The Next Big: Workout Craze

Now it’s possible to live out your rock-star fantasies and stay fit at the same time. Drums Alive is a class that combines traditional aerobics with the rhythm of drumming. “It’s totally different than a regular aerobics class,” says group fitness instructor Patrick Leonard. “Because you do two things at once, you use both sides of your brain. It’s a mental and physical workout.” Drums Alive was originally developed in Germany and is starting to become popular in the U.S. In the class, every student gets a medicine ball and two drumsticks. While doing traditional fitness moves (jumping jacks, step touches), the students also have to drum on the ball to specific rhythms in songs. “Following the beats opens up the energy in your body,” Leonard says. “That’s the part that’s supposed to soothe your stress.” Leonard teaches the class at Universal Fitness in the Overlea Event Center (overleafitness.com), where it’s $5/person and kids are encouraged to participate. “I think it’s a genius idea,” he says. “You get to hit stuff and feel good about it.”