Exercise Outside the Box : Fun Alternatives to Spice Up Your Workouts

Looking to stay "summertime fine", but tired of doing the same old exercises? Me too! Let's face it, there are only so many arm curls, lunges, and squats a girl can do before she and her body screams,
 "Boring!" However, it doesn't have to be that way. Try adding a little pizzazz to your workouts. Before you know it, your exercise routine will go from flat to fab- and so will you!

Check out these options to get you exercising outside the box:

Hoopnotica

Studio X, 3850 Gaskins Road, Suite 400, Richmond, 804-338-5252

Website

Get your "hoop" on in Hoopnotica class

at Studio X in Richmond.

Hula hoops. They were what kids' dreams were made of back in the early 80s. We couldn't get enough of these noisy, rock-filled circles of joy. Well, at least I couldn't. But who knew hula hoops could also give you a bodacious bod? The creator of Hoopnotica, that's who! You can join the Hoopdance community at Studio X, which is located inside the Interchange Corporate Center in Richmond. The one-hour workout is guaranteed to shape your muscles, tone your core, and burn up to 600 calories all at the same time! Every second and fourth Mondays, hoop master Brittany teaches everything from waist and angle hooping to leg and shoulder hooping, all while dancing to catchy tunes. She'll even have you hooping while doing lunges and squats! (Yes, you can do both at the same time.) It's a fun workout for hoopers of any level, and trust me, you'll feel the effects after just one lesson.

Cardio-A-Go-Go
Boom Boom Basics Burlesque and Performing Arts Studio, Dogtown Dance Theater,109 West 15th Street, Richmond, 804-230-8808

Website

Cardio-A-Go-Go gets your heart

and feet moving and grooving! 

Photo courtesy: Deanna Danger 

Goldie Hawn made go-go dancing come to life on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In. You can do the same, and much more! All you need is a little help from Deanna Danger. Yes, that's her real name, and she lives up to it! You get a "burlyQ" of a workout (Danger is a professional burlesque dancer) while learning a variety of moves and shakes of go-go dancing over the years. Expect to get your heart rate going while dancing to a fun mix of classic (The Sonics, The Standells) and contemporary (Gramatik, Justice) go-go music. Don't think you're a good dancer? Don't worry. Deanna will slowly take you through each move step by step, and by the end of the class, you will have learned a short routine to show off the next time you hit the dance floor. If you want to see some of the moves you'll be learning, check out the upcoming Boom Boom Basics student recital! It's guaranteed to be "boomtastic"!

D&G Line Dancing

Legacy School of Dance, 4420 S Laburnum Avenue, Suite 220, Henrico, 804-677-5699

Website

Learn the latest line dances while

exercising!

Electric Slide. Cupid Shuffle. Cha Cha Slide. At least one of these line dances is performed at almost every party in the United States! You can learn all of these and dozens more at D & G Line Dancing. The award winning D & G crew- lead by husband/wife duo Donna and Garry Burns- meets in various locations throughout Richmond and surrounding areas, teaching (and creating) the latest line dances you see on local dance floors, like the "Same Ol' Two-Step", "Marvin Gaye Slide", "Baltimore Strut", and "A-List". Dress comfortably and bring a bottle of water because you will work up a sweat and possibly lose a few pounds in this hour-long session. The lessons are designed for beginner, intermediate, and advanced line dancers. And guess what? The classes are family-friendly as well. So, parents, bring your children, and get your dance on!

　

Piloxing

Corner Barre, The Shoppes at Wellesley, 3466 Lauderdale Drive, Richmond, 804-360-3820

Website

 

Piloxing combines several exercises to

create the ultimate fun workout!

Photo courtesy: Corner Barre

If Pilates married boxing, what would they name their child? Piloxing! As the name suggests, Piloxing is a mixture of Pilates, boxing, and dance, and its goal is to strengthen your overall body. Talk about a high energy workout! During the class, "piloxers" wear half-pound weighted gloves as they move through a series of boxing and Latin dance intervals, alternating with periods of "recovery" Pilates exercises. If that's not enough, the class ends with an intense glutes and ab workout on a mat. Whew! Feel the burn! All of these moves challenge the body's core by fusing balance and movement into a fun, full body workout for all fitness levels. Want to try Piloxing? You can do it for FREE during the month of July! Head to the website and sign up!

These are just a few fun exercise alternatives in the Richmond area. However, I know there are many more. If you come across a new and exciting workout, let me know so I can sign up and check it out! In the meantime, enjoy exercising, and try to keep your "summertime fine" year-round!