8 Alternative and Unusual MOVE Classes in Winter

The air is getting crisper outside and it can only mean one thing — winter is on its way. Love it or hate it, winter poses some inevitable challenges to those looking to keep fit. Luckily, we've gathered a list of alternative fitness classes to keep you moving. We have also listed some Healf-approved fitness centres and locations for you to try.

The idea of ‘alternative’ fitness classes is there to fuel those who are easily bored by the average offerings down at the gym. It’s for the people who want to inject a bit of personality into their routines. It is a concept known as ‘Hedonic Motivation’, which means you will be more motivated to do something if you enjoy it. A study showed statistical evidence of this, in that ‘thousands of respondents reporting high enjoyment and preference for a specific type of physical activity were significantly more likely to see consistent results’.

Not for the faint hearted, Aerial classes present a new challenge. Aerial Silks involves performing acrobatics on long fabric suspended from the ceiling. You climb, wrap, and hang from the fabric, creating stunning poses, drops, and inversions.

Benefits include intense upper body and core strength and improves flexibility and coordination. Aerial Hoop in particular offers warm up strength and flexibility exercises. Both practices tend to be divided into beginner and more advanced options. The main differentiating factor is that Silks often has a tendency towards dramatic drops and flowing movements, whilst Hoop is great if you want to explore spins and poses with a static apparatus.

If you have ever seen those viral videos of dogs doing yoga with their owners, this won’t come as a surprise. This concept originated in the US and was then popularised in the UK. Still fairly niche, the benefits of dog yoga include connecting with other dog owners and having a bit of animal therapy time to support your mental health. Your four-legged friend might get some benefits from it too.

Ballet-inspired movements with elements of Pilates, Barre Fitness offers a new level of strength training, in particular targeting arms, core, legs, and glutes. It also introduces elements of light cardio and it is renowned for helping you achieve an amazing posture.

Yoga Barre, as the name might suggest, is a hybrid class combining yoga poses with barre techniques. There is more emphasis placed on the flow and the breath, which is taken from yoga. The cool down is usually longer too, leaving you more relaxed at the end of the class

Much in the same way as Hula, if you have never successfully done a handstand in your life, this class is still a great option for you. It begins with working on your strength, body conditioning and flexibility to make the handstands much easier to perform. Even if gymnastics has never really been your thing, with the right encouragement and training, many participants find themselves in the advanced tier in no time at all.

For many, trampolines bring out your inner child. But whilst it is a playful exercise there is a lot to be learnt and skills to be perfected. There is a vast repertoire of shapes and moves to explore, it's also liberating and stimulating to the mind. Remember that coordination is the most important aspect here, both for proper execution of the moves and for safety. Therefore it is worth having a knowledgeable instructor so that you can make the best progress.

Even though the word combat is its name, this class is entirely non-contact. It’s a high-energy practice inspired by a wide variety of martial arts, from Karate, Taekwondo, Boxing, Muay Thai, Capoeira and Kung Fu. Like many other classes in this category, you don't need any prior experience to join, just bring the energy!

A problem solving exercise to celebrate individuality, creativity and personal development through a complex selection of jumping, vaulting, climbing, and acrobatics. If you've ever dreamed of performing stunts like those in action movies, parkour is an option for the adventurous.It’s all about overcoming the physical obstacles and feeling free in your movements. 

In essence, Boxercise is a class built around the typical training methods used by boxers. It does not involve facing an opponent, but it does explore the methods of fighting hypothetically if you were to progress to the ring. It is challenging yet engaging as it addresses proper technique and stamina. It is also great for stress release and, again, suitable for most fitness levels.