Naked high intensity exercise classes are now a thing

Adventurous fitness fanatics will be soon be able to take naked high intensity interval training (HIIT) classes in London. 

Just weeks after a trendy New York gym launched nude personal training sessions, British wrestling champion and director of Right Path Fitness Keith McNiven will be doing the same at pop-up locations across the city from next month.

He will be running all-male, all-female and mixed-sex sessions. 

The personal trainer said exercising in your birthday suit maximises your workout and boosts your motivation as you watch your body move and flex.

Activities like naked yoga have making waves in Australia for months with benefits said to include better results and improved sleep.

High intensity interval training (HIIT) classes are coming to London next month (stock image)

WHAT IS HIGH INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING?

HIIT describes any workout that involves short burst of high-intensity exercise followed by a brief low-intensity activity, repeatedly.

The medium exercise should be about 50% intensity. The number of repetitions and length of each depends on the exercise, but may be as little as three repetitions with just 20 seconds of intense exercise. 

There is no specific formula to HIIT. A common method involves a 2:1 ratio of work to recovery periods, for example, 30-40 seconds of hard sprinting alternated with 15-20 seconds of jogging or walking, repeated to failure.

The entire HIIT session may last between four and 30 minutes, meaning that it is considered to be an good way to maximize a workout in a short time. 

Mr McNiven – who is running all-male, all-female and mixed-sex sessions – said: ‘Exercising naked introduces a new and exciting way to burn calories and is great for those of us who don’t like the restriction of clothing. It’s also a fun way to meet others and enjoy a unique workout session.’  

HIIT has become a popular way of getting fit because of its potential to torch maximum calories in a minimum amount of time.

However, the exercises – which typically included jumps, squats and lunges – may be too much to even think about for some, particularly women with large chests.

Forcing you to examine your body

Mr McNiven said exercising naked forces you to examine your body’s condition.

He said: ‘You’ll be forced to come face to face with yourself, exactly how you look.

‘By consistently doing this, you’ll be getting used to your body, slowly getting more comfortable in your own skin.

‘You’ll notice progress – there’s nowhere to hide when you’re not wearing clothes, and by knowing the ins and outs of your human form in the nude thanks to consistently observing it, you’ll notice the most minor changes. 

‘This will help to keep you motivated and show you that your hard work is paying off.’

He also said watching your body work out brings psychological benefits.

‘One of the biggest benefits of exercising naked is that you can actually watch your body work. Without clothes, you’ll be able to see the different muscle groups in all their glory as you exercise.

‘If you wear clothes whilst you work out, believe it or not, you are technically not giving your skin enough room to breathe. When you sweat, your body release toxins, and by wearing tight workout clothes, you’re weakening your skin by reabsorbing sweat that is released.

‘Without the restriction of clothes as you exercise, your body is likely to be a little more flexible, allowing you to truly maximize your workouts. 

‘This could result in improved calorie burn and allows you to get a better sense of your alignment whilst exercising.’

Hanson Fitness in New York, which boasts celebrity clients such as Rihanna, Julia Roberts and Tom Cruise, announced in December it would hold naked personal fitness classes to kick off 2018.

The experts there say working out naked keeps you cooler, releases endorphins to make you happy, increases body awareness and gives you unrestricted movement.

But if anyone is uncomfortable, nude coloured underwear is permitted.



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk