Time to get back into shape after the Xmas ‘blow-out!’
What are the top runners for trending this year? We’ve seen more and more tech incorporated into our exercise and wellness, with the likes of the Fitbit, apps like MyFitnessPal and more designed to make the process as efficient as possible while tracking the details you need to know and help us to feel the benefits from exercise in our daily lives.
Fitness now smarter than ever and paradoxically, we’ve seen a shift away from tech as people use the hour slot of exercise to unplug and go back to basics. This illustrates why non-intrusive devices like the Fitbit which can work in the background have become so popular.
So, what’s trending this year?
1. Walking
With the shocking revelation that a significant number of Brits (41% of people aged 40 – 60) fail to walk 10 minutes briskly each month and lead an inactivity lifestyle many Brits have been kicked into gear and walking has seen an increase in popularity.
As the most accessible form of exercise, walking doesn’t have to be boring. Join a group – borrow a dog or asked to be dropped off at a certain point and walk home. Friends do walk marathon’s, so it can be a fast-paced pastime.
2. HIIT
15-30 mins are all you need!
A fantastic ‘do it anywhere’ workout, using either your own body weight or small dumbbells. No cost as you can either find an app or view a workout on YouTube. No excuses!!
Complete 10 reps of 3 sets of each of the exercises below and take a 20 – 40-second rest before starting a new movement. Complete the circuits as many times as you can!
• Squats
• Press ups (either on your feet or on your knees)
• High knees (either running or marching)
• Squat thrusts (fast or slow)
• Burpees (chest to floor or normal)
• Lunges (or jumping lunges)
• Sit-ups
• Plank
• Bicep curls (if you have weights or baked bean cans!)
See our favourite HIIT workouts on YouTube you can do at home.
3. Yoga
Our love for yoga is still as popular as ever. We saw it gain even more popularity with the social emphasis on mindfulness and mental health last year and it’s popularity continues to grow. The beauty of yoga is its continuing ability to constantly reinvent itself, appealing to all ages and genders.
Varying forms of traditional yoga to try include Power Yoga, Yogalates, Bikram Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Ashtanga, Vinyasa Yoga, Kripalu Yoga, Anusara Yoga, Kundalini Yoga and Sivananda Yoga.
Although some unusual forms of the exercise around, including Goat Yoga! A remote farm in Oregan has a waiting list of over 1,200 people to join in, allowing these little goats to climb over you whilst in a pose or snuggle you when you are relaxing, apparently great for the sole! Beer Yoga, holding a pose and drinking cold beer! And not to be forgotten is Naked Yoga for those who are feeling brave enough.
4. Boxing
Boxing hasn’t lost its popularity with more women trying out their punches across various classes ranging from box fit/boxercise to men’s boxing gym’s!
After your first few punches, you will realise that you are breathing heavily, heart pumping with your arms, chest, shoulders, core, and legs working in unison. Boxing burns over 500 calories/hour, builds lean muscle, develops stamina and endurance, and ramps up the metabolism. If you are doing pad work with a trainer, boxing helps to develop hand-eye coordination as well as body strength. For women over fifty, boxing is an overall cardiovascular and resistance workout… and it’s fun! It is also a great way to take out your anxiety and stress on something!
5. Running
Running is always popular and can be a great way to meet new friends, often ‘running’ shops have a regular meeting which incorporates different abilities and a lot of them don’t charge for the experience. So you get to go out for a guided run with new people!
6. Cycling
It’s becoming more and more popular, whether it’s off-road, mountain biking (MTB) or road cycling this is great social fitness. Just remember safety! Be seen and wear a helmet. Bike shops are often keen to encourage groups of cyclists to meet at their shop and then go for a ride around the area.
7. Strength Training
Hitting the weight room and training with heavy resistance has become the workout of choice for many over 50s, it’ s up there with the most popular fitness activity for the demographic. Lifting heavy weights is one of the best ways to gain muscle which combats the natural muscle loss that comes with age and keeps us efficient at burning energy meaning it’s fantastic for weight loss too!
Most activities are achievable at any age so no excuses… whatever you choose to keep you active in 2018 don’t forget to enjoy yourself!
Never miss a post. Sign up to our weekly newsletter with the button below to keep up to date with our latest content and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for regular updates.
