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Full list of bizarre fitness fads revealed as Brits turn on traditional gyms

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Full list of bizarre fitness fads revealed as Brits turn on traditional gyms

FOUR in 10 Brits have shunned traditional exercise methods – to get their fitness in weird and wonderful ways.

Of the 2,000 adults polled, one in 10 have taken part in trampoline fitness, where you combine cardio and strength exercises while bouncing up and down.

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Brits and their love for queues has seen Line Dancing take the top spot on the Odd Workouts listCredit: SWNS
Each dance is often associated with a certain song, usually country music, with a specific set of steps

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Each dance is often associated with a certain song, usually country music, with a specific set of stepsCredit: SWNS
Foxy Bingo is hosting an Xtreme Line Dancing event where you can learn to 'Moedown' and more

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Foxy Bingo is hosting an Xtreme Line Dancing event where you can learn to ‘Moedown’ and moreCredit: SWNS

While others have played football encased in a giant inflatable bubble or attempted stand up paddle boarding – with a dog.

And 12 per cent would be keen to give a hula-hoop-based fitness class a spin – literally.

It also emerged 51 per cent claim they get ‘bored’ of going to the gym or running and want their workouts to be more fun.

Foxy Bingo commissioned the research to launch its ‘Xtreme Line Dancing Studio’ in Birmingham on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st July.

Sara Jolly, from the brand, said: “It’s clear people are looking for unusual ways to exercise beyond the gym – to shake up their routine and stay motivated by keeping things fun.”

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Other odd exercises Brits have tried include bungee fitness, which involves being strung up from the ceiling by bungee ropes.

While one in 20 have attempted to use the urban landscape as part of their cardio workout, via a spot of Parkour.

The most common form of working out is cardio like running or cycling (32 per cent) followed by strength training (25 per cent).

And 26 per cent describe their exercise routine as either neutral, or downright unenjoyable.

But 36 per cent said music or some kind of entertainment makes exercise more enjoyable for them.

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While 28 per cent get more out of it if they’re able to work out with friends, according to the OnePoll.com figures.

It also emerged 49 per cent only exercise for the health benefits, and not because they actually like doing it.

And two thirds are more likely to stick with a fitness routine if it’s fun and engaging.

The research also found most like to get their exercise out of the way in the morning (45 per cent), with just 19 per cent preferring an evening workout.

And 53 per cent like fitness classes that contain some dance elements.

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Sara Jolly said: “The Studio will combine the fun of line dancing with the fitness benefits of a circuits session to help you feel energised for the weekend ahead.

“Our research found lots of people have actually tried a line dancing class already, but they won’t have done one like this.

“So we can’t wait to see how many people sign up and come along to the Xtreme Line Dancing Studio to get their cowboy or cowgirl boogie on – and burn off a few calories to some country and western tunes.”

TOP 20 ODD WORKOUTS BRITS HAVE TRIED

1. Line Dancing

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A choreographed dance in which a group of people get into lines and dance along to a repeating sequence of steps

2. Hula Hooping

Using weighted hula hoops for a full-body workout

3. Trampoline Fitness

High-energy workouts on a trampoline, combining cardio and strength exercises

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4. Parkour

An activity involving running, jumping, and climbing over urban obstacles

5. Fencing

A sport involving swordplay

6. Bubble football

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Playing football while encased in a large inflatable bubble

7. Tough Mudder Training

Obstacle course race training involving mud, walls, and other challenges

8. Pole Fitness

Strength and flexibility workouts using a vertical pole

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9. Zumba Sentao

A variation of Zumba using a chair for resistance and support

10. Paddleboard Yoga

Performing yoga on a stand-up paddleboard, requiring balance and core strength

11. Cardio Drumming

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High-energy drumming on exercise balls to the beat of music

12. Bungee Fitness

Combining cardio and strength training while being attached to bungee cords

13. AcroYoga

A combination of yoga and acrobatics performed with a partner

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14. Kangoo Jumps

Cardio workouts using special rebound shoes with springs

15. Slacklining

Balancing and performing tricks on a narrow, flexible webbing suspended between two points

