As 2016 commences many people are inclined to peel themselves off the sofa, dust off the trainers and start the New Year by losing that extra stone, or vowing to run a marathon or mud run! To avoid these goals getting side tracked how about trying on, trying out and focussing on some of the ‘fitness trends’ for 2016! What’s cool to work on this year? What should we be wearing? And who can help?

Wearable technology & apps
Smart phone apps are fast becoming the best way to track exercise goals and get fitter quicker! Fitness gadgets such as watches can track heart rate, run or cycle routes and steps as well as linking to smart phone apps to give more data about diet and sleep. Brands such as Garmin, Fitbit and Apple have developed wearable technology that can track your health and fitness goals very easily!

Fitness for older adults
Fitness sessions and classes aimed at the older generation are on the rise! Physical activity has so many benefits for us, especially as we age. Education for exercise professionals about exercise for the elderly is also more prevalent. This means more trainers have the knowledge to improve the fitness of frailer adults, such as improving balance and increasing strength, which has shown to improve length and quality of life!

Yoga, flexibility & mobility rollers
Poor posture and tight and inactive muscles lead to pain and injury. This is where preventative activities such as yoga and Myofascial release have come to save the day! Yoga is shown to improve muscle strength and flexibility, helping to improve posture. Myofascial release is a form of self-massage discovered to help improve muscle mobility and increase the muscles’ ability to move better, promoting pain free movement. This can be performed on foam rollers or even tennis balls (do get advice from a fitness coach before trying).

Strength & body weight training
Increasing strength is no longer just for body builders and power lifters. There has been a surge in the amount of people – young and older – attempting to increase their strength due to the many benefits. Strength training can be incorporated easily using free weights or just your own body. Body weight training is on the rise due to its minimal need for equipment and range of exercises. People have used body weight training for centuries to increase strength and lose weight!

HIIT & circuit training
High intensity interval training (HIIT) has been a fitness trend for a few years now due to its fast results in increasing fitness and fat loss. HIIT involves a short burst of high intensity exercise, followed by a recovery and repeating for a desired range. Circuit training can also be used along these lines, performing different exercises for a duration, and then swapping. Circuit classes run in many gyms and are a great way of getting fit.

Personal training
Having a qualified fitness professional help you with your goals has been shown to increase adherence rates to exercise as well as achieving personal goals faster. A personal trainer will tailor a program to accomplish your desired goals, giving you motivation and home nutritional advice to improve health! Most gyms have a variety of personal trainers, often who specialise in certain fitness goals.