Leg workout, cardio, chest workout... going to the gym everyday feels the same. Even though you may be working out a different part of your body, the environment can dull your senses and your mind. The repetitiveness and boredom of gym workouts are some of the biggest obstacles to long term success for athletes. The best solution? Make exercising fun and enjoyable by trying out some unique fitness choices. Put those dumbbells down and take a look a look at my top six unique activity list that can make your workouts more enjoyable:
1) Krav Maga
Krav Maga is the Israeli military's self defense martial arts. The meaning of the word Krav Maga in Hebrew denotes "contact combat". Essentially, it is a neo cut-throat tactical self defense system which can be figured out in a few months. Many people feel that the best quality of Krav Maga teachings is that it is far more functional compared to just about any sort of fighting methods. This is because it focuses on street combats along with confrontation against multiple adversaries with weapons. Krav Maga focuses on endurance training, along with strength training. Practice fights may have participants fighting for 5 minutes or more. Each student will grapple, choke, and attack their opponents using different means. In the end, you will get great workout, as well as the know-how on functional self defense.
Where to Learn: Krav Maga classes are often promoted in gyms that do Zumba, Crossfit, or other types of martial arts (Jiu Jitsu, kick boxing, etc.)
Did You Know?: Some of the training involves having students defend themselves with the lights turned off, a strobe light on, and with loud music. Students are also subject to spinning around in the same spot to "get dizzy". This is to simulate being attacked at a nightclub or bar after a few drinks.
2) Breakdancing or Hip Hop dancing
Hip Hop dancing and Breakdancing (known as b-boying) are popular dance cultures known worldwide. Shows such as "So You Think You Can Dance" and "America's Best Dance Crew" idolize these dancers. After their performance and standing in front of the judges, one can see their sweat dripping down their backs and heads. Their ability to follow the beat and stand on their heads require great flexibility, coordination, and overall strength. The body lifts in breakdancing are some of the best body weight training exercises, as the dancers have power moves requiring them to bounce on one hand. My recommendation is that everyone should try a hip hop or break dance class. Perhaps you may like the workout and enjoy it even more while listening to music.
Where to Learn: Most dance studios offer beginner (often first time free!) classes. Go to reputable studios as they offer the best instruction.
Did You Know?: Break dancers are so fit because they practice moves like their "Freezes". These are arguable the best exercise for the upper body.
3) Hot Yoga
When we hear Yoga, we often think of elderly folks stretching to the "humm" of Buddha in the background. Modern yoga is completely different and is actually extremely challenging. Yoga is a well-rounded approach to fitness. It focuses on enhancing flexibility and core muscle strength. It is a great form of functional fitness. Hot Yoga is the next level up. You are put in an environment where the heat is turned up to increase perspiration. You body will sweat out a lot of your toxins while you exercise. Even after two to three classes, you will have a new found ability to stretch further than you ever could before.
Where to Learn: One can find yoga studios in most urban centers. The famous Bikram Yoga is famous for its 26 standard poses, and therefore is the one recommended.
Did You Know?: Yoga has proven scientific benefits for curing stress related disorders/disease. The poses in yoga promote deep breathing, thus calms the mind.
4) Pole Dancing
When we think about pole dancing, we often have erotic images in our head. We imagine sexy women dancing on a pole in a strip club. Not many of us would think that this sort of dance is an actual fitness exercise. Men and Women are now taking up pole dancing as part of their fitness routines. This sport requires immense stamina, strength, and flexibility, and mastering this art takes years of dedication.
Where to Learn: Special dance schools offer pole dance training in most urban areas. Dance Studios sometimes have class as well.
Did You Know?: There's actually international pole dancing competitions worldwide, and children as young as 7 compete in them? It is an up and coming sport!
5) Capoeira
This Afro-Brazillian dance/martial arts combination is famous for its jungle beats and powerful body movements. It has a mix of flips, leg sweeps and dance techniques. Capoeria dancers are very fit as they constantly use their body weight as their training tool. The focus on balance, strength, and agility. Capoeira offers a unique way to workout.
Where to Learn: In most cities, there are specialty Capoeira studios that offer lessons.
Did You Know? Capoeira dancers perform in such fluid motion as to avoid hitting each other. Though considered a martial arts, their style is not to fight one another, but to provide support for one another's flips and leg sweeps.
6) Dodgeball
Dodgeball is surprising a very intense sport. The combination of dodging and throwing creates a unique strength, agility, and quick movement fitness workout. The game is also great fun with friends and hitting members on the other team is quite satisfying. I like to skip my workouts on days where I play dodgeball. This gives me a variety and puts my muscles to work in a different setting.
Where to Learn: Dodgeball is very easy to learn, the more difficult part is finding a good team and league to play in the city.
