The American College of Sports Medicine has released the annual fitness trends forecast. According to their results, wearable technology is predicted to top fitness trends next year.
This survey is taken every year for the last ten years and leading fitness professionals from across the globe including ones certified by ACSM participate in this. Among the major 40 trends, top 20 were published by their ranks, which also includes a few new additions from previous year’s list. Here’s a look at the current fitness trends for 2016:
- Wearable Fitness Technology: Wearable technology (FitBit, Jawbone, Garmin, etc) tops the list of fitness trends, including smart watches, fitness trackers, GPS tracking devices, and heart rate monitors.
- Body Weight Training: Body weight training is where one uses minimal equipment. It is affordable, effective, and makes for a good “back to basics” fitness regimen. Body weight training is not just limited to pull-ups and push-ups – you can utilize a host of calisthenics; floor exercise like Pilates, Yoga, and Tai-Chi; and traditional body weight strength training exercises like planks, side planks, hamstring bridges, or even handstands!
- High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): HIIT is a training method involving short bursts of near-maximum effort that are followed by short recovery periods. HIIT workouts usually last for 20-30 minutes, and will get you in shape without spending a ton of time in the gym. Note that this level of exercise intensity is not appropriate for everyone!
- Strength Training: Strength training is an important aspect of any comprehensive exercise program. Strength training workouts burn approximately the same number of calories as a similar amount of cardiovascular exercise, but you also get the additional benefits of strength, bone density improvements, and toned muscles.
- Professional Fitness Education: Increasingly more individuals are choosing kinesiology or exercise science as their college major, which shows they’re prepping up for a career in health fields like personal training or health coaching.
- Personal Training: Sadly, just because a personal trainer is certified doesn’t mean he or she is a quality exercise instructor. Ask your chiropractor, massage therapist, physical therapist, or physician for a recommended personal trainer.
- Functional Fitness: A method of exercise involving strength training, flexibility, balance, and movement mechanics. Functional fitness is intended to improve your activities of daily living, which can range from recreational sports like golf and tennis, to simply improving your ability to walk, get up from a chair, or go up and down the stairs safely. Functional fitness training is especially important for the aging population.
- Fitness Programs for Seniors: The baby boomer generation is the #1 growing demographic in the fitness world. For this reason, many fitness and health professionals have come up with special programs geared towards retirees and the elderly.
- Nutrition and Weight Loss: In addition to exercise, nutrition plays a crucial role in weight management. Weight loss programs should include both exercise and nutrition counseling to ensure long-term success and health.
- Yoga: A traditional method of exercise, yoga includes a range of poses that can improve your strength, endurance, breathing, and flexibility. There are many different types of Yoga, including Bikram Yoga, Power Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Yogalates, Kripalu, Vinyasa, Anurara, Sivananda, Kundalini, etc.
You can read the entire fitness trends for 2016 ACSM survey here.