When you think of a workout, ‘fun’ isn’t usually a word that comes to mind. Burning calories and getting that dream body means sweating it out at least a couple of times a week. But a cool new workout called PoundFit could have you rethinking the way you stay fit.

Inspired by Yoga and Pilates, PoundFit is a cardio and workout technique conceptualised in the US by a couple of drummers with a passion for heavy beats and a rockstar state of mind. And now, it’s in India.

PoundFit trainer and owner of the Sculptasse Fitness Studio, Shivani Patel, explains, “The workout is done only using drumsticks called as Ripstix that weigh about 1.4 pounds to add a little bit of resistance. In a 45 to 60-minutes class you burn out almost 900 calories. Because of the music and the fact that you’re holding drumsticks, you hardly feel like you’re doing a workout. Plus, it helps improve your mind-body coordination too.”

Since it’s considered a highly technical workout, it’s recommended that you give it a shot under the right supervision. “They (the drummers who started PoundFit) haven’t made it so easy that anybody can do it, but you need an instructor to guide you,” Shivani says.

PoundFit is all about the music — once you have the right beats, it’s not difficult keeping a session engaging, exciting and challenging. “The music chosen has beats that will have you picking up and pounding the sticks continuously, so all you need to do is learn how to hold them properly,” Shivani adds, assuring us that it’s not a gimmick — it’s a complete workout that helps you release stress while getting into shape. What’s more, it’s a music lover’s dream.

Lunge Position
Lunge Position involves holding a deep lunge for an extended time period. This position is known for its complexity and intensity. It includes movements such as lateral bends, pivots, plyometrics, core rotations and knee drives.

Execution
Keep your one leg in front and one at the back keeping enough space in between your legs, keep the shoulders raw back and back straight. Keep your abs tight and lunge down almost dropping your self on the floor with stick and standing back up. Go straight down and up for 15 times pounding the sticks on the floor and above the head.

Kit Position
Named after sitting at a drum kit, Kit is a seated c-curve position. All abdominal tracks start on the mat in Kit Position. Kit movement may include: Trunk Rotation, Leg Lifts and Abdominal Contractions. Movement may be performed with both feet.

Kit Position

Execution
Sit straight leg with knees together, lift your legs keeping your shoulders align, inhale and move back. Keep the body straight and one by one elevate and pound the stick on the floor. Repeat the action 15 times and come forward. Exhale and move the shoulders back, keep the knees together and twist your body right and pole the sticks.

Set Position
Stand with feet shoulderwidth apart, toes slightly out, pelvis tucked under, and the core engaged. Focus on flexion and extension at the hips, knees and ankles throughout each move.

Kit Position

Execution
Stand with your feet wider and shoulder aligned, keep the back straight, push your buttock backwards, keep your force on heels so you can pull up your feet. Go down and up with your sticks. Do not loosen your body. Keep it rigid. On the next round, keep your feet on both the corners, bend down with your hips and back as tight as possible, kneel forward and push your shoulders back, pound the sticks on left and right one by one for 15 times before you come back into the starting position.

T&A Position
T&A stands for Thighs and Ass. This is a lying supine position. This position isolates the lower body and core muscles through movements.

Execution
Pelvis tucked under, maintain a long spine, relaxed jaw, engaged transverse abdominal, minimise lower back arch, roll though vertebrae, inhale down, exhale up.