“New year, new me” is a phrase the fitness industry has taken seriously, with so much changing due to the global pandemic. Because of this, it’s time to get creative in finding ways to work-out.

If we’ve learned anything in 2020, it’s that the future is unpredictable. But through conversations with a myriad of fitness industry professionals – from gym owners to equipment manufacturers, ACE experts believe these are a few fitness trends to look for in the new year.

1. Streaming services that deliver workouts to any screen will remain so for the foreseeable future.
The variety of workouts combined with the chat features that allow participants to engage with the instructors and each other really does create the studio experience from the comfort of home. According to Jessica Pohl Sinnarajah, a cycling instructor in Buffalo, N.Y., “The social online presence created by the streaming platforms help create a feeling of community, even while you’re working out alone. There is a sense of accomplishment when posting about workout achieving that also helps to build accountability to others who work out on the platform.” In 2021, class size restrictions will lead many facilities to offer hybrid services of streaming workouts directly from their studios. Thanks to technology, many facilities will create their own streaming services that will allow some members to participate live in the studio while others will be sweating from home.

2. Group fitness classes are going green.
Governments have attempted to limit the spread of the virus through shelter-in-place orders and by restricting business operations; in many locations, fitness facilities are allowed to operate but only by offering outdoor workouts. Health clubs and studios in warm-weather locations such as Southern California, Arizona and Florida have responded by moving equipment and classes outdoors. Partly in response to the business closures that restrict popular leisure activities such as going to the movies or watching professional sports, many people are rediscovering the benefits of accessible activities such as walking and are making use of outdoor recreation spaces such as parks and hiking trails. In addition, activities such as cycling, roller skating and inline skating are seeing a resurgence in popularity.

3. In response to business closures and restrictions on large groups, many consumers have been buying up all available fitness equipment to stock up their garage gyms.
It’s one thing to buy exercise equipment for the home, it’s another to learn how to use it correctly. The explosive popularity of garage gyms should create a number of new opportunities for health and exercise professionals who specialize in in-home workouts to deliver their services to a whole new clientele.

4. Due to a variety of reasons, including evidence suggesting a link between obesity and COVID-19 complications, it appears as if many individuals have become more physically active and have started to exercise for the purpose of improving health.
As this recent CERTIFIED article on exercise and the immune system points out, it’s well established that regular exercise combined with other healthy lifestyle habits can strengthen the immune system.

5. On that note, in 2021 social media will continue to be the primary way that many individuals search for and consume fitness information.
As more consumers enter the fitness market, many turn to popular social media platforms to look for guidance on how to start an exercise program. Health and exercise professionals that have a strong social media presence and know how to leverage platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or TikTok to engage.

6. Due to its ability to deliver results in a short amount of time, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) will continue to be a popular mode of exercise in 2021.
The key difference is that as long-time fitness consumers become another year older, these workouts will need to be modified for participants of all ages. Keep in mind that many older fitness consumers have been exercising for most of their lives so they are more likely to do a HIIT workout than chair aerobics. In addition to benefits such as improving aerobic capacity, elevating the hormones that help promote muscle growth and managing a healthy bodyweight, research suggests that HIIT elevates BDNF, a protein that stimulates the growth of new brain cells. This means that older adults who want to reduce the risk of dementia or Alzheimer’s should consider adding one or two HIIT workouts per week to their exercise program.

7 Partly due to an aging population that is remaining extremely active both in and out of the gym, in 2021 post-workout recovery protocols will remain extremely popular.
Body-weight workouts that enhance mobility, the use of percussion guns and foam rollers for myofascial release and compression clothing are all useful approaches for enhancing recovery from exercise and will only gain popularity in the coming year. There will also be an increased emphasis on the health benefits of sleep, in part because of its positive effects on the immune system. From bed sheets that can help retain infrared heat to smart mattresses that can automatically adjust the temperature while monitoring biometric data such as heart rate variability, a number of products are being introduced with the promise of helping improve health through sleep.

8. Because it can help reduce overall stress levels while supporting a positive mindset, meditation and mindfulness will become more popular in mainstream fitness over the coming year. |
When military special operations teams such as the Navy SEALs start mindful practices like meditation to achieve optimal teamwork in a high-stress environment, you know it will only be a matter of time before that filters down to the mainstream. Consider meditation as exercise for the brain and understanding more about the benefits of meditation along with how to practice it could help and become an important asset in 2021 and beyond.

9. One common theme that emerged from industry experts is that the past year has provided new opportunities for families to be more active together. In 2021, there will be growth in fitness programming for the entire family.
Many youth sports have been affected by the pandemic, and parents have responded by including kids in recreational activities.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the general public is developing a better understanding of the role that exercise plays in promoting optimal health. How fitness is delivered will continue to evolve throughout 2021, but what will not change is the fact that exercise can significantly enhance an individual’s quality of life.