{"id":55443,"date":"2017-01-19T07:15:36","date_gmt":"2017-01-19T12:15:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/?p=55443"},"modified":"2021-08-18T14:22:27","modified_gmt":"2021-08-18T18:22:27","slug":"immersive-fitness-trend-workout-boredom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/fitness\/immersive-fitness-trend-workout-boredom\/","title":{"rendered":"The Fitness Trend That Could Bust Workout Boredom for Good"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"How
Photo courtesy of IMAXShift<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fitness classes have clearly progressed since the days of step aerobics and Sweatin\u2019 to the Oldies. We\u2019ve seen workouts like barre<\/a>, spin and rowing<\/a> skyrocket in popularity and a recent movement toward mindfulness-infused HIIT classes<\/a>. Now the new big trend on the wellness scene: Taking your workout beyond the purely physical and tapping into your sense of sight, sound, smell and in some cases, even taste.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s become known as immersive fitness, these classes give a whole new meaning to a total-body workout<\/a>. An hour in the studio won\u2019t just get your body moving \u2014 it\u2019ll also provide a full mental and physical \u201cexperience.\u201d<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>Meditation Meets HIIT in New Mindful Fitness Approach<\/a><\/p>\n

\"How
Photo by Asi Zeevi, courtesy of WOOM Center<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What Immersive Fitness Is All About<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Some studios at the forefront of immersive fitness include WOOM Center<\/a> (a New York City-based yoga class), IMAXShift<\/a> (a spin studio in Brooklyn), Earth\u2019s Power Yoga<\/a> (based in Los Angeles) and Les Mill\u2019s The Trip<\/a> (also a cycling class, in New York and Santa Monica). All of these studios have a huge visual component to the class, drawing you in with computerized graphics or life-like landscapes. WOOM takes it a few steps further, too. There, you’ll experience sound baths, aromatherapy and even a sip of some good-for-you ingredients post-yoga flow.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>275 Exercises to Shape Up Your Workout Routine<\/a><\/p>\n

One reason to try these all-consuming classes: They just might slash the monotony of your regularly scheduled programming. \u201cThe same workout routine can become mentally fatiguing,\u201d says Leah Lagos, PsyD, a New York City-based licensed psychologist. \u201cIf you\u2019re looking for something to push you a little more and help you work at a higher level\u201d these classes could be the answer to your\u00a0plateau problems<\/a>, she says. Like\u00a0most forms of exercise, immersive fitness studios can also provide a mood boost. \u201cAdding new innovations and seeing better performance results from these innovations can definitely make people feel good,\u201d Lagos says.<\/p>\n

The founders and creators of these classes aim to give you a break from the\u00a0stressors of everyday life. As a result, you can better\u00a0focus on yourself \u2014 whether you\u2019re trying to push your body to its limits or gain some peace of mind<\/a>. Here\u2019s how they achieve that goal<\/a>, addressing each of the senses.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>3 Big-Time Ways Exercise Benefits Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n

\"How
Photo courtesy of IMAXShift<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Your Sensory Rx <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Touch<\/h3>\n

Obviously you\u2019ve been using your sense of touch in fitness since before Jane Fonda made exercise a model behavior. Every workout involves moving your body and many instructors tell you to pay close attention to how you feel through each movement. But now some meditation and yoga studios take the sensation a step further, embedding a more physical element into the typically\u00a0mind-focused sessions. Inscape<\/a> in New York City, for example, guides students to start a meditation by vigorously rubbing their hands together, bringing the focus into the present. At WOOM, you might grasp hands with fellow yogis to encourage a connection with those around you. These tactics can help you feel more grounded.<\/p>\n

Sound<\/h3>\n

Most spin classes<\/a> are known for their covetable soundtracks. And research<\/a> has proven the benefits of listening to music while exercising. In fact, it can increase your intensity<\/a> and performance<\/a>, without actually making you feel like you\u2019re working harder.<\/p>\n

Before curating a playlist, both WOOM and IMAXShift instructors think carefully about the overall theme they want to bring to class and the feelings they hope to evoke. While WOOM starts out with verbal chanting, followed by more traditional music, it then ends with instructors playing instruments you\u2019d often find in sound bath meditations<\/a>. Yogis choose the instruments based on the time of day or the message of the class. \u201cIf the theme is fluidity of life, we might play an instrument that brings in the element of water, like a rainstick or ocean drum,\u201d says Elian Zach-Shemesh, co-founder of WOOM. \u201cIf we talk about leaving the past in the past, we might bring in an instrument that has a minor mode scale and tends to bring up a melancholy sense of yearning\u2026 We tie everything together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some believe sound baths promote deeper meditation<\/a> during yoga. Or as a stand-alone experience, they can have a calming effect, even if you\u2019ve never meditated before. \u201cSound acts as the focal point to assist you in achieving a more relaxed state by influencing brainwaves, shifting them from active to more introspective and creative,\u201d explains Nate Martinez, certified sound therapy practitioner and founder of NTM Sound Healing<\/a>. \u201cIt’s different than music because it removes more structural elements like\u00a0rhythm, arrangement and\u00a0melody.\u201d Translation: The instruments help keep your mind from racing, allowing you to more easily concentrate on yourself and the moment. Add that to your downward-facing dog<\/a> and you have a recipe for mega mind and <\/em>body benefits.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>9 Top Wireless Headphones for Fitness Fanatics<\/a><\/p>\n

