I’m a huge fan of group fitness classes. The music, the choreography, the atmosphere – I love trying new things with a group of people who are working hard to get fit, just like me! If you follow my blog, you know that I became a certified Pound Pro in December. I’m working hard on my choreography right now to prepare for my very first class (date and time TBD). This year, in addition to a few old favourites, I’d like to try out some classes that I’ve heard of recently. Have you tried any of these classes? Do you have any recommendations? Let me know in the comments!
Strong By Zumba
This class looks tough. Really tough. I love that the music was composed specifically for the choreography instead of the other way around – they even commissioned Steve Aoki to compose some of the tracks. If you’re interested in getting a taste, there’s a free 20-minute class on Youtube. You can access it here. And if you’re ready to try a full class, you can search on the Strong by Zumba website for a class near you: www.strong.zumba.com
PIYO
Piyo is a mix of pilates and yoga (hence the name), if you did it after taking a triple shot of espresso. This class moves fast. My cousin Emily ordered the DVDs and loved them. You can also take classes in person; you can search the Beach Body website to see if there’s a class in your area.
POP Pilates
POP Pilates is the brainchild of the super-bubbly Cassey Ho of Blogilates. It’s basically a sped-up pilates class with pop music. It looks difficult, and fun, and I want to try it! You can try out a 10-minute version on Youtube here. If you’re interested, it’s worth checking out Cassey’s extensive Youtube video library – she’s got tons of videos about meal planning, workouts, stretching, and more. You can check out the POP Pilates website to find a class near you.
Aerial Yoga/Aerial Silks
I don’t know of any trademarked workout under this label, but boy are aerial silks fun! I had the opportunity to try it last year at Apex Dance Industry in Sarnia, Ontario. The silks are suspended from the rafters, and you can stand/twirl in various positions while you build strength in your entire body. Surprisingly, it doesn’t require as much upper-body strength as you may imagine – your legs are definitely involved in this workout! If you’re interested, try searching on Google for a class near you. It’s a unique form of fitness that is definitely worth a try!
Pound
I know, I’m a little biased on this one! Pound is an awesome class. It’s only 45 minutes, but trust me, it’s for a good reason – Pound is intense. You will be sore the next day! If you love great music and the idea of beating out your frustrations with a pair of neon green drumsticks, this is the class for you. Check out the website to find a class – you won’t regret trying this one!
Have an awesome week everybody!