5 Fitness Trends to Try in the New Year

January 16, 2017

It's that time of year again—your New Year's health resolutions have been made (and hopefully not broken...yet), your refrigerator is full of more fruits and vegetables than it's seen in months, and you're ready to kick this year off with a regular exercise regiment. But how do you decide on what to include in your workouts?

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Lucky for you, there are a lot of workout plans, classes, and resources out there. Looking to try ultrarunning, cycling, HIIT classes or yoga with cats? No matter what you find fun about working out, there's an exercise out there for you. Check out these fitness trends from the American Council on Exercise to get you started in 2017!

  1. Pounding the Pavement—This first trend goes old school...with walking! As more and more people move into cities with the ability to leave their cars at home, they're walking, and they're walking a lot. While it was the main way we used to get around, most Americans spend more time sitting (at desk or in their cars) than they do moving around. Adding more walking to your daily routine is a simple way to increase your health.

  1. Specialty classes—Whether it's boxing, HIIT classes, crossfit, or dance cardio, there's been a rise in the popularity of studio-specific classes recently. The small-scale atmosphere and interactive workout plans keep people coming back. Not sure what kind of class would work for you? See if the studio in question has a trial period or a Groupon deal so you can sample the classes and see if they're your speed.

  1. Phone a Friend—Group workouts have been a popular way to get fit for a long time. However, with the rise in studio classes, many bigger gyms have been seeing a downswing in their traditional group classes. That said, many of them are working to create a studio feel (more personalized, less big-box feeling) within the setting of the current gyms. Find out if your gym is introducing any studio classes this year, you might be surprised.

  1. Workouts for All Ages—Health at all ages has become a greater focus lately, which means that older adults are working out more. While many of the current fitness classes are safe for all ages, many aged 65 and older are going back to their circuit training roots, because that's what they're comfortable with. Take a hint from them and try adding a circuit to your workout world.

  1. Technological Training—It's not a shocking (continuing) trend: the rise of fitness trackers, live streamed workouts, and online workout guides has been happening for a while now. The beauty of this trend in 2017 is that it means that all of these technology based resources for working out are becoming more refined. That means you can find a fitness tracker that tracks exactly what you find important while working out along with a trainer across the country or using the perfect workout guide from someone who lives countries away. What a time to be alive!

While these workout trends are great, what matters the most about finding a new workout routine is that it works for you. Try some new things or stick to your old faithfuls, just get out there and get moving in 2017!