Shake Your Booty!
All across the country, thousands of reluctant gym bunnies are dusting off their training shoes in a bid to get into perfect shape for Summer. But this season, there are a host of exciting options to take the boredom out of body shaping!
Be a workout warrior
Zulurobics is a proudly South African workout fittingly inspired by the Zulu warrior! With mesmerising movements ranging from gumboot dancing and jive to traditional Indlamu Zulu dance and even a martial arts form (Capoeira), this wild workout promotes both a toned, fit body and lashings of emotional well-being too.
The programme is fuelled by rhythmic drumming and vibrant South African music, with participants mimicking animals and nature. Created by Temi Stallings and Atose Aguele while listening to African tunes during their gym workouts, the bottom line is a fun and inspired aerobics routine delivered with a true-blue Zulu kick.
According to their website, the Zulurobics team cites intense cardio endurance as a welcome benefit of the workout, as well as the fact that an African dance routine improves not only tone, but general health and quality of life. To find classes in your area, email classes@zulurobics.com or visit http://www.zulurobics.com/.
Work up a South American sweat
If hot South American rhythms are your thing, develop a taste for Zumba – a hip, happening programme fusing Latin rhythms with easy moves for an all-over body workout. Fans say that it is easy to get hooked on the routine, since it is a sweaty, scintillating hour of calorie-burning, guided interval and resistance training.
Founded by celebrity fitness trainer “Beto” Perez in the mid-nineties when he discovered the concept in his native Colombia, Zumba is now taught in well over 60,000 outlets and gyms in 105 countries. Latest statistics claim a staggering 7.5 million people take part in a Zumba class every week!
Pop onto the Virgin Active website at http://www.virginactive.co.za/ for information on classes in your area or visit http://www.zumba.com/.
All-encompassing exercise
A more soulful option for those seeking warm, fuzzy feelings and joy as much as a toned body is Nia, a fusion of martial arts, dance and healing arts.
Nia means “with purpose” in Swahili. The idea behind Nia, in a nutshell, is that it teaches people to move. Creatively designed to include the mindfulness of martial arts, meditative techniques, dance grace and fluidity as well as integrative body therapies, its “whole person” philosophy is understandably attractive.
A worldwide fitness movement, technically refined over 26 years, Nia combines both fitness and healing. And as an added benefit, it is very kind to the joints and is done barefoot, while fans also describe it as non-intimidating, effective and fun. Styles and movements incorporated into Nia include tai chi, tae kwon do, aikido, yoga, Alexander technique and various dance forms.
“The music at Nia is fantastic, and the classes are the perfect combination of easy steps and free dancing,” says Cape Town journalist Karin Schimke. “So you can do something that is really simple to learn, say a jazz square, and then as you get good at it, you add in your arms and your pouty mouth and you jump really high, or do it “heavily”, or you do it like you are under water… Whatever mood you are in, that’s how you dance: sometimes all sensual, sometimes like a head banger, sometimes like yeah-man-Caribbean laid back,” she explains.
Schmimke continues: “I have in the meantime developed beautiful arm muscles for the first time in my life. And you can whoop in Nia, if you are so inclined. Or, like I did for several very difficult months of my life, walk in, curl up on the floor and sob, wait for the music to start, get up, laugh and shout and remember how joy feels, and then curl up and cry during the cool down again.”
Everything you need to know about Nia is available at the Nia South Africa website, www.niasouthafrica.co.za.
Balls of fun
If gadgets appeal, our last enticing new wave fitness option is the Bosu ball. It is a stability ball that allows for shifting and lifting exercises that target core muscles. Because it is weight-filled, it stays in place, which adds variety and stability to routines.
Most gym facilities offer Bosu, so visit http://www.virginactive.co.za/, http://www.planetfitness.co.za/ or find out more about the technique at www.purityhealth.net.
There is no excuse for being a couch potato this season, so get moving and get hot!
Story by Beth Cooper
