Health is increasingly the new social currency. People are valuing their health over other things, choosing to drink less alcohol and eat better. It’s a pretty cool trend to be a part of. But when it comes to fitness, there always seems to be a new fitness trend. Are things like Wall Pilates and HIIT just fads, or can they actually make you healthier in the long run?
When you’re thinking of your health, you should really be looking at it from all angles. Cutting down on alcohol, choosing fresh and organic food when you can, stocking up on your favorite vape juice instead of cigarettes… These are all brilliant, conscious decisions you can make for your health. But unpacking the fitness world and figuring out the right kind of workout for you can feel like a bit of a nightmare. So here are some of the latest fitness trends, with an honest look at how much they actually impact your health.
1. Functional Fitness
Functional fitness sounds like a buzzword, and it kind of is. But that doesn’t mean it’s not good for you. Functional fitness exercises mimic everyday activities, helping you move better in your daily life. Think squats, lunges, and lifting movements that you use when bending to pick something up. Or reaching for an item on a high shelf. These are all things you need to do anyway. The reasoning behind incorporating these movements into your routine is to improve your strength, balance, and flexibility. It means you’ll be able to get by in daily life much more easily. Functional workouts often involve multiple muscle groups, meaning you actually get a decent full-body workout.
So will functional fitness improve your overall health? Yes. It can help people of pretty much any age and any fitness level. It can also help prevent injuries. This is because you’re practicing real-life movements, making the muscles you use for everyday things tougher and more stable. Functional fitness exercises are also easy to do at home – you don’t need any special equipment or to go to a specialist class for it.
2. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
HIIT has been around for years, and it’s definitely an over-used word in fitness circles. But again, there’s a good reason it’s stood the test of time. It involves short bursts of intense exercise followed by brief periods of rest or low-intensity activity. This type of training has been shown by researchers to improve cardiovascular fitness. And it gives your metabolism a kickstart too – helping you burn more calories than you would with prolonged and lower-intensity exercise.
So HIIT will improve your health, because it pushes your body to work harder than it would during a ‘typical’ workout. This bonus effort leads to greater calorie burn, and this carries on after your workout too, in what is known as the “afterburn effect”. HIIT might not be for everyone, and if you’re just coming back to exercise after a prolonged period off, you might want to build up to HIIT workouts slowly. That said, you can customize your workouts according to your fitness level, and it’s easy to squeeze these shorter workouts into pockets of spare time you might have.
3. Mindful Movement Practices
There’s a whole group of exercise types that fitness buffs call ‘mindful movement practices’. This term incorporates things like yoga, Tai Chi, and Pilates. As well as exercises and stretches, there’s a big focus on connecting the mind and body through breath and movement. The research shows that all of these practices reduce stress, improve mental clarity, and enhance overall well-being. You might not be burning the same level as calories as you would through HIIT, but the value to your health in these ways is pretty high.
That said, there are a lot of benefits to your physical health, even if it’s not through weight loss and calorie burn. Yoga is probably the best-known mindful movement practice and the benefits include increased flexibility, strength, and balance. It can also improve sleep, and a lot of people say they get a feeling of inner calm they can’t find elsewhere. Tai Chi is sometimes referred to as “meditation in motion” which is a pretty visual description of what it involves! Yes, it’s gently, but it’s also effective at improving balance and coordination. Pilates is more about core strength and stability, which is good for improving posture and preventing injury. Wall Pilates is trending right now – and it basically means you can do a Pilates style workout with no equipment – just a wall. And yes, it’s pretty effective!
4. Wearable Technology and Fitness Apps
It seems like everyone has a piece of wearable technology kit these days. Whether it’s a Fitbit, an Apple Watch tracking your health, or at least a fitness app – fitness technology is slowly creeping into all our lives. Now this is something a lot of people say is a fad. Gadgets are always desirable, but tend to lose their appeal after a while. But when it comes to health, evidence is only showing that people are consistently using wearable tech or fitness apps to help them. They might be switching between things – not necessarily ‘loyal’ to one solution – but people are generally switching between tech, not discarding it for health altogether.
This because all this tech offers vast resources that you can tap into, depending on which aspect of your health you’re most focused on. Workout plans, guided exercises, nutrition advice, meal planning, heart rate monitors…it’s all there. With so many options available, it’s easier than ever to find a program that fits your needs and preferences. Many apps also include social features, allowing you to connect with friends and share your achievements, creating a sense of community and accountability.
These are all commonly known fitness trends. But despite the fact they’re seen as being ‘trendy’ right now, you will get health benefits from all of them. In fact, each one gives your health something a little different, so blending them all into your monthly routine will be even more effective than choosing just one thing.