This article originally appeared on InStyle.com. 

I was never enrolled in ballet classes as a little girl, nor did I have the desire to put on a tutu. At prom, unless the "Cha Cha Slide" was on, being on the dance floor made me feel anxious. In college, I never jumped on the Zumba bandwagon. As you can sense, there’s a theme here. I’ve never, ever been comfortable dancing, unless I was by myself singing into a hairbrush in my room, or in the car with my mom.

And like I insinuated with the Zumba thing, I’ve always avoided any workout class with a dance element like the plague. Give me a treadmill, not a 5,6,7,8, and I’m a happy camper. This all changed, though, when I found myself in Nicole Winhoffer’s NW Method class. The first time I took the class I assumed it was a bootcamp-style workout that coordinated bodyweight exercises to music. That I could deal with. What I didn’t know was that a portion of class was dedicated to a choreographed dance routine you do together. I froze. My heart beat started to accelerate, and it wasn’t because of a difficult set of squats.

Winhoffer, who trains celebrities like Kate Hudson and Ellen Pompeo and offers classes in New York City, Los Angeles, as well as online streamable sessions, cheerfully and energetically taught us group choreography and added in steps in increments. (A little side note, about Kate Hudson? Girl can DANCE.)

Walking us through each movement, Winhoffer shouted words of encouragement and urged all of us to let go of our insecurities and frustrations and to focus fully on self expression, and even more important, self love. And actually, dance is and always has been a form of self expression and a form of art for thousands and thousands of years. The exercise that comes along with it is a bonus.

RELATED: Nothing Stands Between Pippa Middleton and Her Fitness

"Our inner critic and ego often stop us from experiencing joy,” said Winhoffer when I asked her about her philosophy. "We often identify with our minds thinking that we can rationalize answers and solutions. What this in turn does is stop our impulses… and we were made to follow our impulses!”

The impulses in this situation are dance moves. "I practice letting go in the studio and teach my students to follow their impulses so that they can develop better relationships and practices in their lives. I promote a safe environment for people to explore who they really are—so that they can continue the practice in their life—being who you really are and embracing it.”

But it’s easier said than done. And when you have no background in dancing whatsoever, following your impulses feels like standing in front of a crowd and giving a speech in your underwear. Learning how to put arm and leg choreography together, and then doing so gracefully, is mind-boggling. But Winhoffer doesn’t deny that either. “…I tell them, of course it's nerve-wrecking to move your body to music—and that's what I'm there for. Women are afraid of being sensual and being free. it’s not supported in our society, so the fear is normal. Once women practice the NW method—feeling free and moving becomes addicting!”

RELATED: Why I Run Has Nothing to Do with Fitness

I’m not going to pretend taking classes has made me the best dancer in the world, or even a better dancer, but it’s made me a dancer who doesn’t care about what others think. It’s also taught me a new way to move my body, and therefore exercise my body, tone my muscles, and burn calories. It’s taught me to feel more comfortable with my body in general and what it can do, and it’s even helped me appreciate my playlist in a new way.

So how do you make getting to that point a little easier? "I love dancing at home to my favorite song in lingerie, said Winhoffer. “Connecting to your body is key to feeling. We are feeling-centered creatures, and we are made to be in touch with our feelings. Practicing on your own and developing your rhythm to a familiar song is fun.”

You can do this on your own, or if you want to try out exactly what’s done in a NW Method Studio, you can test the classes at-home videos, which include moves that are perfectly timed to whatever song that’s playing.

For me? I still stick to my runs, boxing sessions, and spin classes, but when a dance class does pop up on my radar, I never say no.

This article originally appeared on People.com. 

Sharny Kieser thought she would never feel comfortable in a bikini after having her children because she was self-conscious of the stretch marks her pregnancies left behind.

“I used to not see the point in exercise because my body was covered in stretch marks,” the Australian fitness and diet coach, 36, shared on Instagram. 
”‘What’s the point in having a great body if I will never wear a bikini?’ I’d think. 
If I was ever invited to the beach or a pool party, I’d always decline. On the odd occasion I couldn’t avoid it, I’d stay inside, helping with the food or the cleaning. 
I would only wear board shorts and t-shirts. I wished so hard that I could one day wear a bikini.”

