ACSM 2017 Fitness Trends Forecast

The ACSM Fitness Trends have staying power. These trends are based on research conducted since 2007.

Wearable technology first came up as a trend in 2016. The accuracy of activity trackers, smart watches, heart rate monitors and GPS tracking devices has improved. In some cases, your caloric balance can be calculated by your device. Think about what you want to measure and purchase the wearable that best matches your goals.

Body weight training is not new. It gets back to basics with fitness. It requires minimal equipment, so it’s very affordable.

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) has short bursts of activity followed by short recovery periods. There are a lot of questions about who it is best for and if it will cause more injury. It’s not for everyone. Seek out someone with the proper certification to guide you through a workout.

Educated and experienced fitness professionals are important. With the advent of the Internet, there are people who demonstrate fitness techniques online. The online guru may not have the understanding for potential injury for other bodies. Visit the United States Registry of Exercise Professionals to find out someone’s credentials.

Strength training is a lot like body weight training. You can go into a gym anywhere in the world and people are doing strength training. Most young folks want to do something exciting so gyms are repackaging strength training in their memberships.

Group training is still popular. Classes where individuals are led through exercises for different fitness levels remain a trend.

Exercise is Medicine is a global health initiative focused on prescriptions for fitness as part of one’s treatment plan.

Listen in as Dr. Walt Thompson shares the 2017 ACSM Fitness Trends.