Are you a Fitness Hippy?

February 10, 2011
Categories: Equipment & Training

I gotta tell ya, this new craze in fitness is far out man! I mean, it’s all about power to the people. And I think I kinda dig it! And the thing is, this one is going to be around for a while, which is just groovy, baby. So what am I digging?

It’s this whole group exercise thing. Truthfully, it’s been around since the 60’s but it seems like every few years what’s old is new again. That’s why I refuse to throw out my zubaz pants (If you don’t know what those are, I strongly encourage you to look it up here !). But I digress.

Think about it for a second. Group exercise is the ultimate 60’s ideal…commune-style exercise. In the last 5 years or so, it seems that it’s the one area that has had the fastest growth AND most innovation is group exercise. In fact other then the Shake Weight , I can’t think of any new equipment that has come on the market! (Of course I’m just kidding but it does seem like every day there is a new hot class.)

We have Zumba, and all the flavors that it comes in. Space Savvy…Pilates, Spin, Boot Camp, Cross Fit, Ball Bodies and the list goes on and on. The reasons why group exercise will always flourish according to Judd Borakove, the owner of CrossFit in Bethesda and Rockville, MD, is pretty simple. First, for those that don’t know Judd, he is many things but no one would ever confuse him for a hippy. Second, he is a very well-spoken man, and as we all know, I’m no journalist so he said a bunch of great stuff but I couldn’t type fast enough. But I think I got the gist of it.

Energy – You can pick up the vibe man when others are in the room.

Camaraderie – Think 60’s commune…

Sweating – What very few people know is the full phrase: Don’t sweat it man…unless everyone is sweating it man.

Accountability – Let’s not kid ourselves, the 60’s gave us a lot of great things but accountability wasn’t high on the list. But it’s one of the reasons group works. It’s far out!

As for me, I’m taking a chill pill, hanging ten in the office, and sitting back and making love, not war, and thinking about flower power…which reminds me, next week is Valentine’s Day! If you are reading this, you are definitely my Valentine.