Kieser’s attitude changed when she overheard her husband talking to his friends about why he thought her stretch marks were beautiful.

“[He explained that] they are a result of the great love a mother has, that she would scar her own body to bring a child to life,” she said. “The more he talked, the more I got it.
 I had hated myself for the very reasons he loved me. My body wasn’t ruined or disgusting, it had transformed from a selfish girl’s body into a selfless mother’s body, and the scars were a symbol of that transition.”

Overhearing her husband gave her a whole new perspective.

“I looked at my stretch marks and I felt pride,” wrote Kieser. “I felt love: the love of my husband and the love of my children. Each one of them had been nurtured and lived behind those scars for nine months.”

When Kieser learned to appreciate her body, she began to treat it better.

“I wanted to eat healthy, I wanted to exercise, I wanted to do the things I loved,” she said. “
Just by changing the way I looked at myself with love and pride instead of hate, I had found the effortless motivation to care for my body. 
Because of this tiny little shift in mindset, magic happened… I got the body I had always dreamed of. The bikini body that I thought was not ever going to be possible for me after being covered in stretch marks, it has became a reality for me.”

Kieser decided to create her Fit, Happy, Healthy Mum diet and fitness program to help other moms make the same changes that got her the body of her dreams.

“I want all moms around the world to be proud of themselves and love themselves,” she said. “I want all moms to realize how perfect their bodies are, stretch marks or no stretch marks, IVF or no IVF, vaginal or c-section. You’re perfect. 
Your kids love you. You should love you. 
Stop beating yourself up and start loving yourself for the magic that is a mother’s body.
”

If anyone knows sneakers, it’s Health’s senior fitness editor Rozalynn Frazier. Whether she’s researching products for our monthly gear awards or reviewing Nike’s new running shoe, Roz's job requires her to constantly test the latest sneakers (lucky!). She has so many sneakers and workout clothes, in fact, that she’s had to devote an entire closet to her fitness gear—no easy feat in a New York City apartment.

With so many cool shoes at her disposable, how does the serious sneakerhead decide which pairs she'll keep? We asked the six-time marathon runner to give us a tour of her fitness closet and show us her favorite sneakers for every kind of workout, from crushing a class at notoriously-challenging Tone House (one of her favorite New York City workout studios) to climbing Chamonix-Mont-Blanc in the French Alps. Watch the video above for a full rundown of the sneakers that are "in heavy rotation" for Roz at the moment, then read on for a few pairs we can't stop obsessing over.

Adidas Ultraboost x Parley Shoes

To buy: $200; roadrunnersports.com

This pair boasts "boost technology" in the midsole, which helps you spring forward with every step. "You want to think of it as a spring, like a trampoline," says Roz. "It's very bouncy." She also loves that the knit upper hugs the arch of the foot for a more customized fit. As an added bonus, part of the fabric is made from waste that’s been recycled from the ocean. Sold.

Brooks Ghost 9

To buy: $120; zappos.com

Roz is big a fan of the Brooks Ghost model—so much so that she’s worn the shoe during a handful of her (20 total!) half marathons. In July, the newest edition, Ghost 10, will hit stores. "It's a little more plush," Roz says of the upcoming model. "A little softer, a little lighter." Until then, you can shop the Ghost 9.

Nike Air Zoom Strong

To buy: $110; nike.com

If she’s doing HIIT (such as Tone House), a boot camp workout, or weight lifting, these cross-trainers are one of Roz’s top picks. "It has the Zoom Air technology, so it’s going to be really quick and responsive," she says. "I have this in three different colorways." A thick strap secures the foot and keeps laces tied during even the most intense sweat sessions.