16. Roller Derby

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A full-contact sport played on roller skates

17. Aerial Yoga

Yoga while suspended in the air

18. Stand up paddle-boarding

With a dog

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19. Capoeira

A Brazilian martial art combining dance, acrobatics, and music

20. Krav Maga

A self-defence system combining martial arts techniques

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Fitness

Jessica Alba's workouts are tailored to her 'bad knees'

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Jessica Alba's workouts are tailored to her 'bad knees'

From “Dark Angel” to “Trigger Warning,” Jessica Alba has never shied away from fierce acting roles that challenge her to up the ante on her workout routine.

In fact, she credits one of her breakout roles with igniting her passion for fitness.

“I attribute my athletic body to the martial arts, gymnastics, dance, and strength training I did while filming ‘Dark Angel.’ That’s made me strong and really set the bar,” she previously told Shape, per PopSugar.

While promoting her role in “Mechanic: Resurrection” on TODAY in 2016, the star told Savannah Guthrie she’s dabbled in “a bunch of different disciplines in martial arts” over the years, including Krav Maga.

In her daily life, Alba’s workouts aren’t quite as intense, but they’re still pretty hardcore. As a result, the star has some practical advice for anyone who’s hoping to jumpstart a healthier lifestyle.

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“If you can just do it two or three times a week, a little bit of exercise whether it’s yoga or going for a walk or cycling class or something…go for it,” she previously told E! News.

Ready to learn from Alba’s passionate, yet practical approach to fitness? Here’s everything she’s said about her workout routine.

She knows working out ‘sucks’ but still gets herself to the gym

Working out gives you great endorphins but it can be miserable at times, and Alba is the first to admit it.

“I’m not going to lie. Working out sucks. Which is why I love taking classes, because I’m surrounded by other people and that keeps me motivated and accountable,” she told Shape in 2015, per PopSugar.

Alba described the process of working out as “agonizing” while chatting with Extra and said she could think of “anything else” she’d rather do than exercise. 

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“I’ve figured out now certain things that I like to do and it’s actually become kind of a stress reliever,” she said.

She loves ‘high intensity’ workouts

Alba’s workouts aren’t for the faint of heart. The star previously told Cosmopolitan she prefers to challenge herself and opt for “high energy” and “high intensity” sweat sessions.

“For me it really is about how I feel after I exercise so I’m motivated to do it. I do it for my mental state, to clear my head,” she said. 

She’s a fan of hot yoga

Alba has expressed her love for hot yoga on multiple occasions.

“I like to do hot yoga and sculpt yoga,” she told the Los Angeles Times in 2016.

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While sharing her morning routine with Self the same year, Alba revealed that she liked to check yoga off her to-do list early on in the day.

“A couple times a week, I wake up at 5:15 for hot yoga class. I need a really good alarm and a strong coffee,” she said.

In 2024, Alba’s personal trainer Ramona Braganza told Shape her client also enjoys Iyengar yoga, which focuses on holding poses longer.

“(She) finds it very beneficial for stretching her body out,” Braganza said.

She’s a cycling devotee

Alba has also been known to wake up bright and early to attend a Soul Cycle class or do an at-home cycling workout.

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“I also do spin classes with my friends. I find that working out with my friends to really fun music is, in a way, a meditation,” she told the Los Angeles Times.

She prioritizes strength training

Alba wants to stay strong, but she’s not looking to be a bodybuilder, so she makes it a priority to find time for strength training with “moderate weight,” per Braganza.

“She prefers upper body more than legs,” she told Shape, adding the Alba enjoys weighted slam balls.

She loves to bust a move

Dancing isn’t only fun. It’s actually a great workout. Alba has showcased her killer moves on social media on many occasions and told Women’s Health she adores dance classes.

“That’s fun. Like hip hop class, mixed with like core Pilates-type exercises,” she said.

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She does whatever she can to avoid feeling ‘bored’ at the gym

While chatting with E! News in June 2024, Alba admitted that she tends to get sick of her workouts rather quickly.

