Rock Springs Retreat Center / February 27, 2021 /
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There are a multitude of posts about the hottest fitness trends that you absolutely must try right now! Truth be told, while it’s great to be aware of new exercise trends, it’s more beneficial to find a fitness program that is most effective for your needs. We have selected a well-rounded group of current fitness trends that pay off in different ways: HIIT, Group Training, Zoom Training, and Strength Training. The choices are purposeful because we know that nurturing and maintaining a fitness lifestyle can be a monumental task. Let’s explore these trends and their benefits.
HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training)
HIIT is great because it can be applied in a variety of ways and pays off in big dividends. The premise is very simple: Continued alternation of high-intensity exercise and periods of recovery per exercise session. High-intensity exercise is defined by your heart rate during a period lasting between five seconds to eight minutes. During recovery periods, your heart rate will be between 40-50% of a person’s maximum heart rate. For optimal results, the total exercise session should last between 20-60 minutes, at least three days a week.
Group Training
These are organized exercises performed in a group. Examples of group training include spin class, yoga, Zumba, etc., led by an instructor or personal trainer or a professional team, like Fit Farm’s. While group training can cover a wide variety of exercises, it is the group mentality that offers the greatest benefit. Humans are social, cultural beings. When we participate in anything as a group there is a feeling of belonging that comes with it. People are naturally competitive within groups as well. For example, you can push yourself just a little bit harder when someone is watching, right? That is the beauty of group training and it works like a charm. Plus, at the end of the workout, that competitive edge is replaced with the feeling of camaraderie for what you just accomplished together.
If you’re just getting into a fitness lifestyle, group training is a great way to become familiar with common movements and learn new exercises. The accountability factor is also a huge win, regardless of your current fitness level.
On-Demand Classes
Blame it on the pandemic if you will, but one of the latest trends is on-demand classes. This is beneficial for those who aren’t able to fit a gym session in their schedule, or maybe they simply don’t want to leave their home. Either way, on-demand classes provide the feeling of being in person without actually having to be in person.
One way to participate in on-demand classes is through an online library or catalog, and another is streaming directly through services such as Zoom. Many gyms and personal trainers are on board with this trend and the class possibilities are seemingly endless!
Strength Training
For the longest time, fitness fads revolved around cardio. It’s even been the buzz that if someone wants to lose weight, cardio is all they need, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. If you want to get lean, you’ve got to add a little weight in your routine (and a little more, and then a little more. You get the picture.) As you age, you gradually lose lean muscle mass. When you don’t work to maintain those muscles they are replaced with body fat. Thankfully, men and women of any age can benefit from strength training.
When it comes to strength training, you can use your own body weight, resistance bands, weight machines, or free weights, etc. The best part is that you can do it anywhere. If you’re uncomfortable with the gym setting, pick up some weights at your local store. Of course, you want to warm up a bit first with an aerobic exercise for 5-10 minutes, as cold muscles are more prone to injury. As the weights become easier to lift, bump up to the next heaviest set then tag us in a pic of your best flex. Let’s see what you’ve got!