We reached out to our Health & Fitness Expert, Stephanie Mansour (CEO of Step It Up with Steph) for the buzz on some of the hottest fitness trends for 2011. Here’s her take on the top 5 coolest workouts and the best bang for your gym time:
“Depending on what your fitness goals are and what your lifestyle is like, there are many great new ways to get in shape, stay in shape, and even change your body shape!
1. Bootcamp classes are excellent kicks in the booty to lose weight, build strength, and tone up FAST. These classes are great because they utiilize circuit and interval training, which are most important for weightloss. Bootcamps and circuit training work with intervals: one minute you will be doing as many push ups as you can, and the next you’ll be sprinting. By changing up exercises and moving from one thing to another, you’ll never get bored AND you’ll keep your body guessing what’s coming next, which makes losing weight easy.
2. Kettlebells are also gaining popularity, especially among women. These weights are often described as “cannonballs with handles” and can be used in place of dumbbells. Kettlebell exercises add to interval training workouts, build strength, endurance, and flexibility. Swinging a kettlebell will certainly work your core and challenge your muscles in a variety of ways.
3. The newest Pilates craze is the Power Plate workout. The power plate is a machine you stand on during your workout, while the plate underneath you vibrates. This makes it more difficult to keep your core engaged during everyday exercises, and is sure you leave your muscles sore after!
4. If you’re looking to get your groove on, Zumba is sweeping the nation. With a Latin influence in both the music and the moves, women across the country flock to these classes to burn tons of calories and sweat as if they’re dancing in a club!
5. Yoga Booty Ballet is another form of dance fitness. This is a combination of yoga, ballet, and dance that focuses on having fun, getting sweaty, and gaining flexibility and lean muscles.
In order to get your butt in gear, you need to get your head in gear! Make sure you’re not sabotaging your fitness goals with negative body image beliefs or thoughts about yourself. The mental aspect of working out (why you’re doing it, how you feel about your body, etc.) is as important as your actual workout. If you prefer more individual attention, private sessions are available everywhere. There are also private in-home trainers (like myself) who come to your home.”
(*Remember, before trying these exercises or any exercise program, please consult with your physician. In addition, if you have any questions about how to perform an exercise safely, please consult with a certified athletic trainer.)
For more info on Stephanie, her new 30 day workbook: “30 Days to Love Your Body & Your Life”, and private in-home personal training, visit www.StepItUpwithSteph.com.
With 2011 just around the corner, we want every BounceBack member to make a New Year's resolution to focus on wellness. It's time to nurture your body and soul. Remember, you have the power and the potential to bounce back in 2011 stronger, healthier…and a few pounds lighter.
No comments:
Post a Comment