RELATED: 10 Stylish White Sneakers That Go With Everything

Reebok Nano 7

To buy: $130; reebok.com

This durable sneaker was basically made for CrossFit. According to Roz, the sturdy texture won't wear and tear when you're doing box jumps or climbing ropes, and the close-fitting heel locks you down as you squat low. "This is going to be really durable, so you can feel like you can conquer your workout without messing up your shoes, messing up your feet," she says. "And I just think it's kind of cool-looking. Look at the colors!"

Puma Suede Platform

To buy: $100; puma.com

"I love these because of the gold toe," says Roz. The metallic detail makes the stylish pair pop. Roz rocks these on the street or at the office, where they add dressy (but still comfortable) edge to any outfit.

Thanks for the inside (sneaker) scoop, Roz!

It’s not always possible to keep up with your workout routine while traveling. So one hotel chain is making it easier to cycle, do yoga, or sweat along to a cardio routine video without ever leaving your room.

Last month, Hilton Hotels debuted their Five Feet to Fitness in-room mini gyms, which offer 11 different fitness equipment options just steps away from the bed and nightstand. Eight rooms are currently available—three at Hilton's Parc 55 San Francisco and five at Hilton McLean Tysons Corner in Virginia.

The chain plans to add more than 100 rooms with mini-gyms around the country by the end of the year, says Ryan Crabbe, senior director of global wellness at Hilton. They'll be available in Hilton hotels in Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, New York, and San Diego.

RELATED: 8 Essentials for Healthy Travel

What kind of workout options will guests have? Features include a stationary Wattbike, medicine balls, sandbags, a Bosu ball, TRX, a yoga mat, and a foam roller, among other gear and accessories. Each room also comes with a a touch-screen "fitness kiosk" that shows guests the right way to use each piece of equipment. The kiosks are also loaded with more than 200 workout videos covering cardio, cycling, endurance, strength-training, HIIT, yoga, and stretching and recovery.

If guests aren't up for a cycling session after a long day on a business trip or sight-seeing, Hilton still has them covered by outfitting each room with other wellness-related features—such as a meditation chair, protein drinks in a hydration station, and mini Biofreeze packets for sore muscles. 

To get our best wellness tips delivered to you inbox, sign up for the Healthy Living newsletter

Hilton’s focus on fitness and wellness was driven by feedback from hotel guests and research into how travelers use hotels. A recent study conducted by Cornell showed that while 46 percent of travelers intend to use the hotel gym, only 22 percent end up doing a workout.

“We know that creating a wellness stage right in the hotel room might just be the solution for those guests who need the convenience of being able to get a quick workout in before breakfast or after a long day of business meetings, or those that prefer to workout in the privacy of their own room,” says Crabbe. “We also know that movement and mindfulness make for a better travel experience.”

This article originally appeared on Life by Daily Burn.

The answer to your boring relationship with cardio: plyometric exercises. The lovechild of speed and strength, these explosive movements allow you to create max force in a short amount of time. So you not only get fit in a flash, but you also crush mega calories — without doing super repetitive movements like running or spinning.

While moves like box jumps fit the bill, you can get extra creative with plyos, too. Enter: Daily Burn’s new Power Cardio program, which features lots of plyo combinations for a killer cardio workout you can do in 30 minutes or less — all while targeting your entire body.

TRY IT NOW: Daily Burn’s Power Cardio Program

“You’re training the fast-twitch muscle fibers,” explains CeCe Marizu, one of the lead Power Cardio trainers. “This gets your heart rate up and works different muscles groups at once, too.”

Sounds like a one-stop shop for training, right? Well, your fitness is about to reach new heights. We pulled six creative, high-energy plyometric exercises, all from the Power Cardio program. We have a feeling you’ll fall (er, jump) for this cardio workout.

RELATED: Blast Calories, Build Muscle with Daily Burn’s Power Cardio

6 Plyometric Exercises from Daily Burn’s Power Cardio Workout

Perform each plyometric move below for 30 seconds, taking a 30 second break (or less!) between each to really raise your heart rate. Do as many rounds as possible. Though most of these moves call for a box or med ball, you can easily use only your bodyweight for each of them. Keep in mind that solid form is key, says Marizu. So start out slow (and without equipment) until you get the movements down, then crank your speed up.

