We’ve almost made it to the end! The last week of the year is here and that’s reason enough for us to get up on our feet and get lost in the memories of the year gone by. Now whether you like it or not, fitness is a huge, huge part of it. Recently there has been a huge boom in the fitness field and even the most reluctant horses have made (however feeble) attempts to get their physical fitness somewhat back on track. Despite all the bad news that happens on social media, this kind of peer pressure is actually quite admirable. But still, gym rats and health fanatics have probably never felt this complacent. Nevertheless, there were some decisive trends that demonstrated themselves profoundly during the year and possibly even in the near future. So without any further delay, here they are!
AI training
If we can’t fight it, can we even befriend it, right? There is really nothing in which artificial intelligence cannot find efficacy. Now coming to fitness, where the more perfect form and reps you get, the faster and better you’ll sculpt your body and, by proxy, your psyche, an AI-informed gym session couldn’t possibly hurt. The only evidence of people adopting it like a fish to water is the surge of AI-powered fitness apps. Times are definitely changing!
pop pilates princess era
There’s no way you’ve missed seeing the number of beautiful, posh women who look like centuries-old ballerinas on your Instagram feed. The only difference is that instead of a tutu they have an elaborate and beautiful gym set with ballet-adjacent grip socks. Pilates may be literally 100 years old, but the aesthetic revamp it’s received this year will ensure it solidifies its place in the mainstream. It also definitely helps that this is one of the most robust workout regimes on the market. For those who think this is pretentious, why don’t you get on the mat for a 15-minute session with a free YouTube video? If you’re not begging for your life by the end of it, you won.
community workout
What’s better than a good workout? A workout buddy with whom you just accomplished your goal for the day. It may sound sad, but even an intensely personal endeavor like one’s fitness journey can benefit from persistence with a partner, idealist or otherwise. This not only promotes accountability but is a great sublesson for socialization. That being said, the spirit has received a serious upgrade this year. Team sports have seen a huge growth as a primary exercise option. A report from TODAY states, “(V)olyball reservations have increased by 256% since 2023, and football has also seen a 158% increase. But the biggest and perhaps most surprising jump has been in ice skating which saw a massive increase of 698% in reservations”.
consistency on intensity
The go hard or go home mentality is on its last legs and we couldn’t be happier. This year has been all about finding balance when it comes to achieving the body of one’s dreams. So it’s not really about shrinking your waist to a certain size before the years turn. Instead, the goal is to create a routine for yourself that you’ll happily follow regularly. The generation is finally understanding the value of consistency over perfection and this is truly a moment in time.
chemicals
Remember when Shalini Pasi jumped into her own cryo-chamber. Obviously the common man cannot afford it, but there are plenty of wellness bars across the city that will definitely serve you at a hefty price. Cryotherapy is essentially the practice of exposing your body to really low temperatures for a few minutes. Now while this doesn’t necessarily count as a workout, the target demographic includes people who work hard at the gym or generally lead a particularly active lifestyle. A report from Healthline lists its benefits as numbing nerve irritation as well as reducing arthritis pain.
Confident but confused? Consult a health care professional and start taking ice baths instead. It’s cruel but addictive.
What has been a defining trend in your fitness journey this year?
