We are almost to the very end! The last week of the year has arrived, and that’s reason enough to put your feet up and feel nostalgic about the year that has passed. Now whether you like it or not, fitness is a huge, HUGE part of it. Recently, the fitness sector has developed a lot, and even the most reluctant horses have made (albeit feeble) attempts to improve their fitness. Despite all the bad rap it gets on social media, this kind of peer pressure is actually very noticeable. But then again, gym rats and health nuts have probably never felt so smug. However, there were some defining trends that emerged throughout the year and perhaps in the near future as well. So, without further ado, here they are!
AI training
If we can’t fight it, we can make friends with it, right? There really isn’t anything that AI can’t find efficiency in. And now about fitness, where the more perfect you get your form and the number of repetitions, the faster and better you sculpt your body and, accordingly, your psyche, perhaps classes in the gym with information about artificial intelligence could not hurt. The only evidence that people are taking to it like a fish to water is the boom in AI-powered fitness apps. Times are definitely changing!
Princess Pop Pilates Era
There’s no way you’ve missed a wave of beautiful, chic women who look like old ballerinas in your Instagram feed. The only difference is that instead of a tutu, they have a slim and cute leotard complete with ballet socks. Pilates may be literally 100 years old, but the aesthetic revamp it received this year ensures it will cement its place in the mainstream. It also definitely helps that this is one of the strongest workout regimens on the market. For those of you who think that’s cool, why don’t you go for a 15 minute session with a free YouTube video? If you don’t beg for your life until the end, you win.
Community training
What could be better than a good workout? The workout buddy you just hit a goal with for the day. It may sound boring, but even a very personal endeavor like a fitness trip can have a huge benefit for a partner, platonic or otherwise. Not only does it increase accountability, but it’s also a great subtext for socialization. With that being said, sentiment has gotten an intense boost this year. Team sports have seen a massive surge as a mainstream training option. A report by Today said: “From 2023, bookings for (V) volleyball have increased by 256% and football has also increased by 158%. But the biggest and perhaps the most surprising jump was in ice skating, where the number of bookings increased by 698%.’ .
Resistance to intensity
The “go hard or go home” mentality is in the final stretch and we couldn’t be happier. This year has been all about finding balance when it comes to achieving your dream body. So it’s not about getting your waist down to a certain size before the year rolls around. Instead, the goal is to build a routine for yourself that you’ll happily stick to on a regular basis. A generation is finally realizing the value of consistency over perfection, and this is truly a moment in time.
Cryotherapy
Remember how Shalini Passi jumped into her own cryochamber. Obviously, the average person can’t afford it, but there are many health bars in the city that will offer you the service, of course, at a high price. Cryotherapy is essentially the practice of exposing your body to very low temperatures for several minutes. While not actually considered a workout, the target demographic includes those who are active in the gym or lead a particularly active lifestyle. A Healthline report lists its benefits as numbing nerve irritation as well as reducing arthritis pain.
Convinced but confused? Take a cue from the health care professional and start treating yourself with ice baths instead. It’s brutal but addictive.
What trend has defined your fitness journey this year?
