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)