2021 Fitness Forecast – Trends to Watch for in the New Year

It’s no secret that 2020’s pandemic has changed the face of fitness over the last year. And the effects of these changes are sure to extend into the new year as COVID-19 continues to limit capacity within gym facilities, prompt government-mandated stay at home orders, and more.

Despite, and perhaps because of the ongoing fluidity of the pandemic, however, experts predict that a focus on not just physical fitness but overall wellness will be center stage in 2021. What else do these experts foresee for the future of fitness in the new year? Check it out:

Virtual Fitness Classes

While the nation was stuck at home this year, sports equipment and apparel brands like Nike and Under Armour began pumping out workout videos on their Youtube channels to make sure America could continue working towards their fitness goals without having to go to the gym.

(Visit UA’s Home Workout Playlist or Nike’s Workouts playlists to kick start your virtual fitness journey!)

The industry also saw a rise in gym-associated fitness apps in the marketplace, higher enrollment in virtual classes through programs like Peloton and The Mirror, as well as increased participation in online yoga, Barre and Pilates practices.

According to Forbes, the digital fitness trend isn’t going anywhere in 2021. A July 2020 study found that 73% of virtual fitness consumers were taking advantage of pre-recorded workout videos and 85% were taking live-streamed classes on a weekly basis. In 2019, only 17% and 7% of consumers were using pre-recorded workout and live-streamed classes, respectively.

Whole-Body Wellness

Whether you’ve been working from home in the tiny apartment you share with three roommates or juggling work and homeschooling your kiddos, you’ve lost your job due to COVID-cutbacks or have faced health concerns either related to or unrelated to the virus, 2020 has been stressful.

That’s why in 2021, fitness experts predict that not only will consumers focus on getting their bodies in shape, but also on establishing a better mind-body connection for full-body wellness.

Mind-body fitness is a form of exercise that involves a combination of both physical and mental training, along with controlled breathing to improve strength, balance, flexibility, and overall health.

Yoga is a common mind-body practice. Others include tai chi, cycling, running and mindful breathing through meditation.

Outdoor Training

Fresh air and sunshine do the body good and when the gym’s doors are closed, the great outdoors is an excellent place to workout! Outdoor boot camps allow for group interaction while practicing social distancing measures, while solitary outdoor exercises like hiking, trail running, cycling, and swimming are great for the mind and body (as mentioned above.)

In fact, studies have shown that outdoor exercise is a natural antidepressant and increases Vitamin D in the body thanks to sunlight exposure, an important benefit as many people suffer from Vitamin D deficiencies. Studies have also shown that people who exercise outside often exercise for longer periods of time and report increased levels of energy, attentiveness, happiness and calm.

All-Day Exercise and HIIT

Gone are the days that we work 9 to 5, straight through with no lunch, and then spend an hour (or more) at the gym before heading home for the night. In 2021, fitness industry leaders forecast consumers will be incorporating exersise in intervals throughout their day.

According to Today, the lunch break is back and already “lunchtime workouts have seen a 67% increase in popularity.” Add to that a walk around the office every now and then, taking the stairs up to your work floor (or apartment) instead of the elevator, and parking at the far end of the parking lot, and you’ve managed knock off some of your daily calories without much effort.

Not much for sweating at lunch and spending the rest of your day in a funk? Enjoy your full lunch break, but maintain your intermittent breaks and engage in a HIIT workout when you get home. This way you can still get some much needed time away from your desk during the day AND burn some serious calories during your shorter HIIT workout when you’re off the clock.

And there you have it: our 2021 fitness forecast. Looking for more fitness news from the Hibbett | City Gear team? Check out our other new-year, new-you-related posts like “Your Couch to 5K Starter Pack,” “Daily Workout Plans for Men” and more!