The global pandemic completely revolutionized the fitness industry, as gyms and fitness trainers quickly had to adapt to online workout routines. So, will this year look any different?
To accurately look forward, you should start by looking back. The year 2020 (or should we say COVID year?) was one filled with uncertainty and unavailability, two things that put a dent in your fitness dreams. With gyms and fitness centers closed and livelihoods at risk, health took a backseat.
“The shutdowns and challenges the fitness industry has endured in 2020 have paved the way for large-scale technology disruptors and major evolutions in fitness offerings,” Australian Institute of Fitness (AIF) CEO, Steve Pettit said. “Necessity is the mother of invention, and as we’ve seen our social needs change, fitness professionals and consumers alike have embraced new fitness technologies and training models, and reconsidered the role that fitness plays in the broader health and everyday lives.”
The future of fitness
For all those who want to keep their motivation high in 2021, these are the fitness trends that will shape this year.
Wearable technology
“Gadgets are getting smarter and smarter, and that means our workouts can too!”
By far the biggest advancement we’re expecting to see this year is the rise of wearable technology in the fitness world. Wearable data is increasingly being used as a valuable tool to shape and track fitness, health, and wellness progress. Fitness trackers have become essential items for those conscious about health, providing a lot more detail and insights than just counting the user’s steps and calories. It’s predicted that by 2022 over 900 million people will wear wearable techs and by 2025, the industry is expected to be worth over $70 billion.
High-Intensity Interval Training
“In 2020, HIIT came in at number two on ACSM’s (American College of Sports Medicine) Health and Fitness Journal Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends.”
You’re probably thinking how can high-intensity interval training still be a trend? And this thought comes in every year. But, looks like the buzz of HIIT isn’t going anywhere. It looks like HIIT remains to be one of the top ways to work out. HIIT workouts are a great way to burn a lot of calories through a combination of active bursts and a short period of rest in the shortest time possible. This makes it ideal for those who are busy and lacking free time. Popular HIIT workouts include a combination of cardio, bodyweight exercises, and free weights. Also, these workouts don’t require much space either and can be done anywhere, anytime. There are so many easy and effective 10-minute HIIT workouts.
Virtual training
“Online Fitness Market size surpassed USD 5 billion in 2019 and is poised to grow at a CAGR of over 30% from 2020 to 2026.”
Online fitness is booming! When gyms and fitness centers were shuttered, fitness enthusiasts find a new way to sweat in: virtual fitness training. There were challenges on both sides, but with time both trainers and fitness enthusiasts coped up with it. Now that there is a return of face-to-face contact, but it is likely to be a slow and steady approach, making virtual training main a massive component of health this year too.
Mind and body training
“Fitness Australia listed “exercise for stress management” as one of its top 10 trends for 2020.”
Ever since the pandemic hit our lives, people learned the importance of both physical and mental health. Exercise and what it brought to our mental health was something we all were taking granted for, and we only stood its importance when the privilege of exercising anywhere was taken away from us.
Now people have become interested in combining exercise and mental relaxation to relieve stress. Fitness enthusiasts are looking for ways to focus on physical and mental well-being in unison rather than them as two separate activities.
“Thus, yoga, pilates, and other mind-body activities are gaining popularity and expected to become a $66 billion industry by 2027.”
Note: This figure includes in-person and virtual classes, equipment, and apparel.
If you are looking for ways to focus on your health, there are some of the best yoga apps to try out while working from home.
Home gyms
“The treadmill and stationary bike company Peloton experienced a 232% increase in sales during the first quarter of 2020.”
Gyms and fitness studios’ closures during the pandemic led to a surge in sales of high-end workout equipment. Fitness enthusiasts spent more gym equipment to not miss out on their earlier gym routines. At-home fitness technologies and equipment will continue to offer innovative ways for people to exercise from the comfort of their living rooms.
Summing up
It is true to say that it was the prospect of a nationwide lockdown that enabled people to value the importance of fitness.
With ever-changing technology, the fitness industry is expected to keep up with the times and provide a more personalized approach to health and fitness. From virtual training to at-home workouts and health monitoring techs, 2021 promises to make fitness more accessible and enjoyable for all.