Tired of your old fitness routine? You're not alone. Thousands of South Africans are stepping away from grinding, unimaginative regimens in search of new, exciting ways to get into shape, tune in to their minds and bodies, and simply have more fun at the gym.

And what are they finding when they look around? A lot — starting with an eclectic array of group-fitness classes (Body & Soul, Zumba, Nia and Capoeira, to mention a few), plus hip-hop-inspired dance classes, power yoga and more.

And there are new options in custom-tailored training programs based not just on your personal goals, but also on personalised factors such as your resting heart rate, anaerobic threshold and V02 max.

It's all part of a recent movement away from the regimented, no-fun fitness philosophies of the last few decades. The 'no pain, no gain' approach is out; the joyful workout is in. Young and old, heavy and thin, male and female, shy and outgoing — there’s something for everyone.

Use the following guide to find a program that will inspire you to get moving in more joyful ways.

The trend: Feel-good creative expression.

The players: Nia, Moving Meditation, Body & Soul classes and more.

In our techno-crazed, overworked, type-A world, finding time to relax and be creative can feel daunting, even indulgent. But therapeutic disciplines such as Nia, which combines martial arts, healing arts and dance, have been shown to help people become more connected with their bodies and emotions — and relieve stress.

Similarly, creative fitness approaches such as Moving Meditation, Body Joy, Soul Motion, Body & Soul and Trance Dance are designed to awaken the spirit and communicate with the soul through free-flowing movements and dances.

Some classes, such as Body Joy, borrow from yoga, meditation and physical therapy practices, while others, such as Trance Dance, are inspired by ancient dances and upbeat music like jazz and funk. Trance Dancers wear bandannas over their eyes to help them ignore what others around them are doing and connect more fully with their own body's movements.

The trend: World Dance

The players Workouts inspired by belly dancing, African dance, Capoeira, Zumba and hip-hop.

Don't have time to travel to faraway lands? Take an inspired fitness class instead. Some people experience world culture through reading a book, traveling or watching a foreign film, while others do it through a Zumba class.

Hip-hop aerobics classes are nothing new, but many gym-goers are rediscovering how fun they can be, along with belly dancing and newer offerings such as African dance and Zumba, a Latin-dance inspired workout that includes irresistible music and rhythmic cardio moves that follow an interval-training pattern.

The appeal of these classes is the authentic relationship between the movement and the music, the experience taps into our primal need for moving our body to a rhythm. As a result, your brain releases a flood of feel-good neurotransmitters and endorphins that we would associate with the high of a rock concert or a great party

If you're looking for a slightly edgier dance class, you might prefer Capoeira, a Brazilian martial-arts-inspired dance.

The trend: Breathe, stretch and centre

The players: Yoga, Pilates, tai chi, qigong

Practices such as yoga, Pilates and tai chi are not only relaxing, they've been credited with helping to relieve depression and anxiety, improve posture, and reduce back pain. Plus, they enhance your mind-body connection.

The precise core-strengthening and stretching moves require thoughtful breathing and meditation, which are great tools for getting in touch with your body and your mind's inner workings.

All yoga classes focus on a series of poses and deep breathing, though some are more meditative, and others are more physical.

For instance, hatha yoga is a gentle practice that emphasises flexibility; Ashtanga is a more intensive strength workout; hot, or Bikram, yoga, is fast paced and takes place in a heated room, making it more challenging. And power yoga incorporates several poses performed in quick succession for a more vigorous, cardiovascular workout.

Pilates, on the other hand, was developed in part to help dancers and gymnasts improve their posture and strengthen their core. It follows a series of controlled resistance-training moves, stretches, deep breathing and whole-body strengthening.

Tai chi and qigong are both ancient Chinese martial arts that promote longevity and good health. Tai chi tends to emphasise circular movement, stress relief and self-defense, while qigong focuses on breath work and the 'life force' linked to vitality.

Unlike more-energetic workouts, such as Zumba or kickboxing, flexibility-focused classes may require more patience to see results. But the results can be dramatic. Many people experience an abatement of aches and pains that have bothered them for years; others discover inner strength they never realized they had.

The trend: Personalised Programming

The players: Heart-rate training, personal training, functional fitness and more...

If you're driving toward a specific fitness goal, stuck at a plateau, or feeling in need of augmented accountability and intensity, personalised fitness programs are a great way to go. Working one-on-one with a trainer or in a small-group setting provides an ideal context for focusing on your objectives, your body and your lifestyle. After all, your fitness program is about you. And if you schedule an appointment and don't show up, you can bet your trainer will notice.

Ronald Abvajee is founder of My Personal Trainer Wellness, South Africa's first 'virtual gym'.