Yes, Gyrotonics Is Strange, But People Swear By It

Imagine Kundalini yoga with a little ballet, swimming and gymnastics thrown in. That, according to trainer Donna Trace, is the sensory of effect of something called the Gyrotonic Pulley Tower Combination Unit, or "Gyrotonic" for short. The L.A. Times is all over this typically L.A. instrument, which it describes as a nearly 7-foot-high "tower" and rack-like bench — all pulleys, weights and cables set in a hand-hewn wooden frame. But wait, there’s more than the tower. In fact, the tower is just the cornerstone of the Gyrotonic Expansion System, which also includes
four smaller machines, for targeted workouts, and a system of floor
exercises, called Gyrokinesis. The piece reports that since 2000, the number of trainers and facilities offering the system
has quadrupled, to an estimated 3,000 trainers and 1,200 facilities
worldwide — including more than 200 studios and fitness centers in
California. What’s it good for? According to the Times, proponents swear that Gyrotonic exercise increases flexibility,
coordination and posture and relieves back and muscle pain. Some say it
can even improve a golf swing. Read more in the L.A. Times.