Top 10 Fitness Trends of 2019

For the past 13 years, a worldwide fitness trends survey is conducted by The American College of Sports Medicine. Every year, health and fitness professionals look forward to this list so we can stay on top of our game for the new year. Not only is keeping up-to-date with current trends important, it is imperative to our continuing education and occupational well-being. Without further ado, I present the top 10 fitness trends below with my own little tidbits on each.

1. Wearable Technology. With technology advancing every year it only makes sense this lands at #1. You all know how I feel about my FitBit, if not check out my blog on this very topic here.
2. Group Training. Group training has been on the rise for years. Steven was even featured on a podcast on how to grow your small group training business. This is popular because it combines the best of the personal training and group fitness worlds into an all in one package.
3. High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). This type of training is fantastic if you’re short on time, which many of us are. HIIT involves bursts of high-intensity exercise followed by short amounts of rest. This really gets your heart rate up and keeps you burning calories even after your workout. Try incorporating some HIIT inspired moves into your next workout to take your and/or your clients to the next level.
4. Fitness Programs for Older Adults. The baby boomer population is booming! With this being said, the older adult programming is becoming more common such as Silver Sneakers. For more information check out Steven’s ACE blog Six Ways to Help Active Agers Stay Forever Fit.
5. Body weight Training. Costs of gym memberships and equipment can become pricey. Try body weight training for an effective and budget friendly form of exercise.
6. Employing Certified Fitness Professionals. When people are sick, they go to a doctor, when they need their teeth cleaned they go to a dentist. It only makes sense that now people are hiring certified fitness professionals to help their with their health goals. These individuals are certified, trained, and stay up to date with continuing education. If you are looking to broaden your repertoire, look at trying for another certification such as The ACE Certified Health Coach.  
7. Yoga. With 40+ hour work weeks and stresses of daily life yoga has become an escape for the average person. Not only is this time dedicated to you and your practice-yoga also improves your flexibility and mobility. Try a few yoga poses as your next cool down or mid day mental break at work.
8. Personal Training. Personal Training continues to hold a spot on this list as most people starting out on their health and fitness journey need that individualized attention and accountability. As health and fitness professionals we are always learning. A lot of personal trainers out there have one of their own!
9. Functional Fitness Training. Functional training involves doing movements that you would do in everyday life such a squat or overhead press. This type of training makes sense so what you do in the gym is transferable into your daily life.
10. Exercise is Medicine. This initiative encourages physicians and healthcare professionals to prescribe or integrate physical activity into a patient’s treatment. Bridging the gap between physicians and practitioners is a step forward towards a more integrated healthcare practice for all. If you are looking to expand your clientele, reaching out a healthcare provider who uses Exercise is Medicine is a great start.

For the rest of the trends, check out the link below. Good luck with all your goals in 2019!

Source:https://journals.lww.com/acsm-healthfitness/Fulltext/2018/11000/WORLDWIDE_SURVEY_OF_FITNESS_TRENDS_FOR_2019.6.aspx

Thompson, W. R. (2018). Worldwide survey of fitness trends for 2019. ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal, 22(6), 10-17.

Alicia Everette, MS

A millennial wellness enthusiast trying to figure out life. Coupon Queen. Experimental Chef. Personal Trainer. Aspiring Health Coach