Martial arts trend in fitness industry

Martial arts trend in fitness industry

JAKARTA (JP): Martial arts, the new trend in the fitness
industry, was the hot topic at the fourth Reebok Innovasia
fitness convention at Manggala Wanabhakti on Thursday.

Fitness expert Fred Hoffman of France said during a media
conference that martial arts entered the fitness industry in the
early 1990s.

"In my first visit here, I looked at the convention
participants and most of them had very good technique in the
martial arts movements, although they didn't take part in the
sport.

"However, we need to teach them how to work out safely and
effectively so they can deliver the message clearly to their
students," he said.

Hoffman -- who was visiting Jakarta with colleagues Jannie
Classen and Ruth Croeser of South Africa and Lexi Williams of
Australia -- said the combination of fitness activities and
martial arts was important for people's daily lives.

"By having the combined movements, they will be flexible,
strong, have balance and their minds will be focused. They will
move and react quickly."

Also during the convention, Williams introduced a new program
called step rotation fitness, and Croeser and Classen gave
aerobics demonstrations which were inspired by African tribal
movements.

Ruby Sjahbana, Reebok Indonesia division manager, said the
convention was helpful for local fitness instructors as it gave
them the opportunity to catch up on new fitness trends from
around the world, including the incorporation of martial arts,
yoga and dance in fitness activities.

The convention, which began on Thursday, will conclude with a
competition for beginners and instructors on Saturday. From here
the convention will move to other Asian countries, including
Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan.
(yan)