2016 Fitness Industry Trends

Let’s start by saying that while this post is all about trends in the fitness industry for 2016, there are some glaring omissions. For instance, left out are some of the most obvious trends, like bathroom-mirror fitness selfies and the inevitable New Year’s resolutions with their 14-day lifespans, while a few of the included will be familiar. But the familiar continue to gain in popularity, so they have their rightful spot on the list! So, let’s get to it. Here they are, in no particular order, the forecasted trends in fitness.

1. Video Workouts and Tutorials

Fitness has taken over YouTube and Instagram with trainers and professionals offering instructions and tutorials on everything from yoga poses to the proper way to do lunges. And now full-length, targeted workouts are available on these channels for cardio, strength, flexibility, and just about any fitness-related quest someone might find themselves on. There is the convenience of selecting a workout and completing these coached sessions anytime and anyplace.

For fitness professionals, there is the real opportunity to expand reach and influence, and even connect with current clients between appointments.

2. Yoga and Meditation as Training across Disciplines

Yoga, with all its stress-relieving properties, has long been thought to aid in anything from staving off depression to relieving back pain, but yoga has yet more to offer. Yoga’s benefits for cyclists, runners, as well as professional basketball players has been well documented. Flexibility, muscle strength, and the all-important mind-body connection are a few of the benefits for athletes looking to take their sport to the next level. And really, everyone can benefit from a strong mind-body connection.

3. Embracing ALL Body Types

It’s difficult for everyone to fit into the old, typical box of the “ideal” body type. Isn’t it great that it’s now common to hear people say encouraging things like, “You’re a runner because you run, and there is no such thing as a typical runner’s body”? The idea of encouraging and empowering everyone to embrace their inner-athlete, no matter their body type, is very IN.

4. Experience-Based Workouts and Events

So many things can fall under this particular trend, from the virtual 5ks that participants register (and pay) for, run on treadmills at home, and receive medals and race swag upon completion, to obstacle-course or night time glow-in-the-dark races. But inside the gym there are also some experience-based workouts that won’t be going away anytime soon.

SoulCycle, for instance, has come up in several conversations lately that I’ve had with friends and fitness professionals. SoulCycle is known for combining candlelight, dancing, hand weights, and core work in an inspirational indoor cycling class.

Bootcamps own a permanent spot on the experience-based list simply because a boot camp class can change from week-to-week based on new fitness targets, trends, and even participant requests. Boot camp is all about the experience created by the instructor. There is no set equipment to use and the class structure remains fairly fluid. And there is always someone raving and buzzing about a new boot camp that you just have to try!

5. Heart-Rate Based Group Interval Training

So, this is on my list of things to try. I’m excited about it, too! Group HR training is a type of indoor class where participants work with different equipment, depending on the class, from weights, treadmills, rowing machines, to road bicycles on rollers, or even a combination of equipment. The competitive component comes from having everyone’s heart rate displayed on a screen at the front of the class. One such class encourages participants to challenge each other to contests. And really, how awesome is that!

6. Other…

What are some other trends you see becoming big in 2016? Do you think they will last?

Let us know in the comment section what you think will be the biggest trend out of this list. Have any other thoughts on them? Just let us know!

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