10 Fresh New Workouts That Actually Work

In today’s society, staying in shape and being healthy are ideals that everyone strives for. Doctors all agree that regular exercise can do wonders for the body at every age. Exercise helps keep your muscles strong, and it keeps your mind and body healthy. Of course, not everyone can handle putting in hours at the gym five days a week, or forking out a ton of money for an exercise machine. Sometimes it gets tedious doing the same cardio and strength routine day in and day out. However, there are some interesting fresh takes on exercise below that might pique your interest.

1. Kangoo

Did you ever own a pair of moon shoes? Those fun, bouncy toys were great for hopping up and down. Now, with Kangoo shoes, you can hop your way to an amazing body through high-impact classes. This intense workout utilizes hopping up and down on moon shoe-like boots that propel you into the air. Your blood will be pumping like crazy as you tone your legs, hips, and thighs to absolute perfection. If you like Zumba, but think it should be a little bouncier, Kangoo is right for you.

2. Pole Dancing

Showing your moves on a metal pole isn’t just for topless dancers and Elizabeth Berkley anymore. This trend has been a full-fledged fitness movement for years now. With classes in cities all over the world, it is easy to find a place where you can burn calories while learning steamy moves. Women who pole dance for exercise find that it brings them a feeling of empowerment. It’s also super fun to twirl up on the pole, especially if you’re an adrenaline junkie.

3. Aerial Yoga

Yoga has a long-standing tradition as a low-impact and peaceful way to exercise. However, if you’re looking to turn up the heat and try something new and exciting, you can’t go wrong with an aerial yoga class. Using silks that are suspended from the ceiling, you’ll twist, turn, unravel, and stretch your way to a fabulous body. These super-strong silks can support bodies of all sizes, and once you start learning cool new tricks, you’ll want to show off and learn even more.

4. Stiletto Workout

Admittedly, the title of this workout is a bit of a misnomer. Most of the actual workout is done in bare feet. You begin by strengthening your core and your base with squats, lunges, and plies. It’s only at the very end of the class that you get to strap on your heels and strut your stuff in your now super-strengthened legs. Stiletto workouts are perfect for making your legs, thighs, and butt look perfect in any pencil skirt and pair of matching pumps.

5. Barre Class

You don’t need to be a prima ballerina to work out like one. Some of the fittest people on the planet are ballet dancers, and their perfect bodies come from their incredibly strong muscles. In a barre class, you don’t need any dance experience to reap the amazing benefits. A barre class will target your thighs, backside, abs, arms, and hips to tone your muscles everywhere. This low-impact class also has the added benefit of giving you a peaceful hour to escape the hustle and bustle of life.

6. Heavy Rope Training

This is much more intense than playing double dutch on the playground. Heavy rope training melds cardio and strength exercises together to give you an intense workout using a simple manila rope. There are dozens of rope exercises to discover, all of which will get your heart racing and your arms burning in a matter of minutes. Rope training is a great way to warm up your body for a strength workout, and a wonderful way to work out some pent-up aggression.

7. Video Games

Humanity has done it! You can now tone your body while having fun at the same time. When Dance Dance Revolution hit arcades and home consoles, its strenuous gameplay, all done by stepping on a huge floor mat, was an instant hit that started a trend of physical video games.
With Nintendo’s Wii Fit, it became even easier to incorporate exercise into your daily gaming. Wii Fit even has built-in graphs, calendars, and goals to help you keep your eye on the prize as you work out every day. Choose among cardio, yoga, strength, and relaxation exercises to work out your whole body.

8. Jungshin

Do you long for an empowering workout that gives you a sense of inner peace and focus? Do you miss the karate classes of your youth? Do you have a thing for swords? If so, Jungshin is the new exercise craze that is perfect for you. This strength and aerobic style workout is perfect for anyone who wants to tone their entire body and swing around a wooden sword at the same time. The martial arts moves and twisting motions will make you feel like a real Samurai.

9. Indoor Surfing

No longer do you need to live on the coast to get the thrill of paddling out and riding the waves. All over the country, people are latching on to the fun exercise of surfboard yoga. These boards are set atop destabilizing devices that move like they’re really on the water, meaning you’ll need to control your core to stay afloat. This weird workout will give you stability and strength all throughout your abs and your lower body. You may not need to actually get in the water for this exercise, but after a few weeks, there is no doubt that your body will be beach ready.

10. Zumba

Everyone has heard about this fun craze that is sweeping the nation, but the classes need to be experienced to be truly understood. Incorporating Latin dance, aerobics, and booty-shaking pop music, Zumba is an exciting opportunity to get a full body workout and have a great time with a group of your closest friends. Additionally, if you find yourself catching Zumba fever, it is very easy to get certified to teach a class of your own.