5 fun fitness finds: Zumba, pole dancing & Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, plus Kettlebell &
TRX® Suspension Training
JASSMIN PETER puts fitness first and offers a rundown of the latest workout trends now in Singapore.
They're fun too!

Zumba
With its scorching dance rhythms and infectious music beats, Zumba has taken over the fitness world as one of the most fun ways to get fit, while learning energetic dance moves. Popular with celebrities such as Eva Longoria and Vanessa Williams, Zumba dances around the fitness motto "Ditch the Workout, Join the Party", utilising aerobic interval training with fast and slow rhythms to deliver an addictive, high-energy workout.
     Classes are a non-stop dance fitness party. The instructor faces the class and leads not with his words, but with eye contact, hand gestures, hollers and claps. Dance sets incorporate high-energy beats, simple cardio-based dance moves and isolation exercises such as lunges, wide-stance squats and torso and pelvic rotations. You also get a chance to try different rhythms, including Merengue, Salsa, Cumbia, Reggaeton, Samba, Tango, Flamenco, Belly Dance and Bollywood. While the dance routines require some level of coordination, you're not expected to follow every step to the tee.
     "Many who try Zumba have so much fun they don't feel like they're exercising, but they notice weight loss and overall toning so keep coming back for more," explains Lisa Kong, a part-time Zumba instructor. If you're unable to master a certain step you can replace it with your own move. And because instructors are also allowed the freedom to change the choreography, no two classes are ever the same.
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California Fitness www.californiafitness.com
True Fitness www.truefitness.com.sg
BollyBeatz www.bollybeatz.com

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a modern take on the oldest form of martial art. Techniques for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are based on principles once practised by Buddhist monks who created techniques based on balance, leverage and manipulating the body to avoid relying on strength and weapons. However there is a greater concentration on self-defence moves on the ground since that's where you almost always end up when in a brawl. Formulated by Carlos Gracie, it teaches how to overcome situations on the ground, for example when you're forced into a joint lock or choke.
     With Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu you learn how to use body mechanics and leverage. This means you don't require strength or agility to execute a technique, allowing a weaker person to overcome a bigger, stronger opponent. A typical training session exercises every muscle of your body, including your brain, because it's all about anticipating your opponents' next move and skilfully applying the right technique at the right time to defend yourself. This rigorous workout helps you lose weight and increase muscular and cardiovascular endurance. Unlike a typical solitary gym session, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is actually a game you play - so it's social and fun, while offering all the health benefits of a rigorous gym workout. In addition, you master self-defence, discipline, respect, camaraderie, wellness and healthy living.
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The Stable Mixed Martial Arts www.thestable-mma.com
Evolve Mixed Martial Arts www.evolve-mma.com
Gracie Asia Combatives www.gracieasia.webs.com 

Pole Dancing
Once synonymous with Orchard Towers' anytime clubs, pole dancing is now mainstream and a great workout for anyone looking to get fit while bringing some sexy back into their fitness routine.
     It may look like nothing more than "swinging around a pole", but there's a lot more to this art form than meets the eye. Pole dancing is a combination of gymnastics and dance, requiring athletic strength, flexibility endurance and aesthetic grace. As you perform climbs, spins and body inversions on the pole, you're constantly engaging your upper body and core strength - toning these areas. According to Bobbi, founder of Bobbi's Pole Studio, "A pole dancer needs to be strong, flexible, graceful, fearless and classy. It's not for everyone, but if you want to dance, become more agile, stronger and most importantly more confident, I'd recommend it." Available as Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced classes, you can also couple your pole dancing workout with other exotic dances - such as Striptease and Lap Dancing - to get fit while picking up sensual moves to use outside of class!
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Bobbi's Pole Studio www.bobbispolestudio.com.sg
Groove All Ladies Dance School www.groove.com.sg
Pure Fitness www.pure-fit.com

Kettlebell Workouts
Originating in Russia, a Kettlebell is a bowling ball with a square handle. A typical workout will have you using the ball in a series of exercises such as swings, clean and press, snatches, one-arm overhead lunges, high pulls and deadlifts. Exercises focus on building lower and upper body strength and core muscles, increasing stamina and helping you achieve a leaner physique and better posture.
     During a Kettlebell exercise, your centre of gravity constantly changes forcing you to readjust and improve flexibility, balance and endurance. This elevates your heart rate - turning you into a fat-burning furnace. Because you can burn up to 400 calories in just
30 minutes, it's especially effective for losing fat in your midsection and increasing your level of fitness.
     "A Kettlebell is awesome for fat loss and muscle toning as it keeps your metabolic rate revved up - so you burn calories even when resting," says Senior Personal Trainer, Alvin Francis Fok. And because Kettlebells are mobile, you aren't confined to a gym - this workout can be done anywhere. You can customise this highly challenging workout to suit your goals. And because you'll soon see results you'll be motivated to keep going.
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Alvin Francis Fok Senior Personal Trainer www.alvin-fitness.org
SingaporeKettlebells www.kettlebells.sg
Body Temple www.bodytemple.com.sg  

TRX® Suspension Training
TRX® Suspension Training was initially developed to help Navy Seals stay in top form while on the go. This workout uses a set of suspension bands, which at first glace may look undemanding, but are actually very challenging. A typical TRX® workout lasts 15 to 30 minutes and requires you to perform a series of exercises using your bodyweight. Suitable for both novices and advanced exercisers, the intensity of the workout can be adjusted by readjusting the length of the bands or changing your position.
     "The TRX has an almost limitless exercise capability. It can be used for any goal and any form of training. And every training session can be completely different to your last." explains Simon Pink, a personal trainer at TFL Training Consultants.
     TRX® is different from traditional weight training because the latter only works one muscle group at a time, which can result in injuries due to overuse and muscular imbalances, limiting your strength and movement gains. Suspension training encourages you to work multiple muscles and joints simultaneously. And because of its versatility, you can get a great workout anywhere: at home, while travelling, at the park or any place sturdy enough to attach the bands. Each session uses several exercises, the order and intensity of which are always reworked so time passes quickly, you feel like you've worked out for hours and can feel improved tone by the very next day.
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Simon Pink, TFL Training Consultants Email:simonjp23@hotmail.com
California Fitness www.californiafitness.com
Pure Fitness www.pure-fit.com
Body Temple www.bodytemple.com.sg

Posted May 2011