At the start of a new year, Health and Fitness become a priority for most people. A big fitness trend is people going back to the basics to stay healthy and active. Gone are the expensive bulky fitness equipment and monthly subscription services. Instead, people are moving towards affordable options that they can do at home. With that in mind, let’s examine some of the biggest fitness trends of the year.
Wearables to track daily activity
Thanks to Wearable Technology, people routinely talk about getting their steps in. Smartwatches and Fitness Trackers are designed to help people track and monitor their physical activity, sleep, and other health-related metrics. Most also have additional features such as heart rate monitoring, step counter, and GPS tracking. Not only is this great to gauge your daily activity, but wearables can also track your specific workouts. Fitness trackers can track walks, running, biking, jump rope, swimming, and more. They will even estimate the calories burned during your workout sessions. This is a great way to track the intensity levels of each of your workouts. Plus, it helps ensure you get enough recovery and sleep between workouts.
Resistance bands to build strength at home
Strength Training, also known as resistance training is an important type of physical activity that involves working against resistance to build and maintain muscle mass and strength. A big trend is people moving towards Resistance Bands for home use. There are several benefits to using resistance bands for exercise.
The first is convenience. Resistance bands are portable and lightweight, making them easy to take with you on the go. This is a great option for people who don’t want to pay a monthly gym fee. The second is versatility. Resistance bands can perform a wide variety of exercises. They can also be used to add resistance to bodyweight exercises like squats, lunges, and push-ups. Third, they are low-impact and cost-effective. Resistance bands provide resistance without the impact on joints that come with lifting weights. This is a good option for older people who want to increase their strength without the risk of injury. Plus, they are less expensive than most strength training equipment.
Finally, resistance bands are getting smart. Some models connect to your phone and track workouts and the level of resistance during workouts. This is a great way to keep you motivated throughout the year. Instead of steps, you’ll be getting your resistance in each and every day.
Jump rope is making a fitness comeback
With so many people working from home, many people want to exercise outside. Jump Rope, also known as skipping, is a type of cardiovascular exercise that is making a comeback. It is a low-impact, high-intensity exercise that can be done virtually anywhere. Plus, it is suitable for people of all fitness levels.
There are several benefits to jump rope fitness. First, it’s an effective way to burn calories. 10 minutes of jump rope is equivalent to a 30-minute jog. It improves cardiovascular fitness by increasing your heart rate outdoors without having to move around like running, walking, or cycling. All you need is a flat surface, a rope, and a comfortable pair of shoes to burn calories in one spot.
Second, it improves coordination and balance. Learning to jump rope is a skill that takes time to develop. The more you do it, the better you get. Thus, you’ll noticeably see improvements as your body adapts. Third, it improves bone density. Jumping rope keeps your bone strong and agile, which reduces the risk of osteoporosis and other bone-related conditions. This is especially important as we age. Lastly, it’s convenient and cost-effective. You can literally jump everywhere and even take it with you during travel.
Smart scales to track fitness weight loss
Just about everyone wants to lose some body fat. Many people are moving towards a Smart Scale to track their weight loss journey over time. These high-tech scales connect to a smartphone or other device and track various metrics such as body weight, body fat percentage, and muscle mass. Some smart scales provide additional metrics such as bone density and hydration levels.
The benefit of smart scales is accurate tracking. A lot of the weight changes we see are due to hydration levels. Smart scales use advanced sensors and algorithms which provide more accurate measurements. For example, look at body fat percentage instead of body weight to track fat loss. Another benefit is convenience. Smart scales sync to smartphones and they can track your progress over the course of days, weeks, months, and even years. This is much easier than manually recording your weight each time you step on the scale.
A good tip is to jump on the scale at the same time every day—preferably in the morning after you’ve gone to the bathroom. This ensures consistent data, as our body weight fluctuates as we eat and drink fluids during the day. Having reliable data tracked over time is a great way to see your progress and motivate you to stay on track throughout the year.
From cars to e-transportation in fitness
A lesser-known fitness trend is people moving away from vehicles and towards Electric Transportation for their daily commute. Electric Bikes are a great way to get around. You can bike when you want to, or opt for electric help when you’ve had a long day. Over the long run, it’s a much healthier commute than sitting in a car every day. Many people are ditching cars and opting for a combination of public transportation and electric scooters. Since these are permissible on buses and trains, commuters can be more active during their daily commutes.
Electric Scooters are a great way choice for people who live far from public transportation. Not only is it more affordable than owning a commuter vehicle, but you’re also guaranteed to get more steps in without adding too much time to your daily commute.
Starting a new fitness regime
Overall, it’s important to choose a fitness plan that works for you and meets your needs. Whether it’s an outdoor jump rope workout, a home workout with resistance bands, or a move to electric transportation, the key is to find something that you enjoy and that helps you stay motivated. Remember to also consider getting a health check before starting a new fitness routine, and pair your increased movement with healthy eating to get the best results. Whatever you choose, Best Buy has you covered for all your Health and Fitness needs. Read this Fitness equipment buying guide to get started.
