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Integrating Themes

Movement variations entice new exercisers.

Kate Buffett, president of invenTEAM in Bend, Oregon, created AeroAbs while recovering from a torn ACL. She now teaches it in group classes. AeroAbs is an abdominals-focused whole-body exercise program that combines continuous, rhythmic arm/leg/trunk movement patterns. The combinations are performed supine on a bench and are designed to engage the abdominal region and provide cardiovascular training. “There are endless variations for customizing both the muscle focus and intensity to meet individual needs,” says Buffett.

Liquid Strength, created by Elizabeth Story-Maley and taught at Crunch Fitness in New York City, fuses cardiovascular conditioning, strength training and mind-body disciplines with free expression and dance. Exercising with bare feet, participants focus on slow, exact movements that mimic primitive labor, speed skating, skiing, tai chi, golf and boxing, among several other actions. The 1-hour class challenges people in a unique way, according to Story’s website, www.liquidstrength.com. “The movements are not 8-count based. Each repetition is slightly different, designed to strengthen every angle of the body. Students are free to alter speed and angle to maximize benefits. Classes can be designed to concentrate on strength, cardiovascular condition, range of motion or a combination of any of these benefits.”

Equinox Fitness in Highland Park, Illinois, offers Pilates Bootcamp to its members. According to the class description on the company’s website, participants go through intense mat sequences and variations of Pilates exercises using stability balls, BOSU® Balance Trainers, magic rings, resistance tubing and medicine balls.

The Jewish Community Center of San Francisco gets people moving with Rhythm & Motion. This class sequences several choreographed dances accompanied by a wide variety of music genres and styles. The focus is on building coordination, stamina, strength, flexibility and dance technique.


Joy Keller

Joy Keller is the director of marketing communications & PR at IDEA, and has also served as executive editor of IDEA Fitness Journal, IDEA Fitness Manager, IDEA Pilates Today, and IDEA Fit Business Success. She is also a certified personal trainer, indoor cycling instructor and yoga teacher (RYT 200).

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