The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) revealed the results in the January/February issue of ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal, titled “Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2023.” This annual international poll, now in its seventeenth year, discovered that technology continues to influence the fitness sector, so it’s no surprise that more than 4,500 health and fitness professionals chose wearables as the top trend for 2023. However, there are a number of new trends that will impact the sector in the future year.
Wearables are here to stay, according to ACSM Past President Walter R. Thompson, PhD, FACSM, the survey’s principal author. Not only are these gadgets becoming more affordable, but wearable data is also more employed in clinical decision-making, so they continue to be desirable, he said.
Dr. Thompson adds that as 2023 approaches, the results of this year’s poll may alternatively be headlined “post-pandemic recovery impacts the fitness business” or “what happened to internet training and home gyms?”
The yearly study conducted by ACSM assists the worldwide health and fitness industry in making programming and commercial decisions that ultimately impact consumers. This year’s study evaluated forty-two prospective trends, with the top twenty being detailed in the report.
In 2020, online training ranked 26th. In 2021, it was the most popular trend. In 2022, it fell to No. 9, and in 2023, it dropped to No. 21. Clearly, the reason for this large decline is that people are returning to the gym and, in many cases, quitting their home gyms.
In a post-pandemic world, fitness facilities are also reverting to the basics: Strength Training with Free Weights was No. 2, Body Weight Training was No. 3, and Core Training and Circuit Training were Nos. 11 and 12, respectively.
Regardless of the effects of COVID-19, the following trends have remained generally stable: For instance, High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) was the top trend in both 2014 and 2018, and it was seventh in 2022 and 2023.
Fitness Programs for Older Adults had swings that appeared to be induced by both the pandemic and other external variables, such as the fact that many Baby Boomers are retiring and choosing a fitness-focused lifestyle. This trend was ranked ninth in 2018, fourth in 2019, eighth in 2020, ninth again in 2021, eleventh in 2022, and fourth in 2023.
Put-On Technology
Consider fitness trackers, smart watches, heart rate monitors, and GPS tracking devices, as well as other technologies capable of monitoring heart rate, calories, sitting time, and sleep.
Resistance Training with Free Weights
This exercise utilizes barbells, dumbbells, and/or kettlebells.
Body Weight Exercises
Strategies that emphasize body weight as the major resistance, as expected. Body weight training requires minimum space and equipment, making it a cost-effective and practical form of exercise.
Fitness Programs for the Elderly
Programming centred on the special requirements of the ageing population.
Functional Conditioning Exercises
To improve daily activities by enhancing balance, coordination, functional strength, and endurance through training.
Outdoor Recreation
Group walks, bicycle rides, and organized treks led by professionals in health and fitness. Activities include brief occasions, day-long occasions, or multiday expeditions.
Intervals of High-Intensity Training (HIIT)
These fitness routines often consist of repeated bouts of intense exercise interspersed with rest intervals.
Exercise to lose weight
This trend combines weight loss programmes such as dieting and cooking workshops with physical activity.
Utilizing Certified Fitness Experts
Employing certified health and fitness professionals who have finished educational programmes and health/fitness certifications that are fully accredited.
Individual Training
Personal training consists of goal setting, fitness assessment, and exercise programming in one-on-one settings with a trainer.
A supplementary report shows that the regional trends differed slightly. Australia ranked Senior Fitness Programs as number one. It was Personal Training in Brazil. Body Weight Training ranked first in Europe. Mexico favoured Weight Loss and Exercise Programs. Licensure for Fitness Professionals piqued the interest of Portuguese respondents the most. The leading trend in Spain was Functional Fitness Training. And the United States mirrored the worldwide trend by ranking Wearable Technology first.
