By Howaida Sorour-Roberts
heddy@pdgmedia.ca
It’s fast, vigorous and fun. Pound is a new trend in fitness that combines cardio conditioning and strength training with lightly weighted exercise drumsticks and lots of rhythm. The moves are inspired by yoga and pilates and it’s guaranteed to make you sweat.
“It’s a quick and fun way to sweat and I enjoy the mental challenge,” said Casey Little, a Pound student in Merrickville.
And a mental challenge it is. When Hometown News approached Katie Weststrate, naturopathic doctor, ND, MScCH, RHN, RYT, and Pound instructor about writing an article on this latest trend, she immediately extended an invitation to participate in a class to fully appreciate the workout. It was tough. I’m a fairly fit individual, but this writer couldn’t keep up with the speed or level of coordination the class required.
In Pound the upper body is in constant motion and drumming with a set of quarter-pound sticks; this creates constant instability, engaging all the stabilizer muscles of the core and lower body — muscles that rarely get used in day-to-day life. “It’s an awesome workout. According to the Pound founders you can burn upwards of 900 calories in a single workout if you’re giving it your all,” said Weststrate.
Pound was created by Kirsten Potenza and Cristina Peerenboom, both drummers, music enthusiasts and fitness experts out of California, USA. According to their website, Pound exercise will strengthen and sculpt infrequently used muscles.
“It is cardio and strength at the same time, mostly core and lower body strengthening plus cardio conditioning,” confirmed Weststrate,
Having experienced one class and met students who have been at it for at least a year, I can believe it. It is however hard on the joints says Weststrate who says she modifies some of the movements for her older clients.
According to the Pound label the program can significantly improves rhythm, timing, coordination, speed, agility, endurance, and musicality. It will cinch the waistline, slim the thighs, and strengthen connective tissue and infrastructural muscles with the combination of stability and cardio.
“It’s great and I have rheumatoid arthritis, but Katie has shown me modifications so I can do it, and along with some other classes I do with Katie I’ve probably lost 40 pounds,” says Mary-Pat McKay, Pound regular in Merrickville.
Pound fitness classes in Merrickville are held on Thursday evening from 6:15 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Ahimsa Naturopathic on Main Street. There are also classes available in Perth at the Steward School Gym on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. with other instructors.
“I’m thinking of starting a 50 plus modified Pound class in Merrickville soon,” added Weststrate.
Meanwhile the Perth group is looking to add an early Saturday morning class according to their Facebook page, though that hasn’t been decided yet.
While Pound is certainly not for the faint of heart, it really is a high energy, fun way to stay in shape while rocking out to great music. For more information about Pound visit poundfit.com.
