Aussie rules for hot bikini bodies!

With almost year-round sunshine, Australians know more than a thing or two about feeling good on the beach. Here are our Aussie rules for hot bikini bodies!

When you’re faced with strutting your stuff on beaches that include the infamous Bondi, the vast stretches of the Whitsundays and any number of options along the Great Ocean Road and the Sunshine Coast, you’re going to need a few fail-safe tricks to keep that bikini body looking banging. With celebs in the form of fitness icons (think Michelle Bridges of The Biggest Loser Australia, and Lorna Jane, who has just launched her range of uber-fashionable fitness wear in the UK) and one of the world’s most-recognised swimwear brands, Seafolly, hailing from Australia’s shores, it’s no wonder those Down Under are well versed in the journey from sofa to sun goddess. So we’ve done a little digging to find the training that’s trending with the Aussies right now…

Go hard, then go home
When you’re dreaming of getting to the beach and soaking up the rays as soon as possible, a one-stop fitness shop is a dream come true. Enter bootcamps. Generally a session lasts one hour and will focus on quick bursts of high-energy movements (think hill sprints) followed by a short period of rest and recovery (taking it steady back down the hill, for example). Bodyweight training (push ups, burpees, mountain climbers) will also feature, as well as weight training. Many bootcamps also bring in boxing, giving you an all-over body workout in return for just an hour’s commitment.

We’re big fans of Project Fit and Barry’s Bootcamp.

On the flipside
They’re as down with downward dogs Down Under as you’d expect, but the recent arrival of anti-gravity yoga has turned those traditional poses on their head – literally. Bringing in techniques from dance, Pilates and gymnastics, a class will see you working through moves that have been adapted to suit your new position – nestled in a material hammock suspended from the ceiling. It takes a bit of getting used to, but it’s an ideal way to chisel that beach body, practise balance and improve strength – and giggling is encouraged!

You can try anti-gravity yoga at Virgin Active.

WTF is SUP?!
It’s no secret that Aussies have the ocean in their blood – you’ve seen the surfers, you’ve watched the swimmers, but what’s SUP when it’s at home? Stand-up paddleboarding (hence SUP) sees you standing on a longboard with one paddle to get you moving. It’s a low-intensity neck-to-toe workout that involves tensing the core to find your balance – there’s nothing like the threat of shark-infested waters to continue working those abs! Beginners can start with a leisurely scenic tour, and progress all the way to downwind racing and even paddleboard yoga.

Check out http://www.active360.co.uk/ to find a SUP venue near you.

All barre none
With the tagline ‘If Pilates sculpts your body, Xtend Barre chisels it’, you can imagine why this combo of Pilates and ballet moves is gaining popularity. The idea is to strengthen, lengthen and stretch the body for a long and lean physique. Yep, that sounds like it would look hot in a bikini, where do we sign up?

Let’s bounce
It’s not just the ladies in Oz getting behind the benefit of the bounce, NASA (that’s right, the space dudes) released a report that found 10 minutes of trampolining to be a better workout than 33 minutes of running. Not only will it help with cardiovascular fitness and toning muscles, it can increase your body’s metabolic rate, helping it to burn calories more efficiently. Not to mention that it’s pure stress-busting fun. So jump around!

Check out the Physical Company’s rebounders for some hot-body bouncing fun.