Projected Fitness Trends for the New Year

The new year has begun and perhaps one of your resolutions for 2016 is to start a fitness program, either to wear off the Holiday Season excesses or just to improve your overall health and get into better shape. The question you may be asking yourself, however, is: What is the best form of exercise and what are the fitness trends for 2016?

Trends vary from year to year but perhaps it is not surprising to learn that listed as one of the top trends for 2016 is: Wearable Technology. These technological wonders are designed to help monitor your exercise activities and progress and include such tools as fitness trackers, smart watches, heart rate monitors and GPS tracking devices.

As for the various training programs, the highlights for the year include the following:


Bodyweight Training

• These exercises are among the simplest to perform as they require minimal equipment and as such are convenient and affordable and can be done virtually anywhere from home to office. Exercises include push-ups, pull-ups and sit-ups among others.

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

• This exercise is characterized by short bursts of activity followed by a short break or even complete rest. These workouts can be performed in 30 minutes or less. Examples of a HIIT workout include squats and push-ups.

Strength Training 

• This exercise not only helps to develop muscle but aids in burning calories and also protects bone health and muscle mass. Strength training combines body weight training with aerobic exercise and is a necessary component for any workout program to keep one fit and healthy in body and mind.

Educated and Experiences Fitness Professionals 

• Many people are choosing to avoid the gym and work instead with a fitness professional. The benefits are many as he/she provides guidance in exercise, nutrition, and healthy eating habits that connect the mind and body for total lifestyle changes.

Personal Training

• A personal trainer allows for the necessary one-on-one time that will provide maximum effectiveness of your gym or private workout experience.

Functional Fitness

• A simple workout that includes everyday activities as part of your exercise program, including bending down and walking up the stairs.

Fitness Programs for Older Adults

• As muscle mass decreases with age, this program is important and designed for those over 40 to help keep older adults healthy and active.

Exercise and Weight Loss 

• A program that combines exercise with proper nutrition, a key component to weight-loss programs.

Yoga

• Yoga remains a popular fitness trend as it not only blends together mind, body and spirit, but provides the physical benefit of greater balance, strength, and flexibility through the application of varying postures.

Your friends at Academy Massage want to remind you that whatever fitness trend you decide to follow for 2016, we recommend regular visits with our trained and experienced therapists for massage treatments that will both strengthen and relieve muscles that may be put to strenuous use so that you can enjoy maximum benefit from your exercise program.