Fitness Traning for you

Fitness trends mix up our workouts—which is great—but how do we know which ones are worth trying?

Studies show that the best workout is the one you’ll stick with. For me, that changes regularly, partly because I get older, but mostly because I get bored. Currently, my weekly routine includes yoga classes, aerobicworkouts on an elliptical machine, weight machines, daily dog walks of varying lengths, a long walk with a friend, core work and stretches throughout the workday, and, if weather permits, some gardening.

At varied ages and stages, I’ve also jogged, swum, biked, lifted free weights, played basketball, worked out at a women’s gym, played tennis and racquetball, rowed and done hot yoga, aerobics and various forms of dance.

For me, the vital a part of a no-hit exercise routine is deciding what works at my current stage of my life. When I had kids at home, time was of the essence. My workouts typically consisted of walking round the fields or neighborhoods whereas they practiced association football, with some early morning gym visits for muscle strengthening and socializing.

Scott Weiss, DPT, a licensed physical therapist and board-certified athletic trainer in New York with more than 25 years of experience, offers some insights into what’s hot—and what’s not so hot—about fitness trends:

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): These workouts are based on short intervals of high energy. They are renowned for obtaining your vital sign high and burning huge amounts of calories in a very short time.

Why it’s HOT: HIIT increases metabolism. Weiss says it’s a great way to burn calories. For weight loss, he suggests you aim to burn 300 to 500 calories per workout session, which is “definitely doable if you stick to a HIIT routine.”

Might NOT be so hot: To get the best outcome from HIIT, you need to maintain proper form and keep your work-to-rest ratios consistent. If not, bound muscles might feel an excessive amount of strain, whereas others could also be unheeded. Without a tutor, you will not hit all areas of your body. Weiss suggests intermixture up your routines with some purposeful weight coaching and balance and suppleness exercises.

Spinning Class: Spinning classes promise high caloric burn and lots of sweat in a 45- to 60-minute class. The sometimes steep prices and required sign-ups can translate to a greater commitment level.

Why it’s HOT: Spinning provides both high energy and high caloric burn. Weiss adds, “Spin categories square measure a good thanks to get folks inquisitive about activities like real athletics and biking, which are great functional sports that can be done anywhere in the world.”

Might NOT be therefore hot: If you merely spin, you could develop muscle imbalances or reach a fitness plateau, leading to a halt in weight-loss. “If athletics is your solely variety of exercise, you will develop a specific body type with calves and thighs dominating,” Weiss says. “Tight abdominals, short hip flexors and a hunched posture is not good if you have a history of lower back pain.”
CrossFit

This full-body workout may bring back memories of those calisthenics and sprints you did in gym classes. The “prehistoric” approach to fitness combines body weight exercises with cardio and weights to put your body to the test.

Why it’s HOT: CrossFit offers a small-gym culture and also the promise that anyone will copulate. “CrossFit combines Olympic lifting, acrobatic training, gymnastics, martial arts and functional movements, creating some of the best physical workouts in the world,” Weiss says. However, it’s crucial to own a decent trainer to show the technique for every movement.

Might NOT be therefore hot: There square measure several reports of injuries from CrossFit coaching as a result of its high intensity. Most are minor sprains and strains, but there are reports of dislocations and even spinal cord injury. “I sometimes see one person each few months burned specifically from CrossFit,” Weiss says. “In distinction, others I work with have changed their life with CrossFit.”

Hot Yoga: Yoga has long been a mainstay within the fitness world, but hot yoga adds a room heated to 100 degrees or more. Participants sweat heavily throughout the category, which frequently lasts ninety minutes.

Why it’s HOT: The room–literally. The increased heat allows muscles, tendons and ligaments to elongate more, so you can assume the postures more easily. Weiss says the sweat allows you to release toxins, which explains the amazing feeling you’ll have once it’s over.