FITNESS TRENDS
In an era marked by office work and sedentary lifestyles, the need to combat the negative effects of sitting down at a desk for long periods of time are pushing many people to prioritise regular exercise. We all know that fitness is crucial to our physical, mental and emotional health, but we also know that it can be tough to stick to a regime if we don’t enjoy it. The pleasure derived from a workout that you love can serve as a powerful motivator to maintain a fitness routine, but what one person finds fun can often be seen as a daunting challenge by another. Whether you find enjoyment in high- intensity workouts, calming yoga sessions or something in between, it’s important to embrace what works for you. From Pilates to strength-based workouts, here’s a selection of the latest fitness trends to consider.
From left: Boxing, which has seen a surge in popularity; a man flipping a tyre during a Crossfit session
BEST FOR: WOMEN WANTING SOMETHING NEW Strength training Free-weight strength training ranked as the second-most popular fitness trend in 2023, after wearable fitness technology, according to an annual survey in the American College of Sports Medicine’s journal. And a big growth segment has been women, who are getting pumped up about the rewards. While lifting weights raises your metabolic rate and helps reduce fat (there’s evidence to show it can burn calories for up to three days afterwards), some older women going through the menopause are also using it to improve bone density, preserve muscle and boost their mood. Meanwhile, some younger women are also embracing powerlifting, which focuses on three moves — squat, bench press and deadlift — based on functional movements we use in day-to-day life. For inspiration head to TikTok and search the girlpowerlifters hashtag.
BEST FOR: PRETENDING YOU’RE IN A NIGHTCLUB Dance-based workouts Zumba, ballet-inspired barre and Cher-obics continue to attract a loyal following due to their combination of physical exercise, creativity and the fun factor, but in 2024, breakdancing will make history as the first dance sport ever to be at the Olympic Games. Breaking, which has origins in New York City, can be very physically demanding, with competitors requiring strength, flexibility, creativity, musicality and the ability to react to whatever song the DJ might play. To give it a try at home, check out Les Mills Dance, a new 45-minute online workout that incorporates dance movements with music inspired by global dance genres.
try.lesmillsondemand.com
BEST FOR: VENTING INNER FRUSTRATION Fight club fitness and VR boxing While Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) — which combines a range of fighting styles including boxing, wrestling and judo — has seen significant growth in popularity, not everyone wants to get in the ring for a one-on-one fight. If you prefer to throw a punch to receiving one, watch out for group gym classes where it’s you versus the bag, with a fusion of boxing, kickboxing and Thai boxing. Many mimic the atmosphere of a nightclub, with low-level lighting and loud, fast-paced music creating a high-energy atmosphere that encourages participants to sync their punches and push their limits. Meanwhile, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) continue to bring sparring sessions to a whole new level. Thrill of the Fight is one of the most authentic VR boxing games on the Meta Quest 2 and enables participants to spar with virtual opponents.
meta.com
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELLER – SPA & WELLNESS COLLECTION 19
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