I stumbled into a BODYFLOW class a couple weeks ago at my local health club. I've been working through a running-related groin/hip/butt injury for a few weeks, and after some physical therapy, I'm starting to see the light. I actually entered a group exercise room, unthinkable a month ago.

If BODYFLOW is offered in your area, check it out. The class rolls 55 minutes of tai chi, yoga, pilates and relaxation into a pretty tasty tamale. I love the relaxing tai chi warm-ups, and the music is prompting me to reach farther into yoga's Proud Warrior than I'd ever try at home. I'm psyched the class works on the core, haven't done much of that since my injury. After just three BODYFLOW classes, my hips are opening up, my hamstrings don't twang anymore and I'm calmer. Here's an outline of a typical class.

Les Mills and family are group exercise-to-music masterminds, with over 12,000 licensed clubs now sporting the Les Mills brand, including classes such as BODYATTACK, the famous BODYPUMP and BODYSTEP. Click on this class locator to see if BODYFLOW is near you.

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Is it aerobics? Is it weight lifting? No, it's BodyPump™ and it's probably coming to a gym near you. Body Pump is an hour-long, instructor-led repetition resistance training class. Participants use a step platform, a bar, and a set of free weights appropriate for their fitness level. The class is set to music and designed to make resistance training as engaging and fun as aerobics. Using moves like lifts, curls, squats, presses, and abdominal work BodyPump builds lean muscle mass while not adding bulk.

The concept isn't new. BodyPump first appeared in 1991 in Auckland, New Zealand, but is fast becoming a fitness fad in North America. A new class, with music and choreography, is released to participating instructors and fitness clubs every three months. Benefits of the class include burning lots of calories (up to 600 per class), shaping and toning muscles, building bone density, and improving overall strength and fitness.

There are no classes in my state yet, but I'm going to keep checking! Personally, I love aerobics and I think applying a similar concept to resistance training sounds like loads of fun. Check and see if there's a class near you.

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