Twerking Could Be Your New Favorite Workout

Oh, twerking. Everyone's favorite bootylicious dance move is so 2013 — or so I thought. Judging from the rising popularity of "twerkouts," the exercise craze combining Miley Cyrus' beloved booty shake with some serious cardio, twerking might not be going anywhere after all. Never change, America. Never change.

According to Elite Daily, the primary mastermind behind the twerkout is Anet Antošová, a Czech dancer and choreographer whose YouTube channel is a veritable goldmine of twerking tutorials. (Side note: Did you know that freestyle twerking is a thing? I had no idea until browsing through Antošová's videos. The more you know.) Regardless of your personal feelings toward the dance, there's no denying that it takes some serious skill. Even just watching Antošová twerk is exhausting, and that requires no physical activity beyond pressing play on YouTube. It's not exactly the kind of activity that elevates your heart rate.

It makes sense, then, that she would turn twerking into a form of exercise; it's practically there already. She makes it look easy, but as soon as you start trying to imitate her, all bets are off. Trust me, I tried, and over the course of 30 seconds I managed to stub my toe, knock over a lamp, and irritate my neighbor into pounding on the wall. I hope you all appreciate the lengths I go to for the sake of journalism.

Phew. I feel like I need to take a nap now. If you're interested, check out a few of her videos below, or take a look at Antošová's YouTube channel.

Will twerkouts bounce their way into the mainstream? Only time will tell, but it's not the first time a dance craze has gotten a fitness makeover:

1. Pure Barre

There's a reason every child wants to be a ballerina when they grow up: they're graceful, lithe, and can kick like a mule. Those characteristics, unfortunately, also weed out the majority of wannabe dancers over the years, so we end up taking ballet-inspired classes like Pure Barre to fill the hole left in our lives by ballet. Or because they're really fun classes. You know, whichever.

2. Hula Hooping

It's not exactly dancing, but hula hooping requires some serious hip coordination. The children's toy became a fitness fad in the 1950s, and it's making its way back into the mainstream recently.

3. Jazzercise

You had to know this was coming. Founded in 1969, the jazz-inspired workout became popular in the 1970s and 80s, just in time for your mom to don her first pair of leg warmers and shimmy her way to fitness.

4. Zumba

Accidentally created in Colombia in the mid-90s, Zumba uses Latin-inspired dance moves to create an informal workout. Not that I needed to describe it; let's face it, Zumba is the Jazzercise of our generation. Half of you are probably on your way to a Zumba class now.

5. Poledancing

Although poledancing is typically associated with exotic dancers, it has made its way into popular culture thanks to the insane core workout that comes from sexily sliding up and down a pole.

6. Bokwa

This fitness trend is far from your typical dance class. Bowka combines elements of South African dances with... the alphabet? During a Bokwa class, dancers trace the letters of the alphabet while performing a cardio dance routine. Hey, weirder things have happened.

Images: Anet Antošová/YouTube (3)