Group fitness: New exercise trends

Whether you're a group fitness fanatic who tries all the trends or you're just looking for a fun new way to get active, check out these seven new exercise trends worth trying!

Aerial Yoga

Want to feel like you’re a part of Cirque du Soleil?  Now you can with Aerial Yoga!  Aerial Yoga uses fabric circus hammocks to help participants master traditional yoga postures.  The addition of the hammock is meant to relieve the tension often experienced during yoga poses, allowing students to benefit from and understand the purpose of each pose.  Enthusiasts love the way that the hammock relaxes their spine and improves alignment.  To find a class near you, visit Aerial Yoga. 

See Aerial Yoga in action >>

Aqua Spinning

Originally made popular in Europe, this hybrid exercise has now caught on in the US.  Sometimes called hydro-riding, aqua spinning is essentially riding a spin bike in the water.  While the exercise delivers the same benefits of spinning, the buoyancy of the water prevents common cycling problems such as saddle soreness and lower back pain.  The cooling effect of the water also helps to keep your heart rate down, allowing you to workout longer!

To learn more on aqua spinning, check out its coverage on The Doctors TV Show >>

BOING with Kangoo

Offered at Crunch gyms across the nation, this group fitness class features strap-on shoes called Kangoo Jumps – basically ski boots with springs attached to the bottom.  Instructors lead the class through a sixty-minute high intensity workout combining strength, cardio, and dance elements.  Although the Kangoo Jumps may make you look slightly ridiculous, the boots absorb the impact of the exercises, resulting in a workout that is gentle on your joints.

Can't find a class near you? Buy your own pair of Kangoo Jumps >>

Piloxing

Stars like Vanessa Hudgens, Alexis Bledel and Hilary Duff favor this dynamic workout created by celebrity trainer Viveca Jensen.  A mix between Pilates and boxing, Piloxing seeks to help women create a “sleek, sexy and powerful self-image." The one-hour class combines fat-burning boxing exercises, muscle-sculpting Pilates moves and upbeat dance elements.  Participants also wear weighted gloves throughout the class to increase cardiovascular difficulty and arm strength.  To find a Piloxing class near you, visit Piloxing.

Punk Rope

Originally created by Tim Haft in NYC, this workout is described as a “playful cross between recess and boot camp."  Besides the classic jump rope exercises, Punk Rope classes feature calisthenics and elementary school games such as relay races and freeze tag.  And as participants alternate between the jump rope and the games, instructors blast punk music in the background.  As far as the benefits, jumping rope is one of the best workouts to increase bone health and target your entire body.  Go to Punk Rope to find a workshop near you, or simply buy one of Tim Haft’s Punk Rope DVD’s to try it right at home. 

Get a feel for a typical Punk Rope class >>

Stand Up Paddle Yoga

Stand Up Paddle (or SUP) has been all the rage lately, and now it's combined with yoga.  Participants paddle out to a calm area, use anchors to keep their boards in position, and then perform traditional yoga poses on the stand up paddleboard.  The moving surface engages every single muscle, especially your core.  Of course, this workout class is restricted by season and area, but you may be surprised where this is offered.  SUP Yoga classes have begun to crop up in Hawaii; Southern California; Long Island, NY; New Haven, CT; Michigan; and even Pittsburgh, PA!

See SUP yoga poses in action >>

Urban Rebounding

This class is sure to bring out the inner child in you.  Using individual sized trampolines, Urban Rebounding provides a full-body strength and cardio workout.  Instructors combine high-speed jumping with traditional moves such as squats, dips, and lunges to sculpt and trim. Besides the strength-training benefits, jumping exercises are proven to increase lymphatic circulation and blood flow.  And this is another workout that won’t wear down your joints, especially your knees. To find classes near you, check out Crunch Fitness or the Urban Rebounding store for home-based workout solutions.

Header image credit; Tasayu Tasnaphun, http://www.flickr.com/photos/tasayu/4692581854/sizes/z/in/photostream/