December 27, 2013

Fitness Trends for the New Year!

Photo by Meghan Holmes on Unsplash

By Kristen M. Leccese

If you’re like most of us, losing weight and getting in shape is on your list of New Year’s resolutions. For those of us looking to get back into great shape or start a regular exercise routine for the first time, here’s some great news: your workout routine doesn’t have to include long hours in the gym! According to the American College of Sport Medicine’s Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends, which has studied the top workout trends for the past eight years, the number one fitness trend for 2014 will be interval training. This means shorter, high-intensity workouts and less time in the gym. High-intensity interval training usually includes periods of strenuous cardio, followed by a short resting time. CrossFit classes are a good example of this type of workout. The best part of this exercise is the short time it takes to complete your session – high-intensity interval training only about 30 minutes. The downside, though, is the high rate of injuries for both fitness professionals and amateurs alike.

If you’re just starting to work out for the first time or have been on a long hiatus from the gym, you might want to consider the second most popular workout trend for the New Year: body weight training. In short, body weight training uses your own body weight to get in shape – for example, pushups, pull-ups, sit-ups, calf raises, burpees and squats. Personally, I have done endless hours of body weight training myself. This type of workout is great because the intensity can be either increased or reduced depending on the exercise and how it is performed. Another plus – less equipment and far less expensive.

Some of the fitness trends that have fallen off the list for the New Year include Pilates, spinning, and disappointingly, Zumba. I hope no one forgets about Zumba classes! This has been by far one of the most effective workout classes I have ever taken. It’s so much fun, it can be adjusted according to skill level, and it burns up to 1,000 calories in one class at high-intensity!

What do you think about these new fitness trends for 2014? What’s your favorite method of working out? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Source: http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2013/12/03/fitness-trends-to-look-for-in-2014/