2015’s Biggest Health and Fitness Trends

A new survey reveals what fitness fans can expect come 2015. But are these trends here to stay? We had two experts weigh in on the future of fitness.
[contentblock id=1 img=adsense.png]
2014 has been the year of all things high intensity. And rightfully so, in our fast-paced culture of multitasking, HIIT workouts (high intensity interval training) enable fitness fiends to squeeze in that sweat sesh before a morning meeting and or your Sunday night date with The Newsroom. The big question: What will 2015 bring? Well, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has released their annual survey of thousands of health and fitness professionals’ predictions for what’s next for fitness. The No. 1 trend for the coming year? Body weight training.

[contentblock id=2 img=adsense.png]
Body Weight Training

Not only is body weight training a more affordable means of exercise given the minimal equipment needed, but it also allows people to get back to the basics of fitness. “Getting back to basics can be a very effective way to combine cardio and strength training,” shares Joey Gonzalez, master trainer and partner at Barry’s Bootcamp. “Every trend seems to come full-circle eventually, so I’m not surprised that one of the most reliable exercise methods is predicted to be huge for the next year.”

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

Like we said, quick workouts, maximum results. “This is not surprising to me, since we live in a world where time seems to be our most precious commodity,” says Jenn Seracuse, Director of Pilates at FLEX Studios. “HIIT training is a great way to maximize burn (both caloric and muscle) and minimize time.” She adds that it also answers the age old excuse of “I don’t have time to exercise.”

Educated and Experienced Fitness Professionals

“I love seeing this so high on the list!,” shares Seracuse. “With the growth and increasing popularity of the fitness industry, it is so important that we don’t lose sight of what’s important. All trainers and instructors should be certified and well educated in their field. It’s not enough to just look the part. If you are going to coach/lead/train/teach others, you must have the education and experience to back it up.”

[contentblock id=3 img=gcb.png]

Strength Training

Gonzalez says that strength training produces after-burn, which leads to faster metabolism and increased weight loss. “At Barry’s, we encourage guests to not shy away from heavier weights. There has long been a stigma that heavy weights will make you bulky, especially for women,” he says. “However, the heavier the weight the more calories you’ll burn during a strength training session.”

Personal Training

Survey results show a rising number of students are majoring in kinesiology, indicating that they are preparing themselves for careers in allied health fields such as personal training. According to Gonzalez, personal training may have taken a backseat to group classes in the last few years due to the personalized nature of the group workouts offered at boutique fitness studios. While the one-on-one attention is beneficial to the client, there’s something motivational and inspiring about the energy in a group class that I think people will continue to appreciate in the New Year, he shares.

Yoga

“With so many different kinds of yoga practices out there, it seems right on point that the yoga craze would resurface in the New Year,” says Gonzalez. “Since the HIIT trend was so prevalent in previous years, people are hooked on high-intensity and looking for a way to unwind and continue to move in some way on their rest days.”

Fitness Programs for Older Adults

Survey results show that more health and fitness professionals are creating age-appropriate fitness programs to keep older adults active and healthy. “As we age, our mental and emotional desire to stay active and fit may not change, but you can bet that our bodies will,” says Gonzalez. “I would imagine that there is a huge market for age-appropriate fitness programs, as the baby boomer generation is slipping into their retirement stage.”

Functional Fitness

This trend looks to use strength training to improve balance and ease of daily living. “Exercise doesn’t have to be just about burning calories — it is about setting the body up to function as healthfully as possible in day to day life to avoid injury and pain,” says Seracuse.

Group Personal Training

A great way to curb the costs of a personalized experience, group personal training can serve as a fun and motivational activity to do with your friends. “Enlisting a personal trainer for a group of your pals helps you remain even more accountable than you would be if you were training one-on-one,” suggests Gonzalez.

Source: fitbie