Energetic friends revive '80s aerobics craze

12:19pm Friday 30th August 2013 in News By Angela Kelly

GET out your leg-warmers and leotards and fluff out your frizzy perm the aerobics of the eighties are coming back to Bolton.

Twenty five years after Hi-NRG Fitness classes launched a craze that swept the region, it returns to the town. Fitness instructors Belinda Beaver and Tom Henderson started their first class at Horwich Leisure Centre and were supported by the Bolton Evening News which ran regular HiNRG promotions.

It captured the imagination of women and men keen to copy Hollywood star Jane Fonda and her going for the burn exercise ethos. The sessions were a hit because they not only lived up to the high-energy of the title but offered a less strenuous, lower energy, series of moves to set to some classic 1980s tunes.

In a short space of time there were HiNRG classes in several local sports centres and clubs and in Stockport, Oldham, Tameside and Knutsford.

They boasted weekly attendances of up to 350.

Ms Beaver said: Coming to the classes was like going to a pop concert. We had music and lights. There was nothing else like it then.

HiNRG also launched the first aqua exercise class at The Water Place and the first step class at Silverwell Street Leisure centre.

Ms Beaver and Mr Henderson branched out into fitness training and they organised the World Aerobic Challenge at G-Mex in 1993 which attracted 3,500 people.

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Energetic friends revive '80s aerobics craze

Fitness Freak's evening rave class features an aerobic routine and live DJ Clubbers burn up to 600 calories per hour while dancing The pop-up is held in King's Cross, London, on 17/18 September for 14.90

By Martha De Lacey

PUBLISHED: 05:17 EST, 27 August 2013 | UPDATED: 07:54 EST, 27 August 2013

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Clubbers tend to burn between 500 and 600 calories per hour dancing non-stop - the same number you would during a high-impact aerobics class.

And now a team of music-mad exercise fanatics in London have combined the two, creating an aerobic rave workout that will leave you feeling energised the next day - as opposed to hungover.

Fitness Freak's pop-up rave class is an intensely choreographed aerobic session with a live DJ spinning 90s dance classics. All you need to do is turn up in your finest neon gym gear clutching a handful of glo-sticks.

Rave yourself into shape at the new clubnight aerobics class at which you drink water, not vodka

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Rave yourself fit! The aerobics class at Fitness Freak in King's Cross London with a live DJ and plenty of glo-sticks

Water aerobics is sometimes mistaken as floating in the water on noodles. However this low-intensity workout program, actually offers multiple benefits for any fitness level and ability.

The low impact effect provides the opportunity to exercise vigorously but without the pounding on the joints.

At Kingwood Senior Village, the Million Dollar Mermaids work out on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-10 a.m.

Exercise in water makes the participant feel 90 percent lighter. So stretching, jumping and running in water are the ideal activities for those with arthritis, back problems, foot or leg problems and knee conditions.

Another benefit is calorie burning. Expect to burn between 300-500 calories per hour in a water aerobics class, according to the Aquatic Exercise Association.

The actual amount burned will depend on the individuals size, the intensity of their movements, as well as water temperature and depth. Intervals of slow and medium moves, mixed with high intensity exercises, while constantly moving yield the highest calorie burn.

Water aerobics also builds strength. When exercising in water, the individual works against 12 times the resistance of air, according to an article published in American Fitness in 1996. Simply kicking and cupping the water helps contribute to muscle development, which translates into a higher metabolism and healthier body. Although no additional equipment is needed, many classes incorporate equipment like water paddles, noodles, single or double buoys, and kickboards to further induce strength gains.

The exercise routines are based on Josie Robinsons ABCS of Water Aerobics. A is for abdominals because a strong core is essential for posture, strength and back support. B is for balance because falls are the number one cause of accidents for seniors. C is for cardio because people need healthy hearts and lungs. So with the ABC routine participants gain overall strong bodies.

Finally, water aerobics classes are user friendly. Most moves are performed underwater and there are no wall mirrors so only the participant will know if they missed a step. Find a water aerobics class to try it out. And yes, Aquamen are welcome as well.

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Water aerobics, more than floating around