Our new video, created by Becky Jennings, founder of the Balance Method, is a killer 30-minute fat scorcher — and we mean that in the best way possible.  It's a full-body workout to help you through the holidays — and beyond — by revving your metabolism and boosting your spirits.  Grab a set of medium dumbbells, press play, and get ready to work it!

New year, new goals, new workouts!  We're already seeing some trends emerge in fitness, giving us a solid indication of what kinds of workouts are going to be super popular in 2017.  Haven't tried these yet?  The coming year is the perfect time to experiment and find something new and awesome that you love.  And while we don't see your favourite bootcamp or cycling classes losing any momentum, there are some up-and-comers that will totally dominate in the new year — we think you're going to love them!

1. Boxing

With the rise of boutique boxing studios and the addition of beginner classes to traditional boxing gyms, boxing will see an even bigger year in 2017 than it did in 2016.  Bonus:  you don't even have to jump in the ring to reap the benefits of this total-body exercise, as many studios are geared toward a no-contact style of fitness.  And with added visibility from celebrities sharing their boxing workouts, we know that more women than ever will be hitting the heavy bags in the coming year.  This anxiety-reducing, ultra-empowering workout is here to help you kick ass, take names, and have your healthiest year yet.  Can't get to a boxing gym?  Try this at-home cardio boxing workout from an Equinox trainer.

2. Megaformer (The Lagree Method)

Like Pilates on crack, a Megaformer class gives you an intense reformer workout that'll make your muscles shake, burn, and possibly hate you for the next 72 hours.  The classes are rooted in the Lagree method, named after trainer and Megaformer creator Sebastien Lagree.  The workout is HARD, but so, so good.

Celebrities like Bella Thorne and Lea Michele are regulars at the Studio MDR, a popular Lagree studio in Los Angeles, and we anticipate even more A-listers and fit influencers will be sharing their Megaformer workouts this coming year, too.

3. Dance Cardio

People want to move in a way that doesn't feel like exercise — and if the explosion of The Fitness Marshall's popularity was any indicator, dance cardio workouts are going to be more popular than ever this year.  Studios are springing up in major metros, like The COMPANY in San Francisco and 305 Fitness in New York City, so get ready to dance your way through 2017.  These classes feel more like a party than they do a workout.  Get a 20-minute taste of dancing off the calories with this dance cardio bootcamp that you can do in your living room.

4. Mixed Format Classes

Speedplay, Orange Theory, Barry's Bootcamp, YAS — these classes all have one thing in common, and it's their hybrid format.  They mix multiple workouts into one class!  While in many classes you'll be on one machine or doing one particular style of exercise for 45-60 minutes, these studios deliver workouts that combine strength training and cardio, which is the most effective way to burn calories.

We talked to superstar trainer Jeanette Jenkins (you can check her out in action with this 30-minute cardio sculpt workout), and she had the same thought — these mixed format classes will be huge in the coming year.  Why?  "They prevent overuse [injury] on the joints of doing the exact same thing over and over again." She noted that studios like YAS and Speedplay "get it" and that other studios that offer a varied workout using various machines will keep fitness clients healthier in the long run.

Whether you like a combo of yoga and Spin in one class, a mixed format HIIT session, or a bootcamp-style training that combines multiple machines and floor work, there's something for everyone out there.  And we're even more excited to see what else will pop up as this trend continues to build in 2017.  Maybe a boxing-slash-Megaformer class??

5. Workout Apps

With ClassPass nixing the unlimited option, many users are needing to fill the void with another convenient, do-whenever, wherever-you-are workout.  And how does one do that in a cost-effective way?  With apps and at-home workouts.

Apps like Kayla Itsines's Sweat With Kayla and Nike Women's refreshed NTC saw a rise in popularity year, and we predict they'll do even better in 2017 — especially after Kayla said in an interview earlier this year that exciting new updates were coming for the SWK app.

Newer apps like Aaptiv and Sworkit are building their followings, too, bringing on-demand training and coaching to your phone with a variety of workouts and styles to choose from.

6. Live-Stream Classes

Welcome to the future.  You don't have to live in a major metro to try new, exciting fitness classes anymore thanks to the rise of livestream video.  Now, from anywhere in the world, you can bring the high-energy workout to you.  Why stream Netflix when you could stream a high-intensity, body-transforming workout?

We're seeing the trend go from the DVD workouts to streaming workouts to livestream workouts — following in parallel to the rise of live-streaming on social media with platforms like Facebook Live and Periscope.

Brands like Peloton cycling are leading the charge for fitness, with goals of bringing that in-class energy and power to your solo at-home sweat sesh.  Not every studio and brand is streaming live classes just yet, but we anticipate the shift will happen this year en masse.  Many brands have been making general streaming available — FitFusion lets you take classes from Jillian Michaels or Tone It Up's Karena and Katrina;  Barre3 brings the muscle-shaking studio class to your home with the ability to schedule your week just like you would with physical studio classes;  New York's Ballet Beautiful lets you pay per stream/workout;  and YogaGlo delivers at-home classes from world-renowned teachers like Kathryn Budig.

