Fitness Trends Everyone Will Be Obsessed

Certain fitness trends throughout history have gone on to become iconic signs of the times. For example, Richard Simmons will always be associated with the '80s. The quirky exercise class on The Marvelous Mrs Maisel is quintessential '50s. And most people will mention SoulCycle and yoga when tasked with naming the workouts that dominated (and continue to dominate) the early 2000s.

So, what will the workout of 2018 be? It's probably too soon to predict exactly what this year will be remembered for, but there are certainly some trends that are about to blow up. To get you ready for the new year upon us, we asked top trainers to give their fitness forecast for the future.
These are the workouts, trends, and classes that you can expect to see in 2018.

WEARABLE TECH
According to the American College of Sports Medicine, the billion-dollar wearable technology industry will continue to grow in 2018. Technically, a "wearable" can be an activity tracker, smartwatch, heart rate monitor, GPS tracking device, and smart glasses. While some might not be a fan of fitness trackers, it will be interesting to see how the technology we already use (like smartphones and smartwatches) will adapt to aid our fitness interests, too.

LIFTING
According to ClassPass data, strength-training was the most popular genre of workout in 2017, and that trend will likely bleed over into 2018 as well. Morita Summers, an NCSA-certified personal trainer in Brooklyn, says she wants more women to discover a love of lifting — whether that means Olympic lifting, CrossFit, or powerlifting. "It has taken some time, but the myths and fears about women getting bulky from lifting are starting to disappear, and women are realising the power that being strongholds for the body and soul," Summer says.

WORKOUT THINKTANKS
While boutique fitness may have dominated the past few years, big chains are figuring out new ways for top trainers to hone and develop their personal brands in-house. Last year, SoulCycle launched SoulAnnex, a studio for "off-the-bike" classes, and Equinox debuted Project by Equinox, an incubator for instructors to develop specialised classes. The beauty of this trend is it allows you to take a range of classes at one place, rather than sign up at a bunch of different studios. And it gives trainers the opportunity to workshop new ideas and methods.

BOXING
In many ways, boxing has taken over indoor cycling as the new cardio craze. "It's a lighter form of cardio and offers a nice break from lower body-focused workouts," says Debora Warner, founder of Mile High Run Club. Never boxed before? It's not as intimidating as it looks; here are the basic combinations you need to know before taking a class.

ON-DEMAND WORKOUTS
From high-tech treadmills with built-in TV screens for streaming classes to cheap on-demand fitness websites, there are more and more ways to get in a workout without leaving your house. "The great thing about live-streaming is that anyone in the world can feel like they're a part of the amazing boutique fitness classes that are available, especially here in NYC," says Alonzo Wilson, founder and director of training at Tone House.

Men Who Want To Lose Weight After

Don’t let your dream of a fitter, healthier body fade just because you’re getting older. A few changes to your routine can help you shave off those pounds in no time. At 20, hitting the gym a few times a week and eating the occasional vegetable was enough to keep those abs chiselled. At 30, muscle definition was like a pair of Yeezys: hard to come by, but not exactly a pipe dream. And at 40, a friend mentions splitting a dessert and you’re in dad bod territory before you know it.

Unfortunately, as we get older, our metabolisms have the tendency to take a vacation, grinding to a screeching halt and making it feel like weight gain and a bloated belly are foregone conclusions. Research suggests that our testosterone levels tend to decline as we round the corner toward middle age, taking our metabolisms along for the ride. In fact, research published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism reveals that providing testosterone supplementation over just a three-month period raised men’s basal metabolic rate by as much as 13 percent.

Even if testosterone replacement therapy isn’t in the cards, there are still plenty of ways to combat those hormonal changes that often accompany middle age, revving your metabolism and bringing your long-lost muscle definition back with it. Following are 40 tips for men who want to lose weight after 40 can get you back in shape in a hurry.

1. START YOUR MEAL WITH AN APPLE

An apple a day keeps the weight gain at bay. A medium sized apple packs four grams of filling soluble fibre that’s more than 13 percent of your RDA and may be an effective edible solution for fending off the aches and pains that would otherwise keep you sidelined. Apple peels are loaded with pectin, a fibre that research published in Anaerobe reveals to be effective at boosting healthy gut bacteria, including lactobacillus and bifidobacteria, which can help rev your metabolism. Red apples are also packed with quercetin, a compound that can help reduce arthritis-related joint pain, and resveratrol, good for fighting belly fat.

2. WAKE UP EARLIER

The early bird catches the worm especially when it comes to weight loss. Research conducted at Northwestern University reveals that catching some early morning sunlight was correlated with a significantly lower BMI when compared with people who caught some sun later on and getting in some exercise on the early side may also help normalize your circadian rhythms, making it easier to get enough metabolism boosting rest. Even better, research suggests that early birds tend to be more optimistic and have less stress than their nocturnal counterparts potentially reducing your levels of stress hormone cortisol, which can trigger belly fat storage.

3. PUMP SOME IRON

The easiest way to lose weight after your 40th is by adding some weight training to your routine. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health discovered that just 20 minutes of weight training a day slashed men’s risk of abdominal obesity as the years passed, while performing the same amount of cardio had no such benefit. Packing on some muscle can also make you less prone to falling, reducing your risk of a debilitating fracture. Fuel up for your workouts and enjoy stronger muscles by adding the 29 Best-Ever Proteins for Weight Loss to your menu.