New Fitness Trends for 2014 and Beyond

Each decade has been host to a number of fitness trends that have been both successful and very unsuccessful. Although some may argue that the wide variety of fitness “trends” are not trends at all, but simply more choices for workouts.  Check out the progression in fitness over the past 60 years:

• 1950’s

  It was jumping jacks and military-style exercises for men and simple aerobics were first introduced for women
  

• 1960’s

  A glorious time of get-fit-quick methods such as the Jiggle Machine, hot pants sauna suits, and of course the twist for that tiny waist that every woman dreams of!

• 1970s

  Brought the trend of jogging – what a concept! Simple is better, right?

• 1980’s

  Fitness celebrities like Miss Jane Fonda brought popularity to aerobics in neon-colored spandex

• 1990’s

  The over-excitement from the aerobics craze in the ’80s brought a more mellow approach to fitness in the 90’s focusing more of team sports and simple movements including resistance bands

• 2000’s

  The Millennium so far has been the golden age for fitness that is heavily intertwined with society’s relationship with technology with things like Nintendo’s Wii Fit, Shakeweights, calorie-counting watches and endless fitness apps.

Now, 2014 offers even more choice for the fitness inclined. Don’t like lifting mass amounts of weight in a Crossfit-style workout? You can try Zumba to shed the pounds (throwback to the 1960s twist, right?!) It’s like a buffet for fitness! So. Many. Choices.

If you’re not sure what fitness trend may work for you, here are some fitness trends for 2014:

CrossFit

Founded by Greg Glassman in 2000, Crossfit is practiced by 7,000 affiliated gyms worldwide and is combined strength and conditioning programming. Daily workouts, called WODs, are posted on their website using equipment from multiple disciplines, including weightlifting, conditioning, and body weight. CrossFit is high intensity and is not recommended for those who are just beginning to exercise.

Zumba

A dance fitness program created by Alberto Perez has grown exponentially in popularity since it’s introduction in the 1990s. Taught in thousands of classes in gym facilities worldwide, Zumba incorporates hip hop, soca, samba, salsa, meringue, mambo, and martial arts. Zumba is recommended for the sassy fitness lover.

HIIT

High-Intensity Interval Training consists of short intense bursts of exercise followed by less-intense recovery periods. This form of cardio improves athletic conditioning, sugar metabolism and burns fat like crazy. HIIT can be done while sprinting, on the elliptical, on the stairmaster or using body weight, through jump squats and lunges. Be prepared to sweat, baby!

Tabata

Developed by Japanese professor, Izumi Tabata, tabata is a form of HIIT based on a 1996 study involving Olympic speedskaters. Tabata involves 20 seconds of very intense exercise followed by 10 seconds of rest. This repeats for four minutes for a total of eight cycles. Although created in the 1990s, tabata did not hit the height of its popularity until the 2000s. An oldie but a goodie!

Barre

If celebrities do it, it means it’s awesome, right?! Barre fitness was created by a team of fitness, yoga, and dance professionals. Barre fitness combines fitness training, core conditioning, yoga and pilates using a ballet barre, resistance bands and weighted balls. No tutus required.

Have you found a new fitness trend recently that you enjoy? Or do you have a tried-and-true fitness regime?