Fitness trends: What’s hot in 2020

What will be the most popular fitness trend this year?

According to health and fitness experts across the globe, the answer is wearable technology.

The answer came from the American College of Sports Medicine’s annual “Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends.” Now in its 14th year, the annual survey predicts the top 20 fitness trends for 2020.

The electronic survey received slightly more than 3,000 responses from personal trainers, health/fitness directors, physical therapists, doctors, nurses, and others.

The top five fitness trends identified in the 2020 survey are:

1. Wearable technology was again the number one trend as it has been since 2016 (the only exception was a drop to number three in 2018). It includes fitness trackers, smart watches, heart rate monitors, and other devices.
2. High-intensity interval training has been a top 10 fitness trend since 2014. It typically involves cardio activity with short bursts of high-intensity exercise, followed by a short period of rest or recovery.
3. Group training, defined as having more than five participants, is designed for different fitness levels. Instructors teach many types of classes, from cardio-based classes and indoor cycling to dance and step classes.
4. Training with free weights debuts as the fourth top fitness trend in 2020. Previous surveys included a category called “strength training,” which was determined to be too broad.
5. Personal training continues to be a trend as the profession of personal training becomes more accessible online, in health clubs, in the home, and in worksites that have fitness facilities.

Other top fitness trends (listed in order by ranking) include:

• Exercise is medicine – a global health initiative that focuses on encouraging primary care providers to include physical activity assessment and treatment recommendations as part of every patient visit.
• Body weight training – uses minimal equipment, which makes it an inexpensive way to exercise effectively.
• Fitness programs for older adults – addresses the fitness needs of Baby Boomers and older generations.
• Health/wellness coaching – utilizes a one-on-one approach with a coach who provides support, goal setting, guidance, and encouragement.