The importance of physical exercise will probably never fade, but workout trends do have a habit of changing every once in a while. Aerobics, kickboxing, Tae Bo and pilates have seen their golden era in the past few years and are now slowly ceding the throne to new exercise regimens such as CrossFit, High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), Barre fitness and body weight training, while variations of zumba and yoga are still on and growing popular across the globe. Are you ready to kick start the New Year with a fresh training regimen? If you answer is Yes (and it definitely should be, for your health’s sake), here are a few cool workouts for 2016 you should check out if you want to maximize both your fun and fitness results.
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HIIT
A perfect workout for busy folks, HIIT is a challenging set of exercises that combines short intervals of intense activity with brief rest and recovery periods. HIIT was ranked high on the list of popular PE routines in 2015 due to its dynamic nature, uncomplicated exercise sets, short routine duration and stunning fat-burning effects. If you are looking to boost your aerobic and anaerobic endurance and lose weight without spending hours in the gym, HIIT is a perfect choice – you do not need any extra equipment for the exercises, and you can do it anywhere even if you can afford less than 30 minutes a day for training.
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CrossFit
Another high-intensity workout that covers all muscle groups, CrossFit is a blend of different PE types such as weight lifting, HIIT, plyometrics, sprinting and gymnastics. The wide range of exercises that vary depending on the day will keep you entertained and focused on the training, and in case you decide to join a CrossFit class at the local gym, you will also have the advantage of a team environment which will keep you motivated during the session even on less than stellar days. If you are working with a personal trainer with good coaching skills, you can also ask them for expert info on how to structure your diet and recovery to maximize workout effects.
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Barre Fitness
If you are not a fan of sweaty high intensity programs and prefer dance-like workouts, try Barre fitness for size. Drawing on ballet figures, Barre focuses on controlled pulsing movements that aim to increase flexibility and grow a lean, strong lower body and core muscles. By opting for Barre, you will boost your strength and control over isolated muscles, and you will also improve your stability and balance, but do not expect to see quick and impressive weight loss results as this program is centered on muscle development and not fat burning.
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All The Shades of Yoga
With its origins that date back thousands of years, yoga is a widely popular workout that blends different aspects of posture, movement and breathing to promote spiritual, mental and physical well-being. The ancient workout program has by now evolved into numerous different styles, such as Hatha yoga, Vinyasa yoga, Iyengar yoga, Ashtanga yoga, Acro yoga, Bikram yoga, Kundalini yoga and Yin yoga, each of which are characterized by different movement types and breathing patterns. Yoga is an excellent routine for stress relief, relaxation, improved balance, coordination and flexibility and it can even promote healing and recovery after an illness.
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Zumba Step
Zumba has been around for quite a while now, and just when everyone thought its popularity would wane, fitness trainers came up with a cool variation that blends elements of standard Zumba dance steps and aerobic and cardio exercises. Fun, intense and simple to follow, Zumba Step targets the cardiovascular system and helps burn tons of calories per routine, facilitating weight loss and body toning. If you want to strengthen your glutes, leg muscles and core and burn tons of fat in a matter of weeks while boogieing to your favorite tunes, look no further than Zumba Step: easy, engaging and good for all muscle groups, this trendy workout will get your heart racing and your mood up and skipping to Latin beats.
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Body Weight Training
Do not go signing up for the gym just yet! There is a new workout on the block that aims to revolutionize the way fitness aficionados perceive training. In a body weight routine, your body is the only piece of equipment you need to upgrade muscle endurance. An excellent workout for beginners, this type of strength training relies on the body’s mass alone as the source of resistance required for exercises targeting numerous muscle groups, and it has a range of metabolic effects which can aid weight loss. The program includes traditional exercises such as crunches, lunges, push-ups and planks, and you can do it wherever and whenever you want.
According to the guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, an average-weight adult needs a minimum of 150 minutes of aerobic activity per week. Depending on your shape, age, gender and workout preferences, you can get your share of moderate or high-intensity training either in the gym or out in the open, so pick one of these cool workout programs and embrace a healthier lifestyle this year: your body will be eternally grateful to you for the effort.
