Over the years, trends in the world of health and fitness have largely been manipulated by those working in the sector; companies have essentially molded consumer beliefs about what’s ‘healthy’. In recent years, however, thanks to the accessibility of social media and the internet, there has been a boom in the number of people who want to speak out and discredit the industry’s messaging. 2020 is likely to see even more of such figures, and this year’s trends indicate a new mode of thought. Read on to learn about the top 10 fitness trends for 2020.
The Birth of Intuitive Fitness
Plenty of people who are interested in this field are well aware of the ‘intuitive eating’ concept. This is where a person essentially listens to their body and eats what they want, when they are hungry, until they are full. In 2020, health-conscious people are applying the same theory to the way they exercise. Instead of suffering from ‘gym-guilt’ on the occasions when they might not feel like going, or forcing themselves to exercise when they have had a long and draining day, those observing intuitive fitness are simply listening to their bodies.
As with intuitive eating, the idea behind this is to look after yourself better. By not disregarding your intuition while observing a strict diet or exercise regime, you are more likely not to binge eat, or hurt yourself by exercising when your body is underprepared. In addition to simply exercising or not exercising, intuitive fitness influences:
- The type of exercise. Maybe your body is craving restorative yoga poses rather than demanding HIT training.
- The length of workout. Those who observe intuitive fitness will stop exercising when they feel like they should, rather than pushing through to meet a goal such as a one hour run.
Body Positive Personal Training (PT) Sessions
In an effort to promote body confidence, and fitness for well-being rather than fitness for a ‘new look’, 2020 is likely to see a big shift when it comes to personal trainers. Where the stereotypical trainer has traditionally had defined muscles and a lean physique, nowadays gym-goers should expect to see PTs of all different sizes.
It seems that there is no longer room for the idea that a lean PT will inspire their protégés to work harder. Instead, those working in the fitness sector have realized that bodies come in a range of shapes and always will do. And that’s OK.
Mental Health Gyms
Concern over mental well-being has been brought to the fore over recent years, and as mental health awareness continues to grow, as does the focus on ways to take care of it. One trend that looks like it will be increasingly prominent in 2020 is the presence of mental health gyms.
Mental health gyms are popping up all over the US, offering restorative treatments such as health classes, hypnotherapy, counselling, sleep workshops and mindfulness meditation sessions. These spaces offer calming environments adorned with candles, plants, pillows and natural light, as well as traditional workout rooms in which visitors can exercise if they wish.
Staying Fit as a Family
In a nod to family values and togetherness, 2020 will also see more parents getting their exercise in with their little ones. There is a demand for gyms to offer child-friendly sessions so that Mom and Dad can get their workout in while the kids are enjoying their own team sports or dance classes in the same venue.
As well as this, more families are looking for alternative fitness regimes that they can all take part in. From family walks on a Sunday to shooting hoops in the park after school, any exercise that facilitates togetherness has the added benefit of solidifying the family unit and instilling a sense of teamwork and bonding, as well as fresh air and a workout.
Technology in Active Wear
Like most aspects of life, it looks like exercising is going to become more ‘technologically enhanced’. Activity trackers have become mainstream, with even those who don’t regularly exercise wearing them every day to count steps. In 2020, however, technology is going to be fit directly into workout wear.
It’s believed that tech giants like Microsoft and Google are collaborating with gym wear companies including Nike and Under Armour, to work on ‘smart clothing’. It’s expected that such clothing will perform similar functions to activity trackers, collecting data like heart rate, body temperature, and muscle activity.
Bespoke Supplements
People all over the world regularly take a multivitamin supplement believing that these enhance their overall health; however this might not be the case. According to research carried out by the American College of Cardiology, most shop-bought vitamin and mineral supplements are ineffective in combating cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, and stroke.
To counter this problem, biotechnology companies such as Bioniq have developed a way to tailor supplements to customers’ unique needs. They offer a monthly subscription service which entitles those who join to regular blood rests and nutrition consultations, and personally curated supplements designed to benefit their personal biological make-up.
More Skipping
Celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Kate Hudson are shouting about their love of skipping to keep in shape, and like many things that get public celebrity-endorsement, it’s now become very popular.
It’s an easy option for an at-home workout, and can cost as little as a few dollars for a plain skipping rope. But, in keeping with 2020’s love of all things tech, many people are opting to buy ‘smart skipping ropes’ that can count jumps, calories burned, and the length of work out.
Love of Aqua Fitness
After renowned Californian surfer Laird Hamilton coined his now LA-famous XPT (Extreme Performance Training), which includes intense underwater training, water-based exercise has massively grown in popularity. While not all gyms are offering his style of extreme, underwater, weight-based exercise classes, aqua fitness of all kinds are growing in popularity.
From simple swimming and aqua aerobics to synchronized swimming and circuits, pool-based exercises offer great variety as well as less risk thanks to the support of the water.
New Olympic Sports
Assuming they occur, the Tokyo Olympic Games, which are set to enthrall audiences with several new competitive sports:
- Skateboarding
- Surfing
- Karate
- Climbing
Each of these sports have gained significantly in popularity since the announcement of the Olympic events, with more people trying climbing and bouldering especially after the release of recent films and documentaries. In the run up to the games it is expected that more people will try their hand at the sports, with prospective surfers taking to the waves in the summer months in particular.
Biohacking
The term ‘biohacking’ can encompass a huge variety of activities. In general it relates to at-home methods to ‘hack’ your body for the purpose of health benefits. In its most moderate form biohacking can mean changing diet to discover the impact of different nutrients on a person’s own genetic make-up.
However, in more extreme cases people – known as Grinders – perform procedures on themselves to achieve ‘technological enhancements’. This usually involves implanting a chip of some kind into their body for various reasons, such as measuring body temperature or heart rate. Tech giant Elon Musk has founded a neurotechnology company, Neuralink, which is working on a chip designed to be implanted into the brain, which can read information and feed it back to another device. The aim is for the brain to eventually communicate with AI, and the technology will supposedly be completed by the end of 2020.
Aside from the increase of extreme activities like biohacking, it looks like the overall goal in 2020 is to combine health and exercise with family values and happiness. There is more awareness of the importance of taking care of oneself in all kinds of ways, and fitness no longer means working out in the gym every day. Instead, in 2020, we will likely see a focus on fun and togetherness as people seek to achieve a rewarding and peaceful way of life. Fitness will be incorporated into the ‘bigger picture’, so that it’s less of a big deal and essentially becomes second nature instead of a chore.
Written by Sally Raith-Riches, Group Director of Sales at The Foxhills Collection, a group of some of the UK’s leading luxury leisure resorts. Her wide range of knowledge has continued to grow at Foxhills, meeting the specific and varied requirements of members, hotel guests and corporate partners.
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