Many fitness trends have come and gone over the years. People in the fitness sector manipulated these trends to fit their objectives. Companies have shaped consumer beliefs about what is healthy.
However, social media and the internet now allow many people to discredit such companies. In 2020 we are seeing more fitness trends that indicate a drift in thought patterns.
Moreover, to stay fit and sane in times of coronavirus global pandemic, Americans have become innovative to find ways to exercise.
Quarantines and stay-at-home mandates have prompted temporary closures at many gym chains and fitness boutiques worldwide, so people are turning to new ways to get their blood pumping.
Let’s discuss some fitness trends that have emerged in 2020.
Group Fitness Sessions
Although group workout sessions are not a new trend, the year 2020 has seen them go to the next level. It is the social aspects of these group workout sessions that appeal consumers; especially the millennials and generation Z.
A groundbreaking research reveals that millennials and generation Z now make up 80% of health club members, therefore, it is no surprise that group training is so popular. 2020 is seeing the further evolution of this trend, with a range of new classes that members can explore.
Boutique fitness studios can have a global reach by offering online boutique fitness sessions that have their own advantages.
At-Home Fitness
Corona-virus global pandemic has forced gym owners around the world to shut the doors of their gym premise. Governments imposed lockdown to prevent the spread of the virus and people were confined to their homes for months. Therefore, fitness enthusiasts had to find alternative ways to stay fit during this period.
A survey that involved 2000 Americans reveals that going to a gym is becoming more and more obsolete due to the coronavirus pandemic. It seems that many fitness enthusiasts in America no longer feel the need of a gym membership to achieve their fitness goals. 64% of the respondents were more interested in at-home fitness options.
With everything from expert-led total-body workout applications to live-streamed classes, technology is likely to transform home workouts completely.
Tailor-made Fitness As A Result Of Artificial Intelligence (AI) And Genomics
AI and genomics are increasingly becoming important in the fitness industry. Sensors are available everywhere that collect data. Therefore, there would be sufficient data available for AI to work.
Each individual’s body is unique, and so there is no one solution fits all. AI has the ability to decide what works best for an individual based on particular parameters. The more data is given to an AI algorithm, the better and the more specific solution it can decide.
In this perspective, genomics would assist. Every individual has a unique genetic footprint that determines who they are, how they look, their traits and characteristics, their metabolism, absorption levels etc. It also determines, to some extent, our health and physical ability. Genomics also help in prevention of injuries and in exercising with minimum risk.
Holistic and Hybrid
Holistic and hybrid fitness is gaining popularity. Fitness has always been aimed on becoming physically fit. It is, however, more than just physical. Your mind, body, spirit, and soul are interconnected. Mental, emotional, and spiritual are dimensions that are more and more seen as equally important for your well-being and healthy.
Integration of mindfulness and meditation, energy management, food, sleep habits, and wellness are just some examples of how you can have a better lifestyle.
More forms of hybrid fitness are likely to develop as we move forward, such as a combination of Yoga with High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), mindfulness spinning or soul cycling, etc.
Growth in the Popularity of Fitness Applications
The popularity of home fitness apps has surged in the last few months because of the pandemic. A study finds that fitness apps grew by 50% during the first half of 2020.
Fitness apps offer many advantages. The power of AI allows them to personalize fitness programs for each user based on their data. Moreover, AI-based fitness trainers that come with many such applications teach you the right way to exercise so that your workout sessions are effective. AI-powered trainers can give tips of building strength and stamina and can also answer fitness related queries.
Wearables
Today, many wearables are dependent on popular smart assistants such as Alexa or Siri in Apple Watch.
Wearables allow trainers to measure the functional states of a client’s mechanical, neurological, metabolic, and psychological systems. By evaluation of any of the four categories on a regular basis, you can know when to push a person more.
Learning the language of wearable fitness technology can help you improve your clients’ training sessions. By collecting data, you can make decisions based on each client’s individual baseline, stress loads, and functional states.
The goal of training is to apply a stimulus so the body adapts and recovers and gets stronger and better. With more data to know when the stress loads put on the client are either excessive or not sufficient, you can make more informed decisions to assist them in training harder and recovering better.
Intuitive Eating
“Intuitive eating” became a buzzword of 2019. It complements the body-positive movement and encourages people to make food choices without feeling guilty or an ethnic dilemma. Long story short, the basics of intuitive eating are:
● Eating only when you are hungry and stopping when you are full.
● Not seeing food as “good” or “bad”.
● Not following any rules.
● Enjoying the food.
Intuitive eating leads backlash against diet culture, and is increasingly being known as “the anti-diet”. While the snacking sensation may seem like a fad, social media is giving momentum to this movement.
AI and Diet Planning
AI can change what we eat through data-based diet planning. Although AI-guided diets are still in the early stages, the technology is developing fast, and soon we could be testing software for personalized diet plans.
AI-based diet planning programs would depend on machine learning (ML) and data analytics to create the best meal plans for an individual’s specific digestive system. AI can analyze the user’s metabolism and digestive system to create the most effective meal plan for their needs.
Imagine how many lives a technology like this can potentially save by preventing diabetes, heart disease, obesity and many other conditions.
Gamification of Fitness
Games are for all ages. Gamification is the practice of introducing gaming elements, such as story plots, point systems, and sharing stats, into a task that exists in a non-game form. Gamifying your workouts means selecting gaming applications that allow you to play games while exercising.
You might compete against yourself or others in competitions to win money and other prizes; or simply accomplish goals — in a more fun way — set by you or a team you have joined.
In 2016, a game application called Pokémon Go, although not related to fitness, actually motivated people to walk more.
Fitness Platforms Becoming Increasingly important
Generation Z is the social media generation. They love to be part of the community and share. Sharing one’s fitness goals and journey with friends can bring encouragement and motivation from their side and can make it easier to remain steadfast in your fitness journey.
Wearables and trackers provide the ease of connecting and sharing with others.
Conclusion
We hope you find the trends shared above useful, especially if you are a part of the fitness industry. The post-pandemic world is likely to be different for those working in the fitness industry. It is important for you to prepare for the competition.
