USA: A gym class in New York City trains people to do stunts as part of a fitness routine
Record ID:
784271
USA: A gym class in New York City trains people to do stunts as part of a fitness routine
- Title: USA: A gym class in New York City trains people to do stunts as part of a fitness routine
- Date: 24th March 2007
- Summary: MARTIAL ARTS FILM BEING PLAYED ON THE TELEVISION
- Embargoed: 8th April 2007 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Usa
- Country: USA
- Topics: Lifestyle,Sports
- Reuters ID: LVA3LAYLCOXHZ32UCW8I8H98PWRX
- Story Text: For all those who watch action flicks and wish they could imitate their on-screen heroes, there's an opportunity to do just that in New York City. An innovative workout program at the fitness chain Crunch called 'Stunts' has residents trying out kicks, dodges, and chase scenes to stay healthy.
Crunch had modest beginnings in 1989 in New York City but now boasts of 32 centres all over the United States. Instructors pride themselves on their innovative workout routines that are meant to inspire people to stay fit.
The stunt sequences taught at Crunch are based on ones that are taught at actual stunt schools. But it is moulded to make it suit the average person.
"It's a workout class, it's a fun class. It's by no means going to make someone proficient enough to be a stunt person in a film. But some of the ideas that we take into account is that cameras see in two dimensions rather than three dimensions. So for example today you saw a lot of front kicks and they went off to the side of the person instead of directly on. People kind of learn where they can place things so they can kick as hard as possible, but not actually be causing injury to their partner," said Naomi Peters, stunt instructor at Crunch.
Peters, who went to professional stunt school, is instructing students at the class on stunt moves from Jackie Chan movies. While television screens overhead play the films, Chinese hip hop and pop music plays on the speakers to make the experience as authentic as possible for the students.
According to Mark Santa Maria, fitness director at Crunch, the class was designed to make students feel like action movie stars and stay fit at the same time.
"You're going to burn a lot of calories, second is you're going to build a lot of strength because there is a great amount of core and leg work. Especially in even upper body so that when you are doing any fight part, be it punches or blocks, there's that vibe as well. And the last part is that hopefully there's a little bit of adrenaline rush. You walk out and you really feel like you conquered something," said Santa Maria.
Past stunt workouts have been inspired by James Bond films and Charlie's Angels.
For the participants in the stunt class, it was quite a unique experience.
Lisa McCoy, a student at NYU finds it to be a great work out and fun at the same time.
"It's a very creative class. I like the choreography and I like the fact that we get to build on," she said.
Patty Yuen likes the movements involved.
"I love to do the tumbling around and kind of messing around and making it bigger than it is and making it fun."
Others like Serena Jain have begun to admire the kind of effort it takes to be a stunt person.
"What they do is really a lot of work on the body. Totally gets you toned up and its awesome. Totally new-found respect."
Other workout classes that have been offered at Crunch in the past include cycle karaoke and a drag queen aerobics. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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