{"id":64327,"date":"2017-12-27T07:15:00","date_gmt":"2017-12-27T12:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/?p=64327"},"modified":"2021-11-02T06:05:10","modified_gmt":"2021-11-02T10:05:10","slug":"top-fitness-trends-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/fitness\/top-fitness-trends-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Fitness Trends for a Fitter 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"

These days, your workout routine might not involve a big box gym. And if you\u2019re up on the latest fitness trends, it might look a little something like this: sled pushes and battle ropes before work, mindfulness meditation<\/a> during your lunch break, and a cryotherapy<\/a> appointment before dinner. Because when it comes to wellness, it\u2019s more than just a routine; it\u2019s a lifestyle. And the numbers say it all: According to the Global Wellness Institute<\/a>, the wellness industry is a $3.7 trillion business. It grew 10.6 percent from 2013 to 2015, and is expected to grow 17 percent<\/a> in the next five years.<\/p>\n

But it’s not just the feel-good effects of exercise that keep us coming back for more. It\u2019s also the appeal of training and <\/em>living like an athlete. Pete McCall<\/a>, MS, CSCS, former exercise physiologist for the American Council on Exercise and director of fitness programming for Vicore Fitness, says, \u201cMore people want the athlete experience and that\u2019s why we\u2019ll continue to see athletic-based training workouts.\u201d<\/p>\n

That\u2019s right, people aren\u2019t just interested in working out like LeBron James. They want to eat and recover like him, too. So if you, too, want to train like athlete, check out our list of the biggest fitness trends for 2018.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>The Most Popular Health Food Trends of 2017<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a08 Major Fitness Trends to Try in 2018<\/h3>\n
\"2018
Photo: Ryan Kelly \/ Daily Burn Undefeated<\/a><\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1.\u00a0Boutique Boxing<\/h3>\n

Muhammad Ali fans aren\u2019t the only ones hopping in the ring to train \u201cThrilla in Manila\u201d style these days. Celebs, models and everyday athletes are shuffling into new studios like Rumble, Everybody Fights and Box Union in impressive numbers. And when people can\u2019t hit a bag, they can do it at home with programs like Daily Burn\u2019s Undefeated<\/a> kickboxing program.\u00a0One reason boxing is the knock-out workout of the year? Sandy Todd Webster, editor in chief of the IDEA Fitness Journal<\/a>, says, \u201cWe\u2019re all living with an incredible amount of stress in our lives and hitting a bag or throwing forceful air punches using the torque of our whole bodies is an amazing release!\u201d<\/p>\n

And since most boxing studios offer the experience of training like a true boxer with strength training and conditioning components in each class, you get the performance benefits, too. Rick Richey<\/a>, MS, LMT, NASM-certified trainer, says, \u201cExercise can seem boring when only focusing on physiological outcomes, but sports conditioning classes provide us with performance-based outcomes that make the exercises more engaging and fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"2018
Photo: Twenty20<\/a><\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2. Functional Training 2.0<\/h3>\n

While functional training<\/a> is nothing new, McCall says there\u2019s going to be greater focus on enhancing strength in all planes of motion. Think about the daily activities, like pushing, pulling, lifting, bending and twisting, you do. \u201cIf you\u2019re going to live a healthy, active and injury-free life, functional training needs to be the baseline for everything else you do,\u201d Webster says.<\/p>\n

Barbells<\/a> have become more popular for functional training, but McCall thinks, \u201cWe\u2019ll see a re-birth in using medicine balls, resistance bands and plyometric training.\u201d On the other hand, Richey says since more educational courses and trainers are trending toward weightlifting modalities themselves, their clients and classes will soon follow. “There will likely be an uptick in weightlifting, Olympic lifting and kettlebell classes that focus on building strength.\u201d According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association 2017 report<\/a>, the use of barbells rose 4.3 percent last year and kettebells 3.2 percent.<\/p>\n

\"2018
Photo: Tone House<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3. Revved-Up Recovery<\/h3>\n

Over the past decade, workouts like HIIT<\/a> and CrossFit have encouraged us to dial up the intensity, but 2018 is going to be all about slowing down. \u201cInstead of killing ourselves with extremely intense workouts seven days a week, we\u2019ll see more intelligent programming that includes recovery<\/a>,\u201d McCall says. \u201cHigh-intensity workouts are just one part of the equation for better performance. The other half is recovery,\u201d he explains. But recovery goes beyond taking a 30-second water break in between circuits or supersets. Webster notes, \u201cRecovery is multifaceted and includes taking short breaks from exercise, active rest, myofascial release<\/a>, sleep\u2026they\u2019re all a huge part of overall health.\u201d<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>3 Fitness Studios That Are Going Big on Recovery<\/a><\/p>\n

\"2018<\/a>
Photo: Pond5<\/a><\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

