Three latest fitness trend AntiGravity® Yoga, Altitude Training, Boot Camp

B^O D Y B E^A U T^I F U L

Fit and festive

WE BRING YOU THREE OF THE LATEST TRENDS IN FITNESS, SO YOU CAN FEAST AND YET BE FIT

 

AntiGravity® Yoga Imagine yoga that's been twisted, flipped, and absolutely tossed around. This latest form of aerial yoga combines a mixture of Pilates, yoga, and calisthenics to form a new exercise that has its fans practising postures both, on the ground and in the air, all the while being swaddled in a silk hammock. With moves such as the 'awesome possum' and 'the vampire', many will forget that while swinging back and forth in their cocoons, they're actually working out. Though we assure you, you'll feel it the next day, when your body will ache from that familiar, post-exercise soreness we all know.
    With supporters like actor Bipasha Basu, singers Pink and Mariah Carey, the trend of AntiGravity® Yoga has been spreading across continents. The idea behind this new form of yoga came from Christopher Harrison, a former gymnast and aerial acrobat, and the founder of AntiGravity® Yoga. Harrison discovered that after regular yoga classes, his wrists would develop pain. Using the AntiGravity® hammock, he created an exercise that allows you to work on your flexibility, strength, mobility, and agility, all with absolutely zero-compression to any body part. Whether hanging upside down, or while simply bending down, the hammock acts as your support, re-aligning your spine while also allowing you to try variations of traditional yoga poses.
    With instant results, this workout is ideal for anyone looking to strengthen their core, but it's especially geared to those who have desk jobs or suffer from lower back pain. No matter what your body type or age, this new form of yoga can be modified in a way to accommodate all your needs.
    Availability: Not yet available in India —Inputs by fitness expert, Deanne Pandey 

 

 

Boot Camp 

Boot camp workouts have been around for a while and are certainly here to stay. Modelled around real military drill trainings, boot camp classes aim to challenge you and your body to its utmost limit. While some classes may attempt to blend yoga and martial arts to increase flexibility and core training, the general routine will include a series of cardio, speed, and strength exercises, such as push-ups, lunges and jumping jacks. Moving from one exercise to another is done with limited or no breaks at all.
    Although this probably sounds daunting to some, the routine is definitely worth it — especially with results that show within a week. The strict fitness regimen will increase your muscular strength, stamina, agility and coordination, over time. This conditioning workout, however, is not for everyone. Those who suffer from knee and back problems or arthritis/osteoporosis should consult a doctor before starting boot camp classes.
    Availability: Many local parks and gyms conduct classes, such as
    0 Mickey Mehta's 360 Gym.
—Inputs by fitness expert, Mickey Mehta 

 

Altitude Training If you've ever trekked or holidayed in the mountains, you may have noticed that the locals not only enjoy a longer life expectancy, but are also much leaner as compared to city folk. When your body enters locations at higher altitudes (24,000m above sea level), it's forced to either increase its number of red blood cells, or alter its muscle metabolism in order to deal with the lower levels of oxygen.
    Altitude training became a phenomenon amongst athletes after the 1968 Olympics, and today it's more accessible with the creation of altitude chambers. These chambers are filled with regular exercise equipment (treadmills, cycles, etc.) but the oxygen level is reduced to have the same effect as that of a higher altitude. At these levels of reduced oxygen, your body makes adaptive changes to compensate and consequently, promotes weight loss efficiency and exercise tolerance. You can gain equivalent results from 20 minutes of moderate activity in the altitude chamber, as you would from vigorous exercise for 45 minutes at sea level, making this both, more time efficient and less strenuous than a regular workout. But that's not all. Since your body pushes itself in an environment that has lower oxygen, it's obligated to use whatever oxygen is available much more efficiently, improving both, the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. It also boosts a person’s metabolic rate.
    Availability: There are three facilities owned by Altitude Technology Solutions (ATS) in Mumbai - Two Pilates and Altitude Training Studios in Bandra and Juhu, and an Altitude Training Studio at Qi in Churchgate.
—Inputs by Neville Wadia, Altitude Technology Solutions Managing Director and Head - Training and Education