Six months into the year and there have already been countless fitness fads that have entered and, just as swiftly, exited the fitness industry. The short but intense hype around these ‘fads’ might have temporarily gripped an alarming number of people, but the consistently growing, popular and results-driven workouts have made a serious mark on the global fitness scene. We’re calling it now; whether you’re a fitness enthusiast, a studio owner, or new to the world of sweaty selfies, here are 5 fitness trends to be on the lookout for in 2018.
1. Boxing and Kick Boxing
Lift your fists up and slip on those gloves – boxing is about to break the records. Growing in popularity over the last year, we’re predicting a substantial growth in boxing studios with the expansion of western boxing giants like KOBOX and UFC expanding into Europe, UK and Asia. Even supermodels like Gigi Hadid and Adriana Lima are doing it – and who doesn’t want to try out a model’s workout routine? The benefits of boxing far surpass only Instagram likes.
Try finding yourself another workout that burns anywhere between 500 and 700 calories per hour, while working on your coordination, reflex skills, and concentration. There’s more than one reason why this workout is here to stay.
2. Functional Training / HIIT
The combined benefits of muscle development and fat loss have kept functional training and HIIT a popular workout for years now. But, with the emergence of workouts like Barry’s Bootcamp, Orange Theory and F45 in markets like Asia and the UK, the results based programs are dubbed to peak in popularity this come late 2018.
Source: Daily Burn
Companies like those listed have built their online presence through captivating and shocking testimonials from real members’ transformations – you can’t compete with the #TransformationTuesday posts that come from functional training/HIIT workouts.
3. Group Training
Group training ranks 2nd on the American College of Sports Medicine’s survey of fitness trends, moving a few spots up from 6th place in 2017 and safe to say, we have some understanding as to why…
Group training has proven time and time again to be more beneficial, more motivational and a better workout all round than working out by yourself:
- Comparing patients suffering from mobility conditions, group training has proved to be more effective in reducing pain, improving balance and increasing mobility compared to subjects who exercised individually
- Working out with people improves mental and emotional health markers in subjects, compared to working out alone
- Motivation and likelihood of continuing your workout regime is increased when you do it in a group environment
Still unsure about group workouts? Explore the classes available on GuavaPass now!
4. Yoga / Recovery classes
The focus on recovery, rehabilitation, and an all-encompassing workout routine are on the rise for 2018. From mixing CrossFit with mediation, pilates with running and boxing with ballet, people are crossing disciplines to achieve their ultimate fitness level.
Yoga helps with mental clarity and stress management while being an excellent workout for improving flexibility and balance, which are essential to an overall fitness routine. It can also help build muscle strength and endurance, toning and strengthening your entire body. Don’t forget to incorporate Yoga into your workout routine – a good stretch during Yoga also helps in muscle recovery after an intense strength-training workout.
5. Educated, Certified, and Experienced Fitness Professionals
There has been a rise in interest in more regulation of the fitness industry, according to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). It is extremely important that fitness professionals know their stuff to lead classes in a way that’s safe and effective! The focus on highly educated experts at boutique studios is what makes their services so unique. Because boutique studios focus on only 1 or 2 styles of exercise, the trainers that take these classes are specialised, experienced and focused on you. GuavaPass offers unlimited monthly subscriptions and class packages to the widest range of boutique fitness studios across 12 cities globally.
