As we close out a very long and stressful 2020, now is the time to look forward to 2021. What’s important to you?
Health and wellness should be at the top of everyone’s list this year, no exceptions. With mandated closures, working from home and the overall stress of the COVID-19 pandemic, our 2020 fell off the rails!
What do you need to do to be the healthiest you ever? Health is a big part of our overall wellbeing, if we aren’t healthy, our happiness and mental outlook falters. Let’s do this, together this year, and make 2021 so much FUN!
Here is the American College of Sports Medicine’s list of top fitness trends from 2020.
Find something that engages you and jump on the bandwagon!
1. Wearable technology includes fitness trackers, smart watches, heart rate monitors and GPS tracking devices. Wearable technology has been estimated to be about a $95 billion industry. This trend tops the list for the 2nd consecutive year and for the 4th time in five years.
2. High-intensity interval training programs typically involve short bursts of high intensity bouts of exercise followed by a short period of rest or active recovery.
3. Group exercise instructors teach, lead and motivate individuals through intentionally designed in-person movement classes of more than five participants.
4. Previous surveys included a category described as “strength training.” Determined to be too broad a category, strength training was dropped in favor of the more specific free weight training. Free weights, barbells, kettlebells, dumbbells, and medicine ball classes do not just incorporate barbells into another functional class or activity. Instructors start by teaching proper form for each exercise and then progressively increase the resistance once the correct form is accomplished. New exercises are added periodically, and those begin at the form or movement level. Training with free weights debuts at #4 in 2020.
5. Personal training has been a Top 10 Trend since the first published trends report in 2006. Personal training includes fitness testing and goal setting with the trainer working one-on-one with a client to prescribe workouts tailored to the individual's needs and goals. Personal training may take place in health clubs, in the home, at worksite fitness facilities or online.
6. Exercise is Medicine (EIM) is a global health initiative that is focused on encouraging primary care physicians and other health care providers to include physical activity assessment and associated treatment recommendations as part of every patient visit and referring their patients to exercise professionals.
7. Body weight training programs are all about using the weight of the body as the training modality through a combination of variable resistance and neuromotor movements through multiple planes. Since body weight training requires little to no equipment, it is an inexpensive and functional way to exercise effectively.
8. People today are living longer, working longer and remaining healthy and active much longer than in past generations. Currently fitness programs for older adults cater to the needs of the Baby Boom and older generations.
9. Health/Wellness is a growing trend to integrate behavioral science into health promotion and lifestyle medicine programs. Health/Wellness coaching uses a one-on-one (and at times small group) approach with the coach providing support, goal setting, guidance, and encouragement. The health/ wellness coach focuses on the client’s values, needs, vision, and short- and long-term goals using behavior change intervention strategies. Previous surveys included wellness.
10. Fitness Professionals who have been certified by educational programs and certification programs that are fully accredited have a base of knowledge that is essential for performing the tasks of the job, but for the 2019 survey, the term “health” was added, which better describes the trend. Wellness coaching has been in the top 20 trends since 2010.
In addition to the ACSM’s list, we believe that “Virtual Workouts” will be hot in 2021! We know that our world is going to remain a bit uncertain, for now. Why miss your workouts when you can work online with your favorite instructor or trainer. On Demand Platforms and/or Virtual classes/sessions will be all the rage!
Whether it’s something on this list or something else that you really enjoy, be sure to make Health and wellness a top priority this year!