By Yasmine Zapp

Remember the days of Jane Fonda aerobics, with the leotards and matching sweatbands? Or Richard Simmons “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” — can you believe he’s in his 22nd year?

Well, these days, those trends are out with yesterday’s spandex er, gym shorts.

Walk into any well known gym now and you will find a slue of new classes to choose from.

I heard that the Crunch Gym has a pole dancing class called Turning Tricks. Hmmm…

But that’s not all. Now, instead of riding a bike you are SPINNING. Step classes have been kicked to the curb by Abs Express and Brazilian kickboxing. Yoga is so yesterday, now Power PiYo is king (or queen). Just reading about all these keeps one’s heart rate up for the hour, seriously.

My recent desire for something new brought me into a class called ZUMBA Dance. I was surrounded with young and old alike. “How hard could it be” I thought? Once the music started pumping and the routines were laid out I knew I was in for a ride. A hot, sweaty 700 calorie burning ride. Grannies and teens alike were twisting and popping like street thugs in a music video. A steamy energized music video. And you know what? I loved every second of it. What a fun rush of adrenaline.

If nothing else, every new exercise trend gives us the opportunity to switch things up and keep our bodies guessing. I always tell myself that all I have to do is dive in, drink lots of water, and breathe. I usually end up having a great time, and my workouts feel less like work and more like fun, especially when I bring along a friend…or three!

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