The Circus Workout continued

Helen Whitaker

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Aerial tissue
Aerial tissue (using fabric suspended from the ceiling) is one part yoga, one part aerial silk. Wings AntiGravity Yoga classes at US gyms tone and strengthen your upper body and core. Rather than being another gimmicky spin on yoga, the upside-down element helps to go deeper into yoga poses, relieves pressure on the spine and promotes flexibility.

The class incorporates a soft-bottomed swing (like the anti-gravity hammock Mariah used during her Charmbracelet tour) and starts with a warm-up before moving on to a series of challenging poses inside the hammock.

Best for: yoga fans who are looking for a new challenge
Great for: abs, arms, toning, strength
Kilojoules burned per hour: 1050-1260

Circus conditioning
Conditioning sessions at circus schools introduce students to a range of skills by increasing flexibility and range of motion, while building muscle tone and control – and they’re great for beginners. Stephanie Abrams, artistic director of LA’s Kinetic Theory school, says, “This type of workout is good for all fitness levels because it’s done like a circuit using aerial apparatus – think sit-ups with your knees hooked over the stationary bar, handstands against the walls, and an introduction to tumbling.” The class also includes stretching, for flexibility.

Best for: beginners building fitness
Great for: core work and flexibility
Kilojoules burned per hour: approximately 1460

Acrobatics and tumbling
With Lourdes’ acrobatics in mum Madonna’s Celebration vid putting even the Queen of Pop’s moves to shame, you may think you need to be young and supple to somersault like a circus gymnast. But even beginners can learn to handstand, build pyramids and flip – perhaps just not in the first week. Apart from providing you with impressive party tricks, these moves work shoulders, chest muscles and your core. Building up from stationary handstands and balancing exercises, you’ll move on to linking cartwheels, back and forward flips, and routines – all while tightening arms and legs.

Best for: all body types
Great for: shoulders, triceps, abs, obliques, co-ordination
Kilojoules burned per hour: 1050-1260