New fitness trends are nothing new. In the United States, the fitness industry, including clubs and equipment, creates revenue of nearly $26 billion dollars a year. As more people come to wellness activities, their varied tastes create opportunities to expand the market into new territories. Couple that with the diversity of the nation and new traditions being incorporated into the American fabric, and you’ll see exercises that have a cultural pedigree outside the United States such as yoga, Zumba, and martial arts, become standard offerings. That’s not to say that people aren’t still jogging and jazzercising, they are. We are also challenging ourselves with diverse fitness options.

There is a wealth of fitness opportunities in our area, specifically, that break new ground for fitness seekers of all levels. Below are a few of our favorites. Just be sure to seek the advice and permission of a physician before undertaking any major fitness plan or exercise course.

Hydrorider Water Cycling 
Why ride on land when you could ride underwater? Hydrorider cycling is often colloquially called hydrobike or hydrocycle. It is similar to a spinning class but offers riders an opportunity to cycle underwater. The submersion in the pool allows the water to support the body and relieve tension that regular cycling or spinning classes place upon joints.

At the Northeast (9400 Mill Brook Road) and downtown branches (555 South Second Street) of the YMCA, these courses are offered six days and four days a week, respectively. The instructors are both land and water instructors. All have been trained on the Hydroriders.

“As with most group exercises, it can be modified to fit many different fitness levels, but with the hydrobike class, you can do exercises on and off the bike,” says Kathy Mieczkowski, YMCA Group Exercise Coordinator. “Movement of the water on the body is pleasant. It’s a fun and recreational way to get exercise.”

Capoeira: Brazilian-style Martial Arts
Many claims say that Capoeira, a Brazilian-style of martial arts, was originally created to teach fighting under the guise of dancing so that slave owners would not recognize it as a defensive training exercise. It is true that slaves of Angolan and Congolese descent developed Capoeira as a means to protect them when outgunned or outmanned. People who practice this style of martial arts are called capoeiristas.

Capoeira focuses on quick movements intended to sweep an opponent from their feet and provide added attacking ability with hand strikes and punches. Capoeira can be modified for differing abilities but to what degree would be best discussed with instructor Stan Marshall, who teaches at Freestyle Fitness (2920 Frankfort Avenue, #103) in Crescent Hill, and represents the Beira Mar Capoeira School.

“Our Capoeira classes are made for all levels,” says Tabitha Johnson, Freestyle Fitness Owner. “We offer modifications for beginners or anyone with limitations and offer challenges for those who are ready.”

At Freestyle Fitness, students are asked to wear the traditional Capoeira outfit of white pants called, Abadá, and a white shirt. Capoeira classes are on Monday nights.

Bounce Like You Just Don’t Care
When owner and B. You Fitness creator, Stephanie Bristow, developed the B. Bounce and B. Silque classes with B. You Fitness Co-Owner Rashna Carmicle, they were looking for a way to blend other unique fitness models into ballet, yoga and traditional strengthening workouts. Bounce and Silque are two of the ways they’ve made this a reality at their two locations at 3934 Chenoweth Square in Crescent Hill and 10513 Fischer Park Drive in Springhurst.

B. Bounce, also known as rebounding, builds core strength, improved posture and improved coordination. B. Bounce involves participants using a mini-trampoline (or rebounder) to make jumping and twisting exercises low-impact, which protects joints. Participants of B. Bounce practice jumping jacks, twists and running in place.

“When we developed B. Bounce, we wanted a class that was 100 percent cardio focused, yet low-impact and safe for the joints,” Bristow says. “We also wanted to have an hour long class to provide additional benefits beyond cardiovascular health.”

These additional benefits come in the reported claims that rebounding improves circulation to the lymphatic system, improved bone health and better motor skills.

Where B. Bounce works on cardio and leg exercises, B. Silque is designed with upper body strength and toning in mind. B. Silque uses a suspended fabric hammock and body resistance to build strength. B. Silque is divided into six courses, each with a slightly modified focus and blend of moves. The classes range from beginning to advanced.

Bristow recommends that those interested in more advanced workouts take three to five B. Barre beginner courses. “In our B. Barre beginner courses emphasis is placed on proper body alignment, core engagement, and mind-body connection that will guarantee success and safety in all of our classes,” she says.

Pole Glow Fitness
Out of the shadows of dark nightclubs and into the light of strength training and wellness routines, pole dancing has surged in popularity. Fit to Fly Fitness (801 Barret Ave., Suite 203)  offers pole classes with a twist, adding aerial silks, black light and lasers. Pole/Glow classes at Fit to Fly are one hour long and taught by Owner Jeanette Martinez.

Pole classes are taught five nights a week and while a student must be 18 to take classes there are no perquisites or weight restrictions. Classes are offered in two levels: beginners and intermediate.

Martinez is the only staff member at her studio. She is a certified yoga teacher, personal trainer, aerial artist and internationally recognized contortionist. “I wanted to bring a creative and fun way to achieve results that last, while making a sisterhood, wellness bond for all types of women,” she says.

Martinez was awarded a $5,000 revolving loan from Community Services’ Microbusiness Development Program last June to start her fitness studio, which in addition to pole offers barre, Pilates, yoga and aerial fitness all in laser lit glow-in-the-dark classes.

Microenterprises are businesses that employee five or fewer individuals, including the owner. The loan program provides an opportunity for business financing outside of mainstream financial institutions and opportunities to offer credit-building products for low-income borrowers.

For every interest there seems a fitting fitness class. If the above classes don’t pique your interest, maybe these will: Ladies can learn to drop it low in a signature twerking, yes twerking class, at Freestyle Fitness. Want to learn to fly? Turners Gym is the only gym in Louisville designed for Aerial Arts with classes such as lira (think aerial hula hoop), static trapeze, swinging ladders and Spanish web (aerial rope). Or slow things down at St. Matthews Martial Arts with Tai Chi, which helps teach focus, awareness and integration of mind and body.