4.\u00a0Going hot\u2026or cold<\/h3>\n

Speaking of chilling out between sweat sessions, cryotherapy<\/a> is continuing to gain popularity for post-workout recovery. Proponents of cryotherapy believe that sub-freezing temps can help speed up muscle recovery and reduce inflammation by constricting blood vessels. Post-session, you should experience improved blood flow and less pain overall. \u201cCryotherapy is something you see more professional athletes who train at a high level doing,\u201d McCall says, but with ClassPass offerings and flash sales, cryo appears to be making a cold dash for the mainstream.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, some fitness studios believe heat is a better way to relieve pain and reduce stress. Sky Ting yoga studio in New York City has a built-in infrared sauna<\/a>, and the Fhitting Room recently partnered with HigherDOSE to offer a sauna sesh post-workout. But are these recovery methods just a smoke show? Richey, who is opening his own recovery facility in early 2018, says, \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of theoretical reasoning and rational, but little empirical research [about these recovery methods].\u201d That will all change once science starts catching up with the trends, he says. \u201cResearch in fitness is often not pioneering. Research tries to measure, validate and quantify outcomes of what is already being done in the field. \u201c<\/p>\n

\"2018
Photo: Asi Zeevi \/ Woom Center<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

5. Exercise in 3D<\/h3>\n

Basic, one-dimensional fitness classes won\u2019t cut it in 2018. Studios are going immersive with their experiences. That means yoga studios<\/a> with sound baths, and spin studios leveraging virtual reality into their classes. \u201cChange and experimentation are inevitable in an industry with super creative minds, and necessary to keep offerings dynamic for exercisers who want to stay motivated through change,\u201d Webster explains. These immersive experiences<\/a> also provide perspective on how to use fitness to overcome life\u2019s challenges. Webster says. \u201cThe instructor takes you on an amazing journey through imagery, storytelling, varied tempos and inspiring music.\u201d<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>Mindfulness for Athletes: The Secret to Better Performance?<\/a><\/p>\n

\"2018
Photo: Twenty20<\/a><\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

6. At-Home Workouts<\/h3>\n

This year, we saw FlyWheel and ClassPass expand their businesses online with live streaming workouts, joining the likes of Daily Burn<\/a> and Peloton. \u201cI think this is the next generation of exercise DVDs. Some people just prefer to work out in the comfort of their own homes,\u201d Webster says. McCall says this is also another way for trainers to connect with their clients when they can\u2019t make it to the gym. \u201cIt will be interesting to see how people start to re-create a live experience. We\u2019re going to see how technology can change fitness,\u201d McCall says.<\/p>\n

\"2018
Photo: Matt Doyle<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

7. Mindful Movement<\/h3>\n

Meditation hit it big in 2017. And it incorporated HIIT, too. Nike Master Trainer Holly Rilinger\u2019s Lifted<\/a> class, for instance, infuses a meditation pre- and post-workout. But McCall predicts meditation will be baked into other types of workouts in the new year. \u201cWe\u2019re going to see mindful movement as part of strength training to improve cognitive function<\/a> and mental acuity,\u201d he says. Think: Workout apps and audio workouts with five-minute meditations. Webster says since we\u2019re constantly glued to our screens, meditation can give us the headspace we need to truly focus on the push-up<\/a> at hand. \u201cIf it\u2019s five minutes before or after a class of guided meditation, it might be the only personal quiet time a person gets all day,\u201d Webster says.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>Meditation Meets HIIT in New Mindful Fitness Approach<\/a><\/p>\n

\"2018
Photo: Twenty20<\/a><\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

8. Breath Work<\/h3>\n

OK, now that we\u2019ve learned how to be more present, what\u2019s the next step in fueling our workouts from within? That\u2019s where breathing classes come in. \u201cMeditation classes may turn the corner this year and start offering breathing techniques,\u201d Richey says. The Valsalva maneuver<\/a> is a method used in many weightlifting workouts. It involves taking a deep breath before lifting and holding that breath while you lift. At the release, you exhale. And if you\u2019re new to meditating altogether, perhaps simply sitting and breathing could be the first step.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are distracted by our screens and devices 24\/7,\u201d Webster says. \u201cEmphasis on being more present and mindful in our lives \u2014 for however long we can manage \u2014 is an important way to regroup with yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read More
\n<\/strong>Daily Burn 365: New Workouts, 7 Days a Week<\/a>
\n3 Quick HIIT Workouts for Beginners<\/a>
\n5 Moves, 30 Minutes: Your Ultimate Kickboxing Workout<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From immersive experiences to better recovery methods, your workouts will never be the same in 2018. Check out our list of the top fitness trends.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":90,"featured_media":64346,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[21,24,6,14],"tags":[209,289,56,173,229,82,341,361],"class_list":["post-64327","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cardio","category-exercise","category-fitness","category-strength-training","tag-athlete","tag-exercise","tag-group-fitness","tag-meditation","tag-mindfulness","tag-recovery","tag-tax1living-well","tag-tax2fitness-trends"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64327","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/90"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=64327"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64327\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/64346"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=64327"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=64327"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=64327"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}