Scandinavian fitness trend goes stateside at IDEA World

Corebar, a hot fitness trend in Scandinavia, is hitting the shores of Los Angeles this week at the IDEA World Fitness Convention, where it aims to catch the attention of thousands of fitness pros attending the event.

Trends such as Zumba, Pilates, and Spinning all got their start at large-scale trade shows such as IDEA World. Launching this week in the US, Corebar - created by 37-year-old Olso-native fitness trainer Anita Tonne - aims to follow the success of core-centric fitness programs popular in gyms all over the planet.

The technique, not for the faint of heart, features non-stop, high-intensity aerobic moves using a bent bar with three different weight ranges: 1 kg/2.2 lbs, 2 kg/4.4 lbs and 3 kg/6.6 lbs.

Tonne told Relaxnews that the purpose of the bent bar, which she designed herself, is to help maintain "spine integrity" while you sweat your way through the series. The weight, she adds, gets the heart pumping.

Tonne, a mother of two, launched her program in Norway in 2006 with the goal of reaching 50 gyms and producing three home fitness DVDs. Now she says that Corebar is taught in more than 300 gyms in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, and she has produced seven DVDs flaunting her signature moves. Her staff has also increased from one (her mother) to 16 full-time employees in Norway.

Corebar is set to debut stateside at IDEA World Fitness and then will head to smaller fitness conventions throughout the US, including stops in San Francisco, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, and Boston. Tonne says she also plans to launch Corebar in Spain this fall, and eventually other European countries.

Other fitness newcomers showcasing at IDEA World include Latin cardio-dance techniques Latinva and Batuka. Germany's TwistFit will also offer classes on the technique, which uses two straps, a rope, a rotating disc, and a prescribed set of exercises designed for all levels of fitness. Also, StickFusion uses a foam-padded stick with traditional kickboxing moves and Filipino kali to deliver a total body workout.

IDEA World Fitness Convention, August 11-14, will host 150 speakers, including Olympic speed skater Apolo Ohno and brain health specialist Dr. Daniel Amen, as well as introduce new products and trends to some 5,000 attendees. Rival tradeshows include Germany's FIBO and LA's IHRSA International Convention & Trade Show.

http://www.ideafit.com/conference/idea-world-fitness-convention-2011

Watch Corebar in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8Ka8WaiTA4