The past couple of years have been tough for the fitness industry with gyms like so many other businesses having to close their doors to members because of the pandemic. Many of us took to using the time we had at home to transform or kick start our exercise routines and fitness levels.
Living rooms, bedrooms, spare rooms were turned into our own personal studios with yoga mats and dumbbells, bikes were dusted off and fitness kit given a new lease of life.
Once gyms and studios were allowed to open again exercise class reservations grew by 329%. Now that we’re learning to live with the new COVID normal, people are keen to find new ways to boost their physical and mental fitness.
We’ve taken a look at stats from a PureGym survey and articles in a number of health blogs and magazines to find the fitness trends that will be dominating 2022.
Reverse Running
One of the slightly stranger trends that's seen an increase in interest is backwards running, otherwise known as reverse running which is becoming increasingly popular with those wanting to improve rehabilitation after injury, such as hamstring, low back and knee joint damage.
Professor Barry Bates has published findings on the sport and he claims the exercise can help you maintain a more upright posture, as well as lessening the impact on your knees. Researchers from the University of Milan and scientists from Cardiff University have also suggested that reverse runners pound the ground more softly and so reduce their risk of knee injuries.
How does it work? Apparently, it creates a greater range of motion at the hip joint, creating a more aligned posture and produces greater activation of the calves and quadriceps.
Indoor Rowing
According to data from BrandRated, Google searches for ‘indoor rowing’ saw a 990 percent increase between July 2020 and 2021.
The rowing machine gives you a full body workout. In order to perform the rowing movement properly you use 85% of your body's muscles using major muscles in your legs, arms, back and core that helps to increase body strength as well as cardiovascular capacity. It’s also virtually zero impact, so it’s gentle on the joints, unlike high-impact forms of exercise, like running.
Do the Hula!
A recent PureGym survey found searches for weighted hula hoops have doubled since this time last year, while the hashtag #weightedhulahoop now has over 198.8 million views on TikTok.
Apparently, hula hooping can help burn up to 400 calories an hour and reduce stress levels. It’s a low impact workout and great for cardio as it requires you to find a continuous rhythmic motion within your body to keep the hoop up around the hips. It seems that the weighted hoops make it easier to keep up around the hips as the weight gives you extra momentum.
With over double (+234.25%) the amount of searches compared to last year, the weighted hula hoop was definitely one of the fitness trends which gained the most interest leading up to the end of 2021.
Stroller fitness, where mums and dads exercise in groups with their babies in pushchairs saw a 90.90% increase, while trapeze classes up by nearly 40% was one of the more unusual trends make it to the PureGym survey’s top 10.
Gyrotonic
Whilst any form of exercise is beneficial to keeping both you body and mind healthy, there are few forms of exercise that concentrate on whole body movement and flexibility. The GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM®® is a unique, holistic approach to movement. Some of the benefits of regular Gyrotonic practice include a healthier, more supple spine, increased range of motion, greater joint stability, improved agility and athletic performance and a deep internal strength. Sessions are adapted to fit the needs of all ages and abilities from elderly patients recovering from injury, to highly skilled professional athletes.
If you’d like to know more about Gyrotonic and how it could benefit you, please get in touch.