I’m reflecting on top fitness trends predicted for 2024. I’ve been following these trends for many years. I’m interested in them personally and they also impact my classes. Here is my take on the good and also potential issues with these 10 ten trends trends. Not all fitness trends are good. Those of you who remember thong leotards know what I’m talkin’ about. More trends for next month. If you are a fitness geek like me and want more detail about the study from the American College of Sports Medicine here is the link https://www.acsm.org/education-resources/trending-topics-resources/acsm-fitness-trends

Wearable Technology. Wearable technology a top trend since 2016, is now in the number 1 spot. Good if it gets you to take more steps and be more active. An issue if you become obsessive about it. For the patients in the eating disorder clinic where I work some are addicted to exercise for weight loss. We do not encourage counting steps. We advocate listening to your body to know how much to walk.

Worksite Health Promotion. Worksite health promotion is a new trend. Some examples are discounts to fitness facilities, health education classes and wellness coaching. Since I was a wellness coach I like this one. The issue is forcing employees into coaching if they are not ready. There are stages of change readiness and if employees are not ready to change coaching won’t work.

Fitness Programs for Older Adults. – Yay! I’m all for this one! Better aerobic capacity and more muscle strength reduces diseases, the impact of disease and increases quality of life. Feeling stronger makes us feel more confident. I just started teaching for Creekside Center for 50+ plus people. From my own grandmother, who mowed her own lawn at age 89, I know the benefits of keeping fit.

Exercise for Weight Loss. Exercise for weight loss moved up to number 4 from the number 8 spot. I have issues with this one. Yes regular exercise is good for health as it improves metabolic function and can reduce body fat. Exercise should be done because it is good for us not to lose weight! We should workout because it improves the quality of our lives in so many ways. It helps us to participate in the active things we love to do. I’ve seen way too many people over the years start a great exercise program then get on the scale a week later. Then due to seeing the same number they get angry or very depressed and even quit working out.

The next two are more for instructors Reimbursement for Qualified Exercise Professionals (QEPs). The American College of Sports Medicine advocates for allowing insurance billing for patient services. Only for those performed by QEPs within their scope of practice to improve physical activity outcomes and quality of life. I work for a hospital so I’m all if this one can apply to my personal fitness business too. Employing Certified Exercise Professionals. This one has been a consistent top 10 trend. We need consistent standards for our profession (which is still sometimes not even viewed as a profession). I have kept up my certification with the American Council on Exercise for many years. This one is even more important as now anyone with a phone can give fitness advice on social media platforms. So it goes beyond employment. I’ve seen many unsafe YouTube video workouts.

breaking into the top 10 trends list at number 7. It can be very helpful if not addictive. Mobile apps can also track exercise activities and provide feedback on performance. I have used Map My Run for many years now. It also helps me keep track of fun places to run.

Exercise for Mental Health. Awesome! Approximately one in every eight individuals globally is affected to varying degrees by mental illness according to the World Health Organization. Regular exercise can serve as a protective factor. Physical activity and exercise can boost moods in the short term and have longer lasting impacts especially with depression.

Youth Athletic Development. For sure, it can get kids off the ipad and help them develop motor skills, strength, coordination and social skills. I taught 30 minutes of kids yoga for the summer kids Wolfe Den program. So good for our youth to move.

Personal Training. Coming in at number 10, it has been stable in the top 10 fitness trends list since 2007. Personal training provides one-on-one training and involves goal setting, program implementation and often more follow up support than group classes. I’m a personal trainer so thumbs up. I don’t have the bandwidth to do any training in my current schedule. I’m looking forward to getting back it in the future. The drawback is the cost. Some trainers offer small group training which is less expensive.

Looking back at the year I like to use a technique from when I was a manager. For thinking about 2024 I’m using the concept of what do I want more of, less of and what do I want to stay the same? I’m working on my word of the year also. What do you do for the new year? I’m working on my word of the year also.

Wishing you an extremely awesome 2024!