I think Courtney, Mar and Cynthia came up with a really fun topic for this week’s Friday Five link up, and I can’t wait to see what fitness trends others plan to steer clear of.
I’ve learned to never say never, especially when it comes to fitness activities, but here are five fitness trends I have no plans to take part in.
1. Mud Runs. I loved Ragnar, but I don’t do mud. The thought of slogging through mud, trying to run in muddy clothes, and then cleaning up afterwards just doesn’t sound fun to me. Plus, have you heard about the nasty bugs that might be lurking in that mud? I know some people who love Tough Mudder events, but they are not for me.
2. CrossFit. I’m not sure it’s fair to call CrossFit a trend, but it is still pretty trendy. The official description sounds appealing–constantly varied functional movements performed at relatively high intensity–but I prefer to do strength moves relatively slowly with good form, and so many CrossFit workouts seem to focus on doing As Many Reps As Possible in a given period of time, or completing a high number of reps as quickly as possible. I’m sure that CrossFit offers kick-ass workouts that would improve my fitness level, but it sounds too intense for me.
3. Aerial Silks.I admit that this may be a trend I’ll avoid because I don’t think I’d be any good at it, but my upper body strength is laughable and I have no desire to “be challenged with skills where [I] will hang from [my] knees, arm-pits, and hips.” The mere possibility of ending up spinning around upside down makes me nauseous.
4. Pole Dancing. You can call me a prude, swear it has nothing to do with seedy nightclubs, and promise me a stronger core, but you won’t get me to a pole dancing class.
5. Barre. This may be cheating because I did try a Pure Barre class, but I won’t be going back. I know Courtney loves Pure Barre, but doing a zillion reps of tiny isometric contractions is not my idea of fun, and I do believe that fitness should be fun!
To prove that I am not immune to all fitness trends, here are five new fitness classes I would love to try:
1. Orange Theory Fitness–once my foot is up to it, I’ve got to see what all the fuss is about!
2. Soul Cycle–I don’t particularly like the pricey studio classes trend, but I would like to find out if 45 minutes of Soul Cycle could possibly be worth its $34 price tag.
3. Flywheel–Flywheel is another new indoor cycling studio in Washington D.C. Compared to Soul Cycle its $28 classes sound like a bargain, but I mostly want to try it because they lured one of my favorite instructors away from Revolve.
4. Treadmill Class–Maybe this is proof that my 5-weeks-and-counting hiatus from running is taking its toll, but this Precision Running treadmill class sounds like it could be fun.
5. November Project–I love the idea behind the November Project and would like to check out one of their Lincoln Memorial workouts once I get off the injured reserve list.
[Tweet “#Fitness Trends To Avoid Or Try #FridayFive”]
Does my “never” list include one of your favorites?
Have you tried any of the classes I want to try?
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I am with you on the mud. I would hate to be that dirty, and I hadn’t even thought about things actually lurking IN the mud. Yuck.
I agree with the mud run thing, they’re so over-priced for a whopping 3 miles! And I’ve been hearing all kinds of stories of people getting sick from it too, gross.
I do want to try Barre, but it’s awfully expensive.
I am with you on barre I don’t like it either. I would like to try aerial yoga and pole dancing. I love fly wheel and would go with you.
Oh, let’s figure out how to get to Flywheel — maybe on a weekend?
Yeah, I was definitely turned off mud runs once I saw those articles about the diseases. I’ve really been wanting to try the November Project. I’ve never heard of Orange Theory Fitness before today so I’m going to have to look into that.
I would agree to all of those with the exception of ariel skills. I want to try that one!
I’ve tried none of these. You won’t catch me in a pole class either. I laugh just thinking about it. My stupid elbow prevents me from doing some things.
I am with you- I will NEVER get out in the mud, bugs, bacteria, and yuck!!! Who want to do that? UGG! the Barre class is very specific- and hard to cheat in 🙂 bigger movement is easier but a lot of ladies swear by it!
You cracked me up with the pole dancing 😉 But, you wouldn’t catch me in one of those classes either!
I definitely agree with the Mud Run and Crossfit, but I think the aerial thing would be fun! But, I love heights. I have done Pure Barre and like it every now and then, but I also get bored in the class. I have done Orangetheory and it was pretty fun! I definitely recommend it!
I really want to try OTF.
You list and mine are VERY similar. I have tried Orange Theory, Soul Cycle and Flywheel and other treadmill classes. I think the Orange Theory is good for me once in a while (not sure how people go 5 days a week which people here do), don’t get the big deal about Soul Cycle and the new Chicago studio is SO crammed – not for me and Flywheel is a fun workout but $$$$. I look forward to hearing your thoughts when you try them.
I’m also intrigued by Soulcycle and Flywheel. One of my friends is a Flywheel instructor in another city so I’m always seeing related posts on social media!
Recently, I tried this class that was taught in a giant indoor sandbox. It incorporated both strength and cardio by using the TRX and Surfset boards. I loved it…except you get so “sandy” (think going to the beach) and your pedi gets ruined.
Thanks for sharing your list!
Oh, wow, that sounds interesting!
I’m with you here, except that I do work with a crossfit coach weekly, and she has made a huge impact on my running. I’ve never done a crossfit class tho…
It’s a good thing you didn’t do Ragnar WV because it was a mud fest! I now know without a doubt that I never want to do a mud run. 🙂
love this! We have similar lists (minus pure barre, of course :)). I liked the otf class I tried. I’ve heard great things about flywheel!
Ohhh! The November project! totally forgot about that one!
I’m with you on the pole dancing class. Pure Barre almost made my list, except that I still don’t even understand what exactly it is? I don’t think my area has this type of class yet.
i’ve been wanting to try november project, too! the one in dc does a few different locations a week, which i think is nice. my coworker and i are thinking of trying out the capitol hill one soon!
Oh, let me know if you do it!
Your never list includes two of my favorites and two that I’ve done à nd didn’t hate. The only thing I haven’t done is pole dance.
I like (not love) mud runs, but I don’t let it get on my face. Silks were OK. I also have no upper body strength. I didn’t spin though. Just hung out.
CF is awesome. Adding it took 20+ minutes off my half PR so it’s a keeper for me. I go 3-4x a week. Finding the right box and knowing your body is key. There are 60-year olds and 15-year-olds at mine and everything in between.
I use barre for stretching once a week since it’s low impact. Pure Barre drop-ins are way too high for me though so I go local.
And I’m trying SoulCycle in NYC next week! I debated between that and Flywheel but SoulCycle’s hours fit better.
Oh, Soul Cycle in NYC should be awesome! I know some swear by CF — I guess you’re one of “them” 😉
I might check out Soul Cycle once to say I’ve done it but the cost is ridic. Pure Barre I don’t hate but it’s not something I would do on the regular. And don’t get me started on the germs in mud runs!
I refuse to try mud runs/obstacle runs because I am so clumsy I just know I would get really hurt and I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize my running. I think you would like Orange Theory and I would love to try the other 4 on your To Do List.
I remember when the pole dancing classes were really popular…I’m way too shy for that, lol! I did Flywheel for the first time a couple of weeks ago and it was really tough!