While some parts of the country may be experiencing the waning days of winter, spring has arrived for most of us. We’re all enjoying the extra hours of sunlight, so it’s the perfect time to get outdoors and find a new activity that you can enjoy all summer long.* (Check with your doctor before starting a new regimen.) Here are a few fitness trends that might be worth checking out:
Paddleboarding
This fitness trend isn’t just for surfers. Anyone can enjoy this low-impact exercise that will improve your balance and increase your core strength. In fact, you can recreate the same workout on dry land with the help of a bosu or balance ball. The best part? You care completely in control of how hard you want to push yourself.
TRX
While this fitness trend has been popular in elite gyms for some time, it is now becoming more accessible than ever. TRX straps were first invented by a Navy SEAL to help keep fit while on deployments, which makes TRX a super portable and versatile workout tool. You can perform variety of exercises using just your body weight. The straps can be hooked up to door frames, trees or other solid structures. If you choose a lesser known brand, the straps can cost as little as $30.
Walking Clubs
Walking is a deceptively simple exercise, but walking clubs are becoming increasingly popular. People are looking for ways to help ‘cut the cord’ and limit the amount of time spent in front of screens or working with machines. It’s also nice get outside and socialize face-to-face! Joining a club provides a great way to get to know your neighbors, build a sense of community through old fashion walking and talking and participate in a low-impact, fat burning activity. Walking clubs are especially popular among moms with young children.
Recovery and Wearables
Fitness bands and wearable trackers are also the latest fashion trend. It seems like everyone is counting their steps, tracking their sleep patterns and using technology to get the most out of every workout. What is really great about these trackers is that they help emphasize the importance of recovery. Without adequate sleep and recovery periods, your body won’t be able to repair itself and experience muscle growth. In fact, studies show that sleep is the single most important factor in weight loss, even more so than exercise.
The right fitness tracker can give you a detailed look at your sleep patterns and highlight areas for improvement. If you exercise regularly and the pounds just aren’t coming off, the key might be to simply get more rest.
Whatever you and your healthcare provider think is best for your individual needs, fitness should be part of a year-round wellness plan that includes regular medical and dental checkups; sufficient rest and proper nutrition and hydration. Each of the above workouts can be adapted to indoor use, so there’s no need to skip a day or stop exercising when the seasons change or on a rainy day.
It’s also important to make sure that you’re getting the proper nutrition to build and repair all that new muscle tissue! Wearables can allow you to log nutrition and passively track your activity and rest. You’ll need to keep an accurate food diary and exercise diary to get the most out of your new plan!
A consult with a registered dietitian is your best bet to make sure that you’re following the right plan for your individual needs. (Check with your health insurer to see if such visits are covered. If uninsured, your local college/university school of nutrition may offer reduced-fee consults with supervised students.) It can be tempting to substitute sports drinks or energy bars for balanced meals, but be aware that many such beverages and foods contain a high carb count.
If your do occasionally forget to check the label, that high-carb sports snack may cause you experience uncomfortable gas and/or bloating. Take CharcoCaps® dietary supplement, it relieves Gas and Bloating FAST!* Enjoy your favorite foods without worry!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Resources:
http://www.fitnesshq.com/10-fitness-trends-to-try-in-2016/
http://www.active.com/fitness/articles/16-fitness-trends-to-look-for-in-201…
https://blastmotion.com/blog/top-10-fitness-trends/
http://womensrunning.competitor.com/2016/01/news/52206_52206
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jill-s-brown/top-fitness-trends-for-20_b_8620…
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-16815/the-most-important-factor-for-weight-l…