Winter is where your workout routine traditionally falls apart. No longer motivated by the necessity of a bikini ready body, braving the cold hardly seems worthy it when you’re hiding behind layers of clothing. However summer WILL come again and it’s time to beat that winter slump with some great new workout ideas that will keep you fit, warm and having fun through the colder months this year.
Bikram Yoga-For Extreme Detoxer
One of the most difficult hurdles in winter is dragging your self out of the warm toasty covers to a run in the brisk wind or the stiff air of an indoor gym. The heat of Bikram Yoga stifles your regular morning excuses surrounding any and all complaints about the cold and will have you up and sweating in no time. The studio owner/director of Bikram Yoga Tullamarine Annemaire Riego says ‘There is no better way to shake the winter blues and bring the glow of health and energy to your Life’.
Your perception of Bikram yoga may be that it’s a fashionable work out trend with excessive sweating and though that may be somewhat accurate, it works! Class durations are 90 minutes and consist of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises in a toasty heat of around 40 degrees. It turns out there is a point to the heat as well. It protects the muscles to allow for deeper stretching, opens pores to let toxins out, thins the blood to clear the circulatory system, increases the heart rate for better cardiovascular workout and improves strength by putting muscle in optimal state for reorganization. It’s also a great way to practice focus and introduce a moment of clarity in a busy day.
Physicore-For the Time Poor
The name ‘physicore’ is a misconception in itself because this workout will reach every inch of your body. Sometimes the biggest problem for not getting to the gym may be simply not having the time to do it. Physicore’s fitness philosophy is simple – ‘when it comes to getting results, you don’t need more time, you just need more intensity’. Catherine, the founder of Physicore in Sydney says ‘at Physicore, we are obsessed with getting clients results in the shortest possible timeframe, regardless of where they are on their fitness journey. The Megaformer allows for a huge variety of movements and has been designed specifically to facilitate quick, smooth transitions between exercises for maximum efficiency. Clients feel the effects after just one session.
Class durations are just 50 minutes, but in this time helps you burn calories and strengthen, lengthen and sculpt your body. When rushing between work and home, keep your layers on for longer with this high intensity workout.
RetroSweat-For the Fun Seeker
A hesitant step into a dance studio filled with loudly patterned leotards and a colourful instructor with a mullet cut wig is your first step into the most unique aerobics class Sydney has to offer. Shannon Dooley, founder of Retrosweat explains why her classes are the perfect fun winter workout. “In addition to the fact that you get to wear leg warmers and layers of lycra, Retrosweat is the perfect indoor workout that will keep you sweating this winter by grapevining to Madonna, star jumping to Belinda Carlisle, squatting to Prince and abdominal crunching to Wham. A 50 minute classic aerobics session set to 12 classic 1980s tracks, can see Restrosweater’s burn up to 800 calories for a sizzling hot body in time for summer.”
This workout is perfect for those who don’t want to feel like they’re working out but want the cardio and endorphin rush. Retrosweat classes also include great toning exercises for where it counts. Classes are casual so no need to book, just turn up with your favourite leg warmers.
Reformer Pilates-For The Office Worker
Sometimes the winter months can mean we spend even more time at our desks through lunch, not wanting to brave the cold. That means for a lot of us, more time in our office chairs-which as we all now know, is terrible for posture and long term back and joint problems. Reformer Pilates is a low to medium intensity workout that includes a repertoire of exercises that work muscles through a large range of motions that are ideal for building and toning muscles as well increasing stability through the joints. Mat-work Pilates is mostly core whereas reformer works the entire body, focuses more on the peripheral muscles of the arms and legs and has many more athletic and toning benefits than just this. Melanie Payne, the head of the Pilates program at ‘Body.Mind.Life’ says ‘I designed BodyMindLife Pilates with a big focus on mindfulness, self awareness and to bridge the gap between functional, everyday movements and traditional Pilates.
Classes specifically target small, deep muscles that improve strength, posture, flexibility and lengthen and tone limbs. Classes are also set to music and teachers at Body. Mind. Life are commonly anatomy gurus, having studied dance, yoga, psychology and even Japanese and Chinese medicine.
Vicious Cycle-For the Gym Junkie
Vicious Cycle, Like Retrosweat, uses exhilarating music as a motivator for a fitness journey that is fun, fast and furious. An offer of 80s and rock themed classes cater to your individual style and some classes even have live DJs. Vicious Cycle’s Director Tanya Weeks says, “Indoor cycling is one of the only high intensity training programs that works both cardio and resistance with little to no impact on the joints.”
Cycling is known for its high intensity, but at Vicious Cycle, you can control your own intensity and classes are open from beginners to (non enhanced) Lance Armstrongs. With a pay per ride payment structure, classes are flexible and committed to delivering the ultimate workout and educating you on how you can achieve YOUR desired result. This workout is perfect for those fed up with their usual gym routine and want to introduce something a little different.
We find one of the best motivators to get you to your new workout class is a fabulous new outfit to flatter your body shape and get you energised. Brave the cold mornings, afternoons or evenings with RESCUs top ten picks for hot winter workout gear pieces.