Fit Friday #5: Complementary Fitness Classes

Welcome to a new series on the blog: Fit Friday! We’ll explore topics in fitness and wellness together. Have something you want me to answer or cover? hmu at fitwithaundra@gmail.com. Here’s a collection of all the Fit Friday posts.

Make fitness work for you! Whether you’ve been all about one style of fitness for a while, or you’re interested in shaking up the routine, this article is for you.

When I started my own wellness journey in 2008/2009, I started with what felt comfortable. Truthfully, what felt comfortable was hanging out on the couch and avoiding fitness, but I decided to start with what I knew or could easily pick up as a routine: running. Our bodies were made for running, and it was something I knew I could ease into and gradually increase.

But then, running got boring. I came to the gym (oh you guys, I was all about the treadmill back in those days), did my 5 minute walking warm-up, 15 minutes of running at various speeds, and 5 minutes of a cool down walk. Then, I left. That was it.

After several weeks of this, I did notice changes in my body and health (I was majorly suffering from acid reflux at the time and shedding pounds helped so much), but I was bored with just running.

I made a tough (and at the time, this was really hard) decision to break out of my comfort zone and try something new. I went to Zumba classes, which were just gaining interest in my area. I left the first class thinking “What the heck just happened?!” but made a promise to myself that I’d return. And I did — I got to a point where I was taking 4 or 5 classes a week. It was such a great break from running, and I noticed awesome changes in my body after several weeks of attending multiple classes a week.

As uncomfortable as it may be, changing up the routine can be an excellent way to re-energize, re-focus, and to get results. Changes happen when you leave your comfort zone.

With that in mind, I have some complementary fitness class recommendations!

Love Zumba? Try TurboKick, a heart-pumping cardio class combines elements of kickboxing into a cardio class form. You’ll move to fun music with choreographed (easy to learn) punches and kicks. High energy class! 

Love TurboKick? Try Insanity, a High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) course that encourages you to unleash your inner athlete. You’ll build endurance, speed, and strength at your pace.

Love Insanity? Try PiYo, a mat-based class (bare feet recommended) that helps you build flexibility, strength, and core power while also offering cardio in a low-impact environment. Inspired by movements from yoga and pilates, this class moves at a moderate-to-fast pace in a flow and strength-building environment. You’ll recognize some of the moves from Insanity – they work so well together!

Love PiYo? Try Insanity, a High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) course that encourages you to unleash your inner athlete. You’ll build endurance, speed, and strength at your pace. Don’t be deterred by the ‘jumping’ – it is never required and I will show you how to rock all the variations!

What do you say? Give it a try, step an inch outside your comfort zone and start seeing results. See you on the floor! Class schedule is here.