When temperatures start to drop, it can be a workout in itself just to gain the energy to hit the gym. Look towards these health and wellness trends for an added dose of inspiration. If you’ve been curious about what’s on the horizon for the health and fitness industry, no worries, we’ve got things covered!

According to the American College of Sports Medicine, here are some of the leading health and wellness trends as we embark on a new year. For thirteen years, the editors of ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal have conducted this survey to find out some of the biggest fitness developments for exercise professionals and enthusiasts alike.

Wearable Technology and Apps

Fitness gadgets and sleek tech never truly goes out of style. According to the survey, be on the lookout for an increase in wearable technology. If you’re an avid gym goer, this one will certainly come as no surprise, as fitness trackers are all too commonplace. Whether you’ve got a Fitbit, an Apple Watch or a similar Samsung device, Bluetooth enabled tech is definitely on the rise. Other popular fitness technology includes monitors to gauge heart rate and GPS tracking devices, which work well for keeping track of running programs. Exercise technology and wearable devices are no stranger to this survey, as this was also the leading trend in 2016 and 2017, but later dropped to #3 for the survey from 2018. In addition to wearable tech, smartphone apps like the Nike Run Club® and MapMyRun were also ranked as a leading trend. Many fitness apps include training programs that are simple and easy to follow.

Group Exercise Training

When it comes to exercise and working out, everyone has their own style and personal preferences. While doing things solo can work for some, group fitness is actually a big trend for this upcoming year. For this survey, group exercise classes were defined as fitness classes led by a certified instructor, including at least five participants. Working out in a group can help you stay motivated, and with a wide variety of classes to choose from, group fitness can also keep your workout routine from feeling stale.

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High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

These days, most of us thrive in a fast-paced lifestyle, and it should come as no surprise that our workouts should reflect this change as well. As we recently reported, High-Intensity Interval Training is an effective way to decrease fat. With HIIT programming, participants will typically blast through high-intensity bouts of exercise and then take a short rest. High-Intensity Interval Training is a popular form of exercise, with gyms like LifeTime Athletic recently unveiling a new FIRE class—-a combination of HIIT and Yoga.

Bodyweight Training, Yoga, and Functional Fitness

Results from this survey also revealed a significant rise in bodyweight training, yoga and functional fitness training. For those who feel iffy about tackling complicated machines, bodyweight training is the perfect solution. Instead of using a variety of different equipment, bodyweight exercises can be simply performed at home, making it an easy option for those with an on-the-go lifestyle.

It should come as no surprise that yoga is still a popular fitness trend. In recent years, the fitness industry has seen a rise in new variations of yoga classes, including hot yoga, or combining a yoga class format with other workout trends—HIIT, pilates, etc. Functional fitness training might sound like a mouthful, but more often than not, you might already know a lot about these types of exercises already. The mission of functional fitness training is to improve overall activities of daily living, which includes exercises to replicate everyday tasks. Functional fitness training helps individuals with strength training to help with balance, endurance, and coordination.

While these were some of the major health and wellness trends reported, other notable trends include the rise of personal training. Whether you’ve tried working out with a trainer before or not, there are more options available, and they go beyond the confines of a gym. Nowadays, personal training can be accessed online, with mediums such as Skype or other video chatting options. Certain work environments also encourage a healthy lifestyle, and some settings have also seen an increase in corporate wellness programs. Using myofascial devices, like deep tissue rollers and trigger point equipment, are also becoming more popular for the upcoming year.

For some, 2019 also means hitting the outdoors. Whether you plan to organize a day hike with friends or take on the sights for several days, outdoor activities are becoming more widespread. For the full list of health and wellness trends, be sure to check out the entire rundown here.

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