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SPORTS & FITNESS

 Mountain Views NewsSaturday, December 28, 2024

SAME MOVES, NEW PACKAGING

In the world of fitness, there’s always a new trend around the corner. Whether it’s a viral workout, a trendy app, or an exercise class, we’re constantly 
introduced to the next big thing. But truthfully, much of it isn’t new at all. It’s just the same old exercises rebranded to grab attention.

Take the squat, for example. This age-old exercise has been around for centuries, and for good reason—it’s effective. Squats strengthen your legs, build 
core stability, and improve mobility. Some of today’s trendy names are "sumo squats," "squat jumps," and "squat with a twist". It’s still the same movement. 
We're still doing squats. Whether you're in a gym doing "bodyweight squats" or at home doing "jump squats," the basic pattern is the same: bend 
your knees, lower your hips, and return to standing. It’s a timeless exercise, but its new labels make it seem fresh and exciting.

That’s just one example. Take push-ups. They've been around forever and are a staple in fitness routines. Yet today you’ll find "clapping push-ups," 
"Spiderman push-ups," and "Dive-Bomber push-ups." These variations seem new and exciting, but they’re simply different ways to perform the same 
movement—lowering your body to the floor and pushing back up.

The same goes for lunges. Modern versions have turned lunges into "walking lunges," "lunge jumps," or "curtsy lunges." While these may sound groundbreaking, 
they really aren’t. The core action hasn’t changed—it’s still lunging forward, backward, or to the side to work your legs and glutes.

Why are the same exercises rebranded over and over? Fitness trends are about motivation and making people feel like they’re doing something new. 
Fitness professionals and marketers know people are always looking for something different, something exciting, or something that promises quicker 
results. So, they give new names to these tried-and-true exercises to capture attention. It’s not about changing the fundamentals; it’s about packaging 
them in more appealing ways.

Take "Squat Therapy" as an example. Sounds fancy, but it’s just a squat done more slowly and mindfully, with a focus on proper form and alignment. 
The term "therapy" makes it sound less intimidating and more approachable to those who might feel overwhelmed by traditional workouts. Still, it’s the same squat we’ve been doing for 
years, simply repackaged.

This trend of rebranding isn’t unique to squats or any one exercise. Planks, for example, are often marketed as 
"core holds" or as part of yoga and Pilates routines. Jumping jacks, a classic aerobic exercise, are now called "plyo 
jacks" in HIIT classes. The movements are unchanged—they’ve just been given new names to make them seem 
like the latest fitness discovery.

And let’s not forget about cardio. Running, swimming, and cycling are all excellent forms of cardiovascular exercise. 
But today, you’ll find them marketed as "HIIT cardio," "power cycling," or "endurance training." The only 
difference between your regular run and a "HIIT run" is usually the pace or the addition of intervals, but at the 
end of the day, you’re still running. It’s all about creating an image that fits the current fitness culture.

Fitness companies go through all this trouble to rebrand basic exercises because of how people respond to marketing. 
Exercises like squats and push-ups can feel too tough when presented with their basic names. But when 
framed as part of a "total body workout" or "functional fitness," they seem less daunting. People are often more 
willing to try a workout if it feels new or trendy, even if they’re doing the same exercises they’ve always done. The 
new name takes the pressure off and makes people feel like they’re part of something modern and cutting-edge.

Just remember all these exercises—whether it’s a squat, push-up, plank, or jumping jack—are the same. They 
haven’t changed; it’s just the language around them that has. Success in fitness isn’t about finding the latest trend 
or the newest exercise. It’s about consistency and finding the movements that work for you. Whether you’re doing 
squats in a gym, at home, or in a trendy class, you’re still working the same muscles and getting the same results.

So, don’t be intimidated by flashy names or the latest fitness craze. You’re probably already doing the same moves 
as your parents and grandparents. Fitness is ageless. It’s more about finding the routine that works for you. 
Know that these classic exercises have been helping people get stronger for generations. If you’re not doing any 
of those exercises now, it’s a great time to get started. When you think of these exercises as simple and timeless, 
they become a lot less intimidating.


Michele Silence, M.A. is a 37-year certified fitness 

professional who offers semi-private/virtual fitness 
classes. Contact Michele at michele@kid-fit.
com. Visit her Facebook page at: michelesfitness 
Visit her Facebook page at: michelesfitness.

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