Like everything else, the world of fitness is influenced by the latest trends and fashion. Sometimes these are short-lived fads, and sometimes they are long-term trends that bring new and fresh changes, making their place among fitness and health enthusiasts around the world.
Since 2006, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has annually released a list of the year’s top trends. The selection of the top 10 trends is driven by a comprehensive survey of thousands of fitness professionals around the world.
The selected experts include not only fitness trainers, but also physical therapists, nutritionists, and many other experts in their fields.
Here are the top 10 key trends for 2024, according to people who practice fitness every day.
1. Wearable technology
First on the trend list is wearable technology. These include the same watches, pedometers, heart rate monitors, and GPS-based distance measuring devices that we’ve become accustomed to using in recent years. All these devices actually make up a multi-billion dollar market that helps us measure, monitor, and coach everything related to fitness. But that’s not all. They monitor our sleep quality, blood pressure, and even blood sugar levels. And that this field is still in its infancy…
2. Physical activity at work
This trend is driving people to be active and take as many steps as possible. We can expect to see more and more organized activity in the workplace, where people prefer to stay fit and healthy rather than take time off work due to illness.
3. Intervention programs for the elderly
Third place on the list includes special intervention programs that address the needs of older adults. At the local government level, you can also find programs initiated by local governments that encourage older people to participate in activities that suit them in public spaces. Such programs may include tai chi exercises, flexibility and yoga, strength training, osteoporosis exercises, and more.
4. Weight loss program
This trend is seen as a response to the global obesity epidemic in the form of targeted programs, including nutritional interventions and customized training programs for people dealing with excess weight and obesity. These can be personalized one-on-one programs or group programs similar to those seen in recent years.
5. Receive fitness trainer recognition and insurance reimbursement
Customers who rely on private insurance companies to pay for a fitness trainer usually don’t get the results they requested. An emerging global trend is a change in policy regarding the recognition and certification of fitness trainers. In recent years, efforts have been made in Israel to establish a legal status for fitness trainers, making it easier for them to receive reimbursement from health funds and private insurance companies.
6. Hiring Certified Fitness Professionals
Continuing from previous trends, companies that provide fitness services to their customers are using qualified and experienced professionals based on the understanding and acceptance that professional service from qualified and experienced professionals leads to quality training. Employment of fitness trainers is on the rise.
7. Fitness training app for smartphones
The seventh trend on our list of major fitness trends relates to the widespread use of the thousands of fitness training apps that can be downloaded to smartphones. These apps offer customized training programs, allow you to share the workouts you perform with others, and provide access to the world of fitness, primarily for those who can’t go to the gym.
8. Mental health training
According to ACSM, one in eight adults worldwide experience symptoms related to a mental health disorder. Mental health includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Many studies around the world have shown that there is a direct correlation between regular physical activity and improved mental and cognitive performance.
9. Development of athletic skills in youth
Today’s youth are the athletes of tomorrow, and the ninth trend focuses on developing sports centers and training programs for young athletes to improve athletic performance, increase confidence, improve coordination, and more. It is assigned.
10. Personal Fitness Training
Ranked as the 10th trend on the list is personal fitness training as a strategy to improve the physical performance of individuals around the world and help them achieve their physical goals. The role of personal fitness trainers is increasing every year. Just as a nutritionist can provide a balanced menu tailored to our measurements and goals, a personal fitness trainer can help us reach our personal goals and monitor our bodies along the way. , helps you instill the right habits for the changes you want.
Yossi Zeevi is a personal fitness trainer and certified sports instructor at Wingate Institute.