Are you a follower, a leader or a combination of both? It actually pays to straddle the proverbial fence in this sense when referring to the ever-evolving nature of the fitness community. While some trends fade away within a short period of time, others are destined to reshape the workout world as we know it. So, what does the remainder of 2021 have in store? Let’s take a look at some viral movements that could very well have an impact upon our personal perspectives in terms of training and overall health.

Virtual Fitness Classes

It has often been said that necessity is the mother of invention. This statement is perfectly relevant when we consider the recent restrictions thanks to the COVID-19 situation. As the majority of gyms were forced to close their doors for extended periods of time, many die-hard enthusiasts took to the online community to fulfil their fitness obligations. Virtual classes (even those hosted by software bundles such as Zoom) are now commonplace. In fact, some experts feel that the concept of remote training is here to stay thanks to 5G connectivity.

Wearable Tech

In terms of gadgetry, 2021 is certainly a watershed year. Even the most hardcore gym rats are now incorporating accessories such as smart watches into their everyday gear. These devices are actually quite useful, as they are able to track important metrics such as the number of calories burned, the distance walked, resting heart rates, and (in some cases), even the oxygen content within your blood at a specific time. When these clever widgets are then paired with the personalised Trion fitness app, the sky is the limit in terms of what you will be able to achieve.

Training the Mind and Body

The COVID pandemic has caused many of us to re-evaluate our current lifestyles. As a result, we are beginning to view everyday fitness with a Zen-like approach. We are not only concerned about our body mass index or the amount of weight that we can push. We now place a greater emphasis upon mental health. This only stands to reason, as remaining isolated for relatively long periods of time normally causes a certain amount of introspection. Workouts are therefore predicted to take on a decidedly holistic approach in the coming years.

HIIT Training Sessions

Have you heard of high-intensity interval training (HIIT)? If not, it is time to get on board. HIIT involves the use of intensive training sessions (as the name suggests) in order to promote lean muscle growth while burning away those love handles that we might otherwise blame on the pandemic. HIIT is also useful due to the fact that no standard equipment is required. It can therefore be performed from the comfort of your own home. Furthermore, the average routine will take no longer than 20 or 30 minutes to complete. This is great news if you have been struggling with a hectic daily schedule.

Outdoor Exercise Programmes

Why not enjoy a bit of fresh air when pushing your limits? Outdoor training was prominent during the golden era of bodybuilding (such as be seen in the film Pumping Iron and the famed Muscle Beach crews of the 1970s and 1980s). Unfortunately, we seem to have become too comfortable with air conditioned environments and similar levels of climate control. Once again, we have COVID to thank for this paradigm shift.

Exercising within a natural environment that offers plenty of oxygen and sunlight can help to boost your metabolism and even reduce perceived levels of stress. Whether heading off to the local park for an all-bodyweight workout or taking a hike in the woods, you will be impressed by the results.

Celebrity-Inspired Fitness Routines

Unfortunately, not all trends in 2021 have been positive. One disturbing observation can be seen in the rise of workout routines which have been inspired by so-called celebrity “experts”. The irony here is that nearly every celebrity (notwithstanding exceptions such as The Rock and Battista) pay personal trainers thousands of pounds each and every month to achieve their results. Furthermore, some well-known names simply have no clue what they are talking about (take a look at the so-called “weight-loss” routine offered by celebrity psychologist Dr. Phil to appreciate this observation). Simply stated, leave such advice to the experts and be a leader as opposed to a follower.

These are some of the most predominant trends which are set to make their mark throughout the remainder of 2021. What habits have you learned to embrace and do you agree with the observations mentioned above? Do you wish to more accurately track your progression? In either case, the team at Trion would love to hear from you. Be sure to download our mobile application in order to break away from the norm and to become a trendsetter. After all, who knows what 2022 has in store!