Training

5 Exercise Classes to get your Bikini Body Ready Fast

As the great British summer is officially underway, your summer holiday is probably just around the corner and, unless you're off to Alaska, you'll need a bikini.

If your body is far from at its best, an exercise class may be just the thing you need to find that extra motivation and really push yourself. One of these high-octane classes could send you on your way to having a body you'd be proud to show off in public.

These exercise regimes are designed to help you burn more calories, shift a few pounds and get rid of your wobbly bits. They are high intensity workouts so please be careful and make sure you warm up and cool down properly to avoid injury.

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KETTLE BELL WEIGHTS

Kettle Bell classes are a sure-fire way to put your whole body through its paces. The class itself involves going through a range of exercises with a kettle bell weighing up to 25 pounds – definitely not a class for the faint hearted.

This class provides an all-over workout and is focused on toning and creating definition.  Its muscle boosting powers kick start your metabolism, so you continue to burn calories for hours after the class is over. In short, this is tough but it gets results.

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SPINNING

If your abs and lower body are your problem areas, you could consider joining a spinning class. Spinning provides a fun, intensive work out on a static bike. You will be asked to get into several slightly odd positions on the cycle as you either peddle flat out, or against the bike's resistance which simulates up-hill cycling.

It's more fun than it sounds; instructors generally blast bass-heavy music into the room to create a fun but intense atmosphere. Classes usually take place in the dark, which is an advantage as nobody looks pretty during the session, but you are sure to see an improvement after.

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INTERVAL TRAINING

This form of training can be done in a class environment, with a trainer or alone once you've got the hang of it.   It relies on exercising flat out, almost until you reach maximum exertion, for short periods of time. Low intensity exercises fill the gaps (or intervals) to ensure that you sustain a higher level heart rate and burn more fat.

By far one of the best exercises to include as part of your interval training workout, is running. Sprinting as fast as you can, for anything from 15 seconds up to 20 minutes, if can you manage it, helps to metabolise fat really quickly.

As you will be pushing yourself to the max in interval training, it's more important than ever to wear proper footwear. For interval sprinting, a good pair of running shoes is essential. The Brooks Lady Adrenaline GTS 11 Running Shoes, provide maximum heel support and cushioning to prevent injury during sprinting and are recommended by Runners Fitness magazine.

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POWERPLATE

If just reading about high intensity exercise leaves you exhausted, but you're still in need of a bikini body boost, then this exercise class could be for you. Power plate involves a vibrating platform, which makes your session more efficient, but that isn't the only reason that this is a great beach workout.

During the class you are taken through a series of aerobic style exercises while standing on the platform.  This gets your muscles to work harder than normal. The technology also allows more oxygen into the bloodstream.  This is the exciting bit; the extra oxygen gives the skins surface a smoother appearance and can help combat cellulite, lumps and bumps - brilliant!

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ZUMBA

This is a great exercise class if the gym is the last place you want to spend an evening. If you're bored with the more traditional aerobics class, give this a try.  Zumba is a new all-over workout which is loosely based on Latin dance.

Believe it or not, Zumba is a form of interval training as it requires you to dance flat out for one song (up to 5 minutes) before shimmying to a slower one without stopping.

If you've been to a Salsa class you might recognise some of the steps. Zumba mixes a range of international dance techniques with lively custom-made music and an enthusiastic atmosphere.  The fast pace means it might take you while to pick up all the moves but as long as you attempt all of them, you'll be burning tons of calories, toning your abs and having loads of fun.

By now you'll have plenty of inspiration to banish your tired tummy and get in shape fast. Your summer body will be toned and fabulous, so make sure your swimwear does you justice. It might be time to splash out on a new cozzie.

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