Five Canberra fitness activities you may not have tried yet

Posted on 28 May, 2014

Over the past three years, we’ve roadtested an amazing array of fitness activities around Canberra – we’ve done everything from pilates to yoga to zumba to boot camp to callanetics and more. So, we’re going to take another look at these great ways to get sweaty…or toned…or blissed out…or ‘fixed up’, and round up a few more.

Here are just five forms of fitness you may not have tried yet…

CRAZY MONKEY DEFENCE

Crazy Monkey Defence is a modern style of self defence with a focus on fun and functional fitness. Leave your preconceptions of martial arts with your bag and your shoes by the door – this is not like Muay Thai or kickboxing. It’s not mega aggressive nor excessively competitive.

The class has a really effective format, with a warm up routine followed by progressively more complex and high energy drills. After skipping, you might get a brief rundown on stance and balance, and work individually on footwork. You may then be paired off to practice the same activity, but working reactively with a partner, gradually incorporating some jabs into the drill. Perhaps you’ll also do some “wall” exercises where you line up on a mat and learn how to throw a straight punch…there’s an equally strong focus on defence as well, as each partner takes turns to lead.

the essentials

What: Elements Fitness
Where: 15 Moore Street, Canberra City
When: View the timetable online
Phone: 0402 581 977
Email: info@elementsfitnessact.com.au
Web: www.elementsfitnessact.com.au

SAMBA FITNESS

Developed in Brazil during the 19th century, the Samba is considered the dance of celebration and joy at Carnival celebrations in Rio. It’s a sexy, energetic and spectacular dance, and fantastic for developing fitness. It’s for that reason, Kokoloco Dance Studio’s Director, Becky Fleming, developed Samba Fitness, a class which incorporates Samba drills and technique, strength and fitness.

Firstly, it’s a ‘fitness’ class. It’s not about learning choreography or getting the steps right…it’s about using Samba moves to get a great workout. You spend a lot of time on your toes, so if you want toned legs, this is the class for you.

And it’s not intimidating. The emphasis is on learning basic moves, getting sweaty and getting toned…and it’s great for working parts of your body that don’t get a lot of attention. You start the class with isolations that loosen the body up and really encourage you to focus on your muscle movement; after Samba drills, where you’ll learn variations on the Samba ‘bounce’ step, you might move on to a section which targets your calves and quadriceps; and at the end, your core and hips get a bit of punishment.

the essentials

What: Samba Fitness
Where: Kokoloco Dance Studio – Level 1, 9 – 11 Dundas Court in Phillip
When: 10:15 am Saturday mornings.
Web: kokoloco.com.au

ANTI-GRAVITY YOGA

As an ex-gymnast who likes bending herself into impossible positions, I’ve loved yoga for years. So when Canberra got its firstAntiGravity® Yoga (AGY) studio I was a wee bit excited. AGY is sometimes called aerial yoga, sling yoga or hammock yoga and was invented by world class gymnast and broadway performer Christopher Harrison.

Owner of Oya Yoga Studio in Weston, Kerryn, was trained by Christopher in the technique which she says “combines Pilates, gymnastics, dance, yoga and aerial arts into a fantastic suspension fitness workout for the whole body.”

From relaxing ‘womb’ poses to positions involving inversions and flips and swinging – it was all so much FUN! I loved that I was able to do things (walkovers, ‘handstands’- but without the hands – and other gymnastic poses) that I haven’t had the guts to try for years for fear of falling on my arse. With the hammock, there’s no danger of that; and with the hammock supporting your body weight, you can actually get deeper into poses than you would in traditional ‘grounded’ yoga styles. It makes for great stretching and improved flexibility.

the essentials

What: Anti-Gravity Yoga
Where: oYa yoga studio, Weston, Canberra.
When: Monday to Saturday – 6:30am – 9:00pm
Web: www.facebook.com/OyaYogaStudio

WOMEN’S BOXING

Repeat after me…boxing is not just for blokes. Women’s Boxing classes at Stockade Training Centre in Dickson are taught by former Australian Flyweight champion and former Oceana Bantamweight champion Bianca Elmir, and they’re not only fantastic cardio workouts, they’re a way to meet a group of kind, supportive and welcoming women of all fitness levels.

You might start off with some skipping to warm up, and then get into some warm up exercises with a partner – like linking ankles with your partner and doing a bit of light sparring – trying to throw punches while also trying to block with your gloves or by leaning back.

One of the biggest benefits of boxing is that you’re constantly using all the muscles in your body. You’re getting your heart rate up, burning fat and building lean muscle. Plus, boxing is actually a great mental workout – all those drills and sequences involving straight punches, hooks and upper cuts while moving backwards or forwards. Win win!

the essentials

What: Women’s Boxing Classes
Where: Stockade Training Centre, 3 Rosevear Place, Dickson
When: View the timetable here
Web: www.stockadetraining.com.au
Phone: 02 6162 4172 or 0424 123 039

COMMANDO CREW

Evo Health Club at Hotel Realm has just kicked off an eight week series of Commando Crew – a program developed by head trainer Matt based on the skills he was taught by Commando Steve during his time in Canberra.

The group sessions run at 8am each Saturday and 6:30am each Wednesday for eight weeks, and include 40 minutes intense training, 20 minutes core rejuvenation and relaxation stretching.

As an added bonus, Evo is also throwing in a seven day trial of their facility, including Kinesis functional equipment, Inbody scan, PT session and wellness assessment. Oh, and you’ll get a free Maple+Clove coffee (at right) after each session!

Just $30 per week for the eight week series.

the essentials

What: Commando Drew
Where: Evo Health Club, Hotel Realm, Barton.
When: 8am each Saturday and 6:30am each Wednesday.
Web: www.evohealthclub.com.au

FUNCTIONAL FIT

Functional Fit is an exciting new way to train your whole body and get the results you want – fast!

It’s small group training with a difference. Functional Fit sessions are done in groups of 6-10 women and use the principles of high intensity interval training and functional movement patterns to improve cardio fitness, strength, joint mobility and stability. It’s fun, motivating, dynamic and safe–each session is taken by a qualified Personal Trainer who changes the workout weekly to ensure you’re constantly challenged and continue to see results.

the essentials

What: Functional Fit
Where: Fernwood Fitness Canberra City, 131 City Walk, Canberra City.
When: See timetable online
Web: fernwoodfitness.com.au/clubs/act/canberra-city/