I'm in the middle of a set of leg lunges. Simple enough, right? But today, something's different: Under my lunging foot is a nylon disc, which has turned the shiny wood floor into a veritable Slip 'n Slide -- and me into a bit of a klutz. Forget about mastering any new moves; I'm working on staying upright.
In the world of gliding, this is considered a good thing. The sport, an aerobics craze born in (where else?) California, was dreamed up by fitness guru Mindy Mylrea, whose face (and hyper-toned bod) you may have seen in any of 60-plus workout videos. Her concept is simple: Step on slippery, pancake-shaped discs while performing certain exercises (lunges and other traditional aerobic moves, mostly), and they'll be transformed into sliding movements that look graceful but require a considerable amount of effort (and thereby burn lots of calories). Sound intimidating? It isn't. Though gliding does take a little practice, the workout is a real knockout, and most believe that looking uncoordinated those first few times is a small price to pay. Take it from someone who knows!
Feel the burn: Gliders skim up, out and every other which way for a full-body challenge during a class in Bethesda.
(Nate Lankford For The Washington Post)
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What to Expect: Gliding discs come in two varieties: nylon versions designed for hardwood floors and hard plastic orbs that look like Frisbees, made for carpet. Either way, the idea is the same: You stand on a disc with the ball of your foot (your heel stays off to provide braking ability), then do aerobics, Pilates or yoga moves. The gliders (which can also be put under your hands to kick up the intensity of moves such as push-ups) provide an extra challenge; as you try to keep from slipping, your body -- particularly your "core," or torso -- has to work to stay in control during even the simplest movements.
"It's all about learning not to fall," says Robert Sherman, owner of F.I.T. Inc. in Bethesda, the first studio in the area to offer gliding workouts. Sherman, voted one of the country's top 100 trainers by Men's Journal magazine, offers gliding as part of four 60-minute strength-training classes each week. "Everybody groans," Sherman says, referring to the moment when he breaks out the discs. He keeps work with the gliders to 20 minutes, max -- the logic being that an entire class's worth might inspire mutiny. But Sherman says he may eventually offer an entire class in gliding -- clearly not for the faint of heart.
What to Bring: Workout clothes and shoes (discs are provided at the club).
Cost: $9 to $17 per class.
Alicia Brooks Waltman
Where to Set Sail
F.I.T. Inc. 4963 Elm St., #101, Bethesda. 301-656-0885. www.robertshermansfit.com. $17 per class; 20 classes for $180. After work on weekdays, this intimate studio can get jam-packed. The crowd ranges from college students to super-fit sixty-somethings. It's recommended that you reserve class space ahead of time -- the owner's sessions are especially popular. Cancellation is required 24 hours in advance.
Gliding Ultimate Buns & Legs Workout. Prefer to glide without
an audience? Snap up this kit,
which contains a DVD with three separate routines (including
cardio and body sculpting) and two plastic gliding discs for use on carpeted floors. (Discs for hardwood floors aren't available yet for home use, but they're working on it.) $29.99 plus shipping and handling. Order at 800-431-7474 or www.glidingdiscs.com.
