Are you fit to join the stars? Celebrities are being pushed to the limit by a range of hot new workouts... now read our guide to find how they can also work wonders for YOU  

• e-mail

Functional 45 – or F45 as it is better known – emerged in Australia where it has gained a cult following among celebrity fans including Hugh Jackman (pictured) and Nicole Richie

FUNCTIONAL FITNESS

WHAT: Functional 45 – or F45 as it is better known – emerged in Australia where it has gained a cult following among celebrity fans including Hugh Jackman and Nicole Richie. It is based on high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with 45 seconds' exercise and 15 seconds' rest in a constant circuit for 45 minutes (including a mid-way rest). There are several types of F45 classes, with names such as Athletica, Romans, Brooklyn and Wingman, carried out in a group setting.

WHY: HIIT training boosts metabolism and burns fat, meaning you lose weight but not muscle. As F45 exercises can be carried out using just bodyweight or with equipment, anyone can join in and adapt it to their fitness level.

WHERE: There are 450 F45 studios in 18 countries, but so far just one in the UK. However, with the London Bridge location becoming more popular, several new London studios are set to open this year. More information at f45training.co.uk

MIX IT UP

WHAT: The big fitness trend for 2017 will be combo or fusion classes. These mix different types of training into one class, such as HIIT, Pilates and strength exercises. Such classes include Boom Cycle, combining spinning and boxing, Pao-la's BodyBarre fusing boxing and barre, PHIIT, which mixes Pilates and high-intensity interval training, and Balates – a combination of barre and Pilates.

WHY: By combining different types of training, you get a 'complete' workout which, though shorter, is more intense to fit in with busy schedules.

WHERE: Paola's BodyBarre is taught in several locations across London (paolasbodybarre.com) while Balates classes are held at Gymbox (gymbox.com). PHIIT has a studio in Fulham.

Hitting the gym: Jackman shared his workout with Instagram followers

An elite gymnast and ballet dancer in her youth, Shona Vertue, (pictured) has since trained as a yoga teacher and developed her own training 'method'

STRETCH A BIT FURTHER

WHAT: Gyrotonic training was created in the 1970s by professional ballet dancer Julio Horvath as a 'yoga for dancers'. He used it to rehabilitate himself after a herniated vertebral disc and torn Achilles tendon. The training is carried out using a piece of equipment called the Pulley Tower – which looks more like a medieval stretching rack – and mixes yoga and t'ai chi with martial arts and dance in gentle movements.

WHY: Gyrotonic training aims to decompress the joints, stabilise the body and co-ordinate breathing. Using the Pulley Tower, the exercises stretch, strengthen and lengthen the muscles in one go, while being kind to joints.

WHERE: To find a studio nearest you, visit gyrotonic.co.uk.

Sara Sampaio (pictured), Maryna Linchuk and heavyweight champion boxer Anthony Joshua are among the founders of BXR London, a new boxing gym opening this month

JUMP AROUND

WHAT: Freejumping – a kind of trampolining – is set to explode in 2017. Also known as 'antigravity cardio' sessions, these trampoline classes are miles away from jumping on a rebounder to boost your pelvic floor. Celebrities such as Victoria Beckham and Gwyneth Paltrow reportedly hit trampolining classes to burn fat and stay slim and limber.

WHY: Jumping on a trampoline is healthier for joints as there is no impact against a hard surface. It is also said to be three times more effective than jogging when it comes to strengthening muscles and burning calories.

WHERE: There are several freejumping and trampolining studios cropping up in the UK. See oxygenfreejumping. co.uk for details of centres across the country.

Celebrities such as Victoria Beckham and Gwyneth Paltrow (pictured) reportedly hit trampolining classes to burn fat and stay slim and limber

GET OFF THE FENCE

WHAT: Looking for something different? Try Urban Escrima. Escrima, invented in the 1500s, is derived from the Spanish word for fencing and is the national martial art of the Philippines. Participants use both canes and hand techniques in combat classes specially developed for fitness enthusiasts and martial-arts fans.

WHY: As well as introducing self-defence methods, the intensive classes burn fat and train your reflexes.

WHERE: Visit urbanescrima.com to find out where the self-defence classes are held in London.

TRAIN LIKE AN ATHLETE

WHAT: High Energy Athletic Training – H.E.A.T. – is an hour-long workout class billed as 'Virgin Active's most intense yet'. It is split into three 20-minute sets: aerobic exercise, weights and 'explosivity'. The first set is designed to get the blood flowing, the second uses weights to build strength and the last wrings the final ounces of power out of the body with sprints and speed work.

WHY: These classes are based on 'periodisation', a system used by athletes to reach peak performance and push the body while limiting risk of injury, by dividing the training into manageable phases. The intensity increases throughout the class.

WHERE: Virgin Active clubs are due to launch H.E.A.T. classes this month.

The first set is designed to get the blood flowing, the second uses weights to build strengt and the last wrings the final ounces of power out of the body with sprints and speed work

PUT UP A FIGHT 

WHAT: Boxing was listed as a firm favourite among the Victoria's Secret posse as part of their fitness regime last year, so it is no surprise that Angels Sara Sampaio and Maryna Linchuk (along with heavyweight champion boxer Anthony Joshua) are among the founders of BXR London, a new boxing gym opening this month.

WHY: In 2010, US sports channel ESPN gathered a panel of experts including Olympic Committee sports scientists, academics and athletes to determine which sport was the toughest, and came to the conclusion that boxing was the one that required the most overall athleticism.

WHERE: Membership is £1,500 per year. However, February will see the launch of Sweat By BXR, a £30 pay-as-you-go option for non-members. bxrlondon.com

FEEL VIRTUOUS WITH VERTUE

WHAT: An elite gymnast and ballet dancer in her youth, Shona Vertue, has since trained as a yoga teacher and developed her own training 'method'. The Vertue Method is a 55-minute class that combines kettlebell weights, circuit training, yoga, gymnastics and meditation.

WHY: After warming up and activating the muscles, the programme uses resistance-band exercises and kettlebell weights, and finishes with yoga and meditation to stretch the muscles and lower the heart rate, which Shona says aids recovery.

WHERE: Shona's series of workout videos can be seen on shonavertue.com. Classes are due to be held in New Balance's studio in Central London in the next few weeks.