Rude Fit

Class of 2015

Every year exercise trends change and new ways of moving your body become popular. Rude Health magazine asked Carl Cautley of Fitness Together in Ranelagh, Dublin 6 (fitnesstogether.ie) to give us his predictions for the most popular fitness trends in Ireland for 2015, all available in a class or a gym near you.

1 Body weight training
What is it? “Using your own body weight as resistance. Training in the right way, you can target all the different body parts and also get a great cardiovascular workout.”

2 High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
What is it? “A short high intensity workout to maximise your time and results. Research has shown that working out for short intervals at maximum intensity has enormous benefits. However, you need to warm up well to avoid injury.”

3 Strength training
What is it? “Strength training, or weight lifting, will not bulk you up, unless you are doing real bodybuilder work. Benefits include a faster metabolism, increased weight loss and a more toned body shape.”

4 Personal training
What is it? “Working with a trainer on a fitness regime designed specifically to meet your personal goals. Great trainers are always keeping up with the latest trends. There are many options from private personal training to small group training in the big box gyms.”

5 Yoga
What is it? “An ancient form of exercise that uses poses to stretch and tone different parts of the body, there are many forms. The mind/body benefits are terrific.”

Other great ideas for exercise classes in Ireland

AntiGravity Yoga
What is it? A fusion of aspects of traditional yoga, pilates, callisthenics, dance, and gymnastics. A complete total body workout that uses an AntiGravity Hammock (pictured right). Good for increased muscular flexibility and joint mobility with low impact cardiovascular conditioning.

Where? Drogheda, Dundalk, Swords, Sandyford, Ratoath, Rathfarnham, Lucan, Blanchardstown, Belfast, Cork and Wexford.
antigravityyoga.ie

SurfingYogaFit
What is it? A surf-inspired yoga and fitness workout on a multifunctional exercise board that recreates the dynamics of water and wave movements. Helps with balance co-ordination, fitness, sports performance and rehabilitation.

Where? The Fitzone Studio in Westwood, Leopardstown, Dublin 18.
surfingyogafit.com

Pound
What is it? A full-body cardio session including constant simulated drumming using Ripstix, a kind of drumsticks.

Where? on DVD. poundfit.com

Zumba
What is it? A dance fitness programme that includes moves from various dance styles including samba, salsa and hip hop with aerobic movements such as lunges and squats.

Where? Various gyms and community centres

Exercise of the issue

The Lunge

The lunge is quite a technical exercise, but when mastered it is extremely dynamic and very beneficial. It targets all the muscles in the legs, i.e. calves, hamstrings, quads and glutes.

Start in a standing position, step out with your right foot and go into a kneeling position. Don’t touch the ground with your left knee and ensure the right knee doesn’t travel in front of your toes.

Now step back with your right foot to a standing position. Repeat 5 to 8 times and then change to your other leg.

The key to balance in this movement is to fix your eyes on some point in the distance. Muscle soreness the next day is normal – it will pass and is a good sign you have had a good workout.

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