Originally published in i-on Edinburgh, August 2008.
IF TRADITIONAL AEROBICS, STEP CLASSES AND SPINNING LEAVE YOU READY TO THROW IN THE TOWEL THEN ONE OF THE LATEST TRENDS SWEEPING THE CAPITAL MAY BE RIGHT UP YOUR STREET
Words Ashleigh Morris
It started with Yogalates (a combination of Yoga and Pilates) and now there is a trend towards more Yoga fusion classes. Louisa Johnston, founder of Tonic Health on Commercial Street, says, “We’re doing yoga for climbers and looking at yoga for skiers. It’s offering the discipline to different people who maybe wouldn’t think about using it because they have a preconceived idea of what yoga is about.” Other options springing up across the country are body and mind fitness solutions like Cy-yo, a mix of cycling and yoga, and Yogafit, a combination of yoga with more strenuous activities.
If you hate the gym and prefer the great outdoors, British Military Fitness offers classes in your local park, run by serving or former members of the armed forces with recognised fitness qualifications. Edinburgh classes take place in Holyrood Park, Inverleith Park and the Meadows. Or keep an eye out for ‘ruff yoga’, possibly coming to a park near you soon. The idea that training with a friend helps keep you both motivated isn’t new – but training with ‘man’s best friend’ is. Working out with your pet has been proven to achieve more successful weight loss results for both of you. The craze has been taken to extremes in America with the introduction of ‘ruff yoga’, a yoga class with your dog. Also known as ‘doga’, the trend has now reached London and it’s only a matter of time before it heads north.
For those of you with little time to spare, a 25 minute workout that is equivalent to spending an hour in the gym may sound too good to be true. But the Power Plate gives your muscles a high speed workout caused by vibrations and if it’s good enough for Madonna, it has to be worth a try. Try Studio EH1, the first authorised power plate studio in Scotland, based in Rutland Square, Edinburgh. Somewhat less vigorous, BuggyFit is perfect for new mummies feeling less than yummy. The postnatal fitness classes allow you to take your new addition along while you exercise and have been developed to suit the different stages your body goes through after having a baby.
If you can’t afford to fork out for a personal trainer then why not try a fitness website? At iamsuperchick.com registration is free and you’ll receive your own ‘locker’ where you can get advice on food and fitness. You also get a personal training diary showing what you should be doing each day. Superchick’s training programmes are designed to fit around your lifestyle and don’t expect you to give up booze and late nights.
If you have left things until the last minute then desperate times can call for drastic measures. Fitness boot camp is the ultimate quick fix. A week’s residential course at ‘The Camp’ in Galloway isn’t for the fainthearted but claims you can ‘Drop a dress size and tone up in one week’. All the instructors are ex UK Special Forces military fitness instructors and along with nutritional and medical experts they can help you achieve results quickly and safely. Starting before 6am each day and finishing at 10pm, you will be in for a tough week. But no pain, no gain.
Posted by ashleighmorris 
