Every year brings new fitness trends. You may remember ones like the Shake Weight, Bowflex and Tae Bo. The American College of Sports Medicine releases an annual list of trends, and we have 2017 right here for you.
Wearable Technology: Fitness Trackers are still the rage. Typically found in bracelet or watch form, they monitor different actions you take throughout the day and outputs the results. How many steps you take, how many hours you slept at night and tracking your heart rate during your workouts are some of the features to these trackers. While the appeal can be there to pair modern technology with your daily activity, the goal should be not to get discouraged and to use your judgment on how much you rely on these devices.
Body Weight Training: It’s back to basics with this fitness trend allowing you to take your workout anywhere at any time. No equipment is needed!
High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): These workouts include short bursts of higher intensity activity followed by short rest periods or less intense activity. These workouts are challenging and offer the ability to get an effective workout in a shorter period of time. A great workout can be done in less than 30 minutes.
Educated and Experienced Fitness Professionals: It’s good to see we are on the list. A certified personal trainer can guide you through workouts that are scientifically backed while helping to reduce your risk of injury. A personal trainer adds motivation and accountability to your sessions.
Exercise is Medicine: Exercise is Medicine is a global health initiative that is focused on encouraging primary care physicians and other health care providers to include physical activity when designing treatment plans for patients and referring their patients to exercise professionals. Our very own Brent Hartman is a member of the medical fitness network, an online directory for people with chronic medical conditions to help locate fitness professionals.Exercise helps reduces risk of heart disease, 13 different cancers and diabetes as well as improving memory, sleep, strength and flexibility and cholesterol just to name a few.
Yoga: This ancient exercise relies on a series of specific poses practiced for health and relaxation. Yoga classes have expanded in number and in variety.
This is a solid list with little gimmick or fad. Hopefully it has inspired you to start or continue with your fitness goals in 2017. If you need help or have questions about anything on this list, contact us.
References:
- “Top Fitness Trend for 2017 is Wearable Technology”. Accessed 2, January 2017. American College of Sports Medicine. http://www.acsm.org/about-acsm/media-room/news-releases/2016/10/26/top-fitness-trend-for-2017-is-wearable-technology
