Top Fitness Trends For 2015
Make 2015 be your BEST fitness year yet with our top 5 picks of the most effective and fun new ways to move your body, tone up and score that addictive, daily endorphin hit. Which style are you going to try first?
#1 - Fusion Classes
When it comes to exercise, we want it all! If a single workout could give you toned arms, a perky butt, flat abs and a double dose of both energy and calmness, would that be too much to ask?Hello fusion fitness – workouts that combine at least two different disciplines (for example the pairing of yoga and cardio, or even boxing and pilates). These fusions make the most of the time you have, challenge your muscles in new ways and reignite your motivation by spicing up workout styles you love but may have done to death.We’ve been inspired by this new trend at BUF HQ and have just added YOGA HIIT and BOXANA to our weekly timetable. Here’s what that means… YOGA HIITCombining yoga with high intensity interval training (HIIT) to not only get your heart rate up and burn calories, but work on your strength, flexibility and balance. You spend a few minutes in a yoga flow sequence, then switch it up with a few minutes of high intensity drills, like burpees, squats and core work, before diving back into another flow sequence. Talk about a time saver! The class even wraps up with a teeny bit of meditation, leaving you feeling calm and strong. Namaste! BOXANAThis hybrid class is a dream combo of our legendary Ass & Abs class and boxing. Think cardio bursts of boxing, interspersed with butt and ab toning drills. Killer arms, check! Stress buster, check! Tight abs and butt, check! Happy from head to toe…CHECK!
#2 - Short Workouts
Do you cringe at the thought of a long, one-hour slog at the gym? Add being time poor to the equation and before you know it, 8PM rocks around and you’ve missed the session you wanted to squeeze in to undo the evils of those 6-8 hours spent sitting at your desk!If this is happening to you more often than you’d like, guess what? 10-20-minutes of exercise each day IS enough and the growing popularity of short-burst workouts proves it – sometimes less equals more. TRY THISSpend one minute on each exercise and repeat for 2-3 rounds. Work hard, it’ll only take you 10-15 minutes and the more you push the pace, the more effective your session will be!
- Squats
- Mountain Climbers
- Lateral Lunges
- Run, Skip, or High Knees on the spot
- Burpees
#3 - 3D Movement Training
Most fitness programs focus on the same old movements, performed countless times. If you’re bored of squats, push-ups and hauling heavy weights around, try “shifting” rather than “lifting”.This basically means moving your body through all the possible planes of motion; sagittal (up/down), frontal (sideways) and transverse (twisting/rotating), as well as incorporating movement patterns into your routine, rather than just plain ol’ exercises.So instead of a push-up, you might perform a crawl that merges into a push-up, which turns into a twist, before evolving into a plank and ending in a sideways squat-jump and a cross-body reach. Phew!This kind of workout will have you huffing and puffing before you can say, “I’m such a BUF Girl!” and once you’ve mastered it, you can add fun fitness tools, like ViPR, TRX and kettlebells, to make it even tougher! Our BUF sessions incorporate a lot of 3D movements already and if you want to try it with more equipment check out our sister business AGOGA.
#4 - HIIT
For those in the know, this may already be part of your fitness arsenal. For those who already train at BUF it most definitely is! It stands for High Intensity Interval Training and is one of the most effective and versatile ways to train. The best part? You only need to do it 2-3 times a week to see results!HIIT has you working really intensely for a period of time, then taking adequate enough recovery to bring your heart rate back down, before repeating the ‘high intensity’ part again.The concept can be applied to any type of workout (bootcamp, cycling, running, boxing and dance are all examples) and most fitness levels can give it a red-hot go, although beginners should steer clear of this one until they build up a basic level of conditioning. TRY THISComplete the below as quickly as you can within the minute, with the remaining time used for rest. For example, if it takes you 40 seconds to finish, you’ll get 20 seconds of rest. Start on the minute, every minute, for 10-15 minutes, depending on your fitness level.HIIT, bodyweight AND a short workout all in one… you are so on trend!In 60 seconds:
- 5 x Chest to Floor Burpees
- 10 x Push Ups (on your knees is fine!)
- 15 x Squats
#5 - Online Programs
Gone are the days of Aerobics Oz Style on TV, or Jane Fonda DVDs. Web-based workouts and online programs are now providing inspiration, coaching and guidance for anyone, anywhere.More people every day are signing up to online challenges, or tuning in to workout videos and apps online, because there is something totally appealing about having the option to workout in your own home, with support and accountability just a click away.The social side of online programs totally rocks too. The knowledge and motivation you get being part of a community of people with similar goals is priceless - who doesn’t want a virtual high five when they smash out a workout, or say no to that piece of birthday cake doing the rounds in the office?If you’re keen to join the revolution, jump in to the next round of bufgirl.com, it all kicks off on the 9th of February.