April is here, and this week I noticed the new fitness class schedule at my gym has been posted. Spring brings more fitness classes as people begin to escape winter hibernation and look to become fit and healthy for the summer months. There are many new fitness trends this year, and the below trends caught my eye as they are appealing to overall health and fitness for women.
HIIT Workouts
The name may look familiar as this trend continues on for 2019. Shorter and shorter workouts are proving to be very popular while giving equal fitness and toning results than longer ones. Workouts that are less than 45 minutes but with high-intensity burn calories, increase the heart rate and tone the body. Shorter workouts mean you are more likely to have the time to attend classes or work out on your own, and you have fewer excuses to not attend with the timeline.
Wellness Festivals
While many people attend concerts and day-long music festivals, those dedicated or looking to improve overall health head towards wellness festivals. Wellness festivals can pop up in the form of trade shows, which highlight the newest fitness and nutrition trends. Some wellness festivals are more specific, such as Yoga festivals for a chance to learn and attend classes throughout the day. You may be surprised that even the smallest towns host wellness days. Look to your local community guide for events happening in your area.
High-Tech Fitness
Technology is taking over the fitness world, making it easier than ever to get a great workout from the comforts of home. Apple GymKit, Peloton, Motiv Ring and EMS suits (Electrical Muscle Stimulation Suits) are just some of the high tech toys available on the market. Peloton is something I am personally saving towards, as I love high-intensity spin classes. Peloton offers over 10,000, 24-hour on-demand workouts and daily live-streaming cycling classes from their New York-based broadcasting studio – straight to your home! Bikes are made specifically for in-home use and come equipped with a sweat-proof HD touchscreen.
Fusion Rowing
Rowing provides a great, full body workout, using 85% of the muscles in your body on every stroke. Rather than searching for a body of water or rowing club near you, fusion rowing encompasses group classes now popping up at many gyms in North America. Classes are geared towards overall body toning and provide a great cardio workout with a motivating instructor and supportive group.
Recovery
As much as we focus on fitness and working out, we often forget about recovery time to build muscle and heal the body. It is important to make time for massage, meditation, self-care, morning routines ad breathing techniques. Another recovery and at home technique I really enjoy is foam rolling because it is a great way to stretch and relieve tension. Foam rolling can be done for a very low cost (just the foam roller!) and through watching video’s online of techniques and stretching routines. Below is a great introductory video to try foam rolling at home.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4A523-O5uk
As we head into spring, think about getting outside your comfort zone to try some new and trending fitness classes or at-home workouts.