All of these examples show the promise of the rise of more live-streaming in 2017.  And with the latest VR technology, who knows what could be next?  We wouldn't mind a virtual reality dance cardio class!

Most of us end up eating way more than usual during the holidays, and since many of the dishes may be richer or sweeter than you're used to, it can cause some major discomfort in the tummy department.  Here are some gentle stretches you can do to ease digestion.

One-Legged Spinal Twist

This twist can help get things moving in your belly.  It's also a great pose to do after sitting for a long period of time.

• Bend your right knee and cross your left elbow over to the outside edge of the knee and look over your right shoulder.
• As you breathe, continue to deepen the twist.  Stay here for about 30 seconds, then do the other side.

Knees to Chest

This stretch feels great if you're bloated, having gas pains, or constipated.  You may want to do this stretch in private since it's also called Wind-Relieving Pose.

• Lie on your back and bend both knees into your chest.
• Give yourself a big hug, and rock your knees from side to side to help massage your abdominal organs and get things moving.
• Then hug the knees in tight for a few seconds, and then release the knees away from your belly, lowering the toes to the floor for a few seconds.  Continue alternating between the two for a minute or so.

Happy Baby

Here's a variation of the previous stretch.

• Lie on your back, bend your knees, and hold onto the outside edges of your feet.
• Gently use your arm muscles to pull your knees toward the floor beside your chest.  Relax your shoulders and your head.

Spinal Twist

Twisting always helps get things moving.

• Lie on your back in the middle of your bed.  Bend both knees into the chest, and then cross them over to the left side of your body.  You can even let your knees hang slightly over the edge of the bed for a deeper stretch.
• Extend your arms in T position, and gaze to the right.
• Stay like this for 30 seconds or more, feeling your spine lengthen and twist.  You may even hear some cracks.
• Use your abs to lift your knees back to center, and repeat on the other side.

Fish

Here's another great stretch for the belly.

• Lie on your back with your legs extended.
• Lift the head and upper back off the bed and prop your torso up with your elbows.
• Relax your head back, opening through the throat.
• Hold this position for 30 seconds.

Cobra

Putting a little gentle pressure on your belly might help encourage digestion.

• Roll over onto your belly and extend your arms out in front of you.  If you're tall, you can hang your feet over the end of the bed.
• Keeping your legs and pelvis grounded, slowly begin to walk your hands toward your chest.  As your torso lifts off the bed, keep a slight bend in your elbows.  Walk your hands in until you feel a nice stretch in your abs.  Relax your shoulders away from your ears and lengthen your neck.  If it feels OK, lower your head back between your shoulder blades, and you'll feel a nice stretch in your chest and neck.
• Stay here for 30 seconds and then lower your torso back to the bed.

Seated Heart Opener

This stretch will create space in the chest and belly, which may ease belly cramps, and can be done on the floor or while sitting in a chair.

• Begin sitting on your heels.  Lean back and place your palms flat on the floor about 20-25cm behind you so your fingertips are pointing away.
• Press your hands firmly into the ground and lift your chest as high as you can.  Arch your back and push your hips into your heels.  To increase the stretch, lower your head behind you, stretching through your throat and the front of your chest.

Extended Wide Squat

This relaxing yoga pose can help relieve gas pains.

• Stand with your feet slightly wider than your hips.  Bend your knees, and lower your hips down toward the ground.  If your heels don't touch the ground, roll up a towel or the back of your mat, and place it under your heels for support.
• Bring your palms together at your heart centre, and firmly press your elbows against the inside of your knees.  This will help to open your hips even further.
• After five breaths, release the hands to the floor and walk them away from your feet to increase the stretch in the hips and lower back.  Hold for another five breaths.

Wide-Legged Forward Bend

Here's an effective yoga pose to relieve that uncomfortable bloated feeling.

• Stand with your feet one leg's length distance apart (about three to four feet).  Flare your heels slightly wider than your toes.
• Keeping your spine as long as possible, fold forward, hinging at the hips.  Plant your palms on the ground between your feet, with your elbows pointing behind you, or interalce the hands behind you.  If you can't reach the floor, keep your legs straight and rest your hands on your shins.
• Relax your toes and try to shift the weight of your hips forward so they're in line with your feet.

You might not want to be around any funny people or watch any comedies the day after this workout, because your abs are going to be burning.

Half Banana

• Start lying on your back with your arms reaching toward the ceiling.
• Exhale and roll up toward sitting while lifting your left leg up.  Pause at the top and reach for your toes before rolling slowly back down to the mat.  Then perform on the other side.  This completes one rep.
• Complete as many as you can with good form for one minute.

