© Freepik
Piloxing, an intense full-body workout, was invented by the Swedish trainer Viveca Jensen.
April 29, 2025
Marie Hein
Piloxing, Lagree, or Rucking - from military-inspired workouts to the revival of strength training: These six new workouts burn calories, shape body and mind, and are fun.
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1. Piloxing
Piloxing is a crossover workout that combines elements from Pilates, boxing, and dance. The aim is to unite physically opposing disciplines for a holistic balance of strength, endurance, and flexibility. While boxing enhances the cardiovascular system and stimulates fat burning, Pilates and dance elements promote body control and coordination. This results in a physically demanding but also mental workout, as full concentration is required during Piloxing. This rather intense full-body workout was invented by Swedish trainer Viveca Jensen from Los Angeles and is already highly popular in Hollywood.
2. Rucking
Originally developed as military training, Rucking is essentially just a walk. The trick: you carry a backpack with additional weights. Regularly ‘rucking’ not only improves endurance and strength but also, without putting pressure on joints, trains the entire body: from legs through the core and abs to the shoulder area.
In Germany, Rucking is gaining more and more enthusiasts. Groups like the Munich Rucking Crew organize weekly training sessions in Munich, and local Ruck clubs are currently emerging in cities like Stuttgart and Berlin, offering joint tours and events. If you are curious: the GORUCK platform not only provides detailed information for beginners but also an overview of the most important Ruck clubs in Germany.
Trampolining is not only fun for kids but is also a highly effective workout for adults, as shown by the trend of rebounding, also known as jump fitness. Rhythmic jumps and choreographies are performed on a mini trampoline. Up to 400 muscles are activated simultaneously, the lymphatic system is stimulated, and the metabolism is boosted.
Studies show that rebounding can be up to 68 percent more effective than jogging, while being more gentle on the joints and requiring more coordination. The constant switch between gravity and weightlessness strengthens the cardiovascular system, trains the sense of balance, and has a positive effect on the nervous system. Fun Fact: Originally, rebounding was developed by NASA for the regeneration of their astronauts.
© Freepik
Up to 400 muscles are activated simultaneously during rebounding.
Invented by the French, Los Angeles-based trainer Sebastian Lagree, the workout of the same name is considered one of the most effective and well-known slow-burn workouts of our time. The heart of the method is the so-called Megaformer – a device with a movable platform, cables, springs, and handles that allows for controlled, flowing movements with constant resistance.
Unlike classic HIIT units, Lagree focuses on continuous muscle tension: Each movement is performed extremely slowly and precisely, so that the muscle works to exhaustion. The exercises mainly target the deep muscles, improve posture, coordination, and core stability. Another advantage: The joint-friendly training avoids impact loads – and can still burn up to 600 calories per session.
Invented in Mexico in 1969, padel has long been the second most popular sport in Spain and is also experiencing a boom in Germany: around 150 new facilities were opened here last year alone. What makes padel so special? The sport combines elements of tennis and squash and challenges not only the entire body but also the brain. It is played in doubles on a 20 by 10 meter court – about half the size of a tennis court – surrounded by glass walls. These are actively integrated into the game and open up an additional tactical dimension that requires strategic thinking and quick reactions.
Strength training is by no means a new discipline, but in its time-adapted form it is currently experiencing a revival – called Functional Strength Training. According to the fitness app Strava, functional strength training is now one of the fastest-growing sports among women in the USA. It is particularly popular with women in peri- and menopause. This is understandable, after all, functional strength training focuses on targeted muscle building, which is particularly important in this phase of life.
However, unlike classic strength training, the focus is not only on strengthening pure muscle strength, but on functional muscles – those that are noticeable in everyday life. Instead of performing isolated exercises, natural movement sequences are repeated: lifting, carrying, climbing stairs. Free weights, one's own body weight, and targeted combinations are used to strengthen the core muscles in particular – for more stability, resilience, and an improved body feeling.
