Top Trends Dominating the Fitness Market

"You can't change what you don't measure." and it's never been easier to measure success than today (through wearable tech)! (Photo Courtesy of Charly Caldwell II)

If you own a Fitbit, Apple Watch or another kind of wearable technology to track your fitness, you’re already following the number-one predicted fitness trend for the next decade - wearable technology. 

Wearable tech has topped the list 4 times in the last 5 years and we don’t expect it to be slowing down any time soon!

More people than ever are wearing 'wearable technology' to track their daily steps, calories burnt and time spent sitting vs standing —

All with the goal to be their best, healthiest self! (YES!)

The recently published fitness trends survey, now in its 16^th year, surveys more than 3,000 health and fitness professionals worldwide, and was designed to reveal trends in various fitness environments. 36 potential trends were given as choices, and the top 20 were ranked and published by The American College of Sport Medicine (ACSM).

ACSM’s top 10 fitness trends:

1. Wearable Technology: includes activity trackers, smart watches, heart rate monitors and GPS tracking devices.
2. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): HIIT, which involves short bursts of activity followed by a short period of rest or recovery, these exercise programs are usually performed in less than 30 minutes.
3. Group Training: Group exercise instructors teach, lead and motivate individuals through intentionally designed group exercise classes. Group programs are designed to be motivational and effective for people at different fitness levels,
4. Training with free weights: previously described as “strength training” this category changed titles to be more specific, now referring to exercises using free weights, barbells, kettlebells and medicine balls. 
5. Personal Training: Personal training includes fitness testing and goal setting with the trainer working one on one with a client to prescribe workouts specific to clients’ individual needs and goals. This includes online, in fitness facilities, in the home, and in worksites that have fitness facilities.
6. 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.
7. Body Weight Training: Body weight training uses minimal equipment making it more affordable. Not limited to just push-ups and pull-ups, this trend allows people to get “back to basics” with fitness.
8. Fitness programs for older adults: People are living longer, working longer, and remaining healthy and active much longer, so the trend of fitness programs for older adults is becoming more and more prevalent.
9. Health/wellness coaching: A one-on-one or small group approach, in which the values, needs, goals and visions are focused on by the coach to provide support, guidance and behavior changing intervention strategies.
10. Employing certified fitness professionals: the importance of hiring certified health fitness professionals through educational programs and certification programs that are fully accredited for health fitness professionals.

Angie Ferguson is an exercise physiologist and Tony Robbins Results Coach from Fort Myers, Florida. She also is a Corrective Biomechanics Specialist, USA Triathlon Advanced Level 2 coach, USA Cycling coach, has a Specialty in Sports Nutrition certification, and a PhD in results!  

If you're looking for continual support, direction, guidance & accountability join Angie's Monthly Program here, and we'll help you look, feel and be your very best!