When it comes to fitness, it’s time to ditch those over-ambitious New Year’s resolutions, because at the end of the day it’s all about doing what you enjoy and staying consistent if you want to hit those goals.
However, there will always be fads – remember those trainers that claimed to give you Kim Kardashian glutes and those belts that gave you an electric shock?
But what have we got in store for 2022?
Two Harrogate personal trainers give their views on what fitness trends we will see in the New Year.
Lauren Randall
PT Lauren Randall
Home training
You can see great results from callisthenic (body weight) training and using simple exercise kit at home. To see good results, you want to follow a plan that progressively overloads you. Doing random High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) workouts will help your cardio to a certain level, but if your aim is long-term home training and progression, get yourself a structured plan.
3 Simple Home Kit Essentials:
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- Resistance bands
- Kettlebell or dumbbells
- Suspension trainer
Fitbit fanatic
Wearable fitness trackers have been huge for a while and they are great for getting people moving and increasing that daily step count. Incredible upgrades can now help track heart rates, split times, sleep, health markers and recovery like never before!
However, focusing on how many calories are burnt in a session is an ineffective method of progressing your strength and fitness. Not only can these trackers be inaccurate, exercise is about so much more than a number on a watch.
Mental and physical health, energy, confidence, performance and getting out of a chair at 99-years-old are all far more motivating long-term.
The great outdoors
Research shows that fresh air, sunlight and being surrounded by green nature has incredible benefits to our health such as lowered blood pressure, reduced stress, improved mood and healthier nervous systems. Working out in the fresh air leaves you feeling invigorated and energised. Yes even in the rain! Cold water exposure is extremely popular, with outdoor swimming and paddle boarding groups popping up in every town. Check out Wim Hof if you want to learn the crazy effects cold water can have on us.
Now more than ever people are conscious of their health and fitness. There is incredible access to all types of gyms, outdoor training centres, great home kit and technology that can help anyone, anywhere.
My top tip for anyone looking to improve their health this year: Do what you enjoy! It is the best way to remain consistent and have a good time while exercising – even if it is weighted hula hooping, which by the way won’t give you toned abs.
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Louise Roberts
PT Louise Roberts
What does fitness have in store for us in 2022?
Much as I would love an aerobics revival (who didn’t love that in the 90s?!), I doubt that will happen any time soon.
2020 and 2021 were both equally bleak, yet innovative, years for the fitness industry.
I’ve lost clients to Peleton and other app-based classes and trainers, yet gained Zoom clients elsewhere in the country.
The best thing going forward is that people are now prioritising their health.
In my opinion fitness is not something you can churn out in an app like a sausage factory, people appreciate the personalised customised face-to-face approach.
I’m hoping for no more lockdowns or outdoor workouts. It’s too damned cold.
The main trend for 2022 should be finding the thing you love doing the most, as well as the person to train you that you trust and who motivates you. The stronger you can make yourself by training the right way, the better you can fight and recover from illness.
