A Look at the Most Popular Fitness Trends
For a lot of fitness enthusiasts, staying updated with the latest fitness trends is an integral part of achieving their fitness goals. These trends encompass fitness-related equipment, types of workouts, fitness apparel, and new fitness-related technologies.
The ever-changing landscape of fitness trends means there’s always a new trend on the horizon. Following are some of today’s most popular trends.
Hybrid gym memberships are one of the various fitness trends surging in popularity. A hybrid gym combines in-gym sessions, virtual coaching, and digital services. In recent years, standard gyms have started offering their members the chance to work out in the gym or online.
Hybrid gym memberships have become particularly popular during the COVID-19 pandemic as gyms, fitness experts, and coaches started providing their members and clients with online fitness sessions via video conferencing platforms like Zoom and Cisco. Virtual fitness is not necessarily a rival or substitute to the conventional methods, but rather a complimentary offering to help gyms adapt to their member’s needs. These needs are usually the option of either going to the gym a few times a week or conveniently working out at home via online sessions with the gym’s fitness professionals.
Technology has not only impacted the fitness field by facilitating hybrid gym memberships, but also through technology wearables. The wearable fitness trend has experienced a rapid rise in recent years, as smart device makers have started adding other essential features aside from the primary function of counting steps and calories.
These features include components for checking stress levels, body temperature, heart rate, and sleep rate. These wearables help people learn new smarter ways of working out instead of the conventional ways, and also promote mindfulness among users. Smart devices like the Apple Watch are the best-known wearables in the US market, with other brands also emerging rapidly. Examples of wearable technology include smartwatches, smart jewelry, fitness trackers, head-mounted displays, implantables, and smart clothing.
High intensity interval training (HIIT) also continues to be a popular trend among fitness enthusiasts. HIIT is a broad term that covers various workouts involving short periods of intense activity alternated with slower-paced recovery periods. The primary reason people engage in HIIT is that they can perform intense workouts relatively quickly. Also, HIIT requires no specific equipment, since people can use bodyweight workouts. Studies have revealed that HIIT is particularly beneficial to cardiovascular and metabolic health. It can also help reduce body fat and enhance mental health. HIIT workouts may include push-ups, running, jump squats, burpees, and jump lunges, but can be used with many other forms of exercise, such as cycling.
Although smart home gyms are not new among fitness enthusiasts, the pandemic and the ensuing lockdown led to their becoming even more popular, accelerating their growth in the process. Smart home gyms feature multifaceted workout equipment that users can use to keep themselves fit. In most cases, these home gyms come with virtual training options to help improve users’ exercises.
People who follow this fitness trend have the opportunity to perform a range of workouts, strength training, biking, running, rowing, Pilates, or even yoga from the comfort of their homes. The primary downside to this fitness trend is the price of home gym equipment, as average and low-income earners may find it unaffordable. The size of the equipment is another problem associated with smart home gyms, as they require a lot of space.