\"How
Photo courtesy of Inscape<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sight<\/h3>\n

Sometimes seeing really is believing (in the advantages of a workout, at least). In a\u00a0WOOM class, you\u2019ll actually begin blindfolded. This takes sight out of the equation, helping students tune into the sounds and vibrations. But once the blindfold comes off, you\u2019ll see splashes of lights<\/a> and moving images on the three white walls surrounding you. \u201cYou\u2019ve been through a mini experience with the blindfolds, and then you\u2019re immersed in the music and visuals and so it\u2019s almost like you\u2019ve journeyed to a different place,\u201d Zach-Shemesh explains. (Remember that main goal of providing a mini mental vacation? This does the trick.) \u201cThe visuals and sounds then root us back into the present moment<\/a> and you realize, \u2018This is happening now. I\u2019m seeing this now.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Jesse Alexander, master instructor and creative director at IMAXShift says the visuals of the class also lock students into the room, therefore allowing them to focus on the challenge ahead. To decide what kind of videos will go up on the movie theater-sized screen, \u201cwe pull from energetic, emotional and performance buckets,\u201d he says. For instance, a performance visual might have you climbing up a virtual mountain as you increase the resistance on the bike<\/a>. An energizing<\/a> one might take you around train tracks or have you ride to the beat of a pulsing computerized graphic. And an emotional experience could involve flying over a Hawaiian landscape, giving you a breather mid-ride or putting you at ease as the class winds down.<\/p>\n

Even studios like Inscape take sight into consideration, just with a subtler approach. The space has two studios \u2014 the Dome and Alcove \u2014 which feature lighting meant to mimic a horizon, forcing you to feel instantly relaxed<\/a>. The Alcove (where relaxation classes featuring sound baths take place) has an art installation created by founder, Khajak Keledjian\u2019s friend. It uses more than 18,000 feet of rope, each with its own design. (The underlying message: Even though each pattern (or person) is different we\u2019re all interconnected.) The layout of the studio offers \u201ca mix of grounding and uplifting at the same time,\u201d says Keledjian. \u201cIt gives that sense of calm, right off the city block.\u201d<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>Inside the Most Tricked Out Yoga Studio in New York<\/a><\/p>\n

Smell<\/h3>\n

With the growing popularity of essential oils, it\u2019s no wonder studios have started incorporating more aromatherapy into classes. Meditation and yoga instructors, including those at Y7<\/a> and Yo Yoga!<\/a>, have been doing this for some time. However,\u00a0the standard spritz used here and there is taken up a notch at places like WOOM. During savasana,\u00a0the instructor sprays the room with the studio\u2019s custom, therapeutic blend of 13 essential oils. \u201c[Scent is] another vehicle for that strong connection to self,\u201d Zach-Shemesh\u00a0says. That’s because smell\u00a0is the sense most linked to memory, she explains. Studies have also demonstrated the benefits of some smells, including the relaxing effects of lavender<\/a> and the brain-stimulating and energizing results of rosemary<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"How
Photo by Asi Zeevi, courtesy of WOOM Center<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Taste<\/h3>\n

What better way to round out a sensory-centric class than with a health-enhancing shot? Many studios have juice bars and smoothie stations for post-workout fuel (Barry\u2019s Bootcamp<\/a> has been at it for years). But at WOOM, you don\u2019t pay a penny more. After peeling off the mat, class-goers follow the instructor into the caf\u00e9 for a freshly made elixir. The concoction often\u00a0includes a\u00a0blend of nutritious, anti-inflammatory ingredients. You might sip\u00a0turmeric<\/a>, coconut milk, reishi mushrooms<\/a>, apple cider vinegar<\/a> or chai spices, depending on the time of year. \u201cIt\u2019s a community-building and nourishing part of the experience,\u201d says Zach-Shemesh. Cheers to fitness gurus who think of everything<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Keep in mind, like most workouts, immersive fitness might not be for everyone. \u201cFor some people, this kind of experience can be truly stimulating \u2014 almost addictive because it\u2019s so much sensory stimulation,\u201d Lagos explains. Conversely, “it can be overwhelming to others.\u201d (Of course, the best way to tell if you like it\u2026 head to a studio!) In the end, immersive fitness all comes down to a well thought out experience meant as an escape from the daily grind. And we could all use 60 uninterrupted minutes away.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Immersive fitness classes focus on more than moving your body. The latest fitness trend invigorates all your senses so you\u2019re inspired in multiple ways.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":51,"featured_media":55458,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[21,24,6,14,19],"tags":[289,265,56,173,341,361,100,286],"class_list":["post-55443","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cardio","category-exercise","category-fitness","category-strength-training","category-yoga","tag-exercise","tag-fitness-class","tag-group-fitness","tag-meditation","tag-tax1living-well","tag-tax2fitness-trends","tag-workout","tag-yoga"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55443","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/51"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55443"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55443\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/55458"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55443"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=55443"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=55443"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}