From virtual reality workouts to hyrox to barre, this year we saw fitness buffs show off new exercise regimens on their social media. Who says you can’t have fun while building muscles?
Pic/iStock
Fitness lovers have always explored novel ways that they can meet their goals, whether it is learning new types of exercises or integrating better techniques or equipment into their workout routine. While incorporating protein into diet and using AI to make a hyper-personalised workout plan definitely worked out for some, there’s a reason these routines and techniques were the most popular ones this year.
VR Workouts got really trendy this year. Pics/iStock
VR Workouts
Your daily muscle hustle just got immersive — virtual reality equipment like headsets and motion controllers now give their users a gamified fitness experience. Through this style, people engage in playing games such as boxing, dancing, rhythm games, and work out while doing so. Apps like Supernatural and FitXR are some apps that give their users the VR workout experience.
Sandbag lunges are a part of the Hyrox routine. Pic/iStock
The amazing fitness race
Hyrox is a fitness challenge that includes running 8 km, combined with eight functional workouts like ski erg, sled push/pull, burpee broad jumps, row, farmer’s carry, sandbag lunges, and wall balls. All of these fitness activities are done in a set sequence, and the goal is to finish as fast as possible. It builds strength, endurance and stamina.
Focusing on the functionality
Every routine that you do should translate to making some real-life action easier — this is the mantra of functional fitness. Functional fitness workouts focus on movements and activities of everyday life that people might need strength to perform. For instance, practising a few sets of the farmer’s walk, with weights in each hand, can help prepare you to carry buckets of water or other heavy items.
The best part? It can also be added to any workout, including extremely short routines.
Mindful movement
Not all workouts need to be about the hustle. A lot of people have switched to having mindfulness techniques in their routines. These include techniques like Tai Chi and walking meditation. This ensures that one is more conscious of their body, while developing physical strength without risks of external injury.
Raising the barre
Barre workouts employ a mix of ballet, pilates, yoga and strength training. It is a full-body, muscle endurance workout routine that is broken into various sections. These sections focus on the core, arms, legs and the glutes. So, it not only builds strength, but also adds flexibility and agility. Moreover, it also strengthens the pelvic floor and builds up endurance.
Super-HIIT routine
High intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts are getting increasingly popular. As the name suggests, you have to push hard, but they can be done anywhere. You have to push yourself to the point of exhaustion, but take some time out to rest later, supporting your heart rate better. HIIT intervals should be at about 85 to 95 per cent of your max heart rate, according to a 2019 review in the World Journal of Cardiology. You can burn calories during your workout, and after it.
Some pain, much gain
If you have been following a lot of fitness influencers online, you must have heard of Zone 2 cardio, in which one focuses on maintaining a heart rate of 60 to 70 per cent of your maximum heart rate. Throughout the workout, this ensures a light to moderate intensity. For this, you are first supposed to determine your heart rate and then begin working out and maintain a proper intensity while monitoring it. Workouts like brisk walking, steady cycling and swimming can lead one to maintaining the required heart rate without too much strain. The benefits of this workout include maintaining better cardiovascular fitness levels, as well as burning fat.
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