2020 was a year unlike any other, with the COVID-19 pandemic forcing fitness facilities to temporarily close around the world. Clubs, trainers and exercisers had to pivot from their traditional fitness experiences and offerings to embracing distanced and virtual fitness and wellness experiences.
As we look ahead into 2021, a similar pattern is expected in terms of top worldwide fitness trends. Thanks to the American College of Sports Medicine’s annual global survey, we have insight into what fitness categories will be necessary to focus on throughout the year.
Let’s make 2021 a healthy and invigorating year! Use this list to make sure that your fitness facility is prepared to accommodate the changing times.
No. 1: Online training
Developed for at-home exercise, online training has grown exponentially over the past year, with no sign of slowing down. Online training can be done at any time, in nearby locations and through live-streaming or recordings. Many facilities and trainers have grown to provide online training within their offerings, as it provides a way to keep exercisers and clients connected and engaged.
No. 2 Wearable technology
A hot trend since 2016, wearable technology includes smart watches, fitness trackers, heart-rate monitors and GPS tracking devices. Used to record workouts, track heart rate, measure oxygen levels and monitor sleep, among a myriad of other options, wearable technology is estimated to be around a USD 100 billion industry.
No. 3: Bodyweight training
The pandemic has caused people to rethink their normal workout routines and to focus on how they can exercise in limited space and with limited props or equipment. With this style of training, exercisers use the weight of their body, plus movement, to build muscle. Examples of bodyweight exercises include squats, lunges, push-ups, burpees and dips.
No. 4: Outdoor activities
As clubs have closed around the world, people are seeking opportunities to explore outside, where they can maintain safe distances from others while enjoying fresh air. The pandemic has likely led to the increase in outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, walking, which carries into 2021 as a top trend.
No. 5: HIIT
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been in the ACSM’s top five fitness trends since 2014. HIIT exercise programmes include bursts of high-intensity exercise, followed by short periods of rest and recovery, making them ideal for completing efficient workouts in 30 minutes or less. HIIT incorporates cardio, strength training or a combination of the two.
No. 6: Virtual training
Separate from online training, virtual training usually consists of group training workouts that are displayed on large screens in gyms. This style of training tends to attract fewer exercisers than live workout classes, but it provides exercisers from a variety of fitness backgrounds the ability to participate in the workout at their own pace.
No. 7: Exercise is Medicine
Our seventh trend is a global initiative to encourage doctors and healthcare workers to assess patients’ physical activity and give recommendations as part of routine visits. Exercise is Medicine (EIM) has been growing in popularity over the past few years and aims to promote the notion that physical activity is linked to optimal health and can play a key role in the prevention and treatment of many medical conditions.
No. 8: Strength training with free weights
In its second year of top-eight status, strength training with free weights includes free weights, kettlebells, barbells, dumbbells and medicine balls. This style of training is specific to the instruction of proper exercise form. Once mastery is achieved with each exercise’s form, increased resistance and new exercises are added to build progressively.
As always at the start of a new year, we wish the best for fitness facilities, trainers and exercisers around the world, but particularly as we head into 2021.
Contact us if would like to talk about our cardio, strength or functional fitness portfolio. We look forward to partnering with you!
