The Top 10 Exercise Trends to Watch Out for in 2022
Every year, more and more people join the exercise craze and become more health conscious. And why not? Exercise has been proven to help one lose weight, build strength, feel happier, and live longer! But there are so many exercise trends out there that it can be hard to keep track of what works best, especially when some trends just don’t work at all! Here are the top 10 exercise trends to watch out for in 2022!
1) Fitness tracker trackers
Most of us are guilty of slacking off when it comes to exercise—and fitness trackers, wearable technology like smartwatches and even apps can be a great motivator. If you’re trying to lose weight or manage a chronic condition, there are also plenty of devices out there that will keep you informed and give you results, whether it’s with weight loss or blood pressure. In general, these technology-heavy trends can motivate users and often help them stick with their goals for longer periods of time than other methods. For example, researchers at Duke University have found that people who used a combination of a smartphone app and physical activity program lost more weight than those using just one method alone. But which fitness trends will stand out from all others?
2) Wearable tech watches
In January 2017, TomTom teamed up with Adidas to launch a new range of GPS-enabled running watches. The watches track your activity by constantly measuring your heart rate, speed and distance travelled. As an added bonus, you’ll also be able to get tips on how to improve your performance from Adidas’ Digital Sport team of experts. At $450, it’s not cheap – but if you are serious about your training goals, it could be worth investing in one as they give you all of the information you need without having to hold anything other than your watch (including a smartphone).
3) Virtual reality training
With machines becoming smarter every day, virtual reality training will soon become commonplace, allowing people to simulate real-life scenarios before going through them with their own bodies. They’ll be able to see what it’s like if they get into a wheelchair and can walk around by themselves, Hoffman says. So that’s really changing how we teach patients. Imagine being able to get a feel for something you’re afraid of before actually trying it out—and knowing exactly what’s coming.
4) Smart clothing expands beyond running shoes
As fitness tracking becomes more widespread, and available on a wide range of devices, many consumers will feel comfortable leaving their smartwatch behind. The most popular wearable technology has been smartwatches that track your daily activity levels; if you’re getting enough sleep and regular exercise, your watch will let you know by vibrating with each step you take. Smart clothing provides a similar service without being so intrusive or requiring you to wear a bulky device on your wrist all day. Many runners already wear ultra-light shirts with built-in sensors—but as more companies enter into that market space, these clothes are starting to evolve beyond merely measuring steps taken and heart rates. Future versions of smart shirts will measure air quality and track stress levels.
5) Augmented reality training programs come into their own
Exercising doesn’t need to be boring or repetitive; if done correctly, it can be a lot of fun. The future of fitness will take advantage of augmented reality by offering personalized workout programs based on a variety of data. Want some inspiration? Just check out what’s possible with augmented reality training programs: Users can use augmented reality glasses (or contact lenses) and motion sensors on their body that sync up with video games projected onto their skin.
6) New calorie tracking apps arrive on the scene
While many fitness app developers continue to add new features, personal trainers are now offering their services via apps. Several of these are free and available in both iPhone and Android versions. These trainers offer video demos on how to execute a variety of exercises with step-by-step instructions. In addition, many of them offer one-on-one coaching sessions via Skype or Google Hangouts.
7) AI trainers become smarter than ever before
Unlike early versions of AI trainers, which had a simple command-and-response functionality and basic learning capacity, AI trainers have advanced capabilities that have made them just as valuable as a personal trainer. These include collective intelligence skills that enable them to anticipate individual clients’ needs while they’re working out. Most importantly, they can continuously learn through observation and interaction with others. By 2022, you may no longer be able to tell an AI trainer apart from its human counterpart.
8) A movement away from long cardio sessions begins
As technology continues to advance, millennials are eager to try out some of their go-to workout apps. As a result, gyms and studios will have more tech incorporated into them and they will also begin offering shorter but more intensive sessions. These trends aren’t expected to replace long sessions entirely, but they will appeal especially to millennials looking for less time commitment. This isn’t surprising because many millennials grew up taking part in activities like soccer and dance lessons after school which would generally last anywhere from one hour up until around eight hours at a time. They are accustomed to short but fulfilling exercise routines that don’t require much preparation or planning ahead of time.
9) People take control of their own health using real-time data analysis
Global fitness brand Fiturbo believes that everyone has a fitness story, according to CEO Sarah Harrison. Many people start out trying to get into shape, but it’s hard work and they don’t know what exercises are going to work best. I know because I was one of those people. When we developed our app, our focus was on making sure that it was super easy-to-use, so users could lose weight and maintain their workout routines. In addition, Fiturbo helps provide real-time data analysis and feedback while working out. The combination of real-time data analysis (applying AI and machine learning) along with behavior modification (using psychological principles) is likely going to be a critical component of future health management tools as well.
10) Weight lifting goes mainstream
Weight training has long been practiced by serious athletes and those looking to improve athletic performance, but it is only recently that fitness enthusiasts have begun embracing weightlifting as an opportunity to strengthen their bodies and improve overall health. While there’s no doubt that lifting weights can be a daunting endeavor, studies show that people who regularly work out with free weights can boost strength, speed, balance and coordination while reducing stress levels. By 2022, expect more men and women to set aside time each week for weight-training routines designed not just to look good but also feel good.
