There’s always a 'Something Day' around the corner to make you feel guilty about your life. Last week, that was National Bikini Day, arriving uninvited like the Coca Cola truck of the summer to remind us that holidays are comin.’ For most of us, exercise is like a repellent magnet. We’re attracted to the idea but an invisible source seems to get in the way. It's fine on the odd occasion that we do manage to get it together, but by the following morning? Repelled again.
Because if we're being honest, somtimes exercise just isn't that fun. Gyms are something dreamt up by Orwellian, drone-like figures marching in time to shit trance, and running in the park is for show offs. But it doesn't have to be that way - here are some fitness classes that might actually be fun...
Naked Yoga
You’ve tried Bikram, you’ve tried Doga, now try Naked Yoga. The classes, led by Annette, are closely linked to tantra and bring a deeper sensual experience while encouraging participants to accept who they are. It’s probably a bit embarrassing at first but testimonials sing Naked Yoga’s praises: 'The classes were luxurious moments of being present with anything that arose, but harmoniously letting them flow and letting the love linger.' See? Sounds amazing/weird.
Raving
Clubbing classes are springing up all over the UK, and it’s not surprising. Going to an aerobics class is almost like dancing on a chess board. Jumping around under the blanket of darkness is an attractive alternative for the less coordinated. There are plenty of places to try. Clubbersizeis currently training up ravey Red Coats around the country, and Morning Glory and Ravercize are already well established in London.
Dog and Owner
Why not kill two birds and lose one stone by combining dog walking with exercising? Last year, Dudley councillaunched a doggie boot camp in their local parks. Owners typically wear a waist belt with the dog attached by a lead, doing training exercises to benefit the two. Can't find a class in your area? Borrow a dog and start running around the park- you don't really need a posh instructor for this one...
Parkour
Parkour, or Art of Movement, makes the city your obstacle course. Similar to free-running, Parkour essentially means throwing yourself over walls and running down stairs in the manner of an anime action hero. Unfortunately, most of us lack cartoon flexibility, so it might be worth increasing your fitness before attempting to leap from one skyscraper to the next. There are Parkour clubs all over the country so visit Parkour UK for details.
Mexican Wrestling
The London School of Lucha Libre is the only dedicated wrestling school in the UK. Based in Bethnal Green, the school teaches British, Mexican, Japanese and American forms of wrestling. Not only do you develop flexibility and strength, you also get to shoulder-barge people to the floor while wearing a mask and screaming. Sign us up.
Fierce
Call us biased, but since Victoria Beckham had that phase of saying fierce, we haven't been able to look at the word in the same way. This new class at Virgin Active sounds a bit like a Year nine drama class. It's about saying 'yes' to the music and embracing all forms of impulsive movement – stamping, swinging, possibly caterwauling. What sounds like an episode of Peep Show in theory could potentially be good fun with friends.
Think Yourself Slim
If physical engagement isn’t really your thing, Jennifer Falconer is running a series of Think Yourself Slim classes in Edinburgh this month. What at first sounds a bit faddy is actually a course in psychotherapy, along the lines of Paul McKenna’s Think Yourself Thin work. At £150 it’s not cheap but could potentially change your relationship with food and exercise.
Spin Karaoke
In the wacky USA, the spin karaoke trend is taking hold. It sounds a bit like rubbing your stomach and patting your head. Imagine the pity laughter when someone cracks out Spin Doctors or Dead or Alive, again.
Follow Amelia on Twitter @ameliaephillips
Picture: Eylul Aslan
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.