We understand whether you stepped up your fitness routine this year or fell a little bit behind. The past three years have been interesting, and many of us had to adjust our fitness routines and other areas of our lives. If you’re ready to jump back into the game, looking to switch up your fitness routine or create a new one, we’ve got you. We’re looking at a few fitness trends like bodyweight training, group training, health and wellness coaching, personal training, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and wearable technology that you can consider adding to your routine.

Before we get into some of the fitness trends and what they entail, keep in mind the following:

• What are your fitness goals?
• Have you consulted with your doctor about appropriate physical activities for you?
• What are some of the tools, gears, or equipment you will need?
• What is the space like for the routines that you have in mind? Is it safe and clean?
• Where in your schedule best suits working out?

Let’s look at five fitness trends and the benefits each has in helping you accomplish your fitness goals.

Online Training

Online training allows you to enjoy the feeling of being in class with an instructor while at home. This type of training is available through pre-recorded or live streaming workouts and may be accessed 24/7, so you work out at your own pace and time. What’s great is that digital streaming lets you connect with professional trainers who design instructional exercise programmes for groups or individuals. If you opt for a group class, you can share your progress/challenges with others in your group. The idea is to select one that works best with accomplishing your fitness goals!

Bodyweight Training

If you’re a beginner interested in bodyweight training, it is safer to do so initially with a certified personal trainer. This training involves using the body’s weight as the training modality. It combines various resistance bodyweight training and functional fitness training, which integrates motor skills (coordination, balance, agility, etc.) and proprioceptive exercises. A personal trainer will guide you on the correct way to do these exercises without hurting yourself. Even if you’ve been doing bodyweight training for a while and are just starting to get back into it, having a personal trainer guide you for the first few workout sessions is a good idea.

Wearable Technology

Wearable technology has been around since 2016 and continues to gain popularity. Some examples of these devices include smartwatches, heart rate monitors, GPS tracking devices, and fitness trackers. You can personalise your device to update you on your sleep habits, health, recovery, etc. If you are on a fitness journey, a device is an excellent way to measure what you need to work on, your journey, and your accomplishments. Let’s not forget that wearable devices allow you to be hands-free, so you don’t have to worry too much about them falling out of your pocket or hindering your workout.

Outdoor Activities

Outdoors provide an escape to fresh air and the ability to participate in different exercise activities. It also allows for ample space between participants, supporting physical distancing. Some outdoor activities include hiking in groups, small group walks, or group rides. These workouts are great for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy connecting with others while working out. Groups can plan short events or activities that span an entire day or weekend. The idea is to have fun, commit to it and ensure that your group is safe.

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

Some benefits of high-intensity interval training include improving heart health and regulating appetite. It is also an effective way to burn fat and balance glucose levels in the body. HIIT can be intense because of the constant exertion on the joints. These programmes include bouts of high-intensity activities followed by a short rest period. If you are concerned about damage to your joints, you should consider using a personal trainer. If you’re into CrossFit training or have sustained damage from wear and tear to your joints, high-intensity, low-impact training (HILIT) could be a favourable option. HILIT gives similar results as HIIT but with less stress on your joints.

Other noteworthy trends:

• Mental health and fitness will continue to be crucial, especially for people who will still work from home part-time to full-time.
• Some persons will continue their routines to keep illness at bay.
• Shorter workout routines will gain popularity as some people opt to work out in the morning, during their lunch break, or right after the workday ends.

The content of this article is for information purposes. Always speak with your physician about your health and the goals you wish to accomplish before starting any fitness routine or programme. Use our Find Yello listings for gyms, personal trainers or related businesses or services you need.

Sources: ACSM Health and Fitness Journal, Healthline, Men’s Health, Active Health and Prevention.