The fitness and wellness realm constantly changes – while the human anatomy and biomechanics side of things is essentially a solid foundation for movement, the avenues that we can take to reach our health goals vary almost daily. From virtual workouts and personal training to HIIT and sandbag training, the possibilities are nearly endless for how you can up your fitness game!
As we’re nearing 2022 and the approach of the new year, this sentiment is no different. In fact, this coming year might even bring some new fitness trends that you might not have even thought about. With that being said, there are some upcoming trends that you may know of (or even currently participate in)….and if that’s the case – and it’s working for you and your fitness routine – then keep on at it!
Let’s take a look at some of the top fitness trends predicted by experts to be the hottest topics in the industry in 2022!
Virtual Training
While the global events over the last year have changed dynamics within a gym setting, there’s also a positive – and that is interactive workouts from the comfort of your own home. Granted, fitness equipment like treadmills and bikes have been around for a long time – that’s nothing new.
However, you can now find fitness equipment that can interact virtually with you. Everything from monitoring form and changing resistance levels to engaging with a like-minded community of people and working one-on-one with a virtual trainer. Even fitness equipment such as the ProForm Vue (a fantastic home gym experience that lets you stream classes and check your form, all from a sleek mirror-like piece of equipment) ups the ante within the health and wellness realm, allowing you to get a full-body workout in. All from the comfort of your living room.
Mobility and Flexibility
If you don’t think your mobility and flexibility impact your workout performance, think again. Especially with a large majority of people that have worked from home lately, the importance of incorporating some beneficial lower impact work to the body is imperative.
But what is the difference between the two? Mobility is essentially improving how your body moves at the joints, while flexibility involves lengthening the muscles. Both of these fitness foundations combine to improve your overall functionality, making day-to-day activities easier and increasing physical performance. All while hopefully decreasing aches and pains along the way. You can incorporate mobility and flexibility into your workouts (think yoga, Pilates, etc.) and begin to notice a difference in your movement pretty quickly.
Fitness Trackers
Yet another trend that has been around for a bit, fitness trackers are getting a revamp come 2022. If you want to be alerted for an irregular heartbeat, track your sleep each night, take quick breaks during the day for breathing and mindfulness, and even check your overall respiratory rate, then a fitness tracker is perfect.
While not everyone needs or wants a tracker, the health markers they can identify can undoubtedly be helpful for those who are typically not used to seeing their movement. For example, if you think you walk enough during the day, but your tracker only records 1500 steps….it might be time to strap on those sneakers and hit the pavement! Calories and exercise heart rate have been the norm for most trackers up till this point. Still, now that there are even more variables that can be observed, you’ll start to notice that some of the fitness trackers coming out give you all sorts of information – and even allow you to text or check your work email, all from the watch on your wrist!
While these are only 3 of the up-and-coming fitness trends for 2022, there are plenty more out there….we’ll have to wait and see what all the new year brings, but it promises some new and exciting ways to stay on track with your health and wellness!
