Non-traditional fitness growing in popularity

By Kaylee Remington
Journal Register News Service

Fitness centers are expanding their options to those who
exercise by including programs such as boot camps and yoga
centers.

Lisa Delpy Neirotti, professor of sport management at George
Washington University in Washington, D.C., said this trend is
happening everywhere.

"These boot camps are huge right now," she said.

Fitness centers are breaking away from traditional exercise
and integrating what people like. Neirotti said boot camps
are for all ages.

"People are getting into programs that are specific," she
said.

Sometimes, trainers leave a fitness center he or she worked
at to start their own yoga, Zumba or boot camp center,
Neirotti said.

"People are still exercising one way or another," she said.

Neirotta said adventure races outside of fitness centers are
becoming more prominent. She said one race, Tough Mudder, is
an intense event in which participants must run 10 to 13
miles on an obstacle course. This year, Ohio's race will be
in April in South Amherst.

Warrior Dash, a 3.5-mile race in the woods with obstacles,
will be in Logan. Another adventure race, Spartan Race takes
place throughout neighboring states.

When fads change, people follow, and that's what increases
the number of people working out, Neirotti said. Classes at
fitness centers offer a more individualized workout.
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"Pilates used to be the big thing, but now it's dying," she
said.

And if people don't go to fitness centers, they still find
time to run.

"People are increasing running like in 5Ks and running
clubs," she said.