Freestyle Step Around The World

We all know that Freestyle Step - just as with any hobby or fad - sees rises and falls in terms of popularity. It's easy to see these changes on our own doorsteps, but how is Freestyle Step faring in the wider world? And - more importantly - how do we compare?

Australia

Several years ago, Australia saw Freestyle Step at the peak of its popularity. We were probably the world leaders with this fitness class; gyms, instructors and members started popping up everywhere to try and get a piece of the action. Nowadays it seems to have dropped off the map - count yourself lucky if you find a gym with a thriving Freestyle

"History of Aerobic Gymnastics" http://www.fig-gymnastics.com/site/page/view?id=444

Step class near your home. What happened? That's a matter that's up for debate. The gyms, instructors and even the members themselves have all played a part in the demise of this fitness craze. There's only one thing we can say for certain: in this part of the world, Freestyle Step is definitely not the same as it once was.

The UK and Europe

Aside from Australia, the UK and Europe are some of Freestyle Step's most lucrative markets. This isn't because it's enjoying the same rush of popularity as we saw here a few years ago. Instead, the UK and Europe seem to be enjoying Freestyle Step to a lesser degree, but over a much more constant, long-term timescale. Some might argue that standard aerobics play a bigger part in UK and European fitness cultures than Freestyle Step Aerobics (or any type of step aerobics, for that matter), but the truth is that they run side-by-side. All the different classes have their die hard fans, as well as those who just tag along for the novelty of it for a short while. This means that for the foreseeable future, the UK and European Freestyle Step worlds look set to continue just as steadily as ever. 

USA

In many ways, the American Freestyle Step world moves very similarly to the UK and European markets. However, the main difference is that the USA has an ace up its sleeve: the military. The US military is so big and powerful that it needs some really varied (and effective) ways of keeping its members fit and active. What better way than with a series of Freestyle Step classes?

By Sgt. Andrea Merritt

 (https://www.dvidshub.net/image/102797) 

[Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sustainment_Soldiers_step_it_up_DVIDS102797.jpg

Not only does this make the monotonous routine of working out in the military more enjoyable, but it also gives the troops seriously tough whole body workouts. With thousands of members of the military using Freestyle Step as a way of keeping fit, the US have tapped into an audience the likes of which you won't see anywhere else in the world. Of course, this isn't even taking into account all the civilians that participate in Freestyle Step on a voluntary basis! Put together, you can see how the success of the American Freestyle Step market is guaranteed.

Asia, Africa and South America

Although these three continents are very different, the ways they enjoy Freestyle Step are very different. In fact, perhaps 'enjoy' is too strong a word. These are regions where Freestyle Step is yet to find its feet. In general, Asia has a reputation for being very work-focused, leaving little time for working out. Sadly, the population densities, economic climates and lifestyles put gyms and fitness classes out of practical reach for most parts of Africa. When it comes to South America, on the other hand, many inhabitants do enjoy keeping in shape. However, they tend to focus on dance and shaking their booty rather than moving on, over and around a fixed step. The sheer sizes of these continents mean that these are enormous markets which, quite simply, are missing out. It will probably take some time for Freestyle Step to reach them properly. However, when it does it will more than likely take off quickly - if its success around the rest of the world is anything to go by!

Conclusion

Evidently, Freestyle Step enjoys very different levels of popularity depending on where in the world you find yourself. Believe it or not, not everyone enjoys it quite as much as we do! (Or should that be 'did'?). There's no doubt that besides the American military, nowhere in the world has seen Freestyle Step's popularity reach the same heights as in Australia - and certainly not for the general public. Fitness classes are always waxing and waning in terms of popularity, so maybe it's not too late to regain out rightful title of Freestyle Step capital of the world!

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That was our article for December 2015. Remember to feel free to comment, or contact me via email to FreestyleStepXTRVGNZ@gmail.com, and comment on what you think of this article, or any article you have read, or just any improvements you may want to see happening.

Next month, we will looking at the subject of "I Am Getting On Now, When Should I Stop Freestyle Stepping?" here we will looking at what we need to look at when considering our age, our bodies, and our health at this stage of our lives.

In January 2016 article... Our first article of 2016, I will try to understand the reasons why people choose to stop "freestyle stepping", and if sometimes these reasons, are just excuses.

Bruno Jimenez
December 2015

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