The American College of Sports Medicine recently published their survey of Fitness trends for 2016. This is the tenth year that the survey has been done, and this year includes some surprising results. Let’s take a close look at the categories that came out on top.
Wearable Technology
At the top of the list for 2016 is Wearable Technology. The prevalence of the Google Fit and Apple Health apps on Android and iOS has clearly pushed this category to the top of the list for the first time. As people require more data on how to improve their exercise over time, having the right hardware and apps will continue to be a top trend.
Body Weight Training
Pushed down into second spot Body Weight Training only became popular in 2013, but continues to have a strong showing as gyms “package” this as an option to their most committed and fit customers. New packaging, especially by commercial clubs, has now made it popular in all kinds of fitness facilities.
High-intensity interval training
High-intensity interval training is a short powerful burst of energy, followed by a short period of cooldown. Repeating this cycle helps with conditioning and training for longer workouts (for example, marathons). While some gym clients enjoyed this type of training for short periods, they would not stick with it; moving on to other less exhausting exercise routines. Interspersing your training schedule with some interval training, but not all, will help combat training fatigue.
Workplace Wellness Programs
Also on the list was worksite health promotion, or workplace wellness programs. Citing rising health care costs, the survey says this trend is sure to continue in future years. This trend encompasses a wide range of health and wellness for employees, which can include additional programs such as biometric screenings and smoking cessation. All of these programs can be grouped together to provide a complete wellness program for your employees.
When asked for responses to the survey James W. Stinear Ph.D. from the Clinical Exercise Physiology Program in the University of Auckland had this to say:
“Regardless of the most effective system for improving one’s body shape or reducing the risk of metabolic, cardiac, or degenerative disease, what matters most to society is slowing the alarming increase in rates of morbidity and mortality linked to physical inactivity. To achieve this, people need to be motivated to exercise. If wearable technology is the answer to the problem or even part of the answer (and I think it is), we should find an upward trend in the use of wearable technology in future …”
For more information on the latest news in fitness trackers you can check out our “Fitness Tracker” category.
