The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recently released its list of fitness trends for 2022, and tech tops the list. The annual forecast consisted of survey results from 4,500 health and fitness professionals from around the world and was published in the January/February edition of ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal.
According to the ACSM survey results, now in its 16th year, more people are turning to wearable technology to help track exercise and sleep, both of which are critical in the ongoing battle against COVID-19.
The annual forecast list, which helps health and fitness professionals make programming and business decisions, also included home exercise gyms and high-intensity interval training, among other trends. Surprisingly, live online and on-demand exercise classes such as Peloton and Beach Body On Demand, which ranked No. 1 in 2021, dropped to 9th.
The top 10 fitness trends for 2022 are:
Wearable Technology: Devices like Fit Bit, Garmin, and other personal fitness trackers top the ACSM forecast for the most popular fitness trends in 2022. Some tech, such as smartwatches, can even monitor heart rate, count steps and calories, track inactivity and sleep time, and measure blood pressure and respiratory rate.
Home Exercise Gyms: If the pandemic has taught the fitness industry anything, it’s that home gyms are back. With a desire to skip the crowded gym, many people decided to work out solo in the last couple of years. As restrictions have eased, many never went back to the gym. Equipment for personal use such as free weights, treadmills, and exercise bikes have been in high demand and are more popular than ever.
Outdoor Activities: Whether individually or in a group, many people have rediscovered their love of the outdoors. Activities such as walking and hiking have gained tremendous traction. In addition, biking on trails and kayaking have become new favorites for many outdoor enthusiasts.
Strength Training with Free Weights: It wasn’t too long ago that so-called “experts” thought that lifting free weight was purely for aesthetics. Since then, exercise scientists and health care professionals have found that strength training is for everyone and provides a myriad of health benefits. Pro trainers and everyday enthusiasts alike now embrace training with dumbbells, barbells, and kettlebells, making resistance training one of the top trends for 2022.
Exercise for Weight Loss: Experts have found that if you want to lose weight, the addition of exercise to a proper diet is far more effective than diet alone. So, take a walk or lift some weights while you trim those calories. Your waistline will thank you.
Personal Training: Professional trainers are always popular, and who wouldn’t want to work with a pro? Not only can they teach you proper exercise techniques, but a personal trainer can help motivate you and keep your workouts on track. In addition, the best trainers will tailor a program to your specific needs making their fees money well spent.
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): This type of exercise consists of short bursts of high-intensity activity mixed with intervals of a more moderate intensity. It’s the best of both worlds, combining the benefits of a difficult program, where heart rates can climb, with the duration of lower intensity, more sustainable activity all in approximately 30 minutes.
Body Weight Training: No equipment? No problem! Your body is your gym. With bodyweight training, you are only limited by your imagination. Choose from classic exercises such as lunges and push-ups or get creative and throw in a dash of yoga or another favorite, equipment-free routine.
Online Live and On-demand Exercise Classes: Falling down the list but still popular, live and on-demand classes can give you a fun routine to follow at a fraction of the price you’d spend on a trainer. One of the biggest benefits is the 24/7 access some digital services provide.
Health/Wellness Coaching: Where behavioral science and health education meet. Coaches can help you change the way you eat or exercise but understand why you do it. This allows you to create new habits and gives you the power to make complete lifestyle changes. In addition, these coaches provide encouragement and will help you set goals to make lasting personal improvements over time.
