With assignments piling up, papers to churn out, and the ever-looming deadlines that plague us every semester, is it any wonder that for most of us, our New Year’s resolution of working out gets buried for months at a time? After all, for how many of us does the thought of going to the gym inspire any excitement? The next time you are looking for some motivation to exercise, why not try one of these fitness trends and see why they have attained so many devotees?
Zumba:
If you love to dance, then this is the perfect workout for you! This Latin-style dance class is fast paced and exhilarating, combining techniques from dances such as the meringue, the tango, and the flamenco. Its popularity has grown dramatically in the past year due to the fact that each session burns an enormous amount of calories, and yet, you are actually having fun exercising!
As a student at San Francisco State, you can even try it for free by attending a weekly class offered by the Campus Recreation Department!
Barre:
If you are looking for a slower pace, but an equally invigorating workout, perhaps you should try Barre. Inspired by ballet, Barre workouts focus on muscle endurance, building strength in your core and leg muscles.
Pilates:
Pilates will stretch and strengthen your entire body. This type of workout has been known to increase your strength and flexibility. It works wonders on your core and helps your posture, making it a very popular choice of workout among dancers.
Yoga:
It is no surprise that yoga is one of the most popular forms of exercise today given its wide range of benefits. It reduces stress, increases mindfulness, strengthens your muscles, and improves your balance, flexibility, and endurance.
The Campus Recreation Department also offers a range of yoga classes throughout the week, and even if you cannot attend those, it is not difficult to find yoga studios scattered throughout the city. For example, “Yoga to the People” in the Mission District offers donation-based classes. Whether you are just beginning to delve into the wonderful world of yoga or you are an experienced yogi, there are many affordable ways of getting your yoga fix here in the city.
Zumba, Barre, Pilates, and Yoga: Their names might seem odd to a first-timer, and the actual workout may appear odder still. However, don’t let that deter you from trying them out! You might even find one you enjoy so much that keeping your New Year’s resolution is no chore at all. There is always hope!