The New Workout Model
Guest post written by Kevin Nelson
Description: With COVID starting to diminish, some folks are still leery about going to the gym after becoming accustomed to working out at home. That and the advent of virtual fitness coaches are just a couple of the fitness trends as we march to greet 2021.
It’s time to get back out there. Or is it? Many of you have grown not only used to but comfortable with, working out in the safe and judgment-free setting of your home. Many trainers took to the internet, hosting Zoom classes or making YouTube videos for their more loyal student base, and Peloton started a tremendous uptick in the virtual fitness revolution.
So, will the old standard of the traditional gym ever recover from the absence caused by worldwide quarantines? Will people feel safe to go and burn off those home-bound pounds? Maybe. But there are a few trends that you will see going into the new year that might reshape the world of fitness for the better and give the world a new lease on health and weight management.
Current and Upcoming Fitness Trends
Most people tend to forego their workout due to a tight schedule, lack of time, or just a general lack of ambition and apathy. But when faced with a lot of free time and boredom as a constant houseguest, indifference fell away, and a new desire took hold. Exercise equipment deliveries spiked, and plenty of folks changed their diet as well to make the best of the situation.
They determined that some new fitness lifestyle trends were the best way to use the hours productively. And along with these fitness trends, nutrition plans and personal schedules also changed to maximize the potential they now embraced. What was a bad situation became a brave new time in many people’s lives.
They adopted one of the many new fitness trends for 2021 that will change the industry. Here are a few more fitness trends example possibilities:
1. Cooperative Workouts
We all need support, and if you have a workout buddy, you are more likely to push harder and maintain momentum longer. Many of the newer generations prefer to exercise in groups versus doing it alone, unsupported. And gyms have noticed this, creating more programs that are centered around group activities.
2. Hybrid Classes
Some concepts have melded with others to create new ideas, like Yoga mixed with Pilates or other similar disciplines that go well together without either suffering. These change the game because they keep the body guessing as well as the student. And the more interesting, the more popular these hybrids become.
3. The At-home Gym
We already spoke of the upsides of working out at home, but not about the changes in the home to accommodate. Yes, the Peloton spin bike with its virtual class leader is the most popular, but other options that do not involve a transparent figure pushing you to the next level has become common in many homes. Old classics like the best rowing machine under 500 dollars or the Total Gym had considerable sales in the last six months.
4. Changing Nutrition
Another uptick was the introduction of more vegetarian and vegan diets into the home. And since companies like Conagra and Morningstar Foods made meat substitutes that taste good, adopting a plant-based diet isn’t nearly the chore it used to be. These new meals have all the nutrients, minus the chemicals, coming together in a symphony of delicious flavors.
5. Straying from Grazing
Do you eat when you are bored? The answer is probably: sometimes. But what if you are bored for months at a time? Then that answer becomes a resounding Yes. That is where intuitive eating comes into play. It can also be called “common-sense eating.” Basically, when you are full…stop eating. And avoid junk. If you are peckish, grab an apple. Seems logical enough, right?
6. Knowing Your Capabilities
Have you worked out for a while and seen little change? That might be because your body needs a different workout or is just not prone to certain physical signs of growth or weight reduction. Now, DNA and genome mapping can tell you if you are susceptible to the likelihood that your weight is just something you can’t alter with conventional exercise. And these tests are very comprehensive.
7. Stress Reduction
Do you want to hit something when you get upset? Do you have those nights where your mind is stressed and won’t quiet down? Then hitting the bag or taking a run might be the cure. Exercise gives your brain something else to focus on. It’s ok to be upset or stressed if you can’t change it by conscious thought manipulation. But use it in a constructive way to make your body healthier. It is a very useful fuel.
8. Proper Workouts
Yes, we are all impressed you can lift all that weight. And we are even more impressed when you hurt yourself. Wait, no, we aren’t. These days it is no longer how much you lift, but how you lift. The technique is more crucial for safely sustaining your body. We have all heard the phrase “lift with your legs, not with your back.” This is designed to prevent injuries. A functional technique is dedicated to fundamentals, not easy results.
9. Bring on the Tech
Do you have a fitness tracker bracelet or step counter? If you care about your steps, it is likely. Now there are bracelets that track everything, from heart rates to distances when training for multi-tiered events. The next generation will have the tech for every aspect of their workout to monitor it down to the finite detail, giving them a real time progress report.
10. We Have an App for That
Apps, apps, and more apps. But apps are coming out that are more than designed to keep you on your toes. Fitness gurus that grace the cover of Muscle and Fitness and Runner’s World have their own apps, too, to keep their loyal fans inspired and give them great tips to keep them in shape and motivated. The Diamond Cut Fitness app is one that really gets you there and gets you there with gusto.
Many of the fitness trends we listed are adaptations of what we have seen for a while, just altered to compensate for new practices to accommodate a new contingent of fitness-minded folks. Dietary disciplines and the influx of new tech, on the other hand, speak to a bright future where keeping on point is championed over getting to the finish line as quickly as possible. With this, the future of fitness is very encouraging.
Conclusion:
In the coming year, we might see even more fitness trends than those listed here. 2020 has been so unpredictable; who knows what the future holds? But we can be confident that change is inevitable. Sure, gimmicks emerge by hucksters trying to prey on the bored and insecure, but there are other entities that genuinely want to help.
If you plan on working out in 2021, adding a couple of these to your plans is not a bad idea. The tech is an excellent way to chart progress, and for gastrointestinal health, a plant-based diet is a lofty but achievable goal. Just remember to keep your expectations manageable and your motivations pure. Do you intend to use some of these fitness trends going into 2021?
Author’s Bio:
Kevin has been writing content for about 3 years. He really wants to share his experiences and advice with anyone who cares about health and fitness. He enjoys helping people achieve their fitness goals with simple instructions and overcoming any obstacles on the way.