10 New And Unexpected Workouts

By PureWow

There are only so many hours you can spend on a stationary bike before you're ready to swear off spin entirely. And don't even get us started on our park's monotonous running path. Sometimes you need a change of pace. Good news, we've got 10.

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Check out these super-fun and totally unexpected workouts (read: Zumba in a pool!) that are sure to get you out of your exercise rut.

• 1
  Aqua Zumba
  Courtesy of PureWow
  What do you get when you mix Zumba and water? Why, Aqua Zumba, of course. Performed in a pool and offered at gyms nationwide, this high-energy (and oftentimes comical) workout features all the same heart-pumping moves as your regular Zumba class, but it's easier on the joints.
• 2
  Tramping
  Courtesy of PureWow
  Calling all Spinning enthusiasts: Ever feel like your knees may fall off after that latest SoulCycle bender? We've got a (super-fun) solution -- JumpLife. The new TriBeCa studio, devoted entirely to "tramping," features high-energy classes performed exclusively on -- you guessed it -- trampolines. Indeed, the same contraptions you flipped (or flopped) on as a kid are actually the idea behind this low-impact, high-cardio workout. Do your joints (and mood) a favor and get jumping.
• 3
  Yoga On The Roof
  Courtesy of PureWow
  You've been doing sun salutations for years, but imagine hitting those same poses while actually facing the sun. One step inside NYC's swanky Clay Health Club & Spa and you'll see why it's so exclusive (the espresso/smoothie bar is a must-try). The private roof deck is a stunning setting for not only yoga (classes are available at both sunrise and sunset once a week, mat included) but also a barre workout and a high-intensity circuit routine. Treadmills are so last season.
• 4
  Spin In A Pool
  Courtesy of PureWow
  Since most Spinning classes make us look as if we've just stepped out of a pool, we couldn't resist one that involves just that. At AQUA, the bikes are in water. Seriously. The TriBeCa (by way of France) studio takes elements from traditional Spinning -- like the high-calorie burn, upbeat music and full-body engagement -- but does it all in a waist-deep pool. The result: a low-impact sweat session that accomplishes the same toning and tightening while managing to feel like a trip to the spa (well, as best as physical activity can). See you in the shallow end.
• 5
  Underground Hip-Hop Class (Complete With Live DJ!)
  Courtesy of PureWow
  We've found a place where camaraderie and easy choreography combine, inspiring us to happily funk our way to fitness. GROOV3 is a dance-class workout and pseudo underground cult led by hip-hop teacher Benjamin Allen. Allen's a professional dancer (he was featured in the movie Rent), but his is no snobby, competitive class. The hour-long workout has a live DJ who spins hits of the 90s while Allen patiently demonstrates easy-to-follow steps. While we forgot parts of the dance halfway through, we kept moving and caught up thanks to our fellow students -- one woman even stepped aside so we could see Allen better. And for the entire sweaty, musical hour, we didn't think once of how we looked -- only how much fun it is to dance.
• 6
  A Dance-Club-Inspired Cardio Class
  Courtesy of PureWow
  The lights are dimmed, Beyoncé starts bumping and suddenly you're sweating more than you do in a Bikram session. No, you don't have to step foot in a club. It's 305 Fitness, a new dance-inspired cardio class. (Hint: that’s Miami's area code.) Our likeliest comparison is Zumba on steroids -- but way more fun. There are three styles to choose from (original, Latin and sculpt). We opted for the original 55-minute workout with the founder, Sadie Kurzban. While we were warned of the class's intensity, we figured our childhood days of jazz and tap lessons had us covered. Holy booty-popping, were we wrong.
• 7
  The New Workout That Stretches You Out
  Courtesy of PureWow
  We may have discovered the ultimate workout: It comes to you, doesn't involve equipment, is only as hard as you want it to be and helps your body feel healthier and move better. Too easy, right? Well, kinda, but it works. Chicago "stretch therapist" Estelle Harford of Stellar Strength is one of only 25 Global Master Ki-Hara practitioners in the world. The discipline helps eliminate pain, reactivates and releases muscles, builds new muscle and improves what she calls "true flexibility."
• 8
  A Rowing Machine Class In Water
  Courtesy of PureWow
  We're always looking for off-the-beaten-path gyms that will challenge our stamina but build us up rather than drain our batteries. That's why we're keen on Crowbar Cardio, the studio that focuses on three popular types of exercise but does so in an encouraging manner. Our favorite is Indo Row. Even beginners are welcome in this class that treads the same high-intensity, low-impact terrain but with a watery twist. While traditional rowing machines have cables that pull fans, these feature cables that actually pull blades through water. No need to wear a swimsuit -- only part of the machine is submerged in water.
• 9
  Ride A Surfboard -- Inside
  Courtesy of PureWow
  We're totally stoked about the new exercise studio City Surf Fitness. It's the newest toning trend to wash up in Dallas, and we have to admit we're all for a place where you can ride a surfboard without fear of seeing sharks -- or getting your hair wet. Plus, you're sure to get an epic workout. The four types of classes offered work your core strength and balance, so your abs are really going to feel it. The small studio has room for just 10 stationary surfboards, made by the Mark Cuban-backed company SurfSet Fitness. Each board rests on three stability balls, which create a hovering effect as you wobble, twist and assume plank and warrior positions. Two stability straps can increase or decrease resistance. Our workout pick, the Buddha Board class, had our namaste written all over it.
• 10
  The Yoga-Paddle Boarding Hybrid
  Courtesy of PureWow
  We were skeptical when we first heard about folks flocking to water-top yoga classes on paddle boards. We wondered how this was a) even possible for non-Cirque du Soleil acrobats and b) fun, since it involves falling into the icy Pacific. But we're happy to report that we've now tried and love YogAqua, the brainchild of Santa Monica-based yoga instructor Sarah Tiefenthaler. The 90-minute class takes place on a calm bay off a tiny sand strip in Newport Beach (with a Marina del Rey site launching next month) and begins with a leisurely 15 minutes of stand-up paddle boarding to acquire balance. Then up to 10 students drop anchor in the water, and a slow-flow vinyasa yoga class ensues. One benefit we hadn't anticipated: the stimulation that comes from blue sky, cool breeze and the relaxing slap, slap, slap of the water against our board.