People are always coming up with weird and wonderful ways to get fit. But sometimes, these trends just seem bizarre! What are some of the strangest fitness fads that we’ve seen over the past decade?
Hot barre
Like many weird and wonderful fitness fads, hot barre began in New York and Los Angeles.
Where does the word ‘plogging’ come from? It comes from the word jogging and the Swedish phrase ‘plocka upp’ which means pick up. The exercise part comes from running with intermittent squatting and lunging so you can pick up rubbish from the ground. It is an effective calorie burner too — fitness app Lifesum estimates that a typical user will burn 288 calories from 30 minutes of plogging. Some people turn to yoga to help with relief from shoulder pain and other musculoskeletal issues.
Inspiration has been taken from this to create other classes such as hot yoga. This is where classic mindfulness movements are performed in a heated pod — a guaranteed sweat stimulator.
Exercising in high-heels
In the past ten years, researchers have discovered that exercising in high-heels does have some benefits. Research has suggested that even walking in high-heels (below three inches) can shape the calves and improve muscle tone and shape.
Carrying out movements such as lunging, squatting and lifting small weights while wearing high-heels, balance can also be improved. It hasn’t been fully determined whether wearing high-heels for a workout can result in weight loss, but it can help you learn how to walk better in them.
Jogging without trainers
It may sound strange, but in 2010, a fitness fad came along that saw runners trading in their running shoes for a form of running ‘sock’. Those who are in support of the trend say that running in trainers or running shoes can make you more prone to injury as it encourages running with unnatural form. It’s also said that running barefoot strengthens the tiny muscles found in feet, ankles and legs which can also reduce the risk of injury.
It’s still enjoyable for some people, but it’s not as popular as it once was. Experts have said that switching to barefoot running without properly transitioning makes you prone to injuries. Only try this one if you’re willing to practise walking barefoot before running.
Jogging for a cause
People brought together a love for jogging and the environment to bring plogging. It’s a Scandinavian based trend that encourages people to pick up litter while out running — improving health and the environment. The word comes from the word jogging and the Swedish phrase ‘plocka upp’ which means pick up. The exercise part comes from running with intermittent squatting and lunging so you can pick up rubbish from the ground. It is an effective calorie burner too — fitness app Lifesum estimates that a typical user will burn 288 calories from 30 minutes of plogging.
People are showing off their skills on the internet too — posting images of them in running gear with plastic bags ready to fill with litter. Could we see this trend become widespread sometime soon?
What fitness trend could be next?