Did You Know? The World Record for the Most Number of Players in a Dodgeball game: 6084 people. That's a lot of balls thrown.
1) Krav Maga
Krav Maga is the Israeli military's self defense martial arts. The meaning of the word Krav Maga in Hebrew denotes "contact combat". Essentially, it is a neo cut-throat tactical self defense system which can be figured out in a few months. Many people feel that the best quality of Krav Maga teachings is that it is far more functional compared to just about any sort of fighting methods. This is because it focuses on street combats along with confrontation against multiple adversaries with weapons. Krav Maga focuses on endurance training, along with strength training. Practice fights may have participants fighting for 5 minutes or more. Each student will grapple, choke, and attack their opponents using different means. In the end, you will get great workout, as well as the know-how on functional self defense.
Where to Learn: Krav Maga classes are often promoted in gyms that do Zumba, Crossfit, or other types of martial arts (Jiu Jitsu, kick boxing, etc.)
Did You Know?: Some of the training involves having students defend themselves with the lights turned off, a strobe light on, and with loud music. Students are also subject to spinning around in the same spot to "get dizzy". This is to simulate being attacked at a nightclub or bar after a few drinks.
2) Breakdancing or Hip Hop dancing
Hip Hop dancing and Breakdancing (known as b-boying) are popular dance cultures known worldwide. Shows such as "So You Think You Can Dance" and "America's Best Dance Crew" idolize these dancers. After their performance and standing in front of the judges, one can see their sweat dripping down their backs and heads. Their ability to follow the beat and stand on their heads require great flexibility, coordination, and overall strength. The body lifts in breakdancing are some of the best body weight training exercises, as the dancers have power moves requiring them to bounce on one hand. My recommendation is that everyone should try a hip hop or break dance class. Perhaps you may like the workout and enjoy it even more while listening to music.
Where to Learn: Most dance studios offer beginner (often first time free!) classes. Go to reputable studios as they offer the best instruction.
Did You Know?: Break dancers are so fit because they practice moves like their "Freezes". These are arguable the best exercise for the upper body.
3) Hot Yoga
When we hear Yoga, we often think of elderly folks stretching to the "humm" of Buddha in the background. Modern yoga is completely different and is actually extremely challenging. Yoga is a well-rounded approach to fitness. It focuses on enhancing flexibility and core muscle strength. It is a great form of functional fitness. Hot Yoga is the next level up. You are put in an environment where the heat is turned up to increase perspiration. You body will sweat out a lot of your toxins while you exercise. Even after two to three classes, you will have a new found ability to stretch further than you ever could before.
Where to Learn: One can find yoga studios in most urban centers. The famous Bikram Yoga is famous for its 26 standard poses, and therefore is the one recommended.
Did You Know?: Yoga has proven scientific benefits for curing stress related disorders/disease. The poses in yoga promote deep breathing, thus calms the mind.
4) Pole Dancing
When we think about pole dancing, we often have erotic images in our head. We imagine sexy women dancing on a pole in a strip club. Not many of us would think that this sort of dance is an actual fitness exercise. Men and Women are now taking up pole dancing as part of their fitness routines. This sport requires immense stamina, strength, and flexibility, and mastering this art takes years of dedication.
Where to Learn: Special dance schools offer pole dance training in most urban areas. Dance Studios sometimes have class as well.
Did You Know?: There's actually international pole dancing competitions worldwide, and children as young as 7 compete in them? It is an up and coming sport!
5) Capoeira
This Afro-Brazillian dance/martial arts combination is famous for its jungle beats and powerful body movements. It has a mix of flips, leg sweeps and dance techniques. Capoeria dancers are very fit as they constantly use their body weight as their training tool. The focus on balance, strength, and agility. Capoeira offers a unique way to workout.
Where to Learn: In most cities, there are specialty Capoeira studios that offer lessons.
Did You Know? Capoeira dancers perform in such fluid motion as to avoid hitting each other. Though considered a martial arts, their style is not to fight one another, but to provide support for one another's flips and leg sweeps.
6) Dodgeball
Dodgeball is surprising a very intense sport. The combination of dodging and throwing creates a unique strength, agility, and quick movement fitness workout. The game is also great fun with friends and hitting members on the other team is quite satisfying. I like to skip my workouts on days where I play dodgeball. This gives me a variety and puts my muscles to work in a different setting.
Where to Learn: Dodgeball is very easy to learn, the more difficult part is finding a good team and league to play in the city.
Did You Know? The World Record for the Most Number of Players in a Dodgeball game: 6084 people. That's a lot of balls thrown.
About the Author:
Learn all about fitness workouts & information. Click here for more info on workout routines and products.
0 comments:
Enregistrer un commentaire