Story by Cheri Woodsmall
You know the saying. New Year, New You. Every January, we tell ourselves we are going to invest more time and money into being healthier. We have great intentions, but soon, the busyness of life takes over and the dread of starting a new exercise routine sounds… well, exhausting.
From upgrades in digital fitness and exercise tech, to a bigger emphasis on efficiency and recovery; these fun, trendy workouts taking over Instagram feeds everywhere are perfect for you! If you’re ready to mix it up and add some excitement and fun to your workout routine, follow these hot new trends for 2019 and get ready to have your best fitness year yet!
Get Fit With the New HIIT
HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) isn’t new to the fitness world. This training technique is where you give all-out, one hundred percent effort through quick, intense bursts of exercise, followed by short, sometimes active, recovery periods. This type of training gets and keeps your heart rate up and burns more fat in less time. Step it up by incorporating YOGA into the routine. Several fitness studios in the metro area are creating HIIT hybrid classes.
Mindfulness Matters
A focus on mindfulness is projected to take 2019 by storm. After all, taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your overall health. Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us.
While mindfulness is something we all naturally possess, it’s more readily available to us when we practice on a daily basis.
Whenever you bring awareness to what you’re directly experiencing via your senses, or to your state of mind via your thoughts and emotions, you’re being mindful. There’s growing research showing that when you train your brain to be mindful, you’re remodeling the physical structure of your brain. Look for robust apps that cater specifically to this need without having to set foot into a therapist’s office.
Bring the Gym to Your Living Room
When it comes to exercise equipment, the most valuable piece of gear might be right in your back pocket. Today, there a ton of apps devoted to all kinds of workouts, from yoga and Pilates to HIIT and strength training sessions. These sweat-inducing downloads include trainer demos that’ll walk you through each move, modifications to help you work up to full range of motion, and motivation to make the most out of every workout. A few of our faves are Aaptiv, Nike Training app and MyFitness Pal. Download one and tone up, stretch it out, or slim down — no gym membership required!
Zumba Takes It Up a Notch
We know Zumba is not a new kid on the fitness block, but 2019 is ushering in a new twist: CORE WORK. Coming on the heels of the “Cha Cha Challenge,” instructors and participants alike have been coming up with new ways to spice up the normal offerings of a Zumba class, and adding core-specific challenges seems to be a winner.
You’ve probably seen the implementation of core exercises in almost all workouts, including group fitness classes, in the past couple of years. It’s not going away!
Fusion workouts are already popular and now they have a renewed inspiration! These hybrid workouts are fun, motivating, and they are great for busy lifestyles!
High Tech Workout Tools Make a Play for Attention
From percussion guns to hand-held scrubbing devices, pre- and post-workout tools will become a go-to for recovery assistance in 2019. These tools target particular muscle groups and connective tissue to increase lymphatic flow, reduce lactic acid buildup, and allow quicker healing times.
New Recovery Options
Recovery is just as important as the workout itself. Maintaining a strong, healthy body takes more than just a vigorous exercise routine. If you haven’t seen them already, treatments such as salt therapy, cryotherapy, stretch therapy, and other restorative studios will be popping up in your neighborhood and on your social media platforms.
