(This is cross-posted at BlogHer.)
Once in a while, I like to take some time to explore fitness options that I haven’t tried yet. While some of them are better left to braver people than I (like the trapeze classes I wrote about last week), I usually end up finding a few things that I could see myself doing. I also like reading about the experiences other people have had while trying these things — it gives me an idea of what I could expect.
Ultimate Frisbee
The Fitness Diva was inspired to try Ultimate Frisbee after she watched a video that was posted by one of her neighbors.
Now that I’ve joined their group, I will be havin’ me some fun in the park with this new pursuit. I love anything that’s competitive, adrenaline inducing, and that makes you have to run until you feel like you might have to puke!…Yep. Ultimate Frisbee, here I come!
Chi Running
Race Raiders explored the Chi Running technique and wonders if it could be right for you? (I’ve always wondered if I saw someone running the Chi Running way, if I’d even be able to tell. People tend to have their own unique styles anyway.)
Putting it all together sounds a lot easier than it is. I had no idea if what I was doing was correct and was getting pretty frustrated with the whole thing. But I knew the way I was running before wasn’t working, either, so I decided to keep trying. I found out on their website that they have workshops that teach the method and after about three more months of trying to figure it out, I decided to try a workshop.
Aerial conditioning
AerialGirl110 shares a video of herself doing an aerial silks routine. Check it out — she literally climbs up a long piece of silk that’s hanging from the ceiling and does all kinds of crazy (impressive) moves. Her “about me” explains why:
[M]y general purpose and use of this blog is to be my reflection journal/notes for my Senior Project. Basically, my Senior Project is to learn aerial acrobatics. I take classes, observe, and watch performances at the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts in Germantown.
Kinesis Wall
Ashley Ceaser, writing for the Nike blog, tried a kinesis wall — it uses a pulley system to incorporate cardio, strength training, balance and toning exercises.
During the circuit, I moved from one module to the next. In the alpha module I combined a cable cross movement for my upper body with a squat for my legs, which raised my heart rate. These compound movements went on through the module, so after 30 minutes, I felt like I had worked out twice as long. However, because of the fluidity and the 360 degree dynamic movement of the cables I could see how this system would be perfect for all levels of fitness.
Laughter Yoga
Experts say that laughter yoga can lower blood pressure and boost immune function. Laughing Laura is a laughing yoga instructor and talks about the benefits of having Laughter Yoga in the Workplace. (I’m not sure how I’d feel about that. Laughing is good…but laughing with certain co-workers? Hmm…) Here are some of the benefits:
* Boost to morale
* Improved personal/professional performance
* Enhanced teamwork, trust and enjoyment at work
* Increased energy and ability to manage stress
* Enriched quality of work/life balance
* Heightened workplace creativity
* Improved customer care and service delivery
* Decreased absenteeism, burnout and turnover
* Improved productivity and organization
* Fewer accidents and compensation claims
* Overall better employee health
Bar Method
Nicole at LA Pretty tried the Bar Method. Did she like it? Well, the title of her post is “My new ass is brought to you by…”
All classes are taught in a carpeted studio and students are all in their socks – I’d advise getting slipper socks or Pure Barre socks because the little pads at the bottom really keep you from sliding all over the place. You grab a mat, a teensy basketball, a resistance band for stretching, and 2 lb and 3 lb weights. (Yes, I chuckled egoistically to myself too when I saw the 2 lb weights – who works out with those? But believe me, after holding a pose with a 2 lb weight for a while, it’ll feel like 50.)
Have you tried (or do you regularly participate in) a fitness activity that’s not quite mainstream?
4 Comments
The Bar Method sounds interesting. Similar enough to the pilates I like that I might enjoy it. Hopefully I can find a way to rent a DVD and try it!
I have heard and seen laughter yoga so much, have never tried it, I think it will be a real good moral and mood booster
Those sound like fun! I played ultimate frisbee in high school; it was a good time. Doing belly dancing was really fun and I loved the one pole dancing class that I took.
Interesting to think ultimate isn’t mainstream, since I spent so much time playing it in grad school. In Ann Arbor, it certainly was a widely accepted sport.
These days, I pretty much stick to biking, running, and walking. I also do deep water aerobics in the pool, but I think that’s also fairly mainstream. I’d love to get into rock-climbing someday, but that’ll have to wait until geography and finances agree with me.