Seated Russian Twist

• Sit on the ground with your knees bent, pull your abs to your spine, and lean back a few inches while lifting your feet off the floor.  Be sure to keep your back straight.
• Reach your arms out in front of you, and twist your torso to the right, then to the left, repeating for one minute.  Lower your heels to the ground if you need to.

Butterfly Crunch

• Lie on your back with your knees open and the soles of your feet together (in a butterfly position).  Lengthen your arms overhead so they are resting on the floor.
• Exhale and bring your hands and knees toward each other, performing a full-body crunch.  Your shoulder blades should be off the mat as you perform a small reverse crunch, lifting your pelvis a bit off the mat.  Hold this position for a moment and really feel your abs squeezing.
• Slowly lower your arms and feet back to starting position to complete one rep.
• Do as many crucnhes as you can in one minute.

Side-Plank Crunch

• Begin in a side elbow plank with your left elbow down and your right hand behind your head.
• Keeping your torso stable and your waist lifted, bring your right leg up toward your shoulder to lightly tap your right elbow.
• Lengthen your right leg back to the starting position to complete one rep.
• Do as many reps as you can in 30 seconds and then switch sides for another 30 seconds.

Knee Driver

• Begin in an elbow plank position with the abs engaged.
• Draw the left knee into the chest.  Then step the foot back to the elbow plank position.  Now draw the right knee into the chest and then step it back to the elbow plank position.
• This counts as one rep.
• Continue alternating sides and complete as many reps as you can in a minute.

Can't seem to make it to the gym these days?  Stop with the excuses, and let these 20 lazy-girl-approved tips keep you on track all season long.

1. Keep it short:  Always opt for a short and intense workout over a longer one where you don't push yourself.  HIIT it, then quit it.
    
2. Get it out of the way:  Start your day with a workout so you don't have a chance to skip it later.  This one is great for all the procrastinating lazy ladies out there.
    
3. Two birds, one stone:  Cardio and strength training don't have to happen separately.  Combine them in one workout like this 30-minute printable for a killer workout.
    
4. Hit the floor:  Yes, you can lie on the floor and still get an awesome workout.  These lazy-girl-approved moves are proof.
    
5. Double TV time:  Your commercial breaks are mini workouts that add up after an hour or two of your favourite shows.  Try this three-minute workout the next time you want to binge on the tube.
    
6. Socialise:  Grab friends for your next class.  Scheduling a fitness date will make you more likely to stick with the game plan.  No one likes to bail on someone they love.
    
7. Pack up early:  Get your gear ready to go the night before your workout.  That way you don't have to rush around right before your workout ... or end up skipping it altogether.
    
8. Change your commute:  Ride your bike or walk for a portion or all of your commute.  Makings things active will help you burn calories and keep you off public transportation for as long as possible.
    
9. Multi-task the mundane:  You can always sneak in some exercise.  Move through calf raises when you're standing in a long line or waiting for the bus, and move through this two-minute workout you can do while brushing your teeth.
    
10. Enjoy your snack:  The right pre-workout snack can fuel you up for better performance at your next workout.  Try one of these and enjoy.
     
11. Go slow:  You don't have to look like the Energiser Bunny during every workout.  Turn up the resistance, slow things down, and you'll feel the burn big-time.
     
12. Drink up:  More water helps your body burn more fat, and being properly hydrated improves your workout performance.  Sip on H2O all day long.
     
13. Make it routine:  When your workout feels like second nature, you won't be as tempted to skip it.  Keep your routine consistent every week, and start feeling results.
     
14. Lift a little:  If you're all cardio and no strength training, you're not going to see the changes you're after.  These beginner-friendly dumbbell exercises are a great place to start.
     
15. Go for 10:  Even if you're not going to commit to a full workout, take 10 minutes and work out with one of these videos.  Short workouts still count!
     
16. Stay caffeinated:  Too tired to hit the gym?  Turn up with a few sips of coffee or green tea.  You'll get your energy back on track, and caffeine has been linked to better workout performance.
     
17. Cruise your feed:  Start following fitness stars like Kayla Itsines and Hannah Bronfman, who will fill up your Instagram feed with a lot of motivation.  It's hard not to want to work out after looking at these ladies!
     
18. Hire outside help:  Sign up for boutique classes with an awesome instructor, or hire a personal trainer for a handful of sessions at the gym.  They'll keep you on track and revitalize your routine.
     
19. Reward yourself:  All work with no reward does not suit the lazy girl.  Whether it's a piece of chocolate, new gear, or one hour of pure relaxation, give yourself a gold star after you put in the work.
     
20. Stay in bed:  You need those seven to nine hours every night to keep you energised throughout the day and during your workout — just another good excuse to linger a little longer.