The exercise craze maze

With so many fitness products and services now on the market, it is easy to get lost when researching what is best for you.

Below are some of the more unusual exercise methods and tools that are currently in Bahrain.

For further information, I suggest you talk to a caring and qualified fitness instructor. Get set to sweat!

What is yoga?

Yoga is an ancient form of static stretches and poses. The principle that underpins Yoga is that it helps to open up nerve pathways and muscles to facilitate the immune system and promote mind/body harmony.

Lots of models and movie stars credit their young and healthy appearance to regular Yoga classes. Yoga can be done standing, sitting, lying down but is often a combination of all three. There are different types of yoga - some are more intense than others.

There is a big focus on deep breathing, too. Some forms of Yoga can be an enormous challenge to anyone who has poor muscle strength and balance and should not be attempted if not warmed up properly or without a qualified instructor. I've never met anyone who does not like Yoga - so go for it!

What is Capoeira?

To the untrained eye, to witness a capers session is like watching someone just throwing themselves around! But there is method to the madness. Capoeira is based on Brazilian martial arts, dance and gymnastics. It demands a relatively good level of endurance and back strength even before you begin, so it is certainly not for everybody. People form a semi-circle and take turns in pairs to go into the middle and kick, squat, jump, and flip their way around to loud, repetitive music using traditional Brazilian instruments.

What is Pilates?

The name comes from a doctor who practised medicine and rehabilitation during the First World War - Joseph Pilates. He noticed that while traditional medicine could help with some diseases, strong muscles and good flexibility helped soldiers return to the frontline quicker and fitter.

The first Pilates Reformer Bed was apparently a hospital mattress with some of the springs removed and used as resistance for the patient!

Pilates has evolved (and continues to be professionally developed) to consist of static and active floor and reformer bed exercises that focus on tightening the deep stomach muscles and elongating the spine.

Unlike aerobics or weight training, Pilates will stretch and strengthen the body at the same time.

What is a fitball or a Swissball?

Fitball, also known as Swissball, is an actual huge thick rubber ball that originated in Switzerland many decades ago.

The concept of working on a moving surface while supporting the body and having fun was the idea behind the invention of the ball for children's rehabilitation and motor skill improvement.

Like Pilates, this was out of fashion for a while but continues nowadays to be professionally developed.

The Fitballs come in all sorts of colours and sizes can be found in every gym in Bahrain! However, before you jump on, check that it is of good quality and pumped up accordingly.

Careful instruction is needed if attempting advanced balance and strength exercises. If you are one of the millions who have bought a fitball, only to find it is too difficult or boring to work with, drag it out and use it as an office chair, or play on it and throw it around with your kids. It will help you find muscles you never thought you had!

What is yogalates?

This is a combination of Yoga and Pilates. You be the judge.

What is aquarobics?

As the name suggests, it is moving your major muscle groups in a rhythm to music while immersed in slightly-heated water - although, in summer in Bahrain, it is probably not necessary to turn the water temperature up in the pool.

This is a branch of the traditional gym aerobics classes that grew enormously in popularity in the 1980s. Aquarobics is ideal for pregnant women; rehabilitation patients; the elderly; the obese and those who like the water but cannot swim.

Often, swim-training resources are used for extra resistance in the water, like pushing a kickboard down while keeping your head immersed.

Some instructors may include a deep water running session. Phew!

What is "spin"?

Picture this - you are cycling hard along a beautiful mountain road, up a hill, overtaking a car, sucking up crisp mountain air, pushing on the pedals, pulling on the handlebars ... nearly there. Spin is an indoor cycling class that 'massages' your imagination and is absolutely awesome for burning calories and reshaping your legs and butt.

It is done on a 'spin' bike to upbeat music in a class with the lights turned down so you can focus more on your goals instead of the pain! Take a water bottle with you and enjoy the ride.

What is "power plate"?

This is one of the latest and greatest fitness resources to hit the market. It looks rather like those old-fashioned weighing machines that you put your coins into. When it is switched on, the plate at your feet vibrates. You can do a range of exercises while standing or leaning on the plate and the idea is with each of the millions of little external pulses that travel through your working muscles from the plate, you burn more calories, and promote increases in oxygen uptake, and facilitate good joint stability.

What is a dynoband or an exercise band?

This is a giant rubber band that is at least a metre long and 15 centimetres wide, and used for resistance in gym classes or rehabilitation. Different colours represent different degrees of resistance. Some look more like giant black rubber hair bands with handles on the end for use in Pilates classes or just for easier grip.

See you in class!