Fitness Trends 2017 to Watch

Every year brings something new for fitness freaks to try, so we're highlighting some of what people will start seeing more and more of in the coming year. Although actual gadgets like wearable tech will continue to be huge in 2017, this year the focus will fall much more on centering awareness of the mind-body connection. We've highlighted a few such trends as selected by the American College of Sports Medicine's Health & Fitness Journal in their Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2017 – read more about them below!

Fitness Trends 2017 – Bodyweight Training

Although people have been using their own bodyweight as a form of resistance training for many, many years, it has gained increased attention for those working out at home in more recent times. One of the major reasons bodyweight training is popular is because it requires little equipment or even space, which makes it easily accessible to many people – especially in times of economic downturn. It's also a great way to ease into strength training and aerobic activity, as well as show some love to your core. Some of the most well-known moves include pushups and pull-ups, squats, lunges, and planks. Try our Core Challenge, which you can read more about in our January Fitness Challenge round-up.

Fitness Trends 2017 – Yoga

Yoga has been growing in popularity for some time now, but it doesn't appear to be slowing down, either. We've explained why you should do yoga before, but just a few of the many reasons include its ability to lower anxiety and stress levels, aid digestion, and boost the quality of sleep, breathing, and posture. In addition to the more well-known forms of traditional yoga, which include Ashtanga, Hatha, and Vinyasa, more and more new forms of this ancient technique are becoming available. Just some of these reinventions include aerial yoga (in which you hang upside down), hot yoga (also known as Bikram, which literally involves a heated environment), yogalates (combination with Pilates), tantrum yoga (screaming during yoga), and even paddleboard yoga (this one you can figure out). For a stylish way to carry your mat as well as the food you need to fuel your yogic benediction, check out our very own Asana Yoga Tote.

Fitness Trends 2017 – Personal Trainers

Another one of the fitness trends 2017 that will only continue to snowball is the power of the personal trainer. Enhancing your workout with a personal trainer not only allows you to receive guidance that is specifically tailored to you, but also accountability as well as encouragement. The most qualified trainers are those who have received a college degree in at least one of the following: exercise science, kinesiology, or physiology. When you work with a personal trainer with an academic background – such as many of the members of our own elite team of athletes as well as our ambassadors, more from them soon – you lower your risk of injury and stand a better chance of actually changing your attitude to fitness, creating good workout habits that can last a lifetime.

Fitness Trends 2017 – Group Training

Accountability and enhanced motivation is only part of the reason group training has seen and will continue to see a rise in popularity as one of the fitness trends of 2017 to watch. The other part is that training with a group offers more space for a little fun to seep into the activities. From obstacle course races to cycle classes to kickboxing, training with other people who you know are on your skill level can be a great way to force yourself to stick to your chosen activity, as well as literally spend more time working out. Why do we say that? One exercise bike study found that those who rode alone stayed on the bike for close to 11 minutes, while those who rode with a partner managed to get to almost 20 minutes. In one final wrench, some participants were told their performance relied on their partner, and they stayed on for almost 22 minutes! At the end of day, if you don't love what you're doing, or eventually grow to love it, you will simply hate it. If you don't look forward to your workouts, you will have very little motivation not to look for excuses to stop. The most successful fitness trends of 2017 are sure to be those that allow people to engage in physical activities they actually enjoy. With the proper nutrition in the original meal management bag at your side, you'll be unstoppable. Get caught up on our latest recipes here and don't forget that 6 Pack also offers hot sauces, including our latest Cayenne flavor – try it with our recipe for spicy turkey-stuffed mushrooms – AND prepared meals that arrive right at your front door. Truly, you have no excuses.