We’ve all heard of Zumba, Pilates and yoga, but how about punk-aerobics or mud racing? No? Well let’s take a look at some wacky but exciting workout trends that have hit the scene fairly recently:

1. Electronic surfing – A hockey player and avid surfer created the first electronic surfing machine, the Ripsurfer X to expertly simulate a real surfing experience so off-season surfers can stay true to form. However, it has gone on to explode in the fitness world as one of the coolest new exercise trends for surfers and non-surfers alike. While these boards are quite expensive, there are many electronic surfing studios around where you can attend e-surf classes to get a surfer body without shelling out for the actual device. It targets the upper body and is especially great for your core. Trying to balance while the board is shifting all around would be a fun challenge indeed.
2. Backwards running ­– If you see this, you may think you’ve stepped into some weird parallel universe, but nope! People are simply into jogging backwards to spice up their workout regimens these days. The fitness theory behind backward running? It strengthens opposing muscle groups and relieves some of the hamstring pressure and high impact of forward running. Do you buy it? Give it a try to find out!
3. Mud Races are essentially a mud-covered obstacle course complete with different stations to tackle such as having to crawl underneath netting through a mud-pit to race others to the finish. It works all areas of the body and can be quite rigorous, so much so that many mud race obstacle courses require participants to meet physical endurance or health requirements.
4. Punk-aerobics – A great workout for all you head-bangers out there, punk-aerobics is essentially what it sounds. It is a movement where punk aficionados who wish to get in shape get together at their favorite punk clubs (during the daytime) to partake in intense aerobic routines set to their favorite punk songs. Even those on the fringe of society enjoy a good workout!
5. Circus-style workouts – Perhaps the best for last, did you ever attend the circus and envy the trapeze artists gracefully swinging, hanging and flipping through the air? Well no need to be green-eyed, you can do a circus-style workout! These workshops take place in studios filled with circus equipment with an instructor who teaches participants different aerial skills that burn hundreds of calories a session. How fun?Who says working out has to be boring? We hope you enjoyed reading about our favorite off-the-wall workouts, thanks for visiting DocChat!