There
is always some sort of weird fitness fad taking the nation by storm. Can you
recall these four strange fitness crazes — or have you got involved in any of
them while working out?
What do
you think of barefoot jogging?
In
the early 2010s, a group of runners began to wear a form of running ‘sock’ as
opposed to their running shoes. Those who supported the fitness fad said that
running in trainers or running shoes can make you more prone to injury, as it encourages
running with unnatural form. It’s also said that running barefoot strengthens
the tiny muscles found in feet, ankles and legs which can also reduce the risk
of injury.
Although
barefoot jogging isn’t as popular as it once was, it does still have a few
supporters. Experts have said that switching to barefoot running without
properly transitioning makes you prone to injuries though. Therefore, only try
this one if you’re willing to practise walking barefoot before running.
What do
you think of hot barre?
Like
many fitness fads that become popular, hot barre started in New York and Los
Angeles. This craze involves doing classical ballet moves in a room heated to
40 degrees, and it took off around 2015. Advocates of the fad say that hot
barre encourages you to gain a deeper stretch while helping you release toxins
and feel detoxed. Then, as the body has to work hard to cool itself down, you
can expect your metabolism to boost and number of burnt calories to increase.
Although
hot barre isn’t as big as it once was, there are some derivatives of the
exercise such as hot yoga. This is where classic mindfulness movements are
performed in a heated pod — a guaranteed sweat stimulator whilst acting as a way to ease back pain.
What do
you think of plogging?
This
exercise is something that has only became popular this year. However, some
people haven’t looked back since. It’s a Scandinavian-based trend that
encourages people to pick up litter while out running — improving health and
the environment.
Where
did the word come from? ‘Plogging’ is a mixture of the word jogging and ‘plocka
upp’ — a Swedish phrase which translates into English as pick up. The exercise
part comes from running with intermittent squatting and lunging so you can pick
up rubbish from the ground. It is an effective calorie burner too — fitness app
Lifesum estimates that a typical user will burn 288 calories from 30 minutes of
plogging.
Looking
to get plogging inspired? Check out your social media feeds. Head to Facebook
or Instagram and don’t be surprised to see images of people in running gear
with plastic bags ready to fill with litter. Could we see this trend become
widespread sometime soon?
What do
you think of high-heel workouts?
It
might surprise you but wearing high heels when doing a workout has been found
to offer a variety of benefits. Research has suggested that even walking in
high-heels (below three inches) can shape the calves and improve muscle tone
and shape.
Why
not slip on some heels during your next workout? It is likely you’ll begin to
see your balance get better. It hasn’t been fully determined whether wearing
high heels for a workout can result in weight loss, but it can help you learn
how to walk better in them.
As
2019 approaches, we have to wonder just what next year’s strangest yet popular
fitness trend will be…
Sources
*Collaborative piece
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