8 Fitness Trends for 2018

Kickboxing, functional movement flow and brain-training… check out all the latest research-supported trends as reported by by Pete McCall at the American Council on Exercise
This is the perfect opportunity to gaze into the future and attempt to predict what will happen in the fitness industry over the coming year.
Based on wide-ranging research and numerous conversations with colleagues working for health clubs, equipment companies and education organizations, I’ve identified some of the fitness trends we are most likely to see in the coming year. The trends listed below, although not an exhaustive list by any means, represent opportunities for you to increase your knowledge as a health and fitness professional, and identify potential areas of growth in 2018.
(Note: If you’d like to judge the accuracy of my soothsaying abilities, here are the trend lists for 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2014. It’s a shame I can’t make the same predictions about the outcomes of football games or the stock market.)
1
Boxing and kickboxing workouts will experience a resurgence in popularity.
Recently, there has been an increase in the number of studios opening up to offer these physically demanding workouts, as well as an increase in the number of boxing/kickboxing classes showing up on group fitness schedules.
2
2018 will make a rediscovery of functional training.
After years of high-intensity interval training reigning supreme, 2018 will make a rediscovery of functional training that emphasizes movement quality over load and intensity. Lashaun Dale, vice president for content and programming at 24 Hour Fitness who specializes in being a futurist for the fitness industry, suggests that class programming will shift toward an emphasis on what she calls “conscious movement,” as opposed to simply pushing the intensity of a workout to reach the point of exhaustion.
3
Fitness programs will become more mindful with instructors and trainers incorporating various strategies to promote flow states via exercise…
Check out the full article for more trends including mindful exercise, brain training, and more.
 
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