Latest trends in exercise can help you burn off those must-have calories
You're probably willing to try the new fitness trends of 2008, but you're not willing to give up your Starbucks and Chipotle fixes.
Fine, then. Just be prepared to work extra hard.
Below are five of the American College of Sports Medicine's top 2008 fitness trends, along with a reality-slap on how much time you'll need to do that exercise in order to counteract your favorite indulgences.
1) Working out with a personal trainer
It's all about me! More people want customized workouts rather than the one-workout-fits-all programs. That's why the demand for personal trainers is expected to increase this year.
If you hire one, you'll get professional, one-on-one advice during a one-hour (or more) supervised workout involving cardio, weight training and stretching.
They'll take into account your fitness goals, physical limitations and personal preferences (bad knees, dislike of the treadmill, etc.).
In an hour, you'll burn: 610 calories
A Chipotle chicken burrito with beans, cheese and sour cream has: 715 calories
Time required to compensate: An hour and 12 minutes
2) Strength/core training
This will continue to be a central theme in health club offerings in 2008 for both men and women. The goal, obviously, is to increase your strength using weights. But also, toned muscles help burn calories more efficiently. As an added bonus, this exercise is said to help reduce insomnia and depression. Another added bonus: No equipment is required.
In an hour, you'll burn: 220 calories
A Starbucks Grande Carmel Frappuccino with whipped cream has: 380 calories
Workout time needed to compensate: 1 hour and 45 minutes
3) Fitness balls
Swiss ball, exercise balls, balance balls -- it doesn't matter: These are going to be popular fitness tools in 2008. Why? Because they teach stability, balance and strength, which are good for all of the reasons mentioned in No. 2.
One of the trendy new tools is the BOSU stability/balance ball, a plastic ball with a flat bottom, so you don't roll around the room.
In an hour, you'll burn: 220 calories per hour
A "Like it" size scoop of Cold Stone Creamery's Cake Batter Ice Cream has: 340 calories
Time needed to compensate: 1 hour and 35 minutes
4) Spinning
Wait, isn't this an old trend? Ah, what's old is new, apparently, as the American College of Sports Medicine lists this vigorous stationary biking exercise as a 2008 trend. It doesn't really give an explanation as to why, but hey, Jazzercise is popular again, too, so go figure.
In an hour, you'll burn: 590 calories
A McDonald's Quarter Pounder with cheese and small fries has: 760 calories
Time needed to compensate: 1 hour and 30 minutes
5) Mind-body exercise
Yoga, Pilates or Yogalates (a mix of the two) are expected to remain popular as people embrace the importance of mind-body balance. Numerous variations of both are now being taught, offering improved flexibility, posture and mental health.
Namaste!
In an hour, you'll burn: 180 calories
A Panera Bacon Turkey Bravo sandwich: 740 calories
Time needed to compensate: 4 hours and 5 minutes.
• For a full list of the American College of Sports Medicine's top trends for 2008, go to www.informz.net/acsm/data/images/worldwidetrends.pdf.