Certain fitness trends throughout history have gone on to become iconic signs of the times. For example, Richard Simmons will always be associated with the '80s. The quirky exercise class on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is quintessential '50s. And most people will mention SoulCycle and yoga when tasked with naming the workouts that dominated (and continue to dominate) the early 2000s.
So, what will the workout of 2018 be? It's probably too soon to predict exactly what this year will be remembered for, but there are certainly some trends that are about to blow up. To get you ready for the new year upon us, we asked top trainers to give their fitness forecast for the future.
These are the workouts, trends, and classes that you can expect to see in 2018.
Wearable Tech
According to the American College of Sports Medicine, the billion-dollar wearable technology industry will continue to grow in 2018. Technically, a "wearable" can be an activity tracker, smart watch, heart rate monitor, GPS tracking device, and smart glasses. While some might not be a fan of fitness trackers, it will be interesting to see how the technology we already use (like smartphones and smart watches) will adapt to aid our fitness interests, too.
modeled by Melissa DeStefano; photographed by Sam Nodelman; produced by Sam Nodelman.
Lifting
According to ClassPass data, strength-training was the most popular genre of workout in 2017, and that trend will likely bleed over into 2018 as well. Morit Summers, a NCSA-certified personal trainer in Brooklyn, says she wants more women to discover a love of lifting — whether that means Olympic lifting, CrossFit, or powerlifting. "It has taken some time, but the myths and fears about women getting bulky from lifting are starting to disappear, and women are realising the power that being strong holds for the body and soul," Summer says.
photographed by Andi Elloway; modeled by Chantell Jackson; modeled by Jessie Diaz; produced by Megan Madden.
Workout Thinktanks
While boutique fitness may have dominated the past few years, big chains are figuring out new ways for top trainers to hone and develop their personal brands in-house. Last year, SoulCycle launched SoulAnnex, a studio for "off-the-bike" classes, and Equinox debuted Project by Equinox, an incubator for instructors to develop specialised classes. The beauty of this trend is it allows you to take a range of classes at one place, rather than sign up at a bunch of different studios. And it gives trainers the opportunity to workshop new ideas and methods.
Photo: Courtesy of Soul Annex.
Boxing
In many ways, boxing has taken over indoor cycling as the new cardio craze. "It's a lighter form of cardio and offers a nice break from lower body-focused workouts," says Debora Warner, founder of Mile High Run Club. Never boxed before? It's not as intimidating as it looks; here are the basic combinations you need to know before taking a class.
photographed by Andi Elloway; modeled by Chantell Jackson; produced by Megan Madden.
On-Demand Workouts
From high-tech treadmills with built-in TV screens for streaming classes, to cheap on-demand fitness websites, there are more and more ways to get in a workout without leaving your house. "The great thing about live-streaming is that anyone in the world can feel like they're a part of the amazing boutique fitness classes that are available, especially here in NYC," says Alonzo Wilson, founder and director of training at Tone House.
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