From Ab Blasters to Thighmasters, Tae Bo and Step Aerobics, the world of fitness has always been dominated by fads. And that’s not a bad thing, especially for those of us who get bored quickly! Mixing up your workout regime and trying new things is a great way to keep yourself motivated.
So, what are the biggest fitness trends going to be this year? Thankfully, the smart people at American College of Sports Medicine have done the hard work for us. Every year, ACSM conduct a global survey to better understand our thoughts and feelings about exercise, and from this research are able to predict coming trends. Here are ten of the top workout trends we can expect to see in 2017:
Wearable technology
Fitness trackers have been around for awhile now, but the technology is evolving fast. Huge improvements to the accuracy of these devices, plus an ever-expanding list of available features, will see smartwatches and fitness trackers take an even bigger slice of the fitness pie this year.
Bodyweight training
Sometimes you just can’t beat the tried and true. We love body weight workouts – like pushups, pull-ups, squats, lunges, and planks – cause they’re equipment free and easy to modify.
High-Intensity Interval Training
No surprises here – HIIT has been popular for a few years now, and with good reason. With short bursts of intense movement, alternated with periods of rest, HIIT is a sure fire way to have you building muscle and burning fat fast.
Working with certified fitness professionals
This trend has been driven by clients becoming more informed and smarter about who they seek out (and are willing to pay!) for help. ACSM predict that 2017 will see the fitness industry become more accountable and professional than ever.
Strength Training
The popularity of strength based workouts continues to grow. In particular, more women are becoming fans of strength based workouts as research continues to show that lifting weights won’t make you bulky, and instead leads to increased metabolism and fat burning.
Group training
This is a trend that’s been a few years in the making – think Pound, SoulCycle, PureBarre, and CrossFit. ACSM predicts that these types of group workouts will continue to thrive in 2017.
Exercise is medicine
Research has shown that regular exercise can have huge benefits for overall health, including lowering your risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, dementia and other chronic diseases. ‘Exercise is medicine’ is a global movement that encourages the connections between physicians and fitness professionals, with both groups working together to help patients.
Yoga
Yoga has been around for thousands of years and has been a modern fitness trend for at least a decade, so how does it continue to be so popular? ACSM notes that while traditional Ashtanga, Hatha, and Vinyasa classes are readily available, fitness pros are also constantly finding new ways to reinvent yoga — think aerial yoga, hot yoga, and rope wall yoga.
Baby boomer fitness
Baby Boomers were the original fitsters, ushering in the fitness revolution back in the ’80s. Now, they’re reaching retirement age and more businesses are tailoring classes to better serve this aging population.
Functional fitness
Functional fitness improves coordination, balance, force, power, and endurance and helps enhance your ability to perform normal daily activities. In a nutshell, this is the type of strength that really matters: the kind that lets you lift a suitcase into an overhead locker, move furniture, or carry your child.
