If January is a month of humble contemplation and goal planning for the year, February is when these lofty ideals are thrown straight out of the window.
February gym engagement takes a harsh nose-dive with young adults being 25% more likely to cancel a gym membership, according to a survey from WiFi Talents, which cites declining motivation as a key reason.
For many, myself included, traditional weights and cardio quickly grow repetitive, driving interest in unconventional training, with hybrid workout styles seeing a 175% increase in popularity according to PureGym’s UK Fitness Report.
One more unusual fitness regime is Primal Flow training, which focuses on natural, ground-based movements such as crawls, squats, rolls, and lunges performed in a continuous, fluid sequence. While it may sound like hippie-dippie crap, the results are undeniable. I started with a simple movement – the snake press. Start with hands slightly wider than shoulder-width and feet flat, lower your chest while rotating the shoulders, keep a neutral spine and head position, then push back up with controlled arm extension and an open chest, avoiding hyperextension. Was this a rep or a Magic Mike audition? I’m unsure, but the burn was worth it. Emphasising mobility, balance, and core strength, Primal Flow requires no equipment. It’s especially effective for students who spend long hours in lectures, helping to relieve stiffness and improve posture.
Next is high-altitude training, or at least a creative alternative to it. Unless Mount Snowdon is in your back garden, altitude masks are the more realistic option. While they won’t magically increase red blood cell count (despite what influencers claim), they do improve respiratory muscle strength and breathing efficiency by increasing resistance to airflow. Controlled nasal and diaphragmatic breathing is vital across many sports and can help push past performance plateaus. At around £15, compact, and mildly ninja-like, altitude masks offer a simple way to add a new dimension to training.
Photo: Joe Toth/BPI/Shutterstock Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi (23) warms-up while wearing an altitude simulation oxygen mask
Finally, aquatic resistance training has been endorsed by athletes ranging from the late Muhammad Ali to MMA star Georges St-Pierre. Water provides constant resistance that increases with movement speed, allowing intensity to be adjusted naturally while placing minimal stress on the joints. This makes it particularly effective for improving muscular endurance, mobility, and recovery.
“Muhammad Ali would train in pools, using water resistance to throw punches and boost his speed in real time. It’s like taking weighted shadow boxing to the next level.”
James Roa, personal trainer
Ultimately, unconventional training methods challenge the idea that fitness must be repetitive or equipment-heavy. By prioritising movement quality, breathing efficiency, and joint-friendly resistance, these approaches offer students a more engaging and sustainable way to stay active – proving that getting fit doesn’t have to mean getting bored.
Nezar Boufrahi
I am a third-year at Kingston University currently studying Journalism.
My writing interests include politics and Arts & Entertainment.
