Having trouble getting motivated to exercise? Maybe you just need something new to try. There are lots of fun fitness options popping up at gyms and on DVD. So if you’re bored by traditional workouts like dumbbells and running, we’d like to share a little on four workouts we’ve been hearing good things about.
Zumba (pronounced Zoom-ba): If you hate to exercise but love to party, this could be your ideal workout. Imagine Rio’s Carnival without the floats and costumes or the Copacabana without Barry Manilow. This workout combines driving Latin music—mambo, flamenco, calypso, merengue (and no, that’s not pie)—with aerobic dance moves. An instructor leads you through, but the music is so rhythmic that it’s easy to want to move. Cargo pants and tanks are the style. Check your local gym or visit zumba.com for DVDs.
Forza: That’s the Italian word for strength. This workout claims to not only build that but also grace, elegance, focus, and courage. During the class you wield a Samurai sword (don’t worry, it’s wooden) just like Uma Thurman did in Kill Bill. The carefully choreographed movements tone the entire body and burn up to 500 calories an hour. Hey, we know you’re already an everyday warrior, but now you can make it official. To get more info, check out powerstrike.com.
BOSU: This device looks like a big blue Swiss ball that’s been sliced in half. BOSU is an acronym for BOth Sides Utilized, meaning you can use the domed side for lunges, squats, and crunches or flip it over for push-ups. The promise is that exercises become more difficult (and beneficial) on the BOSU because you have to also stabilize your body. It’s designed for at-home or class use and runs about $60 at bosu.com.
Hooping: It’s Hula Hooping only with a twist. The hoops are bigger and heavier, which not only makes them easier to rotate but also provides a better workout—and, some say, a nice stomach and back massage. The hoop (or hoops if you’re really good) can be spun around hips, arms, legs, or neck to rhythmic music in gym studios or living rooms (imagine that!). It’s a calorie-burning, core-toning, fun workout—you can learn more at hooping.org. Enlist the kids!
Comments from Members
I think that I my try the hula hooping. I use to do it as a young girl and I loved it. Why not, try it now for a little change in my routine. Thanks
In the past month I've gone to Zumba AND Hoopnotica classes at our local 24 Hour Fitness and enjoyed both. Also fun calorie burners I've tried in the past month:TaeBoKickboxing and Niaand great body toning classes: Yoga and Pilates
I love Zumba! It is so much fun you forget you are exercising!
I wish we had these classes at my gym! The hula hooping sounds fun!
If you're intersted in hula-hooping and you live in the Cincy area, there's an instructor in Glendale (Diane Meyer) who does the classes outdoors, weather permitting. I've tried the Zumba classes and they are not for me--not coordinated at all!
my daughter and i both go to Zumba twice a week its a blast
I have one of the large weighted hula hoops. I love it, but my little dog hates it. She stands and barks the whole time. I would love to try the BOSU. We use one at work (physical therapy office) but I have nver had the opportunity to try it.
I took a Hula class once and it was a lot harder then you think!
We have a zumba instructor that comes to our office once a week and I love it. It really works you out, but you don't feel like you are doing a workout. It is great for everyone - even if you can't dance! I have 2 left feet
I too wish we had those in our area
I`ve never tried the zumba but it is really easy to get bored while exercising. Something like this might be worth a try. I love Latin music!
I heard about Zumba last week when I stopped the Being Fit place that I belong to. I thought of going, but that's one of my problems, getting motivated to do it. I also belong to the 24 hour fitness here by my house and should check what they have too. Is Zumba hard to learn?I personally do a lot of execising at home. I have a Stable Bike, exercise ball, stair-stepper, elipitical machine, and also a treadmill. I also do yoga and arm and leg weight exercises. Now that I think of it, I even have a hula hoop here at my house and it's been years since I even tried to coordinate doing it. Maybe I should try that too. I had bought mine at a Toys R Us that was just a walk from my home, that went out of business years ago.I didn't realize that they had classes using hoops. Are the normally supplied there are do you have to bring your own?
Wow! This sounds like a really great idea. I love music and it just makes it so much easier to move to the rhythm. I have 2 other pieces of equipment in our small apartement and spent a lot of money for them, but they just set here taking up room. If this would work for both of us, I sure would love to try it. It looks like it takes very little real estate on the floor, too. If we like it, we can get rid of the other monsters in the house!
Im game for BOSU, I do pilates and I could easily work this into my routing for a more focused workout.
I saw a sign for Zumba at a local dance studio. Interesting now I know what it is. Sounds like something I would enjoy!
I love to dance and I've never heard of Zumba. Where can I get one and how does it work?
WOW! I HAVE HEARD OF ZUMBA & I THINK THEY ARE GREAT! :) I JUST WISH I COULD AFFORD ONE! I WOULD LOVE TO GET INTO SHAPE & DANCE DANCE DANCE!!! :)
I can't hula hoop but maybe my daughter could teach me. I'd love to do something new and fun!
I would love to try any one of these.....my husband and I have recently changed our eating habits and have gone mostly Vegan. We now have to start doing some sort of exercise. We are so wanting to loose all this weight that we have put on. We can't do it alonge, BUT with God...ALL things are possible!!
I heard from my mother that hula hooping was a good exercise,I use to be good at it when I was alittle girl wonder can I still do it now?
I have a BoSU its so much easier on my back when doing sit ups... now if i only would use it....
I love Zumba! It's so much fun. You lose yourself in the dancing that it doesn't even feel like exercise! I'd love to try hooping!
I work at a gym that offers the BOSU's and Zumba class. I often see the class going on, plus since I teach our line dancing class for cardio, I have given the instructor some of my "non-country" music and line dance steps to use in her routine. The zumba is simple dance steps incorporated into a dance beat that makes you want swing your hips and burn calories while you are at it. I know our instructor uses the macarena dance with a salsa type music in part of her routine if that gives you an idea. As for the BOSU's, those are great if you wish to strengthen your core. If you take one, stand on the bubble side in the center, and take a moment to get your balance. Then once you have it, lift your right knee to a 90' bend (so your upper leg is parallel to the floor) and hold for 5 seconds. Trust me, it's harder than you think because of the squishiness of the bosu. Your core has to engage to keep you balanced on a non-sturdy surface while you are on one foot. After the 5 seconds is up, bring your foot back down and switch to bringing your left foot up for 5 seconds. Try it and you might be surprised! Good luck!
The Zumba sounds like so much fun. I quickly get tired of the regular workout routine. This might be just the thing to change it up & keep me on track.
Wouild like to try Zumba, How do I get it?MOnique Lussier 860454-8335860-604-9811
