Health and Wellness

By Preyanka Makadia

Exercise Alternatives to Spice Up Your Workout

Fall is a time for new adventures. As the brisk weather beckons you outside, the last thing you want is to be holed up in a gym doing your same old boring workout. Luckily, there are plenty of activities that can help you get in shape while having fun. Here are some exciting ways to turn up the heat and spice up your workouts:

Belly Dancing
265 calories burned per hour*
Belly Dancing, also known as Raqs Sharqi in Arabic, is a form of dance that can be traced back to ancient Egyptian origins. The popular notion that it is a seductive dance form stems from the Romanticism movement, in which artists depicted belly dancers in harems during the Ottoman Empire. Belly dancing can be a total body workout and has plenty of health benefits. For example, it can tone your abs, legs, shoulders and arms as you do belly rolls, hip shakes and arm lifts and circles. These moves also increase your flexibility by putting your body through a series of low-impact, full-range repetitive movements. Since much emphasis is placed on the core, you can also improve your posture and prevent lower back problems. Furthermore, when combined with a healthy diet, belly dancing can even help you lose weight. Belly dancing classes are very accessible—many gyms and local dance studios offer beginner classes. If you can’t get the real thing, belly dance DVDs are available everywhere from Kmart to your local library. After a few sessions, you will be able to channel your inner Shakira!

Trampoline and Rebounding
300 calories burned per hour
Bounce your way into better health! The modern trampoline was invented in the 1930s and was used to train gymnasts, acrobats, pilots and astronauts. Now young and old alike use this backyard toy for a fun workout. Smaller versions of trampolines are used for a form of exercise called Rebounding. Rebounding provides a low impact workout on a mini-trampoline and has a myriad of health benefits. For instance, it is great cardiovascular exercise and promotes blood and oxygen flow throughout the body. Lymphatic circulation also improves, which aids in cellular detoxification and can boost the body’s immunity. Additionally, rebounding helps strengthen the bones, improves muscle tone, can reduce cholesterol and increases flexibility. Rebounding classes are available at many gyms, but this is even something fun you can do at home while watching television. Mini-trampolines and Rebounding DVDs are available online and at most sporting goods stores for less than $100 .

Capoeira
500 calories burned per hour
Capoeira is a form of martial arts developed by slaves brought over to Brazil from Africa over 400 years ago. It combines music with dance, fighting and acrobatics. The players follow the rhythm of the music as they perform their stunts in a roda (circle). They take turns entering in pairs and showing off their skills, reminiscent of a breakdancing battle. Capoeira can improve your overall fitness and strength. For instance, Capoeiristas perform many jumping kicks, handstands, poses and other movements that challenge their upper- and lower-body strength. These movements also improve cardiovascular endurance and can keep you in great shape. For example, supermodels like Adriana Lima and Gisele Bundchen do these moves to stay fit. Capoeira classes are offered at many Brazilian martial arts studios and Capoeira DVDs are available online. But remember, it is always best to try a new workout under the guidance of a professional.