Team iFIT puts members through their paces. Photo by Amy Leffel
Whether you’re bored with your usual trip to the gym or you’re simply not seeing results, it may be time to spice up your workout.
Frequently, clients ask me how to get out of a workout rut or how to continue making progress towards a fitness goal. Half the battle of staying fit is establishing a routine. But once the mind and body gets used to that routine, boredom and workout plateaus ensue. So, taking steps to vary a gym ritual will ensure success on the road to fitness.
Because everyone has different interests and ways they prefer to sweat, my suggestions of how to change up a workout vary. Dance classes and team sports are great cardiovascular activities. They work muscles you may not be flexing during your normal routine. My favorite dance class is Beginning Hip Hop at Lou Conte Dance Studio (1147 W. Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607). Trae Turner, a veteran hip hop choreographer born and raised in Chicago, takes you through old and new school moves to make you sweat. Then, he artfully teaches choreography to songs thick with base and danceable beats. This class is filled with every level of dancer and costs $14.
Another way to breathe life into a dull routine is to follow the latest fitness trend (and there are plenty). Imagine 20 people hanging upside down and flipping gracefully into an inverted yoga pose. That’s AntiGravity Yoga, a cutting edge fitness phenomenon “working to manipulate physics while staying lighthearted”. Participants stretch, strength train, and invert using AntiGravity Hammocks (rated up to 1000 lbs.). The instructor demonstrates all the basics so that you can enjoy the amazing benefits of decompressing the spine. AntiGravity Yoga inspires a playful spirit and delivers a multitude of benefits to the body. Classes are offered exclusively at Crunch Gym on Grand and Wabash.
Lastly, after a long Chicago winter of schlepping through indoor workouts, I suggest getting outside. Run, bike, and explore Chicago. For the best of both worlds, try Team iFIT, which offers group training at an affordable rate in multiple locations (Gold Coast, Lakeview East, West Loop, and Lincoln Park). Amy Leffel and Salma Dumbuya, ridiculously fit Personal Trainers, run outdoor bootcamps for beginners, corporations, brides, and runners. Team iFIT is offering free classes from March 30th to April 12th, or you can purchase unlimited classes and locations for $55.
For more suggestions on how to diversify your workout routine, email me at haleystonefitness@gmail.com.
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