Here’s how some alternative, fun and adventurous fitness options can help you stay fit and up your feel-good quotient:

Belly dancing
When the video of Shakira’s first song played on TV screens across the world it created a rage, not only because it was a good song, but more so due to her sensual belly dance moves. Belly dancing originated in the Middle East and is called raqs sharqi in Arabic, which literally means oriental dance. Pooja, an instructor at the Institute of Belly Dancing explains, “Contrary to popular belief, belly dancing is not just about the belly. The primary focus is definitely on the belly, but the dance can be better defined as one where you practice how to isolate different parts of your body and combine them to form various steps. For example, belly dancing teaches you how to isolate the rib cage, hips, arms and the belly among others.”

Fitness quotient: It’s a slow workout that isolates the muscles and tones the body. Whereas when you regularly practice different postures such as standing on your toes turns, twists and light squats as part of the dance it’s as impactful as a cardio workout in the gym. Belly dancing is a graceful dance where you sway to the beats of the music and feel good about yourself.
Any woman over 16 years of age can learn the form

Rock climbing
Remember Tom Cruise ‘cruising’ over a Grand Canyon-like rock in Mission Impossible 2’s opening shot? Picture yourself doing the same thing — only with ropes of course! The love for nature, adrenaline rushing through the veins and the hunger for adventure — rock climbing satiates all these needs. It not only tests your physical strength, but also mental discipline. In fact, if you’re one of the lazy bunch, rock climbing can also be done indoors at Gold’s Gym or Hakone’s (Hiranandani, Powai, Mumbai).

Fitness quotient: Rock climbing is a natural form of exercise and makes for a complete body workout. Manju Chitnis, rock climbing expert, says, “If one does rock climbing regularly with dedication and passion, they can easily lose up to 6-7 kgs in a month.”
Anyone aged six years and above can take up rock climbing

Krav Maga
Simply put, Krav Maga is a modern, practical form of self-defense developed in Israel. Krav Maga training relies on simple, instinctive body movements rather than rigid techniques requiring years of training that were cleverly developed by Grandmaster Imi. The objective of Krav Maga is to instruct the participants in practical self-defense techniques, fighting skills, defensive tactics and principles, as well as skills to defend that can be readily utilised when the need arises. This martial art form increases awareness, confidence, self-control and physical fitness.

Fitness quotient: Vicky Kapoor, a Krav Maga instructor, advises, “It’s a high intensity workout that involves and exercises the whole body from head-to-toe and increases strength, energy, develops stamina, firms the muscles, reduces stress, increases self-esteem and improves reflexes. An hour of Krav Maga workout one burns up to 800 calories. But more than all this, the exercises enable the students to control any part of their body thereby enhancing their ability and confidence to defend themselves and others.”

Men and women of all ages, different physical characteristics, capabilities, strength and training can use the self-defense techniques of Krav Maga effectively.

Capoeira
The diverse nature of martial arts and the harmony of music come together to form Capoeira, an unusual martial art form originated in Brazil. It was invented by African slaves who practiced it in a disguised manner so as to liberate themselves from slavery. Using African instruments to create a melodious background score, Capoeira blends movements such as hopping, twirling, wriggling, dancing and head-banging. You don’t need any previous training to start learning and it’s an excellent way to unwind after a hard day’s work.

Fitness quotient: Reza Messah aptly describes a Capoeirist, “A Capoeirist is one who has the coordination of a dancer, strength of a martial artist, endurance of a marathon runner, flexibility of a gymnast and the beat of a drummer.” It’s never too late to learn this martial art. Massah’s youngest student is five years and the oldest is over 40 years.

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