Drive Group-X with Power Props
Aerobic accessories generate excitement, motivation and participation
by Jean Suffin
In the group-exercise studio, virtually anything is possible—especially if you have the right props and accessories.
Just consider, for instance, some of the imaginative programs that clubs are already offering: Aerial Yoga, which combines traditional yoga with aerial acrobatics, and has participants flying—literally—on lengths of fabric that hang from the ceiling; Drum Alive classes, which have members groovin’ to the beat, while bouncing on, and banging drumsticks against, stability balls; Yoga Wall classes, which make use of special straps that attach to the surface of a wall to facilitate difficult poses; and Sandblast classes, which transform 10-15-pound sandbags into cardio- and strength-training tools.
Done correctly, the creative introduction of interesting props can open up all sorts of possibilities—and open the door to exercisers of all levels and abilities. Long gone are the days of complicated choreographed aerobics routines that only the most coordinated participants were brave enough, or fit enough, to attempt. Today, classes appeal to an incredibly diverse audience, and, with the help of accessories, enable everyone to succeed.
"Club members like bells and whistles," observes Dr. Cedric Bryant, the chief science officer for the American Council on Exercise (ACE). "The current buzz in the industry has to do with mind/body workouts and functional training, particularly with respect to group exercise." More strength- and functional-training-oriented classes attract men, he adds, to an area of the club that, previously, was dominated by females. "Incorporating different types of weighted devices increases the intensity of the workout," he explains.
The typical member enjoys participating in group-exercise classes because of the motivation and excitement that are provided by their inherent camaraderie and competition. At the same time, however, no one wants to stand out as being slow or inept. That’s where props come in especially handy. For example, in a yoga class, a simple 9" x 6" x 4" yoga block allows a less flexible student to achieve, with ease, the same poses as their more supple counterparts.
"The good news about props and accessories is that they really level the playing field for exercisers," points out Shirley Archer, the IDEA 2008 Fitness Instructor of the Year.
Operators may also be surprised at how effectively small changes in the group-exercise offering can increase participation, suggests Shannon Fable, the founder and CEO of Sunshine Fitness Resources, a fitness consulting firm based in Boulder, Colorado. "Introducing something fresh, novel, unique into classes serves the needs of both the veteran group-exercise person, as well as the novice," she attests. "The vets need new ideas and equipment to break through plateaus and keep them interested and involved, while many newcomers are waiting in the wings for a new concept to come along so they can participate on the same level as the old hands."
Variety also keeps instructors on their toes, enhancing their knowledge base and repertoire, and, moreover, can actually make their jobs easier. "When members can use props to self-correct and make adjustments to their form, they become responsible for their own success, which can improve their experience significantly," suggests Fable.
Fortunately, clever new accessories are constantly being created, produced, and marketed by manufacturers. At the moment, Fable is particularly intrigued by Power Systems’ new Airope, a small, handheld rope with a handle like that of a jump rope, but with a ball on the end to create swing resistance. When integrated into any group-exercise class, it increases caloric expenditure and core engagement, and works the upper body—an area that’s often overlooked in cardio classes. Bryant, for his part, is currently fond of SPRI’s new Slanted Riser, an angled step riser that can be used with a traditional step to create an incline. "It adds a new challenge to step classes," he says, "and, combined with resistance bands, can also be used for strength-training classes."
"The more you can do to make exercise fun and entertaining, without overwhelming people—the better it is," concludes Archer.
- Jean Suffin, jrsuffin@yahoo.com
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