HYPED ABOUT
HYBRID CLASSES
Peanut butter and jelly. Chilli and chocolate. Strawberries and balsamic.
Sometimes unusual pairings just work, and the group ex studio is no exception.
WORDS: CAT WOODS
ust as Chinese philosophy
embraces the opposites of yin
and yang, or an artist uses light
and shadow to create depth, so group
fitness professionals have to deliver classes
that balance strength with flexibility and
intensity.
While many classes already incorporate
this balance, the continual evolution of
fitness, brought about by research findings
and new schools of thought, means that ‘old’
class styles can evolve and stay relevant
by incorporating fresh training ideas and
methodologies.
While it is not yet available in Australia,
SoulCycle is a good example of an existing
genre being reinvigorated. SoulCycle’s
founders began their business in a tiny
rented New York studio with no signage.
They now have several hundred employees,
celebrity devotees, a clothing range and a
cult-like public following. Considering that
every gym in the US offers cycle classes,
why would people pay upwards of $30 per
45-minute class? The innovative women
behind SoulCycle combined the spiritual and
uplifting essence of yoga with the intense
physical endurance of indoor cycling and
the targeted resistance training of Pilates.
They describe the appeal of SoulCycle as
‘tribal’, and point to the workout’s ‘constant
adaptation’ as a way of keeping their staff
skilled, inspired and motivated to deliver
powerful workouts.
The combination is key – as is the skill
and passion of the instructors. By providing
opportunities for instructors to upskill, clubs
can ensure that classes adapt and timetables
stay fresh and appealing for members.
While there are lots of hybrid classes out
there, such as Piloxing, I believe there are
plenty more hybrids that, if designed with
care and delivered with panache, could be
a unique draw card for your facility. How
about the following?
J
46 | NETWORK AUTUMN 2016
Yoga + barre
Barre has an intense focus on glute and
leg strength. The raised heels and small
contractions that work the legs, hips and
abdominals are excellent for strength,
body awareness and raising the heart
rate. Introducing yoga sequences before,
between and after barre work can counter
some of the intense contractions, through
the inclusion of poses that stretch the
hamstrings, glutes and hip flexors. Ending
the class with savasana (or meditation) for
one to five minutes can be the gentlest way
to send people back into the world, with
aching muscles and happy faces.
Pilates + cycle
High intensity, thigh burning, legs-like-jelly
work. Am I talking about Pilates reformer or
cycling? Both. To effectively run a class that
combines these disciplines would require
the facilities to be designed for Pilates
reformers, and for bikes to be located close
by, because quick transitions are vital. If
working with reformers is not an option, then
Pilates matwork could also be effective.
Combining a heart-pounding high intensity
cycle session with a core and deep stabiliser
muscle focus would ensure a well-rounded
cardio and strength training class. It could
be adapted to fit into a 45-minute ‘lunchtime’
format, or even be stretched out to a
morning-friendly hour and a half session.
Step + TRX + free weights
Nothing beats dedicating your mind and your
muscle to your workout. While TRX and free
weights tick the boxes for resistance training
and muscle building, the timing and sequences
of an aerobics routine require coordination and
focus. This class could be structured to begin
with step and end with TRX and weights, or to
do each training mode in intervals.
These suggestions may or may not
appeal to you (or perhaps you already deliver
one of them), but hopefully they will fire your
imagination to explore some hybrid classes
of your own.
Cat Woods founded her Melbourne-based Ballet
Sculpt as a barre class that doesn’t require a barre.
A yoga instructor and personal trainer, she is also
a writer and blogger with a passion for arts, health,
beauty and design. @catty_tweeter and
catcore.blogspot.com