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Masala Bhangra Cardio
or those who prefer a night of clubbing to an hour of intense cardio anyday, Masala bhangra may become a new workout fave. It is the the millenium’s aerobicize and Sarina Jain is the new Jane Fonda. At least, that’s what her proteges call her. Masala bhangra’s creator, Jain has combined dance moves from the Punjab region between northern India and Pakistan with modern hip hop and salsa into a high energy cardio routine that gets students sweating and bodies svelte.
“Its vigor and vitality just make you move,” Jain says.
Even better, enthusiasts don’t have to join a New York City gym to do it. With Jain's dvds, fans can groove in the comfort and privacy of their own air conditioned home. Despite its popularity among females, men seem less enthusiastic. Perhaps they take issue with getting down and dirty to motivators like her “Sexy arms! Sexy arms!” chant. A class of 20 or 30 may have one male.
- What it does:
- History:
- Who it’s best for:
Jain claims her workout burns approximately 500 calories per 30 minute session. Even if the claim is questionable, the Masala bhangra workout provides fun and efficient weight loss. It doesn’t ensure that sinewy tone. But it will reduce a little tummy pouch into something more swimsuit friendly. A relatively quick and painless slimmer sounds like a Nutrislim woman’s dream. But bhangra is purely cardio. So after the initial fat is lost, some old fashioned weightlifting should be thrown in the mix for the best results. If you’re looking to get in a lunch break workout, or are in a cardio rut, Masala bhangra could be a nifty addition to one’s repetoire.
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In 1999 when Sarina Jain was in her early 20s, she took out a loan and with the help of
her family started Masala (the Hindi term for “spicy”) Dance and Fitness Inc.
in California. Jain is a publicist by occupation but has been a fitness instructor since the age of 15. She has also performed at several Indian dance competitions. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery; many studios claim to offer bhangra workouts, but the original Masala bhangra workout is Jain’s creation. She produced her first workout video in 2000. Since then, she has released four more, including one for kids. She has relocated to New York where she teaches weekly Masala bhangra classes at the New York Sports Club, Crunch and Equinox.
Like tai chi, Masala bhangra provides a good jumping off point for more strenuous exercise. For guys who focus primarily on building bulk and devote little to no time on their cardio, Masala bhangra boosts heartrate and metabolism and offers some of the benefits of more intense cardio. And for women who look at cardio as a necessary evil, bhangra is a way to mix it up.
This workout is perfect for those who love to dance but hate running. However, Masala bhangra is not sustenance. It is a cardio snack and should not replace regular jogging or swimming. It offers a jumpstart for those who are new to cardio and a fun relief from the tedium of treadmilling.
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| It is the the millenium’s aerobicize and Sarina Jain is the new Jane Fonda. |