In this post, I’m going to cover the Top 5 Fitness Trends that I think are gaining steam in 2017. Let me know what you think!
1. Wearable Fitness Trackers, Workout Apps, and Online Training
Technology and fitness have been making quite the duo for the past year or two, but with the introduction of all kinds of new apps and fitness trackers, the crossover became even more apparent in the latter half of 2016. From competitive athletes to weekend warriors and everyone in between, it seems to be a trend to track every part of your workout and share your stats on social media. Online training is really starting to gain popularity, as people begin to feel the need for more direction in their personal workouts. Online training through an app like Trainerize is a great way to enjoy all the benefits of having a personal trainer, without the high cost of in-person personal training. For proper instruction on form and accountability, people are using online personal trainers to help reach their fitness and weight loss goals. For those who don’t want to work with just one online personal trainer, there are many workout apps sprouting up offering a variety of different strength, HIIT, cardio, and yoga/flexibility workouts. Some of these apps are free downloads and some are paid, but can be a great option if you are looking to spruce up your workouts with a low investment.
2. Bodyweight Training & HIIT
Bodyweight and High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) have always been around, but with the influx of gyms and training studios offering bodyweight classes as part of their services, many are starting to see the great benefits of this type of training. Many people are turning to bodyweight functional-type workouts using equipment like TRX trainers, medicine balls, resistance bands, and their own body, instead of your typical weight machines and dumbbells. Shorter HIIT style workouts are taking over the fitness world as people are very busy and want to get the most out of their workout in less time. The days of running on the treadmill or gliding on the elliptical for an hour are rare for those in-the-know of what is most effective for fat loss.
3. Rest Days Aren’t for “Rest” Anymore–Enter “Recovery” Workouts
Throughout 2016, and gaining even more popularity into 2017, are “recovery” workouts including foam rolling, trigger point work, fascial stretch therapy, and dynamic stretching/yoga. People are beginning to realize the benefits of taking a day off from beating their bodies down in the gym and taking the time to allow the body to recover. Flexibility and range of motion training is now considered a workout as these techniques will to help you improve in all other aspects of fitness and prevent injury. Gone are the days of sitting on the floor and performing static stretches prior to a workout; now we see people performing dynamic movements, small muscle activation, foam rolling, and trigger point release to prepare for a workout–or these things might even be considered the entire workout (depending on the training schedule).
4. Specialized Athlete Workouts
A lot of gyms are introducing the theme of being able to train like your favorite athlete. We used to think: “I’m not an athlete, I can’t train like them,” but that is changing. Many gyms have classes that offer UFC-style (mixed martial arts) or other sport-specific workouts. We are even seeing gyms that specialize in training for outdoor obstacle courses such as Tough Mudder, Spartan Races, or even American Ninja Warrior. These unconventional training methods that are used by elite athletes are becoming more popular amongst average people as they keep workouts fun and challenging. Plus, these training techniques produce great results in strength and fat loss–and the best part, they make you feel a bit more hardcore than jogging on the treadmill!
5. Following Workouts via Facebook Live or Other Live-Streamed Services
In 2017, people have no excuses for not getting in a great workout. Even if you are a busy stay-at-home mom who can’t make it out of the house for a great workout, or if the workout class you really want to try isn’t offered in your city, there’s a chance you can live-stream it right into your living room! Whether it’s aerobics, HIIT cardio, bodyweight strength, or spin classes that you prefer–it’s possible that you can enjoy classes from your favourite instructors via a live stream. My fitness studio and trainers from all over the world are offering workouts that you can tune into via Facebook Live or other live streaming services so you can feel just like you are in class with these trainers.