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The current fitness and workout trends are making us sweat a lot. And that’s a good thing. Physical activity has numerous positive effects. After all, fitness training is important not only in terms of physical health, but also for mental strength – and in all phases of life.
At the latest since the Corona pandemic, home workouts have become indispensable. New and creative fitness offerings for the home have gained in importance in the past two years and have accompanied us as an alternative to the gym. If you’re already wearing a smartwatch or fitness tracker while working out, you’re perfectly prepared to keep up with the latest fitness trends. Because technical gadgets are becoming increasingly important – whether in the sports facility or in the gym at home.
Worldwide survey of fitness trends
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) conducts a study each year to map current trends around fitness, nutrition, and health. The results of this annual global industry trend survey by the ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal (FIT) will help the health and fitness industry make critical decisions for future growth and development.
The survey was designed to confirm or to introduce new trends (not fads) that international respondents believe will have a positive impact on the industry. Some of the trends identified in earlier surveys could predictably appear for several years, whereas fads may appear but will expectedly drop off the list in subsequent years.
Which fitness and workout trends are currently in vogue? In our article you will find out which trends await you.
The 7 most important fitness and workout trends
1. Wearable technology
Smartwatches, the best-known representative of wearables, are no longer a novelty. Almost everyone now wears them on their arm. They not only help us in everyday life but are also an active fitness companion. In addition to smart watches, this trend also includes fitness or activity trackers, heart rate monitors and GPS tracking devices. These devices can be used as a step counter and can track heart rate, body temperature, calories, sitting time, sleep time, and much more.
Initially, there was some doubts about the accuracy of wearable technology, but these issues have seemed to be resolved well enough. New innovations include blood pressure, oxygen saturation, body temperature, respiratory rate, and electrocardiogram. Also absolutely in vogue are sports devices and apps that connect you virtually with other athletes.
2. Home exercise gyms
The home gym, because of the global COVID-19 pandemic, will remain a popular alternative to going to a public gym. People will continue to work out at home using the many devices now available, as well as effective online classes. Home gyms can be run with minimal equipment or expensive treadmills and bikes. They can also be held as individual or family events.
Thanks to modern technology, it will be easy to switch between virtual workout and on-site training in the future. Hybrid training, i.e., the combination of digital and stationary training options, will become established. Hybrid training is particularly convenient for users and can be ideally integrated into everyday life. For those who alternate between office days and home office during the week, it’s best to work out wherever they happen to be – and that can be in the gym near the office, but also in the gym at home.
3. Outdoor activities
Outdoor activities are very popular, especially trail running. Trail runs offer a whole new appeal: natural terrain, no road traffic. The routes are sometimes narrow, winding and twisting, more often challenging with one or two meters of elevation. The changing surfaces, inclines, declines, and obstacles challenge you in a completely different way.
The muscles in the legs, trunk and buttocks are trained, the fat metabolism is activated, the endurance is improved, and the immune system is strengthened. In addition, uneven terrain stresses and strengthens intramuscular coordination. Trail running is therefore an optimal whole-body workout.
4. Strength training with free weights
Strength training with free weights, barbells, kettlebells, dumbbells, and medicine ball classes do not just incorporate barbells into another functional class or activity. Instructors start by teaching proper form for each exercise and then progressively increase the resistance once the correct form is accomplished. Proper techniques and movement skills are taught for each new exercise introduced.
5. Exercise for weight loss
Perhaps because of the self-quarantine imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting perceived (or actual) weight gain, exercise for weight loss made a comeback. Most diet programs recommend including some type of exercise program into the daily routine of caloric restriction, adding the caloric expenditure of physical activity into the equation.
8 exercises for weight loss:
- Walking: This is a good exercise for beginners, as it can be done anywhere, doesn’t require equipment, and puts minimal stress on your joints.
- Jogging or running: These are great exercises for weight loss that are easy to incorporate into your weekly routine. They can also help burn belly fat, which is linked to many chronic diseases.
- Cycling: Cycling is suitable for people of all fitness levels and can be done outdoors on a bicycle or indoors on a stationary bike. It has been linked to various health benefits, including increased insulin sensitivity and a reduced risk of certain chronic diseases.
- Weight training: This can help you lose weight by burning calories during and after your workout. It may also help you build muscle mass, which raises your resting metabolic rate – the number of calories your body burns at rest.
- Interval training: Interval training is an effective weight loss strategy that can be applied to many types of exercises, including running, jumping, biking, and more.
- Swimming: This is a great low-impact exercise for people looking to lose weight. Moreover, it may help improve your flexibility and reduce risk factors for various diseases.
- Yoga: Yoga is a great weight loss option that can be done nearly anywhere. It not only burns calories but also teaches you mindfulness to help you resist food cravings.
- Pilates: Pilates is a beginner-friendly exercise that can help you lose weight while improving other areas of your physical fitness, such as strength, balance, flexibility, and endurance.
6. Personal training
One-on-one training continues to be a strong trend as the profession of personal training becomes more accessible online, in gyms, at home and at work. In the field of personal training, there are now numerous models and options to find a suitable individual solution for everyone that promises long-term success. Combined with a balanced diet and the individually targeted training, it’s one of the best ways to achieve your personal goals in the long term.
The trend is toward more personalization and the combination of a wide range of areas, including exercise and nutrition, as well as physical and mental health. Examples of this are gym subscription models with included home fitness equipment and personalized support from AI assistants. These often also include nutrition coaching and anti-stress training.
7. High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
High intensity interval training (HIIT) is a type of training that alternates high-intensity exercises with rest periods or low-intensity exercises. HIIT training is a fast, intense workout with many health benefits. Because it gets you sweating without overloading your knees and shoulders with jumps. With individual training control, it’s also suitable for beginners to get moving.
HIIT has been established as a training concept for a few years now. What is new, however, is that HIIT and Tabata workouts are combined with other training methods, such as endurance training or strength training during a training session.
What are your personal fitness and workout trends? What’s your favorite way to exercise? Feel free to express your views and opinions in the comments below.
