If the past year has taught us anything, it's that you can't predict the future. But through conversations with a number of fitness industry professionals, experts at ACE have landed on a few trends to keep an eye on in 2021.
The nine trends are listed on a recent blog post at the acefitness.org website. "While it is not possible to predict the future with any certainty, this attempt to see how we'll be doing fitness in the coming year is based on conversations with colleagues who work for equipment manufacturers, have positions in health club operations or own fitness studios, both in the United States and all over the world," writes health and fitness expert Pete McCall in the blog post.
The top five trends ACE experts say to keep an eye on include:
- Streaming workouts will continue to be popular. The variety of workouts available, plus chat features that create a sense of community, helps to re-create the studio experience, often at a much lower price.
- Group fitness goes outdoors. With strict restrictions on many indoor operations, many fitness faiclities are only allowed to operate by offering outdoor workouts. These alternatives will be especially popular as the weather warms.
- More individuals will prioritize health and fitness. Studies show that the pandemic may be sparking a new interest in physical activity, given the link between obesity and COVID-19 complications. It's also well-established that healthy lifestyle habits can strengthen the immune system.
- Many people will turn to social media for fitness info. As more individuals incorporate exercise into their daily lives, many will turn to popular social media platforms to look for guidance on how to start an exercise program.
- HIIT will be popular as ever. Because of its ability to deliver quick results, high-intensity interval training will continue as a popular mode of exercise.
"How fitness is delivered will continue to evolve throughout 2021, but what will not change is the fact that exercise can significantly enhance an individual's quality of life," McCall writes. "Yes, 2020 was a year of challenge and change, but health and exercise professionals who have stepped up to the challenge and embraced the changes will see tremendous growth opportunities in 2021 and beyond."
Read the entire blog post, and find out four more trends for 2021, at https://www.acefitness.org/education-and-resources/professional/expert-articles/7759/9-fitness-trends-to-look-for-in-2021/.