Have Fun Shaking Off Post-Holiday Weight at Your Local Gym

The holiday season is almost here, and we all know what that means. Lots of delicious food, lying around doing basically nothing (except the odd bout of gift opening and perhaps some dishwashing after meals.  Along with the good times, the holidays can lead many to packing on those unwanted pounds.  Keep reading for more fun tips to keep the holiday flab at bay!

Of course, all that binge eating and laziness, though understandable after a hard year at work, is bound to show sooner or later. Worry not, though, for modern-day gyms offer plenty of courses and classes in various fun physical activities that will help you shake off those post-Christmas extra pounds.

You just need to know what you’re looking for. To this end, we’ve compiled a list of light and fun gym activities that you might want to consider. Nothing tedious or boring such as cardio machines,  just light-hearted physical fun to kick you back into gear and help put you back in shape as you prepare to take 2012 head-on.

To boot, most of these activities are available at any fitness center, irrespective of location, or of the fact that you’re resubscribed to a gym in Cheltenham , Crawley or Eastbourne.

Zumba

Invented in the 1990s by Colombian dancer and choreographer Alberto Beto Perez, Zumba took the fitness world by storm a few years back. It’s infinitely fun for those who enjoy dancing, as it involves elements from several dance styles (hip-hop, samba, salsa, meringue, mambo, martial arts, Bollywood and belly dancing).

However, since Zumba classes are not (just) dance classes, it will also have you perform some aerobic moves such as squats and lunges. Many gyms offer Zumba courses, since they don’t require licensing fees to be implemented. Depending on your age and how far you’re willing to push the limits of your endurance, there are seven levels of Zumba, ranked by difficulty. Seasoned partakers have been quoted as saying that the most exerting, yet also the most fun type of Zumba is the water-based Aqua Zumba, which takes place in a swimming pool.

Spinning

Spinning, also known as indoor cycling, is an activity for which you need a stationary exercise bike, lots of endurance and willingness to educate and hone your strength to the best of its potential. If you think you can just hop on that bike and go, know that you might just be wrong. A specialized trainer will teach you all you need to know about posture.

A wrong position might cause lower back and knee problems, and even injuries. Additionally, it is essential to correctly set up the bike according to your height and weight before proceeding. When done right, spinning will prove to be infinitely fun. Your instructor will simulate a variety of situations and terrains, teaching you how to simulate an interval ride or even engage you in a slightly more demanding terrain-based course, which aims to replicate outdoor riding conditions. You can monitor your heart rate while spinning, and set appropriate goals for your endurance levels. If you live in Gloucestershire, for instance, know that at least one gym in Cheltenham offers great classes in spinning that will help you make the most of your intensive workout.

Pilates

This type of physical activity takes its name from German inventor Joseph Pilates, who came up with it the early 20th century. Thanks to Sex and the City and several other media products, Pilates has become immensely popular over the past decade or so, with over eleven million users in the United States alone, according to 2005 data. The method is based on the control of the mind over the body in general and over specific sets of muscles in particular. The aim of Pilates is to help the user achieve a greater degree of flexibility, strength, endurance and coordination in their legs, abs, arms and back region.