2018 American Fitness Statistics
Fitness
trends come and go every year, but we’re going back to the basics in 2018, according
to a new annual survey. For the survey, the authors identified 40 possible
fitness trends for 2018 and asked more than 4,000 fitness pros to rank them on
a 10-point scale, with 10 meaning it was most likely to be a trend this year. There
was also a distinction between a trend and fad in the survey. A trend was
defined as having more lasting power than a fad, which is typically met with
more enthusiasm but lasts for a shorter amount of time. With that, here’s what
you should know about the most popular fitness trends you’ll see everywhere
this year.
1.
High
Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
It has
enjoyed a high rank on this list since it took the number one spot in 2014, and
it again takes the number one spot on the 2018. HIIT is usually characterized
by short bursts of intense effort alternating with short periods of rest
sustained over relatively short workout durations of 30 minutes or less. The
efficiency of HIIT workouts can be safely listed as a contributor to the
popularity of this trend.
2.
Group
Training
Group
exercise instructors teach and motivate individuals though intentionally
designed group exercise classes. Group programs are intended to be motivational
and effective for people at different fitness levels, with instructors using
leadership techniques that help individuals in their classes achieve fitness
goals.
3.
Bodyweight
Training
While bodyweight
training has been around for a very long time, it's been popularized again
by the fitness world over the past several years. Bodyweight training is
popular thanks to its convenience. There's no equipment and minimal space is
required, so bodyweight exercises are great for anytime, anywhere workouts. Almost
all bodyweight exercises are accessible for any fitness level, and they're easy
to modify, as well.
4.
Wearables technology
Wearables technology
as a trend declined from the number one spot in 2017 to the number three spot
for 2018. This category includes everything from heart rate monitors, activity
trackers, GPS trackers, to smart glasses.
5.
Strength
Training
Strength
training remains a central emphasis for many health clubs. To this day, incorporating
strength training is an essential part of a complete exercise program for all
physical activity levels and genders.
6.
Yoga
While yoga
has landed on the trends list for many years in the past, it moved up even more
in 2018. Yoga's consistent popularity is credited to being refreshed and
reinvented every year—there's no shortage of styles to choose from, including
Iyengar yoga, power yoga, Bikram yoga, and more, and each come in and out
of popularity. Yoga is also credited with mental clarity and stress management,
and it's also a great workout for improving flexibility and balance.
7.
Personal
Training
More and
more students are majoring in kinesiology, which indicates that they are
preparing themselves for careers in health fields such as personal training.
Education, training and proper credentialing for personal trainers have become so
important to the health and fitness facilities that employ them.
Millions of
Americans are trying to live healthier lives, but some cities are more
fitness-friendly than others. So, here are the most popular fitness cities in
the US.
1.
San Diego,
California
Beaches and
sunshine make outdoor fitness a no-brainer for many San Diego residents. Close
to three-quarters of the city's population gets exercise in any given month,
and only 11 percent smoke.
2.
Hartford,
Connecticut
If it's
parks, baseball diamonds and swimming pools you crave, Hartford is your kind of
town. Those athletic amenities helped the city rank very high on the list of
best fitness cities in the US.
3.
Salt Lake
City, Utah
Salt Lake
City residents are big fruit consumers, with a third reporting that they eat
two or more fruits a day. More than 56 percent are in very good or excellent
health.
As is the
case every year, each of us began 2018 with specific goals and expectations. If
you are taking the steps to plan for your success, understanding
how the industry might change and what you can do to help lead or be a part of
that process will help ensure that 2018 is a success for both you and the
people you serve.
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