“I get bored,” she said. “So I do spinning and I do cross training with a mix of weights and cardio. I just try to keep it moving.”

She adjusts her workouts for her problem areas

There’s no one-size-fits-all workout, especially when you’re dealing with knee issues. Just ask Alba, who admitted that she adjusts some exercises to be kinder to her knees.

“30 min cardio -when you you only have 30 min to get it in💪🏽💦 -check out my stories to get my 30 min interval treadmill cardio. I have bad knees so the incline and treadmill is the only way I can,” she captioned an Instagram post in 2018.

Alba’s trainer told Shape, osteoporosis is a concern for the star and said they adjust their workouts together to account for that.

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“We focus on overhead exercises using resistance, which helps increase bone density,” she said.

She eats healthy during the week and indulges on the weekend

Alba has a pretty balanced approach to eating that leaves room for healthy foods and splurges.

“Four days a week, I try to eat plant-based, and I don’t drink alcohol,” she told Women’s Health in 2020. “Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, all bets are off. That feels like moderation to me.”

She knows that diet and exercise go hand in hand

Even the best workout routine won’t do much in the long run if you don’t focus on eating healthy as well, so Alba tries to prioritize both diet and exercise.

“With exercise, I get a little more toned and I definitely feel stronger, but my diet is much more important if I’m trying to slim down,” she told Shape, per Us Weekly. “In that case, I usually don’t eat gluten, dairy, fried foods or processed foods. I try to stick to a diet that’s low in sugar and carbs, and high in lean protein and vegetables.”

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She felt more comfortable in her skin after becoming a mother

Everyone deals with body insecurities, including Alba. These days she’s comfortable in her own skin, but it wasn’t always that way. In fact, she told Cosmo UK that becoming a mother helped her feel more confident.

“As a teenager — and even in my 20s — I always saw the negative and didn’t focus on the positive, and then I felt like being part of something so life-altering and profound like having a child just made me feel differently about it all. I also thought ‘how do I want my girls to feel about their bodies?’ I don’t want them to have certain hang-ups, so my attitude to myself shifted,” she said in 2015.

Alba also practices gratitude to remind herself how lucky she is that her body takes such good care of her.

“I love my shape because it does what I want it to,” she told Shape, per Us Weekly. “If I want to go on a hike or a bike ride or go for a swim, I know my body will do everything I tell it to. I also appreciate that I can push myself through when I’m feeling tired. There’s always a little extra something to get me past the tired moments.”

She doesn’t beat herself up when she misses a workout

As a mom and entrepreneur, Alba’s schedule is jam-packed at all times, so she doesn’t always find time to squeeze in a workout. And that’s OK with her.

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“I always thought, ‘I need to sweat out my weight in water, I need to have muscle failure, I need to feel like I just ran a marathon—that’s how hard I needed to work out,” she previously told Women’s Health.

These days, Alba is kinder to herself when she doesn’t smash her fitness goals.

“I’ve learned to mix it up and not feel like a failure if I’m not, you know, killing myself,” she said.

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10 Weights for Strength Training sessions at home

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10 Weights for Strength Training sessions at home
Weights are one of the most important of any gym’s equipment collection as they allow you in indulge in strength training, resistance training and cardio as well. Made from the finest quality materials like steel, PVC and iron, these gym weights can be used by both beginners and professionals, depending on the amount of weight. However, one must make sure to follow correct posture and making use of appropriate weights so that your body can make the most of the workout without any injury. If you too have been planning to start strengthen bones and muscles with the help of weights, then do not forget to check out this article which includes a list of wide range of best quality weights.

List of 10 Weights for Strength Training sessions at home:

Read more about other Health & Fitness items on the Top Trending Products page. Check out the list of 10 weights for strength training sessions at home below.

