Research carried out by the UK’s largest activity platform, MoveGB, has revealed that individuals who visit multiple venues to exercise are four times more likely to be active six months after joining than those who visit single gym venues. The average single venue attendee ends up cancelling their memberships after 3 months, and with this month showing many throwing in the towel on their new year resolutions to get fitter this year, it’s time to rethink standard fitness routines. With summer fast approaching with looming beach holidays, it appears the key to achieving those exercise goals is variety.
Revolutionising the way that Britain moves, MoveGB offers users unlimited, on-demand access to over 5,500 fitness providers. So if you’re feeling uninspired by the lack of variation in your workouts, here are some ideas to add some spark into your summer exercise routine. And to make your life easier, they are all available (along with your regular gym) under one MoveGB membership.
Aerial Yoga & ChromaYoga
Stimulate your senses with London’s latest yoga concept, ChromaYoga, where classes combine light and colour therapy techniques, brain stimulating soundscapes and bespoke natural scents to create an immersive experience. Or choose to counteract gravity with an aerial yoga class, allowing you to move more freely with less impact.
Whilst suspended in the air, aerial works on core strength whilst reducing tension in the bones and muscles, which in turn increases flexibility in the muscles and allows you to deepen your practice.
Bouldering
Challenging to both mind and body, bouldering is growing in popularity. As a workout it combines cardio and strength, requiring engagement of virtually all major muscle groups.
Benefits include increased mobility, strength, fat loss and flexibility, and with the security of a harness it also offers an opportunity to conquer fear of heights for added self-esteem. At the same time, the mind gets a workout too as you’re required to navigate routes and judge your abilities such as reach and strength and energy levels.
Parkour
Also known as free-running, Parkour is all about improving flexibility, core strength, balance, mobility and endurance by avoiding obstacles. Contrary to what most people think, it’s not all jumping between rooftops and flips, the moves are easy to grasp and classes are available for all levels.
Dance: Pole & Twerking
Release your inner diva with a pole dancing or twerking class. On the pole you’ll be surprised by how much can be achieved, burning up to 400 calories an hour and working on coordination, strength, balance and flexibility. What’s more, as you build your back and core strength you’ll also notice improved posture. Alternatively, learn all the fundamentals to being a badass twerker whilst toning your legs, bum and tum in a fast paced twerking class. Both offer a fun, challenging and empowering experience.
Mixed Martial Arts
Advocates of MMA rave about the substantial benefits for both physical and mental wellbeing. If you’re looking for a super efficient, full body High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) that will quickly improve strength and flexibility then this is the one for you. Not only will you burn calories, MMA is great for self-confidence and stress reduction too.
