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5 Super Fun Fitness Trades
Like a postal carrier, you strap on your sneakers rain or shine. But lately, your exercise regimen has left you wanting. You’ve mastered every move, every route, every challenge in your routine, and quite frankly the thrill is gone. On top of that, you’ve reached a fitness plateau and suspect it might be time to adjust your workout.
It’s time to try something new. These fitness trades keep everything you love about your current activity but ditch the boredom that comes with mastering it. Whether you exercise inside or outdoors, solo or in groups, we’ve got you covered.
If you like: Yoga…
Try circus arts. Sun salutations no longer raising your spirit? An aerial or circus arts class could offer the lift you’ve been craving. Schools throughout the world teach rookies the finer points of tightrope walking, acrobatics, flying trapeze, and suspending midair from various types of rope. “It’s truly hard to get bored,” says Erica Rubinstein, an instructor at The School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts in Seattle. Like yoga, the circus arts require core strength, balance, laser-like focus, and patience. If you’re not used to lifting your own body weight, expect your arms, shoulders, and upper torso to feel sore initially. For this reason, Rubinstein says, stretching, staying hydrated, and easing into any aerial tricks is a must.
If you like: Zumba…
Try kickboxing. Looking to blow off extra steam? These martial arts classes could provide the kick you’ve been missing. Like Zumba and other aerobic dance classes, kickboxing is high-energy, social, and usually set to music. But, Winslow, professional athlete and professional trainer says, because of all the kicks and punches in the routines, “it’s more aggressive.” It also demands more agility, speed, and balance than the typical Zumba class. “Many combinations are performed on one leg or involve moving opposing limbs simultaneously,” Winslow states. The result? More muscles engaged at once and a better core workout. For this reason, stretching before each class is essential.
If you like: Spinning…
Try rowing. Love the cardio workout, but tired of pedaling? Rowing classes are available at dozens of U.S. gyms that offer a new twist on the group workout: You use your own machine, but you row in synchronized teams. Like indoor cycling, rowing classes feature high-intensity intervals, including a five-minute race at the end of each class. “In a 45-minute rowing class, you easily burn as many calories — if not more — as you do in a cycling class,” says Jay Blahnik, a celebrity fitness instructor. And contrary to what you might think, indoor rowing doesn’t just work your core, arms, and upper body. With rowing, Blahnik says, your legs do 60 percent of the work.
If you like: Road biking…
Try mountain biking. Like hiking, mountain biking is marked by inclines. As a result, “you’re doing more intervals: pedal hard, coast down, pedal hard, coast down,” says personal trainer Alisa Geller. Because of the balance required to maneuver over uneven, rocky terrain, your core gets more of a workout than when you are road biking, Geller adds. If you’re new to the sport, rent a mountain bike before purchasing your own. Start with shorter, less technical trails, and go with an experienced pal. Because falling is par for the course, especially for rookies, a helmet is a must, Geller says. So are food, water, first-aid supplies, and extra layers of clothing.
If you like: Weight training…
Try kettlebells. The beauty of these handled, round weights is their efficiency. Kettlebells offer more cardio than traditional weights — in less time. “A typical workout may last only 20 minutes,” Winslow says. Because kettlebells are tougher to control, with workouts involving extreme ranges of motion, kettlebell training engages more muscles at once. Winslow recommends getting your doctor’s blessing first and learning how to use these weights in a class or from a personal trainer.
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