Watch for These 2021 Workout Trends

The pandemic is still shaping the fitness trends for 2021, but some of the popular ones are becoming apparent. Many people are bored with staying home and watching videos. There is a real need for physical and mental stimulation. When the weather cooperates, parks and beaches tend to fill up. This movement is one behavior that is forming one of the fads.

Outdoor Classes

The desire to be socially spaced from one another is seeping into group workouts. Traditionally, classes were held in gyms, and everyone lined up and stood about an arm’s length away from each other. We have been taught that in order to help prevent the spread of any germs we need to allow for a little breathing room between bodies.

Outdoor fitness classes solve this issue and more. When routines are performed on the lawn or the parking lot of a fitness facility, people can get adequate spacing coupled with fresh air. On sunny days, the light can help improve a person’s mood, and some inventive trainers can teach under the stars.

Gym-goers might think that only cardio classes are suitable for this open arena, but Pilates and yoga are perfect for sunset classes. If you are looking to build up your strength, look for a bodyweight bulk-building class.

Fitness Watches

These little pieces of technology are helping people set and meet wellness goals. Picnickers can see runners and walkers sporting these tracking wearables at parks and playgrounds. The devices keep track of a multitude of information. Depending on the individual’s goals, they can harvest out the data they need.

Personal trainers and other fitness enthusiasts know that these watches keep track of how many steps a person takes each day. The common goal to reach is 10,000 steps. Having this feedback instantly available means people can make immediate choices to increase the count. If you know that you need to traverse several thousand more steps before you get home, you might opt to park way out in the lot when you stop for groceries. These little adjustments can add up to significant results over time.

Some of the other details they monitor are active and resting heart rate, calories burned, and miles covered. The programs that are included by the manufacturers run the gamut from personal services to group support.

Sanitized Facilities

A trend that is likely to stay is ultra-sanitized gyms. Gone are the days of sweaty towels and drinking fountains. The new era in fitness will begin with routine cleanings and limited high-touch surfaces. Techniques that are being put into place are scanning cell phones for entry instead of requiring a guest to sign in and managers are screening staff for high temperatures and other signs of illness.

These new protocols may also affect the pricing. Several fitness chains have had to file for bankruptcy during these extreme times. The facilities that are left standing may begin to offer tiered pricing, monthly specials, or reduced rates to draw clients back in the door. This approach might work well to resurrect this struggling industry.

Mind-body Sessions

The past year has taken a toll on the world’s psyche. To help ease tension, a much-needed fad is forming. The connection between emotions and physical health became readily apparent during the pandemic. Fitness trainers are taking into account the role they have in improving a person’s physical abilities by including mental health.

The traditional mind-body works are yoga and stretching, but the new movement will include tai chi, balance, and breathing exercises. Consumers can complete many of these courses through a virtual platform, and they are suitable for all age groups and fitness levels. Offering gentler workouts may attract a broader range of clients to standard gyms.

Mini Workouts

Shorter sessions will be all the rage this year. Researchers have recognized that a little movement throughout the entire day is beneficial and easy to do. The old guidelines suggested that a long cardio routine and heavy weights were the only way to achieve physical fitness.

More and more people are opting for quickie online classes that can be done right before work in the comfort of their living room or during a noontime break. Short bursts of high intensity mixed with resting phases are an excellent way to burn fat.

These mini workouts can be fit into quiet corners and have a busy schedule. For some of the routines, you do not even have to change into athletic wear. A quick lunchtime walk while listening to a personal trainer encouraging you may require you to simply change your shoes.