3 awesome ways to exercise
Despite the subzero weather outside, we enjoy working out while we wait for short and skirt season to return. To keep motivation at its highest, variety and fun are musts. Here are three of the latest fitness trends, brought to you by The Kit magazine’s Fit Kit Editor Erinn Steringa!

The workout that mixes classical ballet with athletic conditioning—no pointe shoes required

 

The expert: Jennifer Nichols, a professional ballet dancer, fitness instructor and personal trainer.

 

The scoop: Forget technical or artistic merit, the goal is to get an amazing workout, says Nichols, who designed her Extension Method series of ballet-inspired workouts for dancers and non-dancers alike. Her class abounds with ballet standards such as pliés, chassés, arabesques and port de bras—but with hand weights and simple choreography, so it’s easy to catch on. Plus you won’t be jetéing across the floor to Swan Lake—Nichols is partial to a soundtrack of Jay-Z, Kanye West and Vampire Weekend instead.

 

The payoff: The oh-so-coveted dancer’s physique. “Ballet encourages long, lean muscle tone, and because you use your whole body everything develops in a balanced way,” says Nichols. Improved flexibility, coordination and posture are also nice benefits.

 

The details: Check out Nichols’ class schedule and brand-new Toronto studio The Extension Room at www.extensionmethod.com.

 

A unique—and addictive—series of yoga postures done in a heated room.

 

The Scoop: Moksha Yoga is a Canadian fitness phenomenon. Founded just six years ago, it now boasts more than 50 locations nationwide. Why the mass appeal? “We believe yoga is for everyone, not just hard-core yogis,” says Erin Moraghan, Moksha’s Director of Studio and Community Development and a yoga teacher herself. “We keep the mood light and encourage everyone to go at their own pace.” But make no mistake, Moksha’s flow-style classes are tough. Let’s just say there’s a reason why a beach towel and a giant water bottle are mandatory.

 

The details: Check out www.mokshayoga.ca for a location near you.

 

The scoop: Invented by cyclist Colin Irving, RealRyder ABF8 stationary bikes let you steer, turn, tilt and lean—all while pedaling hard and giving your upper body and core a serious workout, things you just don’t get on a regular spin bike. And forget the usual hills and sprints, these spin classes go further with long, winding roads that force you to hold turns for several minutes at a time. Celebrity fans include Rihanna and the boys from Entourage.

 

The details: Check out classes at Core Essentials in Halifax, www.coressentials.ca; Gold’s Gym in B.C., www.goldsgymbc.ca; CYKL in Toronto, www.cykl.ca (where we did our test-drive and your first visit is free). To find a facility near you, visit www.realryder.com.