Wendy Burt-Thomas
Posted: Monday, October 20, 2008 2:54 pm

Ron Chapple Studios

Trends in indoor exercise

As the warm days and cool nights are replaced by cool days and cold nights, many Colorado residents turn to the indoors for their exercise fix. And just as past decades brought us jogging, aerobics and a slew of as-seen-on-TV fitness equipment, the new millennium has its own exercise trends. 

Here are just a few that don’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon:

Yoga: Beyond simply exercise, this Hindu discipline encompasses a general term for physical postures, breathing techniques and meditation to improve everything from flexibility, posture, stress reduction, focus and well-being. Many physical therapists say this is a great option for those with limited mobility.

Pilates: Developed in the 1920s by Joseph Pilates, this exercise system focuses on building strength, flexibility and agility through controlled movements to decrease the chance of injury. Pilates classes typically use one or more pieces of specialized machines that provide non-impact, smooth-flowing movements. The exercise is particularly popular among women because the method is known for strengthening and lengthening the muscles without building bulk. “We’re seeing a lot more people attending yoga and Pilates,” says Julie Leins General Manager of the Point Athletic Club in Lakewood. “Zumba is another craze, even men are attending and seeing the benefits and fun.”

Zumba: Founded by Miami-based choreographer Albert Perez, Zumba combines cardiovascular exercise and Latin dance moves borrowed from salsa, merengue, cumbia, mambo, flamenco and others. Derived from the Columbian word meaning “to move fast,” the fitness program is primarily based on fast-paced music selections and dance steps that help tone and sculpt the body while burning calories.

Dance: Belly dancing, Salsa, Hip Hop, Afro-Cuban — these are just some of the popular forms of dance that combine music, movement and fun to burn calories, tighten and tone, and add a little culture to your exercise routine. Classes can vary for levels of experience and depending on the facility (gym vs. community center vs. senior center), you may be able to find classes for singles, couples, families, kids or seniors. 

Nia: This barefoot technique combines nine classic forms of movement: martial arts: T’ai Chi, Tae Kwon Do, Aikido; dance: jazz, modern and Duncan; and healing arts: yoga, Alexander Technique and the teachings of Moshe Feldenkrais. Described as “self-guided,” Nia delivers cardiovascular and whole-body conditioning through a variety of movement speeds and styles, ranges of motion and energy dynamics.

Strength training: Although the phrase may conjure images of Schwarzenegger or Olympic athletes, much of today’s strength training is about ‘back to basics,” using only gravity or the weight of your own body. Think middle school gym class: push-ups, sit-ups, squat thrusts and pull-ups.

Meditation: Though many would argue that this mental discipline is not a form of exercise, it shares some similar goals: stress reduction, increased concentration and improved posture. Some in the medical community have even cited meditation in the treatment of cancer, pain reduction and healing due to the collective change in the body called the “relaxation response” (changes in heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, etc.).

In general, there are three themes that reoccur in current fitness and weight-loss success stories.

No. 1: The “buddy system.” Pairing up with a friend, family member or coworker in order to stay motivated and have some accountability seems to be a major key to sticking with an exercise routine.

No. 2: The mind-body connection. It’s not new to everyone, but it’s taken awhile for the correlation to sink in with most Americans. Considering how fast-paced and stress-filled our lives have become, we’re guessing this is a trend that is less “trendy” than permanent. 

And finally, No. 3: An easy-to-incorporate fitness regime. Of all the themes shared in weight loss and fitness success stories, this one seems to be the most prevalent.

Find a form of exercise that fits your lifestyle, your schedule and your motivations and you’ll be more likely to make it a habit, rather than a chore.