Shaping up in the city: Fitness trends and predictions for Toronto in 2010

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It's a new year full of new resolutions just waiting to be broken! For most of us, getting fit once and for all tops the list.  We'll join the hoards of folk signing up at their local gyms for expensive memberships they may never use. It is no surprise that the New Year is an economic boon for these businesses and gym regulars can often be heard complaining about the amount of rookies crowding the machines.

While joining a gym - and actually going on a regular basis - can be a tried and tested method for some, it is also worth taking a look at some of the more recent trends in health. You're likely to discover an activity that you will not only enjoy doing, but also gain even better results than more traditional workouts. Toronto is a city that offers a range of activities and, because of its diverse cultural population, is on the cutting edge of new and exciting workouts that you have never considered before.

According to fitness professionals around the city, some trends we saw emerging last year, such as customized boot camps (Bridal Bootcamp, Bikini Bootcamp etc.) will remain popular, as will the current Wii 'exer-gaming' phenomenon. Many gyms and personal trainers are adapting workouts for the large 'Baby Boomer' demographic, with others focusing on the rise of childhood obesity and getting kids active in sports. Overall, the general consensus seems to be that, not surprisingly given the economic turmoil of 2009, consumers simply want affordable ways of working out in the most time efficient way possible.

Kettle Bells

Although kettle bell workouts are a relatively unknown type of exercise in the city, they have actually been used for centuries as a way of producing full body workouts in very short amounts of time.

Originally employed by the Russian army as a way of keeping their troops in peak condition, they are now becoming increasingly popular with all age groups. The beauty of a kettle bell work out, along with being time-efficient, is the fact that they come in a variety of weights, which can be adjusted for the individual's own age or fitness level.

A 10 to 30 minute workout can help increase strength and endurance, improve posture and even increase bone density. This makes it particularly beneficial for menopausal women. After learning the basic exercises, the user can purchase the bells and easily perform the workouts in their own home. The cost of these bells varies based on weight and material - cast iron or vinyl.

Power Plates

Staying with the trend of quick, effective workouts, the high-tech Power Plate workout is something that is found in some of the higher end, pricier gyms. While this vibrating machine may conjure up images of the old style 'vibrating belt', the Power Plate uses advanced technology to vigorously and quickly contract the individual's muscles (between 25 to 50 times per second), toning the body, stimulating regenerative hormones and increasing the circulation. Individual toning and strengthening exercises such as squats; lunges etc. can also be performed on the machine. Workouts can be completed in as little as 15 minutes.

While the Power Plate workout has proved its effectiveness in a number of scientific studies, it needs to be performed under supervision and, because the machines themselves are extremely expensive - some costing as much as $10,000.00 - there are only a handful of gyms that can afford to install them right now.

Zumba

Zumba is a fun name for a fun activity! Toronto is seeing a definite trend towards 'dance party' workouts. Fitness professionals agree that participants are more likely to stick with something they enjoy (after all who wouldn't want to attend a party every week!). Zumba is  good for all levels of fitness and a great overall body exercise.

While many may not yet be familiar with the Zumba phenomenon, they likely soon will be, given the fact that it is now performed in over 75 countries worldwide. Borrowing heavily from Latin dances such as salsa and rumba, it is a good example of how a multicultural city like Toronto becomes quick to adopt new ways of keeping fit.

People who participate in Zumba say it is a far cry from the 80's craze of dance style workouts, leaving more room for individual interpretation and providing both cardio and core improvements. The music is high energy and the calorie burn is intense. You will come away feeling like you've just partied with your friends rather than having done a hard-core workout.

Given its popularity, a local Zumba class is easy to find and best of all, it is a relatively inexpensive way of getting fit. Mary at Zumba Spirit holds classes in several locations throughout the city, including a number of Zumba charity 'marathons' every year, with prices starting at as little as $10.00 per class.

There really is no excuse for not sticking to your fitness resolutions this year. By participating in one of these new and exciting forms of exercise you will not only stay in shape, but also gain a reputation among your friends as someone who is really on top of Toronto's trends!

Here's where you can find some of these trendy workouts in Toronto:

• The Toronto Kettle Bell Club offers training and classes at the Fighting Arts Collective Dupont Street location. See their website - www.tkbc.com - for times and fees.
• Zumba classes are taught throughout Toronto - check www.torontozumba.com for a class in your neighbourhood or contact Mary at www.zumbaspirit.com
• The Aiyoku Cardio Lounge, in the west end of Toronto, specialises in Power Plate workouts. E-mail them at contact@aiyokucardiolounge.com