coordination, proprioception and neuromuscular learning. These balls can be used to challenge any age patient, including those with neurological, orthopedic, cardiac, sports medicine, chronic pain and postpartum diagnose.
The innovative physio-roll provides all the benefits of the ball therapy, but with limited movement for added stability. By limiting movement in two planes, the physio roll provides patients with greater security and stability, encouragement, through movement and more effective treatment. These can be used for paediatric to geriatric patients. Not all new fitness formats make sense at first. Sometimes it takes diligent practice to get into the flow of the movements. If a flow is never attained, two things must be considered. First, your instructor may not be qualified to teach this type of physical activity. Secondly, the new form of exercise may have some flaws such as poor biomechanics or lack of a logical progression in the way it's structured or designed to be taught. In closing, I remind all of you to try something new and exciting that comes your way. I believe that when your mind is bored with your current form of exercise, your body has been bored for some time. Make exercise an experience and not just a ritual.
(The author is a certified personal fitness trainer)
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