What’s trending in fitness – 2014 edition

Let’s be honest, we’ve done some pretty silly things in the name of fitness.

Richard Simmons, Billy Blanks, and Jillian Michaels.

The Thighmaster, Shake Weight, and Gazelle. Seriously?

Short shorts and headbands. Leg warmers and oversized sweatshirts. Glorious yoga pants (thank you lululemon!).

In hindsight, I am sure 2014 will spare no expense in adding to fitness’s “what were we thinking” list. But, in attempt to avoid embarrassment and get the most out of our exercise efforts, let’s take a peek at what’s trending in fitness right now.

All the cool kids are doing it

Fitness Tech. These days, fitness is getting really fancy. Not like bowtie and black dress fancy. But, fitness is certainly trending towards tech.

Smartphones and apps. Wearable tech and tracking devices. Touch screens and more gadgets than any one person needs. But hey, if it means that more people are exercising I am game. I mean, not me personally, I don’t even have a smartphone. I don’t need anything more than my bodyweight, a barbell, and a kettlebell. That doesn’t mean tech can’t work for you though. And in 2014, more people are going to be trying their hand at fitness tech.

• Muscle tracking – Thanks to Athos, now you can monitor every move your muscles make. Yes, that’s right. Pull on one of their compression garments complete with built in sensors that will tell you everything you need to know about how you’re body is moving.

• Battery powered bikes – Alright, I’m not going to lie, this is pretty awesome. Companies like Superpedestrian and FlyKly will be selling bike wheels that transform into battery operated rigs when paired with a smartphone.

• Save your brain – If you haven’t seen the newest bike helmet innovation from Hövding, you have to watch this. You don’t even wear it on your head! This helmet knows when you’re in danger and springs (or inflates) into action. It’s a personal airbag for cyclists.

Old School. If you’re like me, and you can’t get into this fitness tech trend, you’re in luck. According to the Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2014 conducted by the American College of Sports Medicine this year also marks a movement towards less techie tools.

• Bodyweight Training. Here’s what you need to know, it works., bodyweight exercises like the push-up, pull-up, squat, lunge and sit-up have always been effective. They’re never going to go out of style.

• HIIT Training. Hard and fast workouts get more done in less time. There’s always time for that in 2014.

• Strength Training. Pick up heavy objects and put them down. Repeat regularly if you want muscles. Or it you want to lose weight. Or “tone up”, whatever that is. Stick to compound movements like the squat, overhead press, deadlift, and bench press it’s possible to transform our entire body.

What does your 2014 workout routine look like? Share it with me, joe@thehybridathlete.com. I’d love to see what you’re doing to stay fit.

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