Over the years we’ve seen a number of trends come and go in the fitness industry, in 2019 we’ve seen the likes of HIIT training, mobile exercise apps and wearable technology trends soar. But will they keep on their paths of success in the coming year or will they start to flop?
Here’s your guide to the top 8 most anticipated fitness trends that’ll make you shed blood, sweat and tears for your goals in 2020.
Wearable Tech
A massive trend in 2019 and wearable tech is still drastically growing in popularity, doubling its size since 2014 and is predicted to hit $54 billion by 2023. Smartwatches are gaining popularity due to the features that are now becoming available on the devices, such as contactless payment, making phone calls and even tracking health data, which in turn is causing fitness trackers (e.g. Fitbit) to see a decrease in sales!
Workouts For The Mindfulness And Mental Health
With mental health awareness growing with every passing second it’s no surprise that these type of workouts will become a big hit within the fitness industry. We’re seeing more and more gyms and studios dotted around that are prioritising ways to take care of the soul through these classes.
HIIT
The short bursts of high intensity training to be precise, has been a top trend in the fitness industry since 2014 and hasn’t dropped below the top 5 since that year. And now another form of HIIT could possibly be installed into our lives in the form of ‘Micro HIIT’. Usually HIIT lasts around 30 minutes per session, but a Micro HIIT session will likely only be a few minutes long, and be something you’re able to fit in and around things like waiting for your breakfast to cook in the morning or to take up those last couple of minutes of your lunch break.
Group Training
Classed as having 5 or more people in the class at one time where the participants are lead, motivated and taught by a fitness instructor. Group training hasn’t been a massive trend in the fitness industry for very long, only arriving to the top 20 scene in 2017 and since then has excelled in its growth.
Training With Free Weights
Previously categorised as strength training over the years but previous surveys decided that the term was too wide spread and so the term free weight training was born. Free weight training involves training with equipment such as kettlebells, barbells, dumbbells, medicine balls and free weights, you’ll see a lot of these being used in exercise classes as well as by individual members at gyms and studios as they’re easily moveable (as long as the weights not too heavy!) and adds an extra bit of resistance to exercises.
Personal Training
These 1 on 1 fitness sessions are becoming increasingly more popular and accessible to the people who want it, not only can you get these in gyms they’re also available in fitness facilities, online and even at home. Personal Training is very specific to your wants and needs, it includes things like goal setting and fitness tests to determine what your workouts will look like.
Exercise is Medicine
The ACSM (American College of Sport Medicine) and American Medical Association set up this non-profit global health initiative to encourage health care providers to refer patients to fitness professionals and to include assessments on peoples physical activity as part of every patients visit.
Fitness Programmes For Older Adults
The recommendation for the amount of time older adults should exercise per week is 150 minutes, this population have been severely underserved by the fitness industry so these fitness programmes are great to allow everyone the benefits of working out. We’re seeing more and more fitness professionals and facilities taking time to create more age friendly activities that will help the older adults live a more active, healthier lifestyle.