2019’s Big Workout Trends

2019’s Big Workout Trends

By Eveline Canape, B.Sc. Physical Education

Vice-President of Énergie Cardio

Every year, for past 13 years, the American College of Sports Medicine interviews thousands of experts on the major upcoming health and fitness trends. For the 2019 survey, more than 2,000 personal trainers, sports medicine professionals, and academics from around the world made their predictions. Here’s a quick look at the top five trends.

Trend No. 1: Activity monitors and training technology

Portable technology, which includes gadgets such as FitBits, activity trackers, smart watches, and heart rate monitors, crowns this year’s list. This technology has the advantage of allowing you to record your performance, monitor your progress, plan your sessions, and react in real time during your training. Although it does not replace human trainers, it can act as a fantastic complement to your training plan by providing them with data about you, allowing them to adjust your training as you progress.

Trend No. 2: Group classes

Coming in second is group classes. Many people love this highly social type of training, given in groups of 10 to 50 or even 60 participants and led by specialized, certified instructors. Don’t worry: group classes aren’t exclusively aerobic dance. If you still have doubts, you clearly haven’t set foot in a group class in the last 15 years! The reason this type of training is still at the top of the list is because, over the years, group class specialists have developed a variety of programs, from cycling, weight training, and yoga to martial arts, Latin dance, combat sports, and more! They’re all offered in 30-, 45-, and 60-minute sessions. I make the same recommendation every year: try as many different classes as possible to find the best fit and the best motivator for you. You’re sure to find one that you love!

Trend No. 3: High-intensity interval training

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) generally involves short periods of high-intensity exercise followed by a brief rest period. This type of training has been clearly proven to help you burn fat, increase your VO₂ max, and improve control of blood-sugar levels. To start, I recommend that you work with a trainer to ensure proper movement execution and optimize your results.

Trend No. 4: Fitness programs for the elderly

New to the top-five trends, fitness programs for the elderly are poised to steal the show! In today’s society, staying fit is not only a concern for the young. Several studies have shown that regular exercise can reduce the risk of developing many problems related to aging, such as cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, and dementia. Strength training also reduces the risk of age-related muscle and bone degeneration, improves balance, and reduces the risk of falling. A longer life expectancy, a desire to stay active longer, and more disposable income are all considered contributing factors to this upward trend.

Trend No. 5: Bodyweight training

This type of training uses your own body as resistance when doing exercises like push-ups, pull-ups, and squats. These exercises have the advantage of being easy to perform, and you don’t need to go to a gym or use special weights or equipment. Bodyweight training is a good way to stay fit between gym workouts and will help you develop a more complete training regimen. You can also push your training to the next level by using some gym equipment. You’ve probably seen private trainers use this technique in your gym’s TRX training zone (body traction exercises using suspension straps or traction bars). This type of training engages several different muscles, providing a complete body workout, and improves your gains, posture, and balance. One great advantage of bodyweight training is that it burns a lot of calories by continuously engaging major muscles.

As a bonus, here are five additional trends that have remained in our top 20 for the past few years:

• Trend No. 6: Hiring certified fitness professionals
  • People are increasingly aware that the best way to get the most out of their training sessions and reach their goals efficiently is to work with a professional trainer. And you don’t need to be a celebrity to get one!

• Trend No. 7: Yoga
  • In addition to the physical benefits of yoga, its spiritual and meditative nature can help relieve stress, boost sleep quality, and improve mental health. Namaste.

• Trend No. 8: Personal training
  • We sign our children up for ballet classes, piano lessons, and figure skating lessons to give them the best chances of success; but adults need the same support to better themselves and stay motivated!

• Trend No. 9: Functional physical training
  • Functional physical training includes exercises and movements designed to emulate and improve those used in your daily life. Although it may seem simple at first, I recommend that you start off with a private trainer so that you learn the proper techniques and avoid injury.

• Trend No. 10: Exercise is medicine
  • Finally in the top 10 (hurray!). What if there was a drug that could prevent and treat dozens of diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and depression? Would you prescribe it to your patients? “Of course!” say those behind the “Exercise is Medicine” program, a global initiative that encourages general practitioners and health professionals to prescribe exercise as part of treatment plans and to refer patients to qualified exercise professionals. Talk about it with your doctor!

To conclude, I believe that people generally tend to begin a training regimen without taking the time to properly integrate it into their regular schedule or to reflect on the true source of their motivation. No matter what type of training you undertake in January, you’ll have an easier time staying on track if you understand your reasons for choosing a specific method for improving your quality of life. Why this style of training and not another? Finding the answer to this question IS your first strengthening exercise. Do as many reps as necessary to find a clear, precise, and inspiring response!

Have a great workout!