Unconventional Fitness: From Goat Yoga to Hula-Hooping and Everything in Between

Happy National Fitness Month! While we embrace all things fitness all year round, May is a special month to celebrate the importance of movement and exercise and our fitness communities. During the month of May, each of our weekly blogs will focus on fitness topics to help inspire, inform, and support you on your fitness journey.

At Western, we’re all about breaking the mold. We pride ourselves on offering a range of creative programming, from high-intensity interval training fusion sessions (we call those "S'HIIT" classes) to boxing, barre, dance fitness, explicit cycle classes, rowing challenges, and so much more. Plus, our personal training team has a reputation (and passion) for creating unique and fun fitness programs for all of their clients, so no one ever gets bored!

But for those looking to venture even further outside the confines of conventional fitness, we've got something special in store. To celebrate National Fitness Month, we’re exploring some of the wilder fitness trends out there. If you're itching to shake up your routine and dive into the unexpected, then these unique activities might be for you!

Find Your Zen with Furry Friends

Animal Yoga has been a staple on the fitness class trends list for many years now, and we hope it’s not going anywhere anytime soon! If you’ve never heard of one of these yoga classes, it’s exactly what it sounds like—yoga with animals! At Western, we’re no strangers to these types of classes, having hosted our own Cat Yoga event (featuring adorable adoptable kittens). But there are also many events around the country that feature puppy yoga, goat yoga, and even PIG yoga.

The presence of cute critters adds an element of joy and spontaneity to your yoga practice and can be a great way to get out of a rut and try something new! Interested in seeing some animal yoga classes hosted by Western? Let us know!

Hoop Dreams

No, we’re not talking about basketball—we’re talking about hula-hooping! You may have thought you left your hula-hooping days on the elementary school playground, but hula-hooping is actually making a comeback in the adult fitness scene, and for good reason. Hooping packs a fitness punch, toning your core, improving coordination, and getting in cardio, plus, it feels like playtime! The best part? You don’t need any fancy equipment. Just grab a hoop (or two if you’re feeling ambitious) and give it a go. Feel free to bring your hoops into the multi-purpose room at Western anytime if you’re looking for some free space to test out those hoop skills!

Elevating Your Yoga Practice

If traditional yoga has started to feel a bit too grounded for your taste, it might be time to take things up a notch—literally. Ariel Yoga is another new yoga trend on the fitness scene that’s been gaining traction over the last few years and can be a great way to try something a little more thrilling than the average yoga class. 

In aerial yoga, practitioners use a specialized fabric hammock (often referred to as a "silks" or "aerial hammock") suspended from the ceiling to support and enhance traditional yoga poses. But don't let the aerial aspect intimidate you—this practice is accessible to yogis of all levels, from beginners to seasoned pros. With the support of the hammock, you'll find yourself exploring familiar poses in a whole new way, deepening stretches, building strength, and improving balance as you gracefully hang, swing, and float through the air.

Channel Your Inner Ninja

Ever watched a movie where the hero effortlessly leaps over obstacles, scaling walls and bounding from rooftop to rooftop with superhero-like agility? That's parkour in action—a heart-pounding, adrenaline-fueled workout that's as much about creativity as it is about athleticism.

Parkour is decidedly an urban activity, with every street corning, railing, and staircase becoming an opportunity for movement and exploration. But don't let the big stunts and gravity-defying flips intimidate you. Parkour is all about starting where you are and progressing at your own pace, whether you're a total beginner or a seasoned traceur (that's parkour-speak for practitioner)

Still skeptical? We promise it’s legit. Click here to check out the USA Parkour Cup 2024 Freestyle Finals and see how the pros do it!

On Your Marks, Get Set…Walk!

Think you need to break into a high-speed sprint to feel the thrill of competition? Think again. Welcome to the world of competitive walking—a sport that proves you don't have to run to race. In competitive walking, speed and stamina are key, but there's one catch: you've got to keep one foot on the ground at all times. That means no running, no jogging—just good old-fashioned walking, albeit at a brisk pace.

It may look a little silly, but competitive walking is a serious sport with a dedicated following, complete with its own set of rules and regulations. From proper form to strict judging criteria, there's a lot more to it than meets the eye. Competitive walking is even an Olympic sport! Click here to learn more about this unique event, and let us know if you’re ready for a Competitive Walking club at Western!

The Retro Rollerskating Revival

Retro is so in right now, which means rollerskating is back in a big way! Rollerskating influencers on social media have led the charge on the revival of this fitness trend, mesmerizing viewers with roller dance routines, jaw-dropping tricks, and fun tutorials.

With its roots firmly planted in the funky, disco-filled days of the '70s and loud carpet roller rink days of the '80s & ’90s, rollerskating channels a sense of nostalgia that's impossible to resist. If you’re looking to add a splash of retro cool to your life, give rollerskating a whirl this summer! And if you need some inspo, check out some of these popular social media skaters: Candice Heiden, Solomon Snowden, and Francesa Smith, on Instagram.

Level Up Your Fitness

If you're a gamer at heart but finding it hard to stay motivated with traditional exercise routines, don’t worry—there's a whole world of video games out there that'll have you breaking a sweat without even realizing it. There’s a wide variety of games out there for PC and a multitude of consoles, but some top choices include Ring Fit Adventure, the Just Dance series of games, the VR breakout hit Beat Saber, and Pokémon Go. 

The beauty of these games lies in their ability to turn exercise into an adventure, making it fun, engaging, and accessible to gamers of all ages and fitness levels. So, the next time you're itching to pick up the controller, why not choose a game that'll not only entertain you but also help you stay active?

Embrace the Adventure

Next time you're feeling stuck in a fitness rut, why not step outside of your comfort zone and try something new? You may not be ready for traversing rooftops or yoga poses 6 feet off the ground, but there are still lots of ways to make your workouts fresh and fun.
If you’re looking to try something new or need some creative fitness ideas, check out Western’s Group Fitness Schedule with over 50 classes offered each week, or get in touch with one of our Certified Personal Trainers who would love to make you a unique workout plan tailored to your goals.