People around the world faced many new fitness challenges created by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Closed gyms, work from home, and generally more stationary lifestyles are commonplace. From a mental standpoint, 2020 awareness has seen an unprecedented acceleration in awareness of how much physical exercise affects well-being.

Since 2007 ACSM – American College of Sports Medicine – has published the results of the “Worldwide overview of fitness trends”A comprehensive review involving thousands of fitness and wellness professionals from around the world, including experts such as personal trainers, exercise physiologists, medical professionals, and gym owners.

The final report aims to monitor, assess, predict and introduce new fitness trends that are affecting the development of the sector itself, according to a press release.

Here’s a look at the fitness trends that are expected to continue through 2021.

  • Online training
  • Wearable Technologies – Fitness Trackers, Heart Rate Monitors and Smartwatches.
  • Body weight training
  • Training outdoors
  • High-intensity interval training – high-intensity exercises followed by medium-to-low intensity breaks.
  • Exercise is Medicine – health initiative focused on encouraging primary care physicians and other health care providers to include physical activity assessment and associated treatment recommendations at each patient visit and refer their patients to exercise professionals.
  • Virtual training
  • Weight training with free weights
  • Fitness programs for older adults
  • Personal training