28 Dec Fitness Trends for 2017
Are you trending with the latest and greatest of the fitness world? Compared to a fad which is based on emotion and goes just as easily as it comes, a trend is defined as: “a general development or change in a situation or in the way that people are behaving” (https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/). We’re not just talking fads here. Many of these trends have been shaping and changing the health and wellness landscape for years.
Curious what’s at the top of the list for fitness this upcoming year? According to an annual, worldwide survey, here’s what you can expect:
- Wearable Tech
This trend started years ago, but it continues to develop and change each and every year. Wearables come in various shapes, sizes, colors and function. Now, you can track everything related to fitness including: calories burned, heart rate, time, distance, pace, cadence, and the list goes on. Find what works for you and your goals! Here are the “best” for 2017 according to PCMag.com.
- Body Weight Training
Body weight training has been a widely used form of resistance training for centuries, but it has recently been re-branded by gyms worldwide and gained more attention. Typical programs use minimal equipment, which makes it inexpensive and a great option for avid travelers/people on-the-go. While most think of body weight training as only push-ups and pull-ups, it is much more than that and includes lower body and core strength exercises, as well.
- High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
HIIT involves short bursts of high intensity work following by intervals of rest repeated for a specific amount of time (usually less than 30 minutes but can vary). While the risk for injury has been a concern, the popularity has been noticeable in gyms across the world due to HIIT’s ability to burn greater amounts of calories and fat in a shorter amount of time.
- Educated, Certified and Experienced Fitness Professionals
‘The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics has predicted and recently affirmed that “…Employment of fitness trainers and instructors is projected to grow 8% from 2014 to 2024” (https://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/fitness-trainers-and-instructors.htm; cited July 17, 2016).’ In order to meet the demand of a more saturated and competitive fitness professional market, the need for regulation and accredited degree programs is expanding.
- Strength Training
Health and fitness professionals of both contemporary and modern mindsets recognize the benefits of strength training and tend to incorporate some form of it into their client’s/patient’s wellness regimen. It’’ not just popular in mainstream gyms, however. It’s also common to include strength training in clinical situations such as rehabilitation patient’s exercise routines to rebuild and maintain strength, too.
- Group Training
A long-standing trend in the fitness world, group exercise is an intentional program lead by an instructor designed to motivate and be effective for people at all different fitness levels. Leadership techniques by the instructor are used to help individuals in their classes achieve fitness goals while also being motivated by a less intimidating group dynamic. Class types vary including everything from Cycling to Zumba to Fitness on Surfboards. Check out some up-and-coming classes types, here.
- Exercise is Medicine®.
Exercise is Medicine® is a global health initiative focused on encouraging a relationship between primary care physicians and other health care providers and exercise professionals. The goal is to emphasize the fact that physical activity should be included in the design of treatment plans for patients and is an integral part of health care.
- Yoga
The appeal of yoga (aside from the mental, spiritual and physical benefits) seems to be the reinvention of it (at least from a Western perspective) every year, so there’s an enticement to it. Power Yoga, Bikram, Kripalu, Yin and Kundalini are only a few types. (Read more about yoga’s detoxing benefits, here!)
- Personal Training
The need for one-on-one attention when it comes to achieving personal fitness goals is known, so it’s no surprise personal training has been in the top of the trend list for years. Personal trainers are employed by community-based programs, commercially in gyms, in corporate wellness programs, and in clinical fitness programs or are self-employed and work independently. The style/emphasis of the regimen they prescribe may change with demands of the fitness landscape, but personal trainers are most likely going to trend for quite some time.
- Exercise and Weight Loss
It may seem like a well-known fact that exercise promotes weight loss, but not all weight loss programs prescribe exercise as part of the regimen. In order to achieve maximum weight loss potential, however, the combination of proper nutrition, hydration, rest, and exercise is crucial.
What do you think about these fitness trends for the new year?
-Health & Wellness Coach
Michelle C.
https://balance-mf.com/exercise/fitness-trends-will-rule-2017/