1. Squat Jump Tap

Heat things up right out of the gate. Your inner thighs bring your legs together at the top of the movement, as you mimic a basketball shot to get your arms involved.

How to: Start standing with feet hip-width apart, holding a med ball with both hands (a). Push your hips back and drop your butt down into a squat, as you touch the floor with the med ball (b). Explode off your feet to jump straight up, pushing the ball up toward the ceiling. At the top, tap your feet together (c). Land softly back on your heels, feet hip-width apart and knees bent (d). Then repeat. Keep your head and eyes up the entire time.

SIGN ME UP: Try Daily Burn Power Cardio — Free for 30 Days!

2. Cross Mountain Climber Mini Thruster

A creative combination exercise that works your entire body, from shoulders to abs to legs. Feel free to skip the box and do this on the floor, just remember: the faster you go (with good form!) the more calories you torch.

How to: Start in a high plank position with both hands on the box and toes on the floor (a). Drive your left knee up toward your right elbow, then quickly return it to plank position (b). Drive your right knee up toward your left elbow, then quickly return it to plank position (c). Repeat one more cross mountain climber on each leg. Try not to pike or drop your hips in the mountain climber (d). Keeping your hands on the box, jump both feet wide to the outsides of the box, pausing in a low squat position (e). Jump your feet back to a plank (f). Repeat from the top.

3. X Skater

Working your body in that side-to-side motion, you’ll target your core, glutes, legs and your arms as you move the med ball to each corner. Try to pick up the pace or step a little wider with each rep.

How to: Start standing, holding a med ball with both hands (a). Push off your left foot to jump to the right side, bringing your left foot behind your right leg. At the same time, push the ball diagonally to the right and overhead (b). Then, drive off your right foot, jumping to the left and swinging your right foot behind your left leg. Simultaneously bring the ball to your chest at the middle of the movement, then diagonally left and overhead (c). Repeat the same skater motion with your feet, back to the right, this time moving the ball diagonally down and to the outside of your right foot (d). Repeat the same skater motion with your feet, jumping to the left again and this time bringing the ball to the outer edge of your left foot (e). Continue with the skaters and keep the movement controlled, yet forceful.

RELATED: 8-Minute Tabata Workout You Can Do Anywhere

4. Diagonal Lunge A Step

You’ll definitely feel the burn in your legs on this move, but you’ll fire up your abs and arms, too. Get low on each step, then explode up and over the box.

How to: Start on the right side of a plyo box, with your left leg diagonally behind you, right knee bent 90 degrees and your left hand firmly resting on the box, elbow straight (a). Drive off your back left foot to step onto the box and bring your right foot up to join at the top. Arms should come up overhead (b). Hop off the box on the left side, placing your right leg diagonally behind you, left knee bent 90 degrees and right hand firmly resting on the box, elbow straight (c). Repeat to the other side and continue alternating.

5. Hopscotch

Take it back to the fun of recess, with a little more athleticism. Your legs help create the brunt of this forward and backward movement.

How to: Start standing on your right leg (a). Take three hops forward, staying on your right leg (b). On the fourth hop, land on both feet in a squat position (c). Then take three hops backward, still standing on the right leg (d). On the fourth hop, land on both feet in a squat position (e). Repeat the forward and backward hops on your left leg and continue alternating. Hit each step, but don’t stay too long in the static position.

RELATED: 3 Plyometric Planks You Need to Try ASAP

6. Donkey Kick Push-Up

This is a winning move in terms of total-body toughness! You’ll feel this exercise from head to toe — just engage your core as you go.

How to: Start in a strong high plank position with feet together and abs, glutes and legs engaged (a). Hop your feet halfway toward your hands (b). Then, engaging your core even more, hop your feet higher, bend your knees and kick your butt. Shoulders should stay over wrists (c). Land softly back on your toes, halfway back into a plank (d). Jump back to hit that full plank position (e). Perform one push-up, maintaining a straight line from shoulders to ankles and inhaling on the downward motion and exhaling at you push yourself up (f). Repeat from the top.