Crossroads Fitness Blog

Crossroads Fitness Blog

Fitness Trends for 2016

December 15, 2015
Every year the American College of Sports Medicine creates a list of what’s hot in the fitness industry for the coming year.  As with any business, trends are designed by the people who use the products and services.  What’s great about the fitness industry is that it not only gives new ideas on staying healthy and fit, but also adds a little variety that we can all incorporate into our lives.
 
A little history about fitness trends – they become an evolution.  Some ideas that are a century old have come back because the basic principals were good ideas the first time.  As we all know, the human body is still created the same.   Although, technology, physiology and education have grown by leaps and bounds, the basic need for movement has not changed.
 
Keep in mind the differences between a fitness fad and a fitness trend.  A trend is “a general development or change in a situation or in the way that people are behaving, whereas a fad is a fashion that is taken up with great enthusiasm for a brief period.” according the ACSM.  Remember the Thigh-Master®?  This is a great example of a fitness fad.  (I think I have one of those in the basement somewhere.)
 
Let’s get on with the results.  The fitness trends for 2016? Drum roll, please.  The number one trend is Wearable Technology.  This includes devices such as fitness bands, heart rate monitors and GPS Trackers.  The newest wearable technology is the smart watch.  The reason these have taken the fitness world by storm, is that they provide immediate feedback.  This form of recording activity helps the user become more aware of their current fitness level and can help to motivate them to achieve their own fitness goals.    Another reason for being rated number one is in the fact that it can be worn by anyone at any fitness level. 
 
Body Weight Training came in at number two on the list, dropping from its number one spot last year.  Speaking of evolution, the basic principal is not new.  Using our own body-weight to create an effective workout goes back to the basics.  Think of the familiar exercises such as push-ups, lunges and squats and you are thinking about body weight training.   These types of exercises require little to no equipment and can be incorporated into many different types of workouts.   
 
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is ranked third.  This type of workout involves short bursts of exercise followed by a short period of recovery.  HIIT Training provides a dynamic workout with many health benefits and is performed in a short session, usually less than 30 minutes.  
 
 The next four fitness trends involve a personal trainer and / or strength training.  Hiring a certified personal trainer or other experienced fitness professional is on the rise.   Strength training is one of the main components of a fitness program.  The others are cardio and flexibility.  By working out with a trainer, you get not only the benefits of strength training, but an educated coach that is preparing a workout program to fit you and your needs, personally.  Functional fitness is also a trend that uses strength training and emphases balance and the movements required for daily living.
 
Other areas that made top spots for 2016 include weight loss, Yoga, and age appropriate fitness for older adults.
 
This list gives you the knowledge of what’s available to you.  Whether you are looking for a fitness facility or just getting starting in your fitness journey, it provides you options.  The number one goal of providing this information is for you to keep moving.  Whether it is a fitness fad, a studied trend or something new, finding fitness that you enjoy is the key.  
Posted by Paula Reece
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