With everyone from Madonna to Joan Collins doing it, we take a look at some of the most popular alternative ways to keep fit.
Madonna put Yoga back on the topic list for every TV show and women’s magazine, showing the benefits with her finely tuned body. Yoga is a health practise that originated in India 5,000 years ago. It’s not only good for increasing blood flow and flexibility but another profound benefit is the reduction in stress levels experienced by Western practitioners. Yoga also improves strength and most practitioners notice an increase in vitality and an overall sense of well-being.
It has been described as the union of mind, body, and spirit, which addresses physical, mental, intellectual, emotional and spiritual dimensions creating a harmonious state of being. Individuals with the aim to achieve relaxation, fitness, and a healthy lifestyle should look to yoga as the key.
The list of celebrities who do Pilates is endless, from Kate Winslet, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Joan Collins to John Cleese, Hugh Grant and Rod Stewart, it is truly something for everyone. Pilates originated in the 1920’s by Joseph H. Pilates and is designed to improve flexibility and strength without building bulk.
This method of body conditioning provides a refreshing and energizing workout for people of all ages and all physical conditions. The Pilates Method can be safely used by pregnant women to learn proper breathing and body alignment, improve concentration, and recover body shape and tone after pregnancy.
Aerobics is the perfect way to lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Rapper 50 cent even turned to aerobics to loose weight.
This form of exercise burns calories fast and reduces body fat. Again like other forms of exercise, aerobics stimulates the brain to release endorphins and so gives practitioners a natural high, helping to reduce stress levels and anxiety. Aerobics includes a range of movements and exercises that will work on all areas of your body, from gentle jogging on the spot to star jumps, lunges, twists, stretches and tummy crunches.
A good aerobics instructor will take the class through different levels of movement, starting with gentle low-intensity warm-up exercises including stretches as well as some light jogging, and stepping. Gradually the intensity of exercises will increase really helping to burn calories. Aerobics classes are fun and friendly, designed to involve people of all levels of fitness.
Zen-Do translated from Japanese means ‘the complete way’ which originated from European and Eastern martial arts systems. This style of martial art is a combination of karate, oriental kicking, western boxing and self defence techniques designed to provide both an aerobic and anaerobic work out.
Zen-Do will develop speed, flexibility, strength and co-ordination. Celebrities who use this relatively new fitness form include Sadie Frost and Jude Law.
Gyrotronics is a fitness and exercise system that incorporates elements of yoga, gymnastics, swimming and dancing. It was invented and developed by dance and fitness guru Julio Horvath and is based around a large piece of exercise equipment called a Gyrotonic Expansion System. The system uses weights, pulleys and rotational disks to provide controlled resistance to the user. Some benefits of the Gyrotonic workout include increased flexibility, improved muscle strength, joint mobility and better blood circulation.
Katey Walker