by Mariam Makatsaria, Newport Beach & Company | special to the NB Indy
— Photo courtesy Bliss Paddle Yoga / Visit Newport Beach
At first, no one needed to tell you to get off the couch. But now, it’s almost mid-January, and your motivation to hit the gym is already taking a bit of a hit — no matter how many new heart-pumping songs you add to your workout playlist.
It’s OK. It happens to the best of us. In fact, according to research, most New Year’s resolutions fall by the wayside around Jan. 19.
All you need is a bit of variety. Luckily, there are many boutique fitness studios in Newport Beach that can help you beat workout boredom. Here, we present you with five new, creative ways to break a sweat, so you don’t break your NY’s resolutions.
SUP YOGA AT BLISS PADDLE YOGA
If your current yoga routine is leaving you unchallenged, resolve to shake up your asana and expand your horizons beyond the comforts of an in-studio session.
Don’t worry if you’ve never so much as touched a paddleboard, let alone stood on one. Bliss Paddle Yoga’s classes are designed to accommodate all levels. First, you learn some basic techniques on land before taking your flow out onto the water. After an hour of testing your balance, you’ll wind down in an aqua savasana as the gentle waves whisk you away in a mindful meditation.
For more information, visit blisspaddleyoga.com
BOXING AT BOXHAUS
For the past few years, fitness enthusiasts have been putting their puffy gloves on and hitting up the boxing ring — and here’s why. Boxing can get your feet moving and heart pumping in no time. That’s not to say anything about engaging your upper body, which gets a killer workout every time you jab, cross and hook.
But even more importantly, because boxing can be so much fun, it barely even feels like a workout.
Ready to give it a go? Boxhaus offers classes — nine rounds of boxing infused with some HIIT for good measure — for beginners and veteran boxers alike.
For more information, visit boxhausoc.com
LAGREE FITNESS AT PILATES PLUS OC
Ever since it arrived to the fitness scene, Lagree Fitness has amassed an impressive list of celebrity devotees.
So what exactly is Lagree, you ask? It’s a little bit of pilates, a little bit of strength training and a dash of cardio. Typically done using a machine called the “megaformer,” Lagree Fitness is a high-intensity approach to full body conditioning. (You’ll often hear it being referred to as “pilates on steroids.”)
If this sounds like something that’ll strike your fancy, head over to Pilates Plus OC, which hosts daily Lagree Fitness group and private classes.
For more information, visit pilatesplusoc.com/lagree-fitness-workout
BUTI YOGA AT NEWPORT PEACH
Even though it’s a form of yoga, Buti Yoga is nothing like your usual vinyasa flow.
This trendy practice marries a slew of different elements together, from vinyasa and tribal-inspired dance to plyometric exercises and some major core work. Not only does it torch some serious calories, the movement is said to be therapeutic for the mind, too.
The class is taught at Newport Peach, but that’s not all that’s on offer at this female-centric studio. You’ll also find full body-burners like Peach-Step, Peach-Physique and XTreme Hip Hop Step, in case you want to give something else a try. (Peach-step, for example combines ballet work, step aerobics, mat pilates and weights).
For more information, visit newportpeach.com
GOAT YOGA AT THE OC YOGA FESTIVAL
A day of yoga with back bay views? You don’t have to ask us twice.
When talking about fitness experiences, it would be remiss of us not to mention the OC Yoga Festival, which takes place Jan 18. During the event, Newport Dunes will play host to yoga, meditation and sound healing sessions, as well as other workshops and talks.
And while yes, this is just a single-day event, it’ll serve as a good introduction to yoga, especially if you’ve been toying with the idea of joining a class.
If you don’t do it for the whole-body stretch, do it for the goats. You heard us — the festival just added goat yoga to its lineup of classes. (It’s exactly what it sounds: Yoga in the company of adorable baby goats).
For more information, visit ocyogafestival.com
To read more of the Visit Newport Beach blog, visit visitnewportbeach.com/blog
