10 Popular Fitness Trends for 2014
As we come into the New Year let’s take a look at the top 10 popular fitness trends:
1. H.I.I.T. – High Intensity Interval Training
(HIIT) is all the rage and for a good reason, it works! We all love the idea of getting more done in less time. It makes everyone happy. There have been several studies to support this type of training for all levels of fitness and even cardiac rehabilitation:
Daussin et al. (2008) measured VO2max responses among men and women who participated in an 8-week HIIT program and a continuous cardiovascular training program. VO2max increases were higher in the HIIT program (15%) than they were in the continuous training program (9%)
VO2max is considered the body’s upper limit for consuming, distributing and using oxygen for energy production. VO2max is a good predictor of exercise performance. The research has centered around cardiovascular training but excellent results are being scene in strength training too.
2. Fun, friendly competition, camaraderie and team spirit based fitness classes
Things like; CrossFit, Team Training programs at almost all health clubs across America, 3D Extreme by BOSU, Shockwave by Water Rower, Indoor Cycling classes, Orange Theory and more are great of example of pulling people together to help each other get more from their workouts.
3. Yoga
Over the past several years, yoga has being growing steadily and so far there seems to be no sign of its popularity slowing down. According to the Yoga Journal – “in 2012, 20.4 million Americans practice yoga, compared to 15.8 million from the previous 2008 study*, an increase of 29 percent.”
4. Fitness Boot Camp Training
This takes the concept and construct of military boot camps and bring this type of training to everyone. There are several different styles of Boot Camps but the most popular would have to be outdoor group exercise that mixes traditional and body weight exercises with interval training and strength training.
5. Core Training
In the past people always focused on training the “Abs”. Abdominal Training focused on the most superficial layer the Rectus Abdominis and the Obliques. Luckily is the past few years the focus has changed to have a strong and functional core. Meaning being strong and flexible from the pelvis to the shoulders, front and back side. Exercises would include – Planks, Side Plank, Crunches, Back Extension, Torso Rotation, Lateral Flexion, lifting, twisting and bending…
6. Functional Training
Rather than training with machines that dictate the angle and range of motion, the focus has become train the body the way it moves, plays and works in life. Functional Training looks at an individual’s life style, goals, injuries, motivation and limitations and develops a plan around that to help them live better.
7. Body Weight Training
The health clubs of the future will be like the gyms of the past, space more than equipment. The equipment you see will be adaptive body weight training equipment – equipment that allows you to train your body with your body weight. Medicine Balls, Resistance Balls, Dumbbells Kettle Bells and the Total Gym!
8. Active Aging Fitness Program
As our population continues to get older: according to the US Census from 2000 – 2010 the number of people over 65 in the US went from 35 million to 40.3 million and this age bracket continues to be one of the fastest growing. It is predicted that by 2030 there will be more than 70 million seniors and those over 85 will be the fastest growing segment. The importance of fitness programs focused on this market has been fast growing and for a good reason. We not only want to live longer but live healthier and maintaining or starting a fitness program at any age is a smart idea. The most important program for any age is picking a program you’ll stick to.
9. Kids Fitness
Unfortunately an alarming trend is the obesity growth rate in our youth. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) “Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and tripled in adolescents in the past 30 years”. Clearly the importance of kids getting involved in sports, fitness programs, or fun active programs is critical. Just like with older adults getting active for the first time or again, the most important program you can get you kids involved in is one they will stick with.
Chuck Norris shows us some great exercises for kids with his son Dakota!
10. Dance Based Group Fitness Classes
Classes like Zumba have seen tremendous growth. Why? The mentality of Zumba is to ditch the workout and join the party.
No matter which fitness trend sounds the most appealing to you, the most important recommendation I can give you is to find something you’ll stick to for the long haul. Consistency is the name of the game! Whatever you chose to do to get a healthy and active lifestyle will be wonderful, as long as you stick to it.
