There’s nothing like stepping boldly into a new year, ready to kick all your goals and take on the world. For a lot of us, that means sorting out our health and fitness goals in an effort to lose weight, gain strength and tone up or just to feel better in our bodies and minds. It also means assessing what workouts are actually working for us and whether we should try some of the many new fitness trends that are gaining traction.
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So why not shake things up and try one of these 2018 fitness trends? For me personally, I’m finding my regular fitness routine from last year is feeling a little stale. And when things start to feel stale, that’s when the all-important ‘motivation factor’ starts to wane. By trying something new, I’m hoping to breathe fresh life into my health and fitness goals and keep my body on its toes.
Been feeling the same way lately? Let’s find a new fitness trend to try and smash our health goals together…
On-demand fitness
Over the last few years, we’ve said goodbye to the humble VHS and DVD workouts and we’re now saying a big, sweaty hello to streaming fitness videos. Just like your trusty Netflix or Stan subscription, you can now stream any number of workout videos via online fitness programs and on-demand streaming websites. You can even follow workouts via apps on your phone! And while this trend has been building for a few years, 2018 will see online workout programs and workout streaming dominate on a whole new level. From slick, tech-savvy new treadmills that allow you to stream your workout of choice to cheap-as-chips online diet plans, fitness is set to get a whole lot more mobile. Plus, with fit-fluencers such as Steph Claire Smith, Rachael Finch and Tiff Hall creating online programs, this is one trend that’s set to stick around.
Try: KICGirls (kicgirls.com), Sweat with Kayla (kaylaitsines.com), Grokker (grokker.com), BODY by Finch (bodybyfinch.com), TIFFXO (tiffxo.com), Voome (voome.com.au).
Boxing
Boxing has been kicking around in the fitness realm for some time now, but has recently seen a major surge in demand for womens boxing classes. This is largely due to various Victoria’s Secret supermodels singing its body-sculpting praises, with Gigi Hadid, Adriana Lima and Kelly Gale just a few of the many boxing devotees who swear by the exercise. “Boxing has been great for me because it’s like my new sport, so it’s something that I can get better at,” Gigi told Vogue. The great news is, more and more gyms are adding boxing classes to their timetables, so if you’re wanting to get your Million Dollar Baby box on like Gigi, it’s now easier than ever. Enquire at your local gym or boxing studio to get started.
Try: 9Round (9round.com.au), Fitness First (fitnessfirst.com.au), Vault Boxing (vaultboxing.com.au), Goodlife Health Clubs (goodlifehealthclubs.com.au), Virgin Active (virginactive.com.au), 12RND Fitness (12round.com.au).
Rowing
Forget spin class, it’s all about the rower now. Not just a sport for stuffy private schools, rowing is fast becoming the workout of choice for women who want a seriously toned physique. But rather than just jumping on the much-neglected rowing machine at the local gym, you can now attend indoor rowing classes. After taking the US by storm, boutique rowing studios, such as the cult CREW studio, are now starting to pop up in Australia. CREW offers a high-intensity workout that combines wooden water rowers (the water provides great natural resistance), weights, resistance bands and bodyweight exercises, all from the comfortable seat of your rower. And being that it doesn’t involve a lot of plyometrics or jumping around, it’s a great low-impact option for those looking for a good workout that doesn’t destroy the joints.
Try: CREW Row (crewrow.com.au)
Trampoline
Okay, but can you think of a more fun workout than bouncing your heart out on a trampoline? I can’t, and apparently neither can a lot of Aussies these days. Trampoline gyms are springing up (sorry, I had to) all over the place as a fun, fat-blasting fitness class that works your whole body. Perfect for all shapes, sizes and fitness levels, your heart rate and your endorphins will be soaring after a trampoline fitness class. Depending on the trampoline studio, you can also expect to find trampoline fitness classes that incorporate elements of pilates, boxing and boot camp – so who says you can’t have it all?
Try: Skyfit (skyzone.com.au/programs/skyfit), Boing Central (boingcentral.com.au), U-Bounce (ubounce.com.au).
Which of these 2018 fitness trends appeal to you the most?
