The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) surveyed approximately 4000 fitness professionals, and the results will shock you. On the contrary of the risks involved with High-intensity interval training imagine it topping the list.
This being the 12th year of the survey, it has exceedingly done well by expanding the survey range of participants that is double plus a few more respondents as compared to last year’s data. This new record is essential since the survey aids in the making of crucial business decisions and setting up of health programs in the fitness industry.
Below is a well-outlined list of top 5 fitness trends of 2018 starting off with High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). Ever since from 2014, HIIT has been on the top 3 as one of the great workouts in gyms all around the world.
The list also features group session workouts like the group exercises which is surprisingly second while strength training; which no one would expect is number 5 on the list.
1. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
HIIT includes doing short exercises on a more intense rhythm then rest for a short period to recover and go back at it again or prelude to another intense activity.
The key point is to work hard to make sure you are sweating, and your heart is beating fast (intensity) then give yourself a break after a set period (intervals). It is like its name says it all its about. Although this particular procedure is scheduled to no more than 30mins, it is still okay if one wishes to push themselves further and are sure they can handle it.
Many warnings have been made clear that come with HIIT, even after the many respondents have been alerted to the fatal dangers, they have still been impressed with its brilliant results. However, some get bored with its interval process and go looking for other programs while others are fearful of the potential risky injuries they can be prone to. Nonetheless, the more you overdo this workout, the high the chances of injuring yourself.
2. Group exercise
Group training requires a skilled instructor equipped with leadership techniques to lead, motivate and teach a group of trainees (preferably more than five people or else it will be personal training).
Every group training session has a program by the group’s fitness level. Every group has fitness goals that the trainers aid their group members to achieve.
Also, a gym can have more than one group training depending on the number of skilled instructors, equipment, and space in the facility. Aerobics and dance classes can be incorporated into the group training as a form of exercise.
3. Measuring your body
During workouts, it is essential to measure your body to know if you are improving or not.
This body monitoring process will also help you to establish your limits, and these boundaries will also govern you not to push your limits to avoid hurting yourself.
Wearable technology can help to measure your body during actual work out sessions. The wearable technologies include:
- Smartwatches
- Heart rate monitors
- GPS tracking devices
- Smart eyeglasses (show maps and activities of the track)
4. Body weight training
No pain no gain right? Body weight training is more of no pain no loss sort of thing.
Before 2013, Bodyweight training was no-where to be seen on the top charts of the survey, but later during that year, it ranked the 3rd best fitness trend and subsequently was the 2nd on 2017.
Unlike how most people think, bodyweight training does not necessarily mean doing pull-ups and push-ups all the time. Squats and the use of rollers are other bodyweight training exercises that are featured in this program.
5. Strength training
This is the kind of training that most coherently admire to engage in but fail to keep up.
Among the sectors pertaining health and fitness, strength training has been averagely the most popular one accommodating various kinds of clients from all over the world.
The survey shows that not everyone who lifts weights is looking to look big with huge muscles, some just want to maintain and improve their strength.
There are also innovative and contemporary health programs that prescribe strength training as a form of their whole exercise routine for their clients.
