The fitness industry is more popular now than ever before. In fact, it’s been growing by at least 3% every year and doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. As the years go by, researchers and industry leaders are constantly improving and finding new, more efficient ways to get fit.
Whether you’re a beginner to exercising or an advanced personal trainer searching for ways to stay ahead of the curve, the list of trends below should give you more insight on the best way to reach your health and fitness goals!
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) just recently published a journal surveying thousands of fitness professionals to show us what fitness trends are thriving in the new year.
Combined with our own data, research, and feedback, we’ve come up with a list of the top trends in 2019.
1. HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training)
HIIT was the most popular fitness trend in 2018 and for good reason. These exercises include “short bursts of high-intensity bouts of exercise followed by a short period of rest”.
For busy professionals short on time, HIIT workouts are a great way to optimize the short amount of time you have to exercise. An example of a HIIT workout could consist of 30 seconds of cycling as fast as possible on a stationary bike followed by one minute of low-resistance cycling as your rest period.
Many personal trainers have incorporated HIIT workouts into their client’s workout plan not only because it saves time, but because it also has several health benefits backed by research.
Studies have shown that after HIIT, your metabolic rate is increased for several hours after exercise. Additionally, it’s been proven to help you lose fat, gain muscle, and even help reduce blood sugar.
With the large body of research demonstrating HIITs profound health benefits, we don’t see it losing popularity in 2019 the least bit.
2. Group Training
Fitness classes are becoming increasingly popular and made the top 10 fitness trends for 2019. Many people like the format of group training because it keeps them motivated to push their bodies to the limit regardless of fitness level.
There are several popular group classes to choose from such as Zumba, cycling, or even HIIT classes like OrangeTheory Fitness.
If your client isn’t getting the best results from a one-on-one exercise regimen, you may see better results in a group setting.
Consider hosting your own group training classes in 2019 as a way to establish yourself as an expert personal trainer as well as opening up the doors for a larger client base interested in your services.
You may find it more time efficient and lucrative to train a group of people at once rather than individual sessions spread throughout your day.
3. Sustainable Fitness
Fitness has become an integral part of our society’s lifestyle. And with the surge in popularity of healthy eating and functional movements, more people are now viewing fitness with a holistic approach.
Sustainable fitness includes anyone who wants to feel better and perform everyday tasks to the best of their ability. Instead of focusing so heavily on losing weight or building muscle, many fitness lovers, old and new, are prioritizing mobility, flexibility, and the ability to go through their everyday life without any chronic aches or pains.
The main goal of sustainable fitness is to be able to perform activities such as lifting boxes or squatting down to pick something up without experiencing any difficulties.
4. Fitness Training for Older Adults
As the world population gets older, the need for senior-specific fitness training is becoming more in-demand.
These programs are designed specifically for the baby boomer and older generations. And with fitness entering the mainstream, exercise programs tailored for older adults is a growing market.
Incorporate exercises that involve lower-intensity workouts such as walking, bodyweight training, and pilates. It’s also a great idea to add exercises that help strengthen the muscles around their joints and increase flexibility like yoga and cycling.
Learn How to Become a Certified Personal Trainer Online in Less Than 6 Months
5. Bodyweight Workouts
Pushups, planks, pull-ups and sit-ups are examples of bodyweight workouts that have made a comeback in the fitness industry. While bodyweight training has been around for a long time, there’s a recent resurgence of interest most likely due to its convenience.
These workouts are great for clients who have don’t have a gym membership and very limited access to workout equipment. If you are entering the world of online personal training, bodyweight workouts are a great place to kick things off with your client.
6. Treadmill Workouts and Audio-Guided Runs
Guided treadmill workouts and runs will ramp up tremendously in 2019.
Equinox offers Precision Running programs that can help you stay motivated during your run. While they are most popular in big cities, you can expect to see a rise in popularity nationwide in the upcoming year.
The Peloton treadmill also features virtual streaming “running classes” that can hold you accountable to complete your run at record speeds. While still relatively new, these virtual running classes will increase in demand in 2019.
Several workout apps like Aaptiv are also gaining traction. These apps offer audio coaching while you run to help optimize your form.
7. Strength Training
Strength training such as barbell or dumbbell weightlifting has been around for several years and the trend isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
A proper strength training regimen prevents age-related muscle decline, keeps your heart healthy, and helps prevent any pain or injury from daily activities. Studies have shown that muscle mass plays a large role in keeping a healthy functioning metabolism to help you stay lean and in shape.
It’s a great idea to incorporate strength workouts at least once or twice a week into your client’s fitness regimen if they’re able.
8. Yoga
Yoga has been in the top 10 fitness trends for over 9 years straight. While it may take a certain level of expertise to teach advanced yoga techniques, there are several movements that you can incorporate to your client’s exercise schedule that don’t require much expertise.
Not only does yoga help with flexibility, but research has also proven that daily yoga practice can relieve anxiety, decrease stress, reduce inflammation, and even improve heart health.
It doesn’t look like yoga is decreasing in popularity anytime soon. Studios around the world are dedicated to the yoga practice and it may be a great idea to start incorporating it into your client’s exercise regimen.
9. Wearable Fitness Gadgets
Smartwatches like the Apple Watch, activity trackers, and heart rate monitors are more popular than ever before. With the rise in wearable technology, many beginners and more advanced exercisers alike are incorporating it to optimize their health and fitness goals.
Not only does it make your client’s fitness journey more fun, but it always gives you and your client a way to keep track of performance.
As a personal trainer, it’s a great idea to dive into the world of wearable gadgets in 2019. You’ll most likely have several clients asking you for ways to incorporate your workout routine and fitness advice into their smartwatch.
10. Streaming Workouts
Expect to see a dramatic rise in streaming workouts in 2019. With technology turning everything into a cloud-based world, more people are looking online for ways to get their daily exercise without having to leave the comfort of their own home.
New fitness streaming opportunities are being developed every day. Online streaming workouts like CorePower Yoga On Demand, Circuit of Change, and Physique 57 comes with top-notch fitness training at the comfort of your own home.
By catching onto this trend as a personal trainer, you may have a brand-new business venture to consider by creating your own streaming workout for your clients. Not only will this free up more of your time, but you can also target a much larger pool of fitness prospects who are interested in working with you (and tuning into your fitness streaming program).
11. Customized Online Personal Training
Until the past few years, if you wanted to hire a reputable personal trainer, you had to meet with them in person. But with the rise in online personal training, people now have access to world-class trainers through the Internet.
Instead of having to travel to the gym to train your client, there are now a variety of personal trainer software and apps you can use to streamline the entire process.
Learn more about our favorite online personal training tools here: 10 Apps and Software That Personal Trainers Can Use With Clients.
Both you and your client can benefit greatly from online personal training. Not only will it make it more convenient for the both of you, but you’ll also free up more time so you can focus on the activities that will grow your personal training business to new levels.
Explore these Trends to Take Your Personal Training Business to The Next Level
Having a better understanding of where the fitness industry is headed can give you confidence that you’re on the right path.
From the science-based evidence proving HIITs profound effects on fat loss to the breakthrough technology giving rise to wearable gadgets and online workouts, 2019 is an extremely exciting year for the health and fitness industry.
