Functional training was a major hit last year, as people started to ditch the treadmill and opt for workout "toys" that promised to enhance their performance in their daily activities, such as walking up stairs and balancing on the back of a motorbike taxi.
Christian Mason leading a Zuu class in Thailand.
You might not necessarily need those workout tools though, if you learn from the animals. Have you ever wondered why no other animal in the world has exercise equipment, yet remains fit and strong?
Virgin Active, which recently introduced the Zuu workout programme — a 60-minute exercise class inspired by 18 animal movements — seems to be exploring this subject further. Using nothing but your own body weight, Zuu helps you train the whole body to improve all the muscles efficiently.
Christian Mason, managing director of Southeast Asia for Virgin Active, explained that Zuu was a programme initially developed in Australia by Nathan Helberg, who set about creating a body weight-style of training to regain lost movement ranges and also a level of conditioning that traditional methods weren't able to bring.
"Rugby teams in Australia use this programme for strengthening and conditioning, because it gives them amazing strength and flexibility, with low impact. It's a high-intensity programme," said Mason, adding that Zuu is now used as a health programme across schools and learning centres for obesity, diabetes, bullying and many social disorders in youth and children.
It was introduced at Virgin Active in Australia and they modified the programme to suit the ordinary people. The principles are the same, but the intensity is lowered, compared to what elite athletes do.
Due to the science of the class that focuses on body weight, whole body, energy system and resilience, each movement is adapted to be shorter, lighter and easier for general people, especially, who rarely or never do exercise. The movements have been designed to improve mobility, strength and flexibility of the body.
"Our current lifestyle and the way we live often makes us less flexible as we get older. This programme is good for getting you strong and flexible and mobile. That's important as you get older, because you're less likely to injure yourself," he explained.
All the movements are animal-based. Called primal movement patterns, the moves mimic donkeys, bears, cobras and many others. There are over 100 moves in the Zuu programme, but the class at Virgin Active focuses on 18 animal movements.
In a way, it is sort of like fast-paced yoga, since some yoga movements are also based on animal movements. The class is interval-based, with varying intensity to burn off more calories. During the class, you will have to interact with others, such as high-fiving each other while moving like a gorilla.
"It's very good on a culture level. We work together and get to know each other. We bond through the hard work that we do together by sharing the experience and pushing each other a little bit. It's not boot camp. It's working together," he said.
Zuu class is great for anyone, whether you are a first-time gym-goer or a fit and firm gym regular. The first rule is not to be shy — just let loose and follow your animal instinct. If you feel that you can't keep up with the class, don't be discouraged. Like George Orwell said: "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
Zuu class will soon be available at Virgin Active Thailand, located at Empire Tower, Sathon Road.
Visit www.virginactive.co.th.
