With the wellness industry growing in popularity as more people are becoming interested in the idea of mental and physical wellbeing, Total Fitness has revealed the top fitness trends to look out for over the summer months.
Founded in 1993, Total Fitness is the leading mid-market health club in the North of England and Wales. With 17 health clubs, the brand offers its members several ways to stay fit, focused, and engaged.
Delivering their support to over 95,000 members on a daily basis, Total Fitness believes that ‘everyone is better fitter’. With this in mind, the brand has noted several of the latest trends appearing, such as group exercises.
Shaping the future of fitness, group exercise motivates 4.86 million Brits every week and its popularity continues to increase.
The Head of Product at Total Fitness, Ian Twitchen, explains that this trend will continue to rise in popularity, as the brand “has seen a 17% increase in fitness class bookings for the year”. “Group exercise is now more popular than swimming and running,” says Ian.
“Not only is exercising in groups a more motivational and enjoyable way to work out but with a growing variety of class options, there’s something to suit all ages and levels of ability.”
According to Twitchen, women are the main demographic as they are “currently accounting for 74% of group exercise classes in the UK”.
Although group exercise is continuously growing in popularity, Ian Twitchen shares his expert insights on the exercise trends that will be taking over gyms, fitness studios and homes this summer; keep an eye out as this may be the helpful advice you’ve been looking for.
1. DANCE YOURSELF FIT
Made popular by TV shows such as Strictly Come Dancing, dance-based exercises have been steadily gaining attention and its likely that this will continue over the summer months.
Extremely beneficial, dance workouts feature a variety of movements, which allows every muscle group in the body to be targeted, whilst simultaneously giving you an important cardio session.
If you’re thinking about Zumba, then you’re correct. However, with increasing popularity, there are several new forms of dance that have been incorporated, which will cater to all ages, fitness levels and musical tastes; Kangoo, Medau and hula hooping are just as entertaining and are offered at Total Fitness health clubs.
Kangoo is centred around the exercise of jumping whilst using spring-loaded boots in order to give the legs and glutes a much-needed workout, whilst Medau focuses on the body’s natural movements, combining elements of spring, swinging, and stretching.
Although a popular exercise amongst children, hula hooping can help to improve your core strength and cardiovascular fitness; definitely a trend worth taking part in.
2. PEDAL POWER
Unsurprisingly, spin classes remain a popular trend and there are no signs that it will slow down anytime soon. A perfect choice for all fitness levels, these classes will allow you to set your own pace whilst pushing you to work as hard as you can.
This exercise trend is a superb calorie burner, and builds muscle, especially in the core and leg areas of the body. The experience of spin classes in a group environment is proven to push individuals to work harder due to the motivational nature of these sessions.
3. SWIM TO WIN
Another summer trend to be a part of is swimming, as it is one of the best forms of exercise simply because it involves moving the entire body.
Due to the fact that water-aerobics are gentler on the joints than other exercises, swimming is particularly popular amongst older demographics, as 39% of those visiting the pool at Total Fitness health clubs.
Aqua classes usually involve performing simple aerobic movements whilst using equipment such as floats and water dumbbells. By being in the water, your movements are easier as the effects of gravity are reduced, and you will provide your body with a level of resistance that will inevitably build strength over time.
At the Total Fitness clubs, you will find specialist hydrotherapy pools, which are spectacularly beneficial for those suffering arthritis, as the increased water temperatures ease the strain on sore joints; this is the perfect exercise for those suffering from the disease, as they can simply exercise safely without worry or stress.
4. HIIT THE GROUND RUNNING
Whilst workouts can occasionally be tiring at times, the overall benefits that come with exercising surpass your occasional feelings of regret.
High-Intensity Interval Training, better known as HIIT, is predominantly intervals of intense cardio-based exercises that are extraordinarily effective at burning calories, and even help the body continue burning the calories after you have finished the workout.
Normally in HIIT workouts, you will push yourself to your limit for 30 seconds and then rest for at least three times as long before repeating the process. These workouts will last between 15-20 minutes, or more depending on your personal preference.
Becoming incredibly popular due to its noteworthy benefits, HIIT workouts are being combined with other popular forms of exercises such as pilates and weight training; plenty of choices when it comes to HIIT so why not give it a try this year?
5. POUND THE PAVEMENT
Running, another favourite activity for many people is an ideal exercise to be involved with over the warm summer months, and whether you prefer to enjoy a session by yourself or in the company of others, the choice is yours to make.
Strengthening your core and leg muscles whilst burning a substantial amount of calories, running releases endorphins in the brain, making you feel more energised and happier; not surprising as to why it’s a favourite amongst many.
With the summer months bringing warm weather to our lives, you can easily run outdoors or if the weather becomes disappointing then new technology allows you to have an authentic and enjoyable indoor running session
The weather will no longer affect your decision to run as new technology allows you to have a more authentic and enjoyable running session, as state-of-the-art treadmills can now connect to video services, as well as running routes around the world.
Total Fitness clubs feature impressive curved treadmills, which are powered by the runners forward motion, and indoor running tracks, therefore there are options for all runners to receive a perfect workout each time.
At Total Fitness, each of these trends is offered with state-of-the-art equipment in order to please each of its members, and with group trends continuously increasing in popularity, they have no expanded their classes to offer more than 70 a week.
Total Fitness is the ideal location to achieve perfect workouts each time, and if you would like to know more information then visit totalfitness.co.uk.
