Crunches, leg lifts and planks can get tedious and difficult, but now, two new exercise programs are changing the way both the young and the old get in shape.

Waving wands or waving ropes - workouts come in many forms. With “Ropes Gone Wild’, you don't even have to leave the floor.

It's a program that incorporates strength, cardio and core work with no impact.

“The kids get wild with it. They work out, and they have fun. It's like play. We are creating play,” says Anthony DiLuglio, creator of “Ropes Gone Wild”.

DiLuglio says the concept is based on undulation - making wave patterns. He got the idea from an Israeli soldier.

“He said the soldiers used to do this to release anxiety out in the field,” says DiLuglio.

DiLuglio thought it could help out in gym classes around the country, so he combined undulation exercise with push-ups to make kids stronger, physically and mentally

Conductor David Dworkin, creator of “Conductorcise”, is proving seniors can benefit from the power of music and moving.

“I can remember certain performances where I was actually tingling,” he says.

Although he retired after more than 50 years in the business, Dworkin was not ready to give up his wand. That's when he decided to spread this mind-body connection to other seniors, calling it Conductorcise.

“You feel the motion, and of course, the music and the rhythm. It was great,” says participant Gloria Marshall.

It's part aerobics, and part symphony.

“They don't think it's exercise, but they are really increasing their pulse rate,” says Dworkin.

Whether you're a senior or a junior, making waves can make a difference.

These programs offer training courses, so others can teach in their area.

MAKING WAVES: TWO NEW EXERCISE TRENDS
BACKGROUND: We all know the benefits of exercise, but it's often difficult to find a program that's both challenging and fun. Now, two new exercise trends are making "waves" around the country, and they're helping both the young and old get in shape.
CONDUCTORCISE: Being a conductor is a workout. Most wave their arms, jump up and down and get their hearts beating fast during their performances. Retired conductor David Dworkin has created an exercise program he calls "conductorcise." It's inspired by the workouts he got from leading an orchestra. Conductorcise works out the upper body, which is often neglected by those who choose to walk or run. Conductorcise is low impact and is easy for older or overweight people who are often chair-bound. Dworkin says many people can benefit from the power of music and moving. "They don't think it's exercise, but they are really increasing their pulse rate," Dworkin told Ivanhoe. He says the best part about this exercise plan is that it's fun.
ROPES GONE WILD: Another exercise trend has young people waving ropes in their air for a good workout. Creator Anthony DiLuglio says the concept is based on undulation, which means making wave patterns. It's what some soldiers do to release anxiety in the field. He combines this approach with other moves. The program focuses on strength, cardio and core work. One major benefit is there's no impact. "The rope creating these wave patterns with your body is able to get people's heart rates up, create muscle tone and give them a cardiovascular workout without their feet leaving the ground," DiLuglio told Ivanhoe. "They're working on their arms, their wrists, their shoulders, their cores."
HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE? You can learn more about both of these exercise trends by visiting their Web sites. For more on conductorcise, log onto http://www.conductorcise.com. For more on Ropes Gone Wild, visit http://www.ropesgonewild.com. Both programs offer training courses, so others can learn to teach in your area.