THE TOP 7 WORKOUT TRENDS FOR 2019 – AND WHY THEY’RE GOOD NEWS FOR INSTRUCTORS

The American College of Sports Medicine recently asked 2000 fitness professionals to rank 39 exercise trends by importance and popularity. Check out the seven that came out on top. Spoiler alert: they’re good news for all of us!

1. Wearable technology

Wearable technology

Are you wearing your Polar A370? OK great, you’re with the “in-crowd”! Wearable technology first became “on-trend” in 2016 and has remained popular ever since. By using a fitness tracker you can accurately measure the intensity of your workouts and push yourself accordingly, which is great for maximizing performance. As a tracker enables you to monitor time spent in different training zones it can also play a vital role in preventing overtraining and limiting the risk of injury.

2. Group training

Group training

Yes, our category is number two! Defined as exercise in a group of five or more, group training provides an element of motivation, accountability and camaraderie that can’t be matched by solo exercise efforts. When you combine the energy of many with great music and inspiring instructors there is a real sense of fun, and a united challenge which helps push limits. Group fitness is considered better for your mental wellbeing than solo training. According to a recent study, those doing group workouts scored higher for stress-reduction and physical, mental and emotional quality of life than individual exercisers.

3. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

HIIT

Listed as a top five trend every year since 2014, HIIT is hot because it’s shown to be one of the fastest ways to cut fat, build athleticism and maximize calorie burn. While the basic HIIT formula involves short bursts of high-intensity exercise followed by a short period of rest, not all HIIT workouts are created equally. The transformative results are born from pushing your heart rate to at least 90 percent maximum. Due to its extreme nature, experts recommend you carefully measure how much HIIT you do, and now new research highlights the optimum weekly dose. Be sure to check out the interview with LES MILLS GRIT expert, Dr Jinger Gottschall.

4. Fitness programs for older adults

Fitness programs for older adults

People are living longer, working longer, and remaining healthy and active much longer… so many assume older adults need exercise programs to match. But do they really? There is certainly no upper age limit for LES MILLS workouts, and with Instructors providing options for abilities most workouts can be successfully completed by anyone. Not only can these workouts be done by any age, they can actually be very beneficial when it comes to slowing the effects of aging. Recent studies have shown how indoor cycling can keep you youthful, the age-defying benefits of dance, and how lifting weights can improve bone density.

5. Bodyweight training

Bodyweight training

For years strength training has been synonymous with barbells and weight plates, but it’s certainly not the only way to go. Exercises such as push-ups, squats and lunges are great examples of strength building bodyweight exercises. Studies show that you can build serious strength with nothing but body weight – and a commitment to constantly upping the ante in order to drive change. Learn more about how to make the most of bodyweight exercises here.

6. Certified fitness professionals

Certified fitness professionals

Great news for all of us, training with certified fitness professionals ranks as number six!

7. Yoga

Yoga

Yoga has seen a massive increase in popularity in recent decades and there are now yoga variations to suit an array of preferences – everything from traditional spiritual and physical practices through to power yoga, hot yoga and restorative yoga. If you’re spending most of your time lifting weights or doing lots of high impact exercises, don’t forget to include some stretching in your routine to keep your body teaching-ready.

Keen to know more about what’s trending in the world of fitness? Check out the full Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends here.