New Year, New Fitness Trends.

The fun festive season has once again been and gone, and if like us, you’ve over indulged on turkey and mince pies and dropped the ball with your fitness regime then now is the time to get right back on it!

January is upon us, gyms are at their fullest capacity for the year, and the next big celebrity fitness dvds are flying off the shelves.

But, if you want something different, then we’ve got just the thing for you. We’re taking a look at the hotly anticipated fitness trends to hit 2017.

HIIT

A popular workout trend since its arrival in 2014, HIIT: High-intensity interval training is still a favourite for 2017. This form of training involves short workouts, working as hard as you possibly can, followed by a short, less intense period. The workouts use a combination of exercises including plyometrics, strength training, yoga, cardio and stretching. It’s target audience are people who are already accustomed to exercise and are looking for a different challenge.

Wearable Technology

The use of wearable technology in fitness is another on-going trend that is said to become even more popular throughout 2017. In fact, with updated products from retailers such as Apple, Fitbit and Garmin this trend is said to be top of the list for fitness fanatics alike. The products enable users to stay motivated by tracking activity, estimating the distance you’ve travelled and the calories you’ve burned.

Although, they were initially created to monitor activity, its general purpose is to motivate and spur on further activity, helping to increase weight-loss and get fit more quickly.

Body weight training

Body weight training, like other workouts that require no equipment, will be huge in 2017. The reason they are so popular is down to the fact, they are relatively easy to learn, and can be modified to suit any level of ability. They are also great for those that don’t like going to the gym, as they can be completed just about anywhere! Body weight training exercises include: classic bodyweight moves such as pull ups and push ups, with others including: squats, lunges and planks.

Water workouts

This year HIIT workouts are no longer restricted to land. Water workouts are the latest craze to hit out fitness lists, with Virgin Active offering a bespoke hydro class that includes a circuit class in the pool comprising of timed sprints, lengths that isolate your top or bottom half and aquajogging, the only time spent out of the pool is when the time comes for those all important planks by the side of the pool.

Other favoured water workouts include spin cycle underwater, keep a look at for such workouts in a gym near you this 2017.

Group Training

Another big trend to continue in 2017 is group training, made popular from the likes of SoulCycle, Pre Barre and Crossfit. Group training programmes are designed to be motivational and effective for people at all different fitness levels. With leadership techniques used by instructors to help individuals achieve their goals.

Strength training

This form of training has been highly scrutinised over previous years, with many people believing the best way to get a good body is cardio. However, research has suggested that not only does strength training provide health benefits such as building muscle mass, protecting against diabetes and ailments such as back pain. It has also been proven, for women in particular, that weight or strength training won’t make you look bulky, it will in fact help to strip more fat and boost metabolism.