Every year fitness organizations and experts around the world make predictions on which fitness trends will be the most popular in the coming year. The reasons range from where to invest their money to what programs should be prioritized on a group exercise schedule. Many 2023 predictions held steady from 2022, but there were a few exceptions. Fitness tech continues to grow. Like any business, if there is money to be made, people will invest both time and financial resources. Mobility training and posture seem to be gaining momentum heading into the new year, as well as fitness customization. Last, post-pandemic, some people are heading back to the gym while others may never go back.
Back to Brick and Mortar – There was a time, not too long ago, when it was literally illegal to go to the gym. Many small and not-so-small fitness facilities did not survive the lockdown. Once the ban was lifted, however, many people rushed to physical facilities for the personal connection and accountability. According to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the demand for in-person classes continues to grow and even exceed pre-COVID levels in some cases.
Virtual Options – Virtual Reality (VR) options to help you get fit are expected to grow into an $80+ billion industry by 2029. The movement to rely on tech is so big, in fact, that heavy hitters such as Apple are rumored to be getting into the game with the release of augmented reality devices this coming year. Other companies, such as Meta (formerly Facebook), has a VR headset called Oculus Quest 2 that will pair with apps to allow you to gamify workouts.
Exercise as Therapy – Fitness and health professionals have been lauding the benefits of exercise in treating mental health issues such as depression and anxiety for years. It wasn’t until the pandemic, however, that these issues have been made mainstream, and people became more open to having a conversation about them. More recently, it is becoming more common for people to turn to exercise as a means to enhance the quality of their mental health – and health professionals are on board. While facials and spa treatments are still used to pamper, exercise and connecting with nature are quickly becoming fashionable ways to improve mental health and manage stress.
HIIT and Personal Training – It is no surprise that High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and personal training are still expected to be two of the most popular trends of 2023. HIIT involves alternating short bursts of high-intensity exercise with brief periods of rest or low-intensity exercise. This method has been proven to produce excellent results in a short period of time, and workouts tend to be very time efficient. Personal training has been growing in popularity for decades, but the pandemic highlighted the need people have for expert advice and accountability. Professional fitness trainers have also been busy coming up with new workouts and increasing their professional knowledge to give clients the best in-person and online workouts.
Mobility and Posture – In addition to building muscle and improving cardiovascular performance, people are increasingly turning to mobility and posture as ways of optimizing health. No longer just a few quick stretches at the beginning or end of a workout, fitness enthusiasts are spending significant time doing mobility and postural correction. Myofascial release, which uses deep tissue pressure to relieve pain from knotted tissue and optimize fiber length, coupled with corrective exercises, can not only improve performance for sport and exercise but aid in everyday movement and relieve pain such as back and neck aches.
As with everything trending in fitness, personalization is key. From smart watches to artificial intelligence, people expect fitness facilities and products to create a personal experience. Things such as wearable technology help to gather data that people can then use to get a better night’s sleep or a few more reps on the bench press. Gym owners are listening to what their members want to see in a fitness class, and fitness organizations are creating certifications and educational resources that better address the current needs of trainers and the public. Finally, health organizations are recognizing the value of fitness trainers and exercise as medicine so issues such as stress and type 2 diabetes can be more effectively treated.
For more information on developing a fitness program or if you are interested in personal training, feel free to email me at dave.bellomo@gmail.com or message me on my website, bellomofitness.com.
