WHAT AND WHY Training designed to improve sport performance, not merely to boost fitness. Examples: yoga for runners; Pilates for golf or tennis; training for hikers or equestrians.
The trend is driven partly by marketing, as those who offer Pilates, yoga and traditional training try to reach new customers. It's also driven by clients who want to improve their games and reduce injury risk. Velocity Fitness (www.velocitysp.com), a new franchise with three Washington area locations, is devoted to helping serious athletes train for a variety of sports -- and to assist recreational athletes who want to raise their games.
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Transcript: Excessive Exercise: The Moving Crew will discuss revised dietary guidelines that recommend Americans should make time for 30 to 90 minutes of daily physical activity.
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Transcript: Post-Rehab Fitness: Sabrena Newton, fitness professional consultant was online to discuss getting back into the groove after physical therapy.
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BEST FOR People bored by the usual Stairmaster-and-dumbbell routine; players who want to surprise their teammates and competitors; middle-agers who want to keep playing a sport after their bodies start to disagree.
DETAILS Sport-related conditioning aims at preparing the body for specific tasks. Yoga for runners aims to relieve tight muscles that can limit strides and boost injury risk. Rugby fitness centers on strength training, with an emphasis on the lower body, plus coordination, agility and balance. Tennis programs target core strength, aerobic capacity, quickness and the muscles of the arms and shoulders at risk for injury.
TRYING IT At the Body College Pilates in Tenleytown (202-237-0080; www.bodycollegepilates.com) golf trainer Mike Wright applies the Pilates principles of controlled power and flexibility to the golf swing. Symmetry and balance are also key, he said. "Golfers tend to favor one side" of their bodies, Wright said. "Pilates makes them more kinesthetically aware." Pilates training can help prevent the shoulder, back and hip injuries that dog many golfers, he said.
Wright has students stand on a Pilates Reformer, a sliding wooden bed equipped with springs for adjusting resistance. With feet and shoulders aligned in a golf stance, students grip a pulley device as if holding a club. The resistance of the pulley forces the student to move slowly, smoothly and in balance, and Wright coaches for proper breathing and alignment.
LOOK ELSEWHERE IF you want an introduction to a new sport. Sport-specific classes are typically for those who are already active in the sport.
WHERE TO FIND IT Many health clubs are introducing sport-specific programs into class and training offerings, so ask at your club. Sport-specific trainers often advertise at places where players congregate: tennis bubbles, golf clubhouses, bike shops. A few examples of these programs: Yoga for Athletes (at Pure Prana, 703-836-7873, www.pureprana.com); Biathlon Training (running and biking training, at Fitness First in Germantown, 301-972-4800, www.fitnessfirst.cc , and North Potomac, 301-963-4800); Becoming Fit for Rugby (at Mackin Gym, Dupont Circle, 202-549-3867; www.balanceitc.com); Tennis Pilates (at Regency Sport and Health, McLean,703-556-6550, www.sportandhealth.com); Equestrian Pilates (in Alexandria, 703-887-2771, www.equestrian-pilates.com). Fitness First features TRAC, a hiking-oriented training class using treadmills at its North Potomac club.
-- Laurie Burkitt
