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Nearly half of Americans surveyed cited improved fitness as their top resolution for 2024.
Now, Alexander Rothstein, M.S., instructor and coordinator for the exercise science program at New York Institute of Technology, predicts this year’s fitness trends and tips to “shape up” in the new year.
While the popularity of at-home fitness offerings like Peloton and Tonal skyrocketed during the pandemic, Rothstein, an exercise physiologist, asserts that in-gym fitness has re-emerged as the main method of exercise for most Americans.
“At-home fitness will always be an option—it’s exciting and convenient—but a lot of this equipment just ends up taking up space and not getting used enough to justify the expense and clutter. Most individuals will instead choose to pay for a gym membership,” he says.
With more people returning to the gym, Rothstein believes there’s also a good chance they may seek out “unique” fitness experiences, such as facilities that offer special cycling options, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), or Pilates classes. The demand for these specialty offerings is also demonstrated by the growing number of boutique fitness centers providing niche workouts in cities where big box gyms previously dominated.
In addition, more people are realizing that training no longer needs to be in-person to be personal.
“Virtual one-on-one training options have opened a huge market for fitness professionals to offer their services and expertise to people from all around the world, right from the comfort of their homes,” says Rothstein. “Many professionals have already made virtual training part of their business model, and because of that, I expect it will stay trending.”
For people looking to improve their physical fitness in 2024, Rothstein shares the following tips:
- Make a plan that you will consistently follow. The best exercise plan is always the one that you will do. The most detailed and well-written plan is useless if it’s not adhered to, so choose options that will keep you engaged and motivated.
- Be sure that the exercises you select are hard enough and performed at an intensity that is high enough to safely challenge you. This challenge is what signals the body to improve cardiovascular health.
- If you’re currently exercising but favoring either cardiovascular or resistance training, consider a more balanced approach. It’s important to incorporate both types of training into your routine.
- Avoid the temptation to cancel workout plans. Once people cancel or skip a session, it tends to open a can of worms and people begin to cancel or miss more often. Following through on your plans will help you build sound fitness habits.
New York Institute of Technology Exercise Physiologist Alexander Rothstein is available for comment/interview. Contact [email protected].
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