New Gym Classes: Karaoke on Wheels to Stiletto Heels

Jan. 3, 2006 — -- Yawning at yoga? Pooped at Pilates? Does cardio striptease seem passé? If so, it might be time to check out some of the newer fitness classes now offered at gyms nationwide.

Gym-goers can be a demanding and fickle bunch, and while old standards like step aerobics and yoga aren't going away anytime soon, gyms need to be on top of the latest fads to keep customers coming back.

"There seems to be a trend toward hybrid classes, like classes that combine yoga and Pilates," said Kendall Hogan, regional group fitness director at Crunch gyms in Los Angeles, the mecca of abs.

"We're also doing a lot more smaller group classes, where people get more one-on-one training," Hogan said. And strength training has become more popular with both men and women. "We're seeing more classes that involve body sculpting and weight training."

But to keep the customers coming, Crunch and other gyms across the country have added classes that push the fitness envelope. Take Cycle Karaoke, for instance.

"Basically, it's a spinning class with karaoke," said Hogan. The idea came to him while watching participants in a spinning class. "They're singing along, so I thought, why not take it a step further?" he said.

Sometimes the instructor will take the lead and belt out "Hungry Like the Wolf," or a class member will volunteer his rendition of Prince's "Let's Go Crazy." Spinning classes with a Broadway musical theme are also offered.

The classes have caught on with closet crooners. "It's something more interactive and it makes the class more fun," Hogan said.

Fun, it seems, is what may be missing from some workouts, which is why they lose steam after a few months.

"It's not just about going to the gym," said Hogan. "We have these fun classes so people won't say, 'Oh God, I have to go to the gym now.' People can get so serious about fitness. We're trying to put the fun back into it."