Health, diet, fitness, life

If you’re looking for a way to change up your fitness routine this year, then look no further. The top fitness trends for the new year are in and they look like tons of fun! Keep reading to find out what’s popular and what’s new on the market. These trends won’t just increase physical fitness, but will address your holistic health too, from promoting mind body connection, to recovery, to social engagement.

1.   Outdoor Fitness

Outdoor workouts offer a refreshing alternative to traditional gym routines, providing a connection with nature that can enhance overall wellbeing. The increased flexibility and accessibility of outdoor spaces also make working out outdoors an easy activity to engage in, no matter your budget or location.

This fitness trend is propelled by our increasing desired for a holistic approach to health which incorporates both physical and mental well-being. Outdoor workouts are the perfect solution since nature has been shown to have positive effects on mental health. As we continue to prioritize a balanced and active lifestyle, the appeal of outdoor workouts will only grow in popularity throughout the year.

In the summer it’s easy to go running in the park, cycling along the river, or participate in one of many outdoor fitness classes and bootcamps. Although the winter can make outdoor workouts a little more challenging, there are still plenty of opportunities available! Grab a friend and try one of these ideas:

• Outdoor Skating
• Cross Country Skiing
• Snow Shoeing
• Walking or Hiking

2. Martial Arts Workouts

These workouts offer a dynamic and engaging alternative to the gym, combining cardiovascular training with strength and mobility exercises. The high-intensity nature of martial arts not only burns calories efficiently but also promotes skill development and cognitive engagement.

There is also a satisfying element of stress relief that comes with punching and kicking in a controlled environment. As more people seek diverse and enjoyable fitness options, the combination of physical challenge, mental focus, and stress reduction gives martial arts workouts an edge in the fitness market.

If you are interested in trying one of these workouts, our partner Rumble Boxing has 4 locations in Calgary and offers your first class for free! Give it a try and we know you’ll be hooked.

3. Integration of Tech into Fitness

The integration of technology with the fitness experience is not a new concept, but a phenomenon that will continue to grow with more advances in the coming year. Expect advances in wearable technology from smart watches, to smart shoes, and even smart socks. Wearable technology will continue to incorporate AI to help provide more personalized data and recommendations to help improve your health and fitness.

The gamification of fitness is also set to become even more popular this year with new apps and platforms popping up that make it possible for you to compete against friends and track your fitness progress in a fun online environment.

These platforms offer rewards, badges and leaderboards to help make fitness fun and often sync with your wearable device to track your heart rate, steps and movement throughout the day. For example, the Playfitt app allows you to track your daily fitness goals in bursts as small as 2 minutes and collect coins which you can cash in for real world gift cards!

4. Mind-Body Connection

Amidst our fast-paced lives, many people are seeking to engage in fitness activities that combine both physical exertion with a mindfulness practice. Yoga and Tai-Chi, for example, integrate breath work, movement, and meditation to provide a unique workout. The combination of strength-based movements along with work on mobility and flexibility also make these activities appealing and help to promote well-rounded fitness.

The benefits of these workouts align with a growing awareness of the interconnectedness of physical and mental health, making yoga and other movement meditations a compelling and enduring fitness trend for the year ahead. This trend has also combined with technology to offer many apps, online courses and videos which allow accessibility of mind-body workouts at home and on the go.

5. Recovery Focus

The past few years have seen many trends and innovations in recovery activities from ice baths to infrared saunas, to massage therapy, and many others. This coming year will likely see this trend continue as more people get interested in fitness, longevity and holistic health.

At-home recovery technologies such as personal massage guns, sauna blankets, and electric muscle stimulators will increase in popularity with new products coming onto the market to drive prices down. The cost of professional services such as massage and physiotherapy can often be prohibitive. Thus, at-home options provide a more budget-friendly approach to recovery that can be used by everyone in the family.

Conclusion

Although the first month of the year has passed, it’s never too late to start a new fitness habit. We hope these trends have inspired you to get moving this year and to explore the emerging technologies and activities that will be taking centre stage. Overall, the trends show an emphasis on whole-body wellness, prioritizing both physical and mental health, with the use of new technologies to help us get there. Outdoor workouts, martial arts and activities that promote mind-body connections will grow in popularity as we seek new ways to stay fit and reduce stress this year.