Top Fitness Trends For 2018 That Will Motivate You To Get Off The Couch

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As we head towards a new year and plan our resolutions it can be a great time to switch up your fitness routine, or start a new one.

If you’re looking for what to try in 2018, here we round up some of the trends that look set to be big next year.

Group training

Predicted by American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) to be the second biggest trend of 2018, working out in groups and with friends looks set to become more popular in the coming year.

Following on from 2017′s holistic approach to fitness, which looked at the mental and emotional benefits of exercise as well as the physical, an increase in the number of people working out in a group environment makes sense, with recent studies showing that exercising with friends can bring even more benefits thanks to the social element involved and having some extra encouragement.

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One recent study revealed that those who worked out in a group benefited from lower stress levels, and bigger improvements in mental, physical and emotional quality of life than those who worked out alone, even though those who exercised alone worked out for twice as long.

Low-cost fitness

With the rise of online videos, apps and wearables, people no longer need to pay for pricey gym memberships to stay in shape.

Following on from this year’s boom in online videos such as Yoga With Adriene, the launch of the adidas All Day app, which gives users access to expert information, and Nike adding free yoga classes to its Nike Training Club app, it has now become easier and cheaper than ever to work out.

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The trend looks set to continue next year as big sports brands and wearables continue to add more features and ways to work out to their apps.

In Japan, even a major convenience store chain, FamilyMart Co., is getting in on the act, announcing that it is set to open 300 Fit & Go gyms on the second floors of FamilyMart stores and other locations, providing low-cost, easily accessible fitness across the country.

Fitness for seniors

Also predicted by ACSM as a trend for next year is fitness programs for older adults. As we move away from “anti-aging” in favour of a more accepting attitude to age, working out to be the best and healthiest you can at any stage in life — rather than simply for aesthetic reasons — looks set to be a major motivation for many to exercise in the coming year.

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Many recent studies have shown the benefits of working out later in life, even if it is for the first time ever, prompting health professionals to look at ways to encourage older adults to get active, and at what type of programs suit their needs best.

Yoga

Our dedication to yoga is not set to wane anytime soon, with the practice still one of the top trends for next year. According to ACSM, yoga’s continuing popularity is in part due to its ability to constantly reinvent itself. Offering yoga is something new to try and helping the practice appeal to an even wider audience.

According to ACSM and others, some of the more traditional forms of yoga to try include Power Yoga, Yogalates, Bikram Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Ashtanga, Vinyasa Yoga, Kripalu Yoga, Anusara Yoga, Kundalini Yoga and Sivananda Yoga.

However, more unusual forms of yoga have popped up this year, including Goat Yoga and Beer Yoga, with Naked Yoga set to be next year’s big thing for those who are feeling brave enough.

This story was originally published on HuffPost Canada.

Before You Go

Six People Over 80 Giving Us Serious Fitness Goals

Sister Madonna Buder, 86(01 of06)

Sister Madonna Buder has earned the nickname ‘The Iron Nun’ having completed more than 40 Ironman races in the past 30 years.

She completed her first Ironman race - comprising of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run - in 1985, aged 65.

At 75, she became the oldest woman to ever complete an Ironman triathlon and at 82, she set a world record as the oldest Ironman triathlon competitor.

She says faith, listening to her body and maintaining a positive attitude to her physical endurance have enabled her to succeed. (credit:Nike)

Diana Green, 82(02 of06)

Not only did Diana Green survive breast cancer, but on her 82nd birthday she ran the 2016 London Marathon to raise money for cancer research.

Speaking to HuffPost UK before the race she said: “The crowds are so wonderful, they really spur you on. I’m excited to be starting in the VIP section and spying some celebs!”

What a hero. (credit:Diana Green)

Robert Marchand, 105(03 of06)

French cyclist Robert Marchand, aged 105, recently set a world record on his bike covering 14.08 miles in one hour.

Afterwards he said he would've beaten his time if he hadn't missed a sign telling him he had 10 minutes left to cycle.

"Otherwise I would have gone faster, I would have posted a better time," he told Associated Press. "I'm not tired." (credit:Jacky Naegelen / Reuters)

Jean Dawson, 100(04 of06)

At 100 years old, Jean Dawson is still a picture of health thanks to over 30 years of dedication to yoga.

She has been bending and twisting her body almost every single week for the past three decades.

“I really enjoy doing yoga," she said. "It has really changed my life and has helped cure aches and pains.

"I use to have trouble from a slipped disc in my back but doing yoga really helped me cope with it.” (credit:Lorne Campbell / Guzelian)

Ella Mae Colbert, 100(05 of06)

In May 2016, Ella Mae Colbert set a new world record for the 100-meter dash, just one week after her 100th birthday.

Colbert has been running track since her school days and despite falling on her first attempt, she smashed the previous record for 100-year-old runners (which was 1 minute 17 seconds) and crossed the finish line in 46.791 seconds. (credit:YouTube / Go Upstate)

Charles Eugster, 97(06 of06)

Dr Charles Eugster is a bodybuilder and sprinter who has set numerous world records in his age group for races ranging from 60 meters to 400 meters.

The 97-year-old, who refers to retirement as "one of the worst things that you can do to yourself", said he got into fitness late on in life.

According to Today.com, he began serious weight training when he was 87 and didn't start running until he turned 95.

"By the time you get to 85 you may have lost about 50 percent of your muscle mass and power, so I think it's extremely important in your older age to do everything you can to build muscle," he added. (credit:Harry Engels via Getty Images)