What about the Pound, this new trendy sport?
Sport, like many other fields, is not spared by fashions. And among the latest notable trends, the Pound cannot be ignored. This new sport promises to get back in shape,lose weightand redraw your silhouette in record time. But what exactly is it? Moreover, does the Pound Fitness keep all its promises?
What is the Pound?
Origin of the discipline
Pound, or Pound Fitness, is asportstraight from the United States and initiated by two young Californians, Kirsten Potenza and Cristina Peerenboom. The discipline was born from their taste for sport and music. Kirsten, a drummer and rock fan, realized that the percussion moves were somewhat similar to a Pilates workout. It did not take more for the two entrepreneurs to create the discipline (in 2011), license it and disseminate it in American gyms. A few years later, the Pound spread around the world. It now has more than 25,000 certified instructors and is present in more than 100 countries.
Principle of Pound Fitness
The creators affirm it, The PoundFit is not about listening to music, but about living it. They describe their sport as complete, combining cardio, fitness (development of fundamental physical qualities, namely flexibility, strength, endurance, speed and coordination), and movements inspired by yoga and Pilates. A clever mix of plyometric exercises (“explosive” movements such as squats or lunges) and isometric exercises (static muscle strengthening movements such as plank or yogic postures), all to the rhythm of a very rhythmic music. As such, we should rather expect a rock’n’roll soundtrack. Isn’t the Pound directly inspired by this musical genre, and nicknamed the Rockout Workout (the Rockstar of Fitness)?
Another characteristic of the Pound: it is practiced with Ripstix, sticks resembling like two drops of water to those used to play the drums. The only exception is that they are lighter because they are made of plastic and not wood. Still according to Kirsten and Cristina, “the use of chopsticks makes it possible to work on balance, solicits moremuscle contractionand thus intensifies each posture of the Pound”. By forcing the body to find its stability without the help of the hands, we would work more its postural muscles and its stabilization system.
How does a Pound session work?
A Pound session lasts 45 minutes. It is orchestrated by an energetic soundtrack, the Poundtrack, mixing rock, rap, pop and country sounds. It is a clever mix of cardio exercises, Pilates, plyometric movements inspired by fitness and isometric postures taken fromyogatag. All done with Ripstix in hand, to accompany the sequences. Percussion on the ground or in the air, the handling of the sticks adds intensity to the sports session.
The whole of the “choreography” is connected according to the tempo of each piece of music. But the Poundtrack is not organized haphazardly, and the songs played are not chosen at random.
Indeed, according to the creators, each song, lasting from 2 to 4 minutes, is selected according to a particular structure. It must alternate moments of fast tempo and a little calmer rhythm. The same goes for the whole playlist: songs with a furious rhythm, and some slower interludes. In fact, this type of soundtrack allows interval training, like a Hiit session. And the split is one of the best methods to lose weight, because it engages a significant energy demand.
What are the benefits of the Pound?
Practitioners are unanimous: Pound Fitness is both exhausting and exhilarating, and the results on the silhouette are visible quickly. To believe that this trendy sport is really to adopt. Some of the most notable benefits include:
- Guaranteed to burn caloriestag. According to Kirsten and Cristina, a single session of Pound can lighten 800 kcal (900 kcal per hour), so intense is the sporting activity. The creators of the discipline also clearly quantify the physical “prowess” explaining such energy expenditure: 15,000 repetitions, more than 30 peak intervals and more than 70 sports techniques used in a single session.
- Strengthening the heart muscle. Not only does the sustained pace of the session involve intense work on the heart pump, but in addition the fact of constantly using your arms (movements with the Ripstix) allows increased endurance work, up to 20%.
- A more toned silhouette, after just a few sessions. The Pound, by varying the types of exercises and the postures, solicits the whole body: thethighs -abs-glutes, but also the back, the shoulders and thetag. Not to mention the deep muscles, strengthened by isometric movements.
- Clearly improved physical qualities. PoundFit improves rhythm sense, coordination, speed, agility and balance, endurance and musicality.
- A positive effect on morale. The Pound, by combining sport and music, acts positively on mood regulation. It would thus reduce hisA positive effect on morale. level. Not to mention that it is practiced in groups, where everyone stimulates and encourages each other.
- Better focus. The coordination involved in discipline has a positive effect on brain health: better ability to pay attention and vigilance, improved thinking and decision-making skills.
Who is the Pound for?
Anyone can start Pound Fitness. The sessions are adapted according to whether you are a beginner or an expert. In addition, the certified coach will best adapt the session to his audience. No prerequisites are required to get started, the main thing is to mobilize your energy and your joy of living. The equipment is minimal, but must be chosen with care: comfortable clothing, which will not hinder movement, a pair of sports shoes which will hold the ankles well (eg fitness trainers) and the famous Ripstix.
Where to practice the Pound?
To teach discipline, you must be certified. To do this, it is necessary to follow a training with the Pound community, in order to obtain a license of “Pound Instructor”. This training can take place online (live virtual classes) or face-to-face. Also, Pound’s courses can only be taught by a licensed instructor.
In France, sixgymsoffer sessions, plus two virtual classes, to followfrom your living room. To know the schedules, modalities and prices, the best is to consult the official website of the discipline: poundfit.com.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.