The pandemic lockdown changed the way we exercise, and many of its trends will persist through 2021. Although gyms and leisure centers are opening again, online workouts will most likely remain popular. Low-intensity yoga and pilates have trended, as have quick micro-HIIT (high intensity interval training) workouts. Two new ideas are eye yoga, a response to staring at screens for too long, and “everesting”, people using home bikes to climb the height of Mount Everest. Virtual challenges have become a popular way to make exercise fun and competitive, and wearable tech is advancing, as with the Apple Series 6 tracking watch. Finally, being stuck inside most of the time has lead to an increase in walking for exercise, and an upsurge in outside workouts and outdoor fitness boot camps.

Key Takeaways:

• At-home workouts have become more popular, but so have walks and hikes in the outdoors.
• High intensity interval training (known as HIIT) is surging, boosted by apps such as the 7 Minute Workout Challenge.
• Cyclists have taken to “everesting,” a challenge where they climb 8,848m, the height of Mount Everest.

“The silver lining of lockdown saw many of us slow down our mind and movements as we spent more time indoors with our immediate bubbles.”

Read more: https://www.elle.com/uk/life-and-culture/culture/longform/a41063/fitness-trends-gym-classes-workout/