Anyone for a spot of Zumba? Or fancy a glass of Beauty? Fiona Russell finds out new ways we can keep fit and healthy in 2009 Kettlebells It started with the Russian special forces and was then revamped as a US military training method, before celebrities such as Lance Armstrong, Sly Stallone, Jennifer Aniston and Penelope Cruz became converts. Now the ancient-looking kettlebells have arrived in Scotland and it seems that demand is outstripping workshop places.
In fact, there is only one instructor officially certified by the Russian Kettlebells founder Pavel Tsatsouline to teach kettlebells workshops in Scotland and he is Rannoch Donald. His regular sessions held in Edinburgh and Motherwell are always oversubscribed.
Donald says: "It's not surprising that so many people are keen to learn the art of kettlebells because the routine offers so many benefits, more so than normal freeweights, in just a 20-minute session.
"It's an all-over body workout that when taught correctly will improve cardiovascular endurance, tone numerous muscle groups and increase overall strength. Added to this, the workouts will help with co-ordination, balance and mobility."
Once participants know how to use the kettlebells properly they can buy their own to use at home or utilise the hand-held weights that have started to appear in Scottish gyms.
Find out more about kettlebells workshops at www.kettlebellsscotland.com.
Billows Walking is all very well but you could be walking and toning at the same time thanks to the hot new Billow shoe. The super-cosy winter boot comes with a specially designed "FitFlop" sole that claims to challenge and tone the leg and bum muscles, while also supporting the feet.
Studies at Salford University reveal that the Billow midsole increases the time, by 10%, that the slow twitch muscles are engaged during each step, while another study at the Centre for Human Performance in London found that walking in the FitFlop boots engages the glute muscles more than walking in normal trainers.
Added to this, the Billows have an ingenious self-mould sole so that after a week of wear they will snugly fit all shapes of feet, plus a stain and water-resistant upper and furry lining. If you became a fan of the summer fit shoe sensation FitFlop, then the winter Billow version is pretty much a must-have.
For local stockists, visit www.thefitflop.com. In Glasgow you can buy Billows at Achilles Heel, Great Western Road.
Visit www.achillesheel.co.uk.
Fit Zone Simple but apparently highly effective, a new gadget-based workout called Fit Zone is about to become the next big thing in gyms. The brainchild of Aberdeen-based fitness instructor Bev Gove, Fit Zone takes the form of a square "zone", which is the focus of a sequence of increasingly challenging foot movements.
Scientifically shown to burn between 281 and 337 calories in a 45-minute session, the Fit Zone workout is also great for the heart and lungs, an effective lower body muscle toner and does not cause excessive stress on joints.
The Fit Zone is currently available in four Aberdeen gyms as part of a Fit Zone exercise class, and there are plans to bring it to council gyms in Glasgow early in 2009, before taking it to fitness clubs in the capital.
By late 2009, the Fit Zone will be available as a home workout package. We're predicting this will be a big hit among exercise class fanatics.
Visit www.the-fitzone.com.
Punch If you've been near a gym recently you can't fail to have noticed the growing programme of boxing-based classes, including boxercise, step-boxing and boxing conditioning.
Now there's a new class on the block called Punch, which promises to offer even more calorie-burning and muscle-toning benefits. The reason for this is that Punch, which is to be launched at Virgin Active clubs in Scotland in January, takes the art of boxing back to its roots with a class that is based on the boxing round format.
Punch participants take part in 12 three-minute rounds of sparring and pad work during a one-hour session that claims to tone, de-stress and burn fat. For boxing-based classes, check out your local council gym or see www.virginactive.co.uk.
Natural drinks Natural is set to be the buzzword in the health and sports drinks world in 2009. Launching in January is a water drink with added beautifying ingredients called Beauty Spring Water. The bottled water specifically claims to improve acne, thanks to a bioactive protein-rich ingredient called praventin. This has apparently been shown in medical trials to decrease acne blemishes among teenagers by 71% within one month and 95% within two months. Beauty also contains aloe vera, which is known for its soothing properties.
