The year 2020 was one of the most tumultuous years for everyone, and the first three months of 2021 is no different.
The pandemic forced every gym and fitness facility to close for several months and made fitness enthusiasts worldwide to adapt their fitness routines to this significant handicap. Today, fitness facilities have opened in some areas; in others, they remain closed.
A recent survey of ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) suggests that less than 50% of the members would return to the gym in the following months even after the situation improves.
The pandemic has disrupted the way the fitness industry works & does business and, most importantly, has changed the way people go about keeping themselves fit.
The pandemic has has changed the way people go about keeping themselves fit.
But as former mayor of Chicago "Rahm Emanuel" said, "Never let a serious crisis go to waste". It means that every disruption comes with an opportunity to evolve, and therefore, one can firmly say that people will adapt to the new normal and device methods to work out & stay fit.
Having set the stage, let's review what is going to #trend in the coming months.
Online Personal Training
With Online training, people can work out anytime from the comfort and safety of their homes without stepping out.
This is one of the significant changes we got to see when the pandemic resulted in gyms & health clubs' closure, forcing trainers to deliver fitness training innovatively. This trend will persist in the coming months and years as well because people would be hesitant to return to the gym.
"Online personal training" involves online streaming to deliver classes direct to people's televisions or mobile devices where coaches offer instructions live and can also monitor the form and progress of their students through the device camera.
These classes are available 24/7 as it could be a live class or a prerecorded one, and people can work out anytime from the comfort and safety of their homes without stepping out.
Wearable Technology
ACSM survey reports, wearable technology as the #1 trend since 2016 (except in 2018, where it ranked at 3rd spot) & suggest that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. This category includes fitness trackers, smartwatches, GPS trackers, heart rate monitors & so much more. These devices can do everything from tracking your footsteps to calories burned, heart rate to body temperature & even your quality of sleep. Innovations & technological advancements to make these devices more & more precise is constantly being done. These devices have gamified fitness and have made it fun & competitive (in a good way) to stay fit.
Bodyweight & Functional Training
Most people would choose functional and bodyweight training as their primary ways to achieve their fitness goals in 2021.
Bodyweight & functional training appeared on trends survey in 2013 for the first time and has only become more popular since then. This kind of training is all about using your body weight as the resistance to perform most of the exercises. It uses minimal equipment, which makes it the most cost-efficient way of exercising. As per ClassPass reports, most people would choose functional and bodyweight training as their primary ways to achieve their fitness goals in 2021. Therefore, this trend is here to stay.
Outdoor Training & Activities
A survey report conducted by ACSM states that nearly half of the respondents chose 'Outdoor activities' as their means to enhance their fitness this year. This includes brisk walking, jogging, / running, hiking, biking, bodyweight training done outdoors. Training in outdoor is much safer than in an indoor gym, where airflow and space are limited. Group activities such as group hiking or group functional training will also become a major trend this year.
HIIT & Strength Training with Free Weights
HIIT stands for High-Intensity Interval-Training, which involves a high-intensity exercise routine with a short rest period in between. These workouts help in increasing aerobic capacity and enhances muscle growth & overall fitness. This type of training came in trend in the survey of 2014 conducted by ACSM & has been around since then. Because of the ability to deliver results and a short time requirement, this will continue to trend in 2021. Another trend that became popular last year and will continue to rise in 2021 is strength training with free weights at home.
Focus on Mental Strength
Yoga & specific lifestyle changes becomes particularly important this year
The year 2020 has been a rollercoaster ride for everyone. And we are continuing to face many of the same challenges in 2021 too (with no end in sight). Hence, focusing on mental strength through meditation, Yoga & specific lifestyle changes becomes particularly important and will be a trend this year & become more popular as a mainstream fitness routine.
Smart Home Workout / Recovery Equipment
People who prefer to work out at home will opt for smart treadmills, smart bikes, and even smart boxing gear to stay fit. Many of these products often have the option to network among other users and provide the ability to have virtual group events such as group running and virtual competitions. Products like smart bedsheets & mattresses that help post-workout recovery are also trending in the market.
The Bottom-Line
We cannot assume that people will bounce back to their old fitness routines, even after everything is normal several months from now
2020 has permanently changed how people lead their lives, and fitness is certainly one area where we have seen significant shifts. With the closure of gyms & health clubs, people have found new ways of working out & staying fit within the proximity of their home.
We cannot assume that people will bounce back to their old fitness routines, even after everything is normal several months from now; therefore, these fitness trends that came to be as an adaptation to the pandemic are here to stay. So will other trends such as technology gadgets and equipment that will continue to evolve and stay relevant.
Stay at home, workout at home. Stay safe & stay healthy!
References
https://journals.lww.com/acsm-healthfitness/fulltext/2021/01000/worldwide_survey_of_fitness_trends_for_2021.6.aspx | https://www.verywellfit.com/the-top-fitness-and-wellness-trends-for-2021-5092433< | https://www.acefitness.org/education-and-resources/professional/expert-articles/7759/9-fitness-trends-to-look-for-in-2021/ | https://www.muscletech.com/training/fitness-trends-to-watch-in-2021/
