One of the things that initially attracted me to the fitness industry is how dynamic it is. You can’t take a few courses, get certified and then remain an expert. There is constant research being conducted and published, and it’s essential to stay on top of new information. I got my personal training certification through ACE (American Council on Exercise) and continue to recertify with them because they stay on top of the latest research and I’m always learning something new. I recently read an article on the top 6 things we learned about fitness in 2018 and I want to share some of that with you.
Research continues to support the claim that exercise has a positive effect on our mental health. The devastating rates of people suffering from depression and anxiety should have us all looking at prevention. And while exercise isn’t always the sole answer, it can certainly be a great place to start. Individuals who exercise experience fewer days of anxiety and depression. While there is no prescribed method of exercise, it appears that those who participate in team sports or who attend classes at a gym reap the most mental health benefits.
HIIT or High Intensity Interval Training was a massively popular trend in 2018 and will continue to be as research continues to tout the benefits of this form of exercise. Common results of HIIT are weight loss and higher cardiac output. Many people find these workouts more tolerable than other forms of exercise due to the short bursts of work followed by rest, which staves of boredom.
Video games continued to rise in popularity in 2018. According to ACE, “Surprisingly, playing video games may provide some health and cognitive benefits as various studies have demonstrated. For example, researchers are investigating whether playing virtual reality games may help increase physical activity and provide important health benefits.” If video games are your thing, try one of the many exercise games available.
While obesity continues to be on the rise, not only in adults, but also in children, many concerned professionals are looking for answers. We saw research being conducted on how to prevent and treat childhood obesity. We know that children who are obese are far more likely to remain obese in adulthood. The opposite is also true: children who are active are more likely to be active adults. ACE found video-based fitness lessons delivered during school hours helped kids increase children’s daily levels of physical activity. Definitely something to keep an eye on in 2019.
Wearable fitness trackers continue to be a big part of physical activity. There’s something available in every price range, so it makes this trend easy to try. Wearing a fitness tracker may be the little bit of motivation you need to take that lunchtime walk, instead of staying at your desk.
Some things never change...at least not yet. In 2018 we continued to see people looking for shortcuts and fast fixes, which are typically not sustainable. Biological research is constantly being conducted to find more information. For example, new research suggests that fat cells themselves may elevate metabolism. Developing a deeper understanding of human biology may be the key to long-term, sustainable weight loss. Or maybe we all need to eat more vegetables and move a little more.