A Look at Modern Day Fitness Trends
The center for disease control and prevention defines fitness as the ability to carry out daily tasks with vigor and alertness, without fatigue, and with ample energy to enjoy leisure-time pursuits and respond to emergencies. From this definition, fitness is a term that encompasses every sphere of an individual’s physical state. Fitness trends highlight the peculiarities in the manner and approach people take to stay in good shape in respect to a specific era.
With the passing years, there has been a shift in society’s fitness trends and culture. Although no fitness style is tagged as “outdated,” some fitness trends are not as common as they were years ago. For example, the hula hoop, a very common piece of fitness equipment in the 1950s, is now used more often as a toy for children. In the 1980s, dance and aerobic routines were a dominant trend in fitness. One of the more modern fitness trends is yoga. Yoga is a mind-body exercise. Studies estimate that there are about 36 million individuals in the United States alone who practice it. Yoga increases one’s flexibility and relieves stress and tension in the body.
Technology has made a remarkable imprint in the health and fitness space, especially in present times. Technological advancements like Wearable Fitness Technology (WFT) are fast becoming a universal trend. The wearable fitness technology can tell the heart rate, blood pressure, the number of steps taken, calories burned, and more. Wearable technology is commonly used amongst fitness enthusiasts, especially as they have been adapted to everyday use. They include wristbands, smartwatches, smart rings, and pins. Some popular wearable technology brands include the FitBit wristbands, Apple and Samsung smartwatches.
Additionally, technological advancements worldwide have incorporated health and fitness applications into the industry. Various applications have been created to suit the needs of its users. The myriad of applications covers the diverse areas of fitness. Some adopt wearable technology functions and help monitor one’s physical status. Some provide exercise routines that can be performed in one’s bedroom or at the gym. Others monitor intermittent fasting or other suitable diet plans for their users.
Another fitness trend is High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). This exercise involves intense anaerobic exercises with brief periods of rest. It is a very effective exercise style as much is achieved within a short time frame. It gets the heart pumping and facilitates the burning of calories. It can also be performed with or without equipment.
The last fitness trend to be discussed is outdoor activities. This umbrella term refers to any form of exercise that isn’t performed within the confines of a room. They include biking, hiking, swimming, running, kayaking, etc. Outdoor activities can be performed solo or in groups.
One notable factor in fitness in the modern age is how accessible and affordable technology has made fitness for the average individual. True that fitness trends have morphed as the years have gone by, fitness regarding healthy living is still important in an individual’s life. Hence, individuals are encouraged to maximize the opportunities provided by technology and incorporate a convenient fitness style into their daily lives.
