Here Come the Hotstepper s— The 2 Group Fitness Trends You Need to Try in 2016

September is fashion’s new year. January is the fitness counterpart. Today I’ll be reporting live with the good word on the hottest group fitness trends to try in 2016.

Orangetheory Fitness

Move over gyms, OTF is a health club founded in the notion that knowledge is power. And that power is pretty resounding, because INC Magazine named Orangetheory as one of the best franchises of 2015.

The Workout: 5 Zones, 1 You

Leveraging the fat-burning power of HIIT, Orangetheory moves you through key heart rate zones during the 60-minute workout. Intervals incorporate some of my faves: TRX and burpees.

While you push, you’re hooked up to a heart-rate monitor. And no, cords are not hanging from your chest. The monitor is on a comfy elastic band and sits right at your sternum out of the way as you Get It. The whole duration of your workout you are able to track your heart rate in key zones. Did I mention it’s in real time? You won’t be spending time scrolling through your Facebook news-feed during this workout because YOUR progress throughout the hour. You gotta be all in or you fall out of your zone

Green is your “baseline” zone. The Orange Zone represents your fitness Holy Grail: the EPOC (Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption) “push” zone. Essentially, this is the intensity level where you open up calorie burn for 24–36 hours after you officially hot step out of the gym. On average, OTF goers burn 500–1000 calories.

Atmosphere & Vibes

Not only that, but the studio atmosphere is part of the experience. We’re talking up-beat music, mood lighting with that orange afterglow, and energetic, caring trainers.

I Like Big…Data and I Cannot Lie

Perhaps the most innovative part of the Orangetheory concept compared to other heath clubs, is the information. After each workout, you receive an infographic style report on where you spent your time in each zone from your trainer. Accountability is visibility. Since your heart rate zones are based off of factors unique to you (age, weight, etc.) and your unique fitness level, you end up competing against yourself.

Redefining Mind Over Matter

When you hit your usual treadmill, you might not know that at your 5 mi/hr pace you’re actually only exercising at about 65% of your maximum heart rate. With the data know-how, it may take you 4 OTF classes to figure out how to bring yourself above your green zone baseline, but it has now become measurable success. That’s SMART. Other cardio “gunners” learn to address why they spend so much time in the red zone above their max heart rate.

The Just.

Its’s all about you. Get selfish. Get the Download. Get in the zone.

Green with envy? OTF has over 300 locations across 32 states. Try out your first class FREE and learn more about Orangetheory Fitness here.

KICKBOXING @ JABS GYM

“Momma said knock you out.” — LL COOL J

Not a floor-ab work person? Are you a proponent of killing 2 birds with one stone? Then the total-body aspect of kickboxing is up your alley.

The Workout

First off, get geared up with wraps and gloves. This is a full-contact gym. Trainers lead you through combo sets of jab, hook, and uppercut punches on the bag. Kick through more combos to realize how many muscles it actually takes to accomplish what “Momma” said the way LL Cool J meant it. Left up to their own devices, trainers will also cool your down with toning work for that glossy butts + guts glory finish. All this, for the wonderful 700–900 average calorie burn.

Atmosphere & Vibes

If you’ve ever felt like hitting the gym after work was a sacrifice and talking yourself into it was similar to talking yourself into watching paint dry, then this is going to shake it up just right for you. Combing boxing, clubbing complete with black-lights, and sick beats, Jabs Gym and others like it are all about letting you loose yourself in why you’re working out: to de-stress and build a healthier body to live, work, and play in. If you’re not moving and yelling, you’re not doing it right. Check out the video y’all.

Redefining Tradition

BOYO. Say it with me, BOYO. Yep, in a combination seemingly weirder than Cappuchino flavored Lays Potato Chips, you can even tackle a class that combines Boxing + Yoga for some added strength and stretch gains.

The Just

This workout makes you feel pretty bad ass. Visit JabsGym in southeastern Michigan. Your first class is free and let me know if you’re stopping by! And #BeMyBagBuddy at the Detroit Eastern Market location. If you’re not from around these parts, check out Title Boxing Club at 29 states across the country.

Get in there and join the group fitness party.

Knock it out.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vimZj8HW0Kg

You do you babes,

Love,

Kay