Princess Cruises Steps up Fitness
It’s a long, long time since going on a cruise meant automatic weight gain; in fact, today’s ships are fabulous opportunities to take fitness a step higher. The spas are often larger and more extensive than their land-based counterparts, the fitness areas feature facilities from resistance equipment and free weights to Pilates reformers and boxing rings. Since everything is just down the hall from passenger staterooms and guests have more leisure than usual, cruise passengers are taking their fitness very seriously indeed, and the cruise lines are adding more and more features to help them.
From in-room fitness classes to Tour de France spinning sessions and yoga for kids, Princess is broadening its already impressive fitness program for cruisers.
The in-room classes are especially useful because they can be used whenever the passenger wishes, in the privacy of the stateroom. Designed for cruisers of all ages and activity levels, Fitness@Sea is hosted by celebrity trainer Gillian Clark. Produced as an industry first for Princess, the classes are designed as a way for passengers to comfortably start off their day with beneficial exercise. Clark leads nine different classes shown exclusively on the line’s Wellness Channel, including: Core strengthening, Flexibility, Arm and leg strengthening, Big muscle groups and an overall body workout, Cardio training, Stretching and the mind/body connection, plus breathing to enhance your workout and back strengthening exercises. In addition to availability in the staterooms, the morning sessions are offered on the signature 300-square-foot-screens for those passengers who want to enjoy the open air on deck and work out in a group setting.
Princess is already introducing yoga for kids and teens in a fun and imaginative way. The program promotes building coordination, breathing, balance and emotional strength with an element of play incorporating music, chants and singing. With yoga mats provided, kids can participate in a variety of yoga animal poses from Downward Dog to Cat and Mouse. Classes are complimentary and are currently rolling out fleetwide in the onboard youth and teen centers; they range from 30 minutes to one hour and parents are welcome to participate.
"From in-room fitness classes to yoga for kids, Princess is broadening its already impressive fitness program for cruisers."
A new onboard fitness program in Princess’ Lotus Spas focuses on Core, Balance and Strength. The Core component is designed to create a strong foundation on which to build, and is based primarily on the principles of Pilates and correct postural alignment. Balance focuses on centering both mind and body, and features fusion yoga classes. Strength includes a high-energy mixture of both strength and cardio classes designed to get the heart racing and the endorphins flowing.
As part of the new program, passengers can try a new Tour de Spin program, offered as part of the strength course options, which will benefit LIVESTRONG, the Lance Armstrong Foundation. A nominal fee is charged for each class, which includes the following:
- Core AbSession: A 20-minute abdominal blaster.
- Core Strength and Stretch: Pilates based, concentrating on creating a strong foundation -Pilates Basics: An introduction to classic Pilates moves.
- Fitball Pilates: Innovative core class utilizing the Pilates ring to develop a strong center.
Balance.
- Meditation Series: A guide to a clearer more enriched life.
- Yoga Basics: Suitable for all fitness levels, this yoga series introduces the ancient concepts of yoga.
- Strong Centered and Stretched: Fusion class incorporating yoga and Pilates, focusing on posture, strength and the individual’s chi.
- Strength.
- Body Challenge Conditioning: The ultimate all over body workout set to chart topping hits.
- Tour de Spin: Offered in association with LIVESTRONG, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, the Tour de Spin program will consist of three different 45-minute classes, each featuring a ride named after various stages of the Tour de France. Each spin class offers a different profile based on the class theme: Les Alps features multi-level resistances.
- Time Trial offers a fast interval workout and Alp D’Huez consists of a mind/body climb.
One dollar from each class series will be donated to LIVESTRONG to fight cancer, and at the conclusion of the three-ride program each participant will receive one of the foundation’s famous yellow wristbands. In addition, the new program will continue to offer a selection of complimentary classes, including:
- Long and Lean Stretch class: An introductory stretching class with an emphasis on postural imbalances and tight muscle groups.
- Ab Workshop: An in-depth look at the perfect sit-up with an informative and results-driven workout.
- Circuit City: Using resistance machines, guests have a full body workout and learn the best way to use exercise machines.
- Aerobically Challenged: A low impact aerobics class for beginners.
- Chillax: where participants chill out and relax on the ultimate wind down.
- Lotus Tai Chi: A meditative workout to promote inner peace and calm using slow rhythmic movement.
As if that weren’t enough, Princess ships, which have long featured Nintendo’s popular Wii-Fi systems onboard, also offer the Wii Fit balance games, challenging passengers of all ages to put their athletic skills to the test with active video game tournaments such as the ski jump, Hula Hoop or heading soccer balls. Family competitions are held onboard.
Princess’ 17 ships sail around the globe on cruises from seven to 107 days.
Visit www.princess.com.
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