Fit like a fiddle

fitness

A new year means a whole new host of fitness trends to get to grip with...

New year, new goals, new workouts! We’re already seeing some trends emerge in fitness, giving us a solid indication of what kinds of workouts are going to be super popular in 2017. Say goodbye to those pesky pounds and tedious toning techniques by trying some of the top fitness trends of 2017.

 Wearable tech: New ideas and developments in the wearable fitness niche have made all sorts of gadgets commonplace. Wrist bands that track mileage made their debut several years ago, but the industry has grown to encompass smart-watches, heart-rate monitors, smart eyeglasses and dozens of kinds of fitness tracking devices. Recent updates from brands like Garmin, Apple, and Fitbit have sent the trend to number one for 2017. Next time you are at the office, or out with friends, look to see who’s wearing a get fit gadget.  Chances are, you will see a ton of aerobic arm candy gauging heart rates, steps and sleep patterns.

 Apps: There is no question that one of the biggest growth areas for 2017 will be fitness apps. Whether you’re looking for meal planning help or programmes that let you work out in your own home, there’s probably an app out there for you. Already a mainstay of health clubs and used by millions of solo workout buffs, phone-based apps can help track everything from weight routines, nutrition regimens, runs/walks, and hundreds of other personalized fitness goals.

 High-intensity interval training: HIIT’s helps you torch calories fast by alternating quick bursts of high-intensity exercise with short rest periods. It can be found in all types of workouts, from Pilates to CrossFit and boot camp classes. HIIT exercise programmes are usually performed in less than 30 minutes.

 Circuit training: While similar to HIIT, circuit training is basically a lower-intensity option. Typically, 10 exercises are chosen and completed one after another in a circuit with rest between each exercise. Then, the circuit is repeated. For beginners who want to get in a workout but find high-intensity interval training intimidating, circuit training could be the answer.

 Yoga: This ancient mind-body practice can be practiced on the go and can boost your mood, improve your sex life, and strengthen your entire body. Yoga has been around for thousands of years and has been a modern fitness trend since many years. Fitness pros are also constantly finding new ways to reinvent yoga - think aerial yoga, hot yoga, and rope wall yoga.

 Get your groove on: Dust off your mother’s old Jane Fonda VHS tapes, grab your leg warmers and a leotard, for aerobics is making a triumphant return and it’s a really great way of feeling good in a group. Fresh takes on step aerobics have been packing out in gym classes too.

You get to groove to your favourite tunes, get in shape and be able to throw down on any dance floor - total win by any standard.

 Walking: The oldest, simplest and safest workout is a candidate for the 2017 fitness trend of the year, by any measure. With tons of medical data and enthusiastic physicians to back it up, walking has countless advantages: it’s easy to do, there is minimal risk of injury, speed can be adapted to an individual’s ability, it can be enjoyed by any age group, and it allows for social interaction during workouts.

 Personal training in groups: It was bound to happen. For people who can’t afford the hourly rates of one-on-one trainers, there is group personal training. These arrangements are a bit different from the classic trainer and student setup. In many of the group classes, the trainers are actually teaching their students how to design workouts and eventually be independent of the trainer.

 Workplace health and fitness programmes: What was once an oddity is now a common practice: workplace-based fitness programmes, gyms and health monitoring plans. Because corporations have seen such a positive response to in-house gyms and subsidized fitness club memberships, the set ups have really taken off. Companies are finding that their workers are happier, healthier and more productive when they have opportunities to workout at work, or to get a gym membership for free.

 Body-weight training: Not limited to just push-ups and pull-ups, this trend allows people to get ‘back to the basics’ with fitness. Not only are these workouts effective, they are incredibly convenient, as they require no equipment and can be done virtually anywhere.  These exercises can be modified to any fitness level, and are a real money saver if a gym membership doesn’t fit your budget.  Many of these moves start with the basics: push-ups, planks, squats and lunges.  Once you have mastered how to properly execute these exercises, there is no end to the number of variations you can create for your workout.

 Strength training: More and more scientific evidence has indicated that strength training is a necessary tool for staying fit.  Unless you are sneaking extra testosterone and cheese into your diet, beefing up shouldn’t be a concern.  A fitness routine that is strictly cardio will not cut it anymore.  Resistance training is the key to strong bones, maintaining a healthy weight, increasing muscle mass and fighting diseases such as diabetes.