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Maybe you're tired of the same old treadmill and weights routine. Maybe you're overwhelmed by all the crazy fitness fads (What's a "zumba" anyway?) and you need a little cheat sheet. Maybe you need something fun to get you excited about getting in the gym ("New year, new you!" – sound familiar?). Whatever your need, I've got the solution. Here's a breakdown of the hottest new fitness trends that hit in 2011 and are going to be big in 2012. And bonus – there's a solid chance you'll run into a celebrity at a few of these places. How's that for incentive to get to the gym?
(Gentleman, we've got your backs, too! Skip on down to the bottom if you must.)
Yoga+Dance
What it is: Shiva Rea's Yoga Trance Dance and Aarona's Soundscape are both types of yoga which include elements of dance. There are dance-oriented yoga classes cropping up all over the country. Get Your Dance On takes this concept one step further. At this studio, you do a traditional yoga class and follow it up with an actual dance party, with everything from DJs to musicians to fog machines. But in keeping with the idea of holistic wellness, there won't be booze at these dance parties. Maybe just Kombucha - it's fermented, after all!
Where to do it:
For New Yorkers: Yogi Aarona Pichinson of Yoga of Nourishment hosts a Friday night yoga dance party called Yoga Soundscape at the Kula Yoga Project (28 Warren St., 4th Fl., (212) 945-4460) in Tribeca at 6:30 p.m.
Elsewhere: Let Your Yoga Dance is a dancing yoga program based in Stockbridge, Mass. Visit letyouryogadance.com for more details. Expressive Yoga Dance, a similar practice based in Las Vegas, is another excellent pick.
Dance
What it is: Whether you do ballet like Natalie Portman while training for Black Swan, ballroom dance like Julianne Hough on Dancing With The Stars, or you rock out behind closed doors like Cameron Diaz in The Holiday ("Cause I'm Mister Briiiightside!"), dancing is a super-efficient way to torch calories and have fun.
Where to do it: Many gyms have picked up on the ballet trend and are now offering barre classes. If there isn't one near you, try a DVD. Pure Barre is a ballet+pilates fusion. You can find Carrie Rezabek's DVD on Amazon. Another very popular option is The Bar Method (adored by Ginnifer Goodwin). For more information on The Bar Method, and to purchase DVDs and/or accessories, visit www.barmethod.com.
Barry's Boot Camp
What it is: Renowned for its intensity and supposed ability to burn 1,000 calories per hour (take that with a grain of salt), NYC-based Barry's Boot Camp is beloved by Kim Kardashian (don't let that turn you off completely), Jessica Alba, Ali Larter and Sandra Bullock.
Where to do it: BBC locations include (in California) Hollywood, Irvine, Sherman Oaks and San Diego. Classes can also be found in NYC and Nashville. If you don't live in one of these cities, you can buy any of Barry's DVD workouts at shop.barrysbootcamp.com.
The Tracy Anderson Method
What it is: 2011 was truly the year of the Tracy Anderson Method, and based on her results, I don't see this trend dying down any time soon. Her most famous devotee is GOOP guru Gwyneth Paltrow (who has better abs at 37 than I've ever had in my life). She also trains Jennifer Lopez, Gisele Bundchen and Nicole Richie. Tracy uses body type (abcentric, hipcentric, glutecentric, or omnicentric) to select the best regimen for each individual. Her methodology focuses on the tiny "accessory" muscles in our bodies to tone without bulking, and the proof is in the pudding: it works. Nutritionists have stated that her diet plan is far too calorie-restrictive to be healthy, so it's better to consult a professional before following that companion guide.
Where to do it: Since a session with Tracy Anderson is going to cost you several hundred dollars, here are your other options. She has studios in New York, L.A. and The Hamptons. She also has an online store dedicated to her way of life (workout DVDs, books, clothing, equipment and supplements), so you can follow her to your heart's (and your hips') content. Visit www.tracyandersonmethod.com to learn more.
Piloxing
What it is: This L.A. favorite pairs Pilates mat work with intervals of Cardio Kickboxing. Hilary Duff has been known to tweet about its butt-kicking capability.
Where to do it: Like ballet workouts, piloxing has been picked up by gyms nation-wide. Go to www.piloxing.com to find a class near you.
TRX Training
What it is: Touted by everyone from J. Lo to Jaime Pressley, Ellen Pompeo to Mary J. Blige, TRX is a suspension training system developed by Navy SEALS. Using straps and handles that can be set up almost anywhere, TRX utilizes your own body weight to strength train. It simultaneously improves balance and flexibility.
Where to do it: You can buy your own TRX training system for $199.95, but it makes sense to learn with a pro (at least at first). Go to trxdirectory.trxtraining.com to find training centers and certified TRX trainers near you.
It's a Man's World
We don't want to leave the guys out of this one – and we doubt many of you are biting at the chomp to take classes with Tracy Anderson – so we've found an excellent plan for you as well. Head on over to Men's Health for a workout designed by Todd Durkin, the man who whipped Super Bowl hero Drew Brees into shape. There are a total of 12 exercises which participants should split into four rounds, each round consisting of three exercises repeated in three sets. You'll need a Kettlebell and a Superband, but those purchases are an easy write off when the outcome is a body comparable to that of an NFL quarterback. Coincidentally, Brees is also a fan of TRX, so don't think the above suggestions are necessarily ladies only. We don't know how many fellow fellas you'll find in a ballroom dancing class, but it might earn you points with the ladies. In the end it's your call; we won't judge.
Everyone: With this many options at your fingertips (most of which you can do without leaving the house), there's no excuse not to try a fun new workout this January! And we're counting on you to not quit on Feb. 1.