Photograph by Frederic Lagrange/Trunk Archive
If you have trouble keeping a straight om-face or aren't interested in mastering downward dog, here are three substitute classes that offer your body—and mind—comparable effects. Katie Hintz
BUDOKON
What It Is: Blending yoga, martial arts, and meditation, this class combines a flowing series of poses with kicking and punching exercises and—once you've worked up a good sweat—combat sequences.
Benefits: Burns fat, improves balance and focus
Who Should Do It: Guys who want cardio, love push-ups, or need a release
Who Shouldn't: Anyone with weak wrists or an aversion to sweat
Where You Can Do It: Select Equinox locations in New York, Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Check budokon.com for certified trainers.
BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU WARM-UP
What It Is: Even if you don't practice the intense ground-fighting sport, you can use the warm-up as a workout on its own. A class is split into four sections: stuntmanlike cardio, stretching exercises, ab work, and circuit training for the guy who can't give up weights.
Benefits: Builds muscle, improves coordination, boosts energy
Who Should Do It: Guys who would rather exercise to Lil Wayne than to Yanni, and those who like dumbbells
Who Shouldn't: Sweat-phobes
Where You Can Do It: Jiu Jitsu Inc. in New York, Hollywood Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Los Angeles
GYROTONICS
What It Is: This therapeutic, machine-based class focuses on realigning and strengthening the spine. After warming up with deep twists, you do full-body conditioning on specialized equipment, like an archway that resembles monkey bars and a rowing machine.
Benefits: Alleviates back pain, improves posture and flexibility
Who Should Do It: Guys who like training on machines, have bad backs, or want to perfect their golf swings
Who Shouldn't: Cardio junkies
Where You Can Do It: Search for a certified studio at gyrotonic.com.
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