February 6, 2015 at 5:09 p.m.
Not your average workout
Technology, fads offer variety of new fitness options
Not your average workout
Plenty of fads exist today as well. Some choose to dance their way to fitness with Zumba and CrossFit has swept the nation.
Thanks to technology, there are more personalized and customizable fitness options than ever before. Some take place in the gym or in classes, but others can be done at home.
After stumbling upon a video online, Rhinelander Resident Nikki Richardson said she now uses YouTube to stay in shape.
"Well, I've always liked to do workout videos as opposed to going to the gym," she said. "So one day I was searching YouTube and I just happened to stumble upon one of the videos. It was called 'Pop Pilates: Total Body Workout for Beginners with Cassey Ho.' It was about a 20-minute workout. Once I watched it and did the workout she included at the end to follow 'Blogilates' on YouTube for more workouts or go to blogilates.com for entire workout calendars. I did that right away and have been following her ever since."
It isn't just videos though. It's an entire program Richardson can easily access.
"She sends you a monthly calendar to follow with the specific workout videos to watch each day, and can include meal plans if you want to as well," she said. "It has everything for beginners to the more advanced."
While Richardson perefers workout videos, Jamie Specht said she carries her workout regimen in the palm of her hand.
"I've been using this app called 'Running for Weight Loss,'" she said. "It has three eight-week programs, beginner, intermediate and advanced. You can start at whatever fits your current fitness level. There's three workouts a week and it works with intervals. Run for 3 minutes, sprint for 15 seconds and walk for a minute. It progresses you so that by the end it's just running and sprinting. I wasn't really a runner but now I love it. I did the intermediate and am almost through the advanced."
Specht's app of choice is far from unique though. A quick search of your phone or tablet's application store will reveal countless fitness apps of all kinds. Specht said she believes the many options make it easier for people to find the perfect fit for them.
"I do think it is easier," she said. "I think a lot of people give up because they can't find something that suits them. The more options you have the better chance you have to find something that will help you succeed at reaching your fitness goals. I also think word of mouth is a good way to go. If I find an app or a workout that I enjoy I'm sure to pass it on and feel like others do the same."
Bristel Fitzgerald, an assistant gymnastics coach at Rhinelander High School, is using some non-traditional methods to get her athletes fit and ready to compete. She has been leading an early morning yoga session for the team.
"Yoga is great for all levels," she said. "Benefits for athletes are huge. I've heard many success stories of bikers and runners practicing yoga daily helping them strengthen and lengthen muscles to progress in their sport. The NFL just picked it up this year as well for their athletes. I think the key to yoga, as to any fitness routine is consistency. The hardest part is getting on the mat, or to the gym, on a regular basis. That's when you see and feel results."
Fitzgerald has been practicing yoga for years and said while it hasn't yet caught on in Rhinelander, it offers plenty of benefits for a Northwoods lifestyle.
"With our cold weather, depressing months and stiff lifestyles, yoga is just the thing to release and let go," she said. "As I continue my yoga training, I hope to offer yoga classes for young and old. There are so many different styles and variations of yoga that most people aren't aware. There's something for everyone."
Starting is simple too. Fitzgerald said it's just a matter of starting small and gradually increasing in difficulty.
"Beginners can start right at home by doing simple stretching," she said. "Your body will tell you what feels good and what doesn't, you just need to move and start daily. Once people find themselves in a routine of daily stretching, on the days you skip, your body will tell you and its only natural to stretch, so listening to your body is super important. Not only does it have physical benefits but mental as well. So by simply stretching at home, is a great way to start. From there attending a class to deepen your practice will become a natural instinct."
Dan Chojnacki, fitness specialist at Tone Zone Fitness in Rhinelander, said some non-traditional workouts are becoming more popular.
"I've been seeing a lot of people getting into the kettle bell stuff and the suspension bands," he said. "Both of those have a lot of options people can do that hit a lot of muscles. They're both a good way to change up what people get used to doing like the bench, the dumbbells and the squat. It's a lot of multiple joint movements."
Chojnacki said the growing number of fitness options can certainly make things easier for people, but it's also important to have an expert's guidance.
"I think it can be both easier and intimidating, depending on the individual," he said. "On the one hand, people don't get stuck as quickly when they have more options. If someone doesn't know how to use the equipment and utilize those options, they might feel a little bit intimidated. That's why having a nice staff like we do that can help people out is so important."
Andy Hildebrand may be reached at [email protected].
Comments:
You must login to comment.