1. Leeway Dumbbells Weights

This set of two 30 kg Leeway Dumbbells Weights has been constructed using high-quality steel and cast iron, making them last for a really long time. The rubber encasing allows them to be safely used at home and gym floor with less wear and tear. Since these weights are compact, you can easily use them in smaller spaces. Do not forget the specialized knurling that offers a better grip.
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  • Weight: 30 kg x 2
  • Material: Cast iron
  • Colour: Black
  • Dimensions: ‎36L x 17W cm

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2. Leeway Hex Dumbbells Weights

Kickstart your fitness journey with Leeway Dumbbells Weights which are made from premium quality steel and cast iron. The low-odour rubber encasing makes these gym equipment durable and soft to hold while the hexagonal shape prevents them from rolling away. The best part about these weights is that are quite versatile and can be used during exercises.
Features-

  • Weight: 17.5 kg x 2
  • Material: Cast iron
  • Colour: Black
  • Dimensions: ‎36L x 17W cm

Buy Leeway Hex Dumbbells Weights

3. Sportneer Dumbbells Set

Recommended by Amazon itself, the Sportneer Adjustable Dumbbell Set is the perfect addition to your home gym. The set allows you to choose from a combination of 0.9 kg, 1.1 kg, 1.4 kg, 1.6 kg, 1.8 kg, 2.0 kg, and 2.3 kg, based on your workout’s requirement. Adjusting the weight is quite easy wherein you are just required to slide the button and remove/add the dumbbell. Made from a combination of high-quality ABS and steel, these dumbbells offer a better grip and are comfortable to hold.
Features-

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  • Weight: 0.9-2.3kg each
  • Material: Iron
  • Colour: Carbon Black
  • Dimensions: ‎28L x 25.5W cm

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4. SLOVIC Dumbbells Set

It’s time to introduce strength training to your workout routine and you can do so by getting your hands on the SLOVIC Dumbbells Set. The set consists of a pair of 5 kg dumbbells, made from solid cast iron material and a rubber coating which provides superior grip. The hexagonal shape prevents these dumbbells from rolling away and allows you to use them in multiple ways while working out.
Features-

  • Weight: 5 kg x 2
  • Material: Cast iron
  • Colour: Black
  • Dimensions: ‎31L x 25W cm

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5. amazon basics Dumbbells

If you are someone who has recently started working out or wants to intensify walking, jogging and other exercises, then this pair of 2.27 kg dumbbells is the right pick for you. They are constructed using premium quality alloy steel and have been coated with vinyl for a firm grip. Do not forget the hexagonal shape of these dumbbells which makes them multifunctional.
Features-

  • Weight: 2.27 kg x 2
  • Material: Alloy steel
  • Colour: Light blue
  • Dimensions: ‎18 x 8.1 x 8.1 cm

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6. amazon basics Neoprene Dumbbells

Since strength training can be quite beneficial for the body in the long run, it’s high time you incorporate weight training into your workout routine. The amazon basics Neoprene Dumbbells of 4.54 kg each are the perfect ones to start with; they are made from neoprene material and provide a superior grip on the handle. They feature a hexagonal shape which keeps them stable while you burn those calories. .
Features-

  • Weight: 4.54 kg x 2
  • Material: Neoprene
  • Colour: Green
  • Dimensions: ‎17.9 x 8.2 x 7.4 cm

Buy amazon basics Neoprene Dumbbells

7. FitBox Sports Adjustable Dumbbells

Ranked as number 1 best selling weights on Amazon, these FitBox Sports Adjustable Dumbbells are made from finest quality alloy steel. The set includes 20 kg work plates and rods (3kg x 4 12kg + 2kg x 4 8kg) wherein you can use them in different types of workouts including push ups, pull ups, muscle toning, calorie burning and others. These dumbbell weights are quite easy to use due to its anti slip grip and easy to adjust mechanism.
Features-

  • Weight: 20 kg
  • Material: Alloy steel
  • Colour: Black
  • Dimensions: ‎‎14L x 8W cm

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8. Nivia Dumbbells for Hand Weights

The Nivia Vinyl Dumbbells are one of the best rated weights on Amazon which are perfectly suitable for light exercises including cardio, yoga, and aerobic exercises. This set of 2 kg dumbbells is constructed with the help of alloy steel, along with a vinyl coating which offers a firm and non-slip grip while working out. It also features a hexagonal shape which prevents them from rolling away.
Features-

