5 alternative workouts to try (inspired by the ones you already love)
If you've found yourself stuck in a fitness rut, it may be time to switch up the classes you're breaking a sweat in. We've sussed out the best like-for-like exercise alternatives that will work just as many muscles and get your blood pumping as much as, if not more than, your usual favourite workout.
Want a workout similar to HIIT or a bootcamp?
Try... trampolining
The mini trampoline fitness classes at ((BOUNCE)), in over 300 studios across the UK, are split into two parts: they kick off with 40 minutes of cardio, in the form of dance-choreographed jumping routines – similar to HIIT in that they're interval based, combining a mix of slower and fast paced tracks, plus rest breaks. Next, comes a 15 to 20 minute toning session, targeting arms, abs, glutes and thighs (at this point the trampoline is used to help with crunches, tricep dips and the like). Another plus point to this bouncy new craze? It's super low impact on your joints, meaning it's kinder on the ankles and knees than if you were pounding the pavement or a treadmill. It's thought that, depending on the individual, a class can burn anywhere between 600 and 800 calories. Woah!
Want a workout similar to yoga?
Try... a handstand class
While a handstand class (yep, that's a legit thing) won't provide the same mental benefits, it's still great for those who are fans of the more dynamic types of yoga. Before you assume a handstand class means spending an entire hour upside-down, there's a lot more that goes into it than that. It'll give you a full-body workout, while really challenging your upper body strength – much like a Downward Facing Dog does – and includes lots of shoulder and hip flexor-opening moves. For someone who weighs 150lbs, you could expect to burn 40-80 calories every ten minutes spent in a handstand class, depending on how long you're doing the exercises for vs. resting in between. If you want to find out where you can track down a handstand class in London, Bristol, Glasgow or Edinburgh, check out Supaclass, the circus skills booking app.
Want a workout similar to spinning?
Try... rowing
While both spin and rowing classes offer a low impact, highly efficient cardiovascular workout, the former mainly focusses on the core and lower half of the body (with a bit of upper body work sometimes thrown in, depending on the teacher's instructions). A rowing class does all that... and more. Even though you're sitting down on the rowing machine, according to British Rowing you're working 85% of the muscles in your body, by pumping those legs, keeping your core tight and engaging your arms. Ditto your quads, glutes, abs, biceps and oh, even your upper back (amongst others). Classes are popping up everywhere from fancier boutique gyms, such as The Engine Room (London's first rowing-centric studio) to popular gym chains, such as some PureGyms (try out their British Rowing Workout class). Equally, British Rowing's Go Row indoor classes appear in various UK venues, ranging from Newcastle to Nottingham.
Want a workout similar to barre?
Try... P.volve
Although it's not yet physically available in any UK studios, the P.volve workout can easily be done at home via their app or online streaming platform. It uses specialised equipment (such as a ball strapped in between your thighs, known as a P.ball) and much like a barre class, focusses on smaller, repeated movements, leaving you more than sweaty by the end. The aim, says founder Stephen Pasterino, is to "elongate the body", replicating a dancer's physique. Fans include many a Victoria Secrets model and Riverdale's Madelaine Petsch. A one month plan starts at £16, not including equipment.
Want a workout similar to CrossFit?
Try... F45 or OrangeTheory Fitness
With new F45 studios opening every other week, all over the country, this functional fitness class is one you may already be familiar with. If not, let us fill you in: much like CrossFit, F45 is a group class which marries together circuit and HIIT techniques for a range of cardio, strength and resistance-based classes (all 45-minutes-long). OrangeTheory Fitness – described as "F45 on steroids" – goes one step further, as all participants are hooked up to a monitor which displays their exertion efforts. It's been huge in America for some time but has now finally made its way over to the UK. Both F45 and OrangeTheory Fitness incorporate a range of equipment into the group workouts, including weights and rowing machines, and mix classes up so that you'll never be bored.
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