THE TOP 15 TOP FITNESS TRENDS FOR 2021
Happy New Year! Happy 2021!
The most popular fitness trends change every year as you can see comparing this survey with last year’s post The Top 14 Fitness Trends for 2020 and the posts two years ago The Top 12 Fitness Trends for 2019 and three years ago The Top 10 Fitness Trends for 2018.
However, the year 2020 was the most memorable in many of our lives including those in the fitness industry. The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic changed everything. Many health clubs are closed, or at the very best restructuring their services.
Here are excerpts from the new 15th annual survey from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) published in its Health & Fitness Journal, Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2021. For the survey, the authors identified 41 possible fitness trends for 2021 and received responses from more than 4,300 fitness professionals who ranked them on a 10-point scale, with 10 meaning it was most likely to be a trend this year.
Here’s what you should know about the 15 fitness trends you’ll see this year.
1. Online training.
Virtual online training was first introduced on the annual survey in 2019 and debuted at no. 3 before dropping to no. 26 in 2020 when the “virtual” was dropped from the title in favor of the more specific online training. The big changes within the health fitness industry as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the temporary closure of clubs around the world forcing innovative delivery of classes. The challenges of engaging clients at a distance resulted in the use of some very strategic delivery systems. Online training was developed for the at-home exercise experience. This trend uses digital streaming technology to deliver group, individual, or instructional exercise programs online. Online training is available 24/7 and can be a live class (live streaming workouts) or prerecorded.
2. Wearable technology.
Wearable technology was the no. 1 trend since it was first introduced on the survey in 2016 (the only exception was a drop to no. 3 in 2018) and includes fitness trackers, smart watches, heart rate monitors, and GPS tracking devices. Examples include fitness and activity trackers like those manufactured by Fitbit®, Samsung Gear Fit2®, Misfit®, Garmin®, and Apple®. These devices can be used as a step counter and can track heart rate, body temperature, calories, sitting time, sleep time, and much more. Initially, there was some question of accuracy, but these issues have seemed to be resolved well enough that it has been estimated to be about a U.S. $100 billion industry. New innovations include blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and electrocardiogram.
3. Body weight training.
Body weight training did not appear as a survey trend option before 2013 because it only became popular (as a defined trend) in gyms around the world within the last decade. Using a combination of variable resistance body weight training and neuromotor movements using multiple planes of movement, this program is all about using body weight as the training modality. Body weight training uses minimal equipment, which makes it an inexpensive way to exercise effectively.
4. Outdoor activities.
Perhaps because of the COVID-19 pandemic, more outdoor activities such as small group walks, group rides, or organized hiking groups have become popular. They can be short events, daylong events, or planned weeklong hiking excursions. Participants can meet in a local park, hiking area, or on a bike trail typically with a designated leader..
5. HIIT.
Although a part of the survey as a possible trend before 2013 but not making the top 20, HIIT was no. 1 in the survey in 2014 and 2018 (dropped to no. 3 in 2016 and 2017) and has been in the top five between 2014 and 2020. For 2021, HIIT drops to no. 5. These exercise programs typically involve short bursts of high-intensity bouts of exercise followed by a short period of rest. Although there are several commercial club examples of HIIT, all emphasize higher intensities (above 90%) of maximum during the increased intensity segments followed by periods of rest and recovery. Despite warnings by some fitness professionals of potentially increased injury rates using HIIT, this form of exercise has been popular in gyms all over the world.
6. Virtual training.
This is the first time that virtual training has appeared separately from virtual online training. For the purpose of the survey, virtual training was defined as the fusion of group exercise with technology offering workouts designed for ease and convenience to suit schedules and needs. Typically, virtual workouts are played in gyms on the big screen attracting smaller number of clients compared with live classes while providing clients of all levels and ages with a different group fitness experience. Virtual classes are often a gateway for live group fitness classes..
7. Exercise is medicine.
Exercise is medicine (EIM) is a global health initiative that focuses on encouraging primary care physicians and other health care providers to include physical activity assessment and associated treatment recommendations as part of every patient visit and referring their patients to exercise professionals. In addition, EIM recognizes fitness professionals as part of the health care team in their local communities..
8. Strength training with free weights.
Previous surveys included a category described as “strength training.” Determined to be too broad a category, strength training was dropped in 2020 in favor of the more specific free weight training. Free weights, barbells, kettlebells, dumbbells, and medicine ball classes do not just incorporate barbells into another functional class or activity. Instructors start by teaching proper form for each exercise and then progressively increase the resistance once the correct form is accomplished. A new exercise is added periodically, and those begin at the form or movement level.
9. Fitness programs for older adults.
This trend is making a return after being in the top 10 since 2007 (when it was the no. 2 trend). This trend continues to stress the fitness needs of the Baby Boom and older generations. These individuals in general have more discretionary money than their younger counterparts, and fitness clubs may be able to capitalize on this growing market. People are living longer, working longer, and remaining healthy and active well into their retirement from work.
10. Personal training.
One-on-one training continues to be a strong trend as the profession of personal training becomes more accessible online, in health clubs, in the home, and in worksites that have fitness facilities. Personal training includes fitness testing and goal setting with the trainer working one-on-one with a client to prescribe workouts specific to their individual needs and goals.
11. Health/wellness coaching.
Previous surveys included wellness coaching but for the 2019 survey, the term “health” was added, which better describes this trend.. This is a trend that integrates behavioral science into health promotion and lifestyle medicine programs. Health/wellness coaching uses a one-on-one (and at times small group) approach with the coach providing support, goal setting, guidance, and encouragement. The health/wellness coach focuses on the client’s values, needs, vision, and short- and long-term goals using behavior change intervention strategies.
12. Mobile exercise apps.
Now available for mobile devices, apps like MapMyRun®, Fitness Buddy®, JEFIT Workout Planner®, Runkeeper®, MyFitnessPal®, Runtastic®, and Nike Training Club® include both audio and visual prompts to begin and end exercise and cues to move on. Some of these apps can track progress over time as well as hundreds of other functionalities. These apps are available for mobile devices such as the iWatch® iPhone®, iPad®, and Android devices.
13. 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 is fast becoming a trend. More certification programs have become accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, allowing employers easy access to certification validation through the United States Registry of Exercise Professionals. .
14. Functional fitness training.
Replicating actual physical activities someone might do as a function of their daily routine, functional fitness first appeared on the survey in 2007. This is a trend toward using strength training to improve balance, coordination, muscular strength, and endurance to improve activities of daily living typically for older adults and also in clinical populations.
15. Yoga.
Yoga has taken on a variety of forms in the past (including Power Yoga, Flow Yoga, Yogilates, Hot Yoga, Rocket Yoga, and many others) as well as on-demand videos and books.