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  • Weight: 1 kg x 2
  • Material: Alloy steel
  • Colour: Green
  • Dimensions: ‎17L x 8W cm

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9. ARTINO Dumbbells Set

Its time to burn those extra kgs and strengthen up your muscles and bones by including strength training in your workout session. And for doing so, the ARTINO Dumbbells Set will surely come in handy. This pair of 3 kg dumbbells allow you to perform a wide range of workouts including muscle toning. Strength and resistance training. They are made from finest quality PVC material which adds to its long life, The best part about these gym weights is that it features a non-slipping texture, leading to a better grip wile burning those calories.
Features-

  • Weight: 3 kg x 2
  • Material: PVC
  • Colour: Black
  • Dimensions: ‎24L x 11W cm

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10. Lifelong Dumbbells

Your search for budget friendly gym weights ends as we present to you the Lifelong Dumbbells, making for a perfect home gym equipment to practise strength and resistance training. This pair of 2 kg dumbbells is made from best quality PVC material which are quite easy to hold due to the enhanced grip. From beginners to professionals, this pair is completely suitable for everyone due to its hexagonal shape and non-slip texture.
Features-

  • Weight: 2 kg x 2
  • Material: PVC
  • Colour: Black
  • Dimensions: ‎20.9L x 8.4W

Buy Lifelong Dumbbells

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FAQs about weights

1. Which are the best quality gym weights available in India?

Ans. Here is a list of best best-quality gym weights available in India:

  • Leeway Dumbbells Weights
  • Leeway Hex Dumbbells Weights
  • Sportneer Dumbbells Set
  • SLOVIC Dumbbells Set
  • amazon basics Dumbbells
  • amazon basics Neoprene Dumbbells
  • FitBox Sports Adjustable Dumbbells
  • Nivia Vinyl Dumbbells for Hand Weights
  • ARTINO Dumbbells Set
  • Lifelong Dumbbells

2. Can I lift weights every day?

Ans. You can definitely lift weights every day, however, you must make sure that you balance it out with other exercises. Follow up with optimum rest and a healthy diet.

3. What are weights used for?

Ans. Lifting weights while working out helps to strengthen muscles and bones, increase metabolism, and achieve a lean body

Disclaimer : The above content is non-editorial and produced by a third party advertiser. Times Internet Limited/ Economic Times does not guarantee, vouch for or endorse any of the content or its genuineness. The product prices mentioned in the article are subject to change including depending upon offers given by Amazon.

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New Lantzville ‘mental fitness trail’ believed to be first of its kind in Canada

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New Lantzville ‘mental fitness trail’ believed to be first of its kind in Canada

The project itself started a few years ago, with Lantzville Mayor Mark Swain connecting Rotary with Ojala’s family.

They’d originally approached the District about a memorial bench, but the idea of something more proactive took over.

“We should do something to help raise awareness of mental health here, so we came up with the idea of this mental fitness trail and we worked with the VI Crisis Society and the Canadian Mental Health Association’s B.C. chapter to bring it to fruition,” Taylor added.

Each sign offers different messaging, exercises and thought prompts to encourage trail users to work on their mental health, as much as their physical wellbeing.

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Signs also contain direct contact information to the Vancouver Island Crisis Line and other mental support services.

“Rather than talking about how to deal with things, why don’t we give people some tools and exercises that may help make them more resilient in the first place, give them some coping mechanisms there.”

Taylor said Ojala’s family attended a gathering to unveil the trail on Friday, July 12.

In addition to the signs, a memorial bench was also placed adorned with the phrase “Stay: Tomorrow Needs YOU!”, a message crafted by Ojala’s nephew.

“We wanted them to be happy with what it was and have some input into it. For them to be there, for some of them it was the first time they’d seen any of it…for that it was quite emotional to see how much it actually meant to them and we found a way to help community and honour Adam at the same time.”

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The total project cost just over $10,000 and was completed through fundraising and grants from different groups including the District of Lantzville and Rotary International.

Rotary believes the trail is the first of its kind across the country, and one of the only like-facilities anywhere in North America.

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