Are you fit to flex a la 'Cirque du Soleil'?

Breathtaking. Captivating. Exhilarating. A magical experience. The stage decor, the graceful moves, the color and the music all combine to make any of the 19 Cirque du Soleil shows in 271 cities worldwide a memorable encounter.

That was probably the first reason why I took a sneak peek at the press launch of Jukari Fit To Flex. The other reason is that the exercise was created in collaboration with Reebok, the leading brand in women’s fitness. To provide breakthrough and new workout experiences, Reebok partnered with Cirque du Soleil using the later’s incredible spirit, artistry, and flexibility as inspiration.

Well-trained and certified group instructors lead participants in a fun-packed hour of exploring and enhancing one’s flexibility, muscle tone, and coordination using a specially designed Jukari Band. The lightweight elastic band offers gentle assistance in each of the unique moves of this lengthening and sculpting full-body workout.

Group exercise experts agree that the fun and fluid exercise has real fitness benefits. It is a dynamic way to boost muscle endurance, core strength, and flexibility. It is a good way to protect joints and muscles while toning up and improving coordination. It also helps firm the entire body, targeting the buttocks, hips, thighs, and arms.

In the USA, celebrity trainer Yumi Lee made part-Filipina Pussy Cat Doll’s lead Nicole Scherzinger try Jukari Fit to Flex. In the press launch, we saw several ABS-CBN talents like Rica Peralejo, Kristel Moreno, Heidi Riego, Gem Ramos, Desiree Del Valle, Kaye Abad, Nikki Valdez, Nene Tamayo, Dionne Monsanto, Eda Nolan, Bettina Carlos, and Saicy Aguila. We also spotted Paloma, the Kitty Girls, and Andi Manzano.

The Jukari Fit to Flex master trainer Vinata Shetty said that “as you manipulate the Jukari Band you will create the shapes and flowing movement patterns seen in many Cirque du Soleil shows.  You will also improve muscle endurance and core strength in a fun, challenging, and dynamic way.” The class beckons participants to move to music inspired by the strong, graceful performances of the Cirque du Soleil arti

“manipulation.” This inspired the Jukari Band which extends the range of flexibility and creates artistic shapes.

Jukari Fit To Flex is the second innovative workout offered by the Reebok and Cirque du Soleil partnership. Reebok is revolutionizing flexibility training just like they transformed cardiovascular training with the Reebok Step and more recently with Cirque du Soleil for Jukari Fit to Fly, which offers a workout that gives the sensation of flying while strengthening and lengthening the body through cardio, strength, balance, and core training.

Jukari Fit To Fly was an instant success when it launched in gyms worldwide last February. To date, thousands of women and many international celebrities, including supermodel Bar Refaeli and Kim Kardashian, have experienced and loved the fun of flying, thanks to the revolutionary workout.

Says Katrin Ley, head of Women’s at Reebok: “Before we began work on the Jukari initiative, we talked to women around the world and listened to what they said they wanted from a workout. These insights helped us create Jukari Fit to Fly, a fun new way to move which is truly innovative.

“Jukari Fit to Flex, launched in specific targeted gyms in North America and Europe and rolling out in the rest of the world later this year, is the perfect complement to that workout  once again we’ve merged Reebok’s expertise in and passion for women fitness with the stunning theatricality, excitement and innovation of our partner Cirque du Soleil. There is, quite simply, nothing else like it on offer at the gym.“

As the creative inspiration behind the project, Cirque du Soleil played a crucial role in creating the program. As Lyn Heward, creative director of the Reebok-Cirque du Soleil program, says: “This is a true partnership in the sense that each move in the Jukari Fit to Flex workout has drawn its inspiration from the graceful yet powerful moves that Cirque du Soleil artists create with their bodies. With this goal in mind, we worked closely with Reebok to ensure that each exercise is accessible for all women.”

Says Mario D’Amico, CMO at Cirque du Soleil: “Our partnership with Reebok continues to grow from strength to strength as we merge the skills of both organizations  Cirque’s athleticism and elegance of movement with Reebok’s knowledge of women’s fitness trends and preferences.”

“Together, we have created striking new gym workouts that women have responded to in a phenomenal way which we are both proud to be a part of.”

Experience Jukari Fit To Flex at Gold’s Gym Timog, Galleria, Alabang, Greenhills, and Makati this October. Reebok and Cirque du Soleil footwear and apparel are available at Reebok TriNoma, Reebok Megamall, and Reebok Festival Mall.

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Post me a note at mylenedayrit@gmail.com or mylene@goldsgym.com.