Fitness trends in group exercise

by Taryn Davies | 8 February 2013

Reach your fitness goals with the help of a group

If you have trouble sticking to your fitness goals, it’s no secret that if you train as part of a group, you will be kept motivated and interested for longer.

Group exercise is booming, much like it did in the 80’s, only now there’s so much more to choose from than leotard clad dance aerobics.

Experts from this year’s BodyPower and B-Fit Expo predict at some of the top group trends that visitors can have first-hand experience of when the show comes to Birmingham on the 17th – 19th May.

INDOOR CYCLING
Indoor cycling is going through its own mini revolution! You can now disco cycle, combine your cycle class with small free weights, and even race against your class competitors with the latest in interactive technology. Cycling is no longer just about the trainer, the music and the bike – it’s also the added atmosphere and fun factor that comes with a variety of class formats to suit all levels of fitness and experience. This year, expect to see more and more independent cycle studios like BOOM! Cycle and Cyclebeat to pop up over the country, as our love for cycling hits a whole new level!

COMBAT FITNESS
After a fantastic performance from our combat team's athletes last year, the benefits of boxing, judo and taekwondo are being taken up by Britons in their thousands. And that’s without even having to visit your local Dojo! With group exercise formats like BODYCOMBAT, Judo Fit and BOXFIT offering classes filled with key combat moves in an exercise to music environment, the fight just got fun!

HIIT
High Intensity Interval Training is THE buzzword for 2013, but don’t be fooled into thinking it needs to be complex, or involve the added cost of a Personal Trainer. The concept has moved into group exercise in a big way, as it consumes less of your time, but burns so many more calories! Studies have shown that just two weeks of high-intensity interval training improves your aerobic capacity as much as six to eight weeks of endurance. You’ll start to see clubs offering programmes like GRIT Series, CXWORX and TRX Rip Trainer classes, which WILL be popular, so keep a lookout!

B-Fit will be offering practical sessions across VIBE CYCLE, UNDERGROUND EQUIPMENT TRAINING, ViPR, SUSPENSION TRAINING, SANDBAG TRAINING, HIIT, INDOOR CYCLING, COMBAT FITNESS, CIRCUITS, BOOTCAMP and DANCE FITNESS. For more information please visit www.b-fitexpo.co.uk.