Visit www.workswithwater.co.uk.
Meanwhile, a 100% natural sports energy drink is now making its way on to supermarket shelves in Scotland. Taut contains no artificial colours, sweeteners, flavours or preservatives but still promises to boost energy and endurance for a range of athletes. Look out for new flavours such as Goji & Pomegranate, Mandarin & Orange and Cranberry & Blackberry, as well as a new Endurance version.
Ethical fitness Another trend that will undoubtedly gather momentum in 2009 is ethical fitness clothing. Look out for recycled products and environmentally friendly production.
At uber-cool sports shop Size? in Union Street, Glasgow, assistant manager Chris Cairns is predicting that the green offering from Adidas called Grün, including tracksuit tops, T-shirts and trainers, will gain a big following this year. He says: "Customers do like to think they are being a bit more environmentally-friendly these days but the kit also needs to look stylish.
"The new Grün range from Adidas is finally hitting the mark and the ZX500 running trainers are pretty popular. I can only see us selling more of this type of clothing in the future."
And online store www.nulethics.com is selling a wider range of athletics clothing made from recycled polyester fabric. Some of the products, including base layers, vest, capris and hoodies, are even embedded with small bits of bamboo for quick moisture absorption and breathability.
Watch out, too, for a growing range of organic cotton fitness wear at www.gaiam.co.uk and the increasingly rigorous environmental values of outdoor clothing company Patagonia.
Diet of 2009 The Lunch Box Diet allows followers to eat all day but still lose weight, so it's no wonder that the diet book is predicted to be a bestseller in 2009. Written by personal trainer Simon Lovell - who was once an overweight, bullied teenager - the diet focuses on a large lunchbox into which dieters place all the food they will graze on between their normal breakfast and evening meal.
There's no calorie counting but Lovell advises that the box should include foods with the ratio 60% vegetables, 30% protein and 10% salad dressing. The book is available from www.
amazon.co.uk.
YogaHop Celebrity endorsement is always guaranteed to give the latest fitness fad a huge public following. And so it is with YogaHop, the new high-energy, east-meets-west exercise class, which is apparently the secret behind actress Reese Witherspoon's svelte figure.
Developed in Los Angeles by trainer Matthew Reyes, YogaHop combines yoga with the ultra-cool dance tunes and movements of hip-hop.
Described as fun, boomingly loud and a seriously good cardio training session, there is no doubt that this workout will be heading to British shores soon. In the meantime, you can have your own spiritual hip-hop experience in the comfort of your own living room with a Russell Simmons DVD series called Yoga Live. Available from www.amazon.com.
Mall walking Mall walking is yet another American fitness import but it's one that couldn't be better suited to Britain's unpredictable climate. In its simplest format, mall walkers head for the nearest warm and dry shopping centre - and walk.
Already walking classes are being held in shopping centres in London, Leeds and Birmingham, where participants can burn off up to 400 calories per hour, while also enjoying a little window shopping. Solo mall walkers have also been spotted in the Gyle Shopping centre in Edinburgh. Could this be the year that Scotland officially becomes a mall walking nation?
Zumba Grangemouth is the unlikely Scottish home of a new dance-based craze called Zumba. The class is described as "fun and sexy" by instructor Donna Giffen, who brought Zumba back with her from Los Angeles.
She adds: "Zumba is still gaining in popularity in the US and now it's starting to catch on in Britain, including here in Scotland.
"It's a fantastic form of cardiovascular training and is brilliant for toning arms, shoulders and stomach. Nothing has ever made me sweat as much, nor laugh as much."
Zumba has been available on Sundays only in Grangemouth since September but there are plans for new classes in 2009 in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Our tip is keep your eye on the Dancebase website. Visit www.zumbawithdonna.com.
