Fitness Trends: Looking to the Future of Fitness

Between technological leaps and the internet, the world of fitness has evolved rapidly over the last decade – and with these changes, the fitness community has expanded too. Access to gyms and workout information has never been easier, and now people are looking for customised workout plans to individual needs.

New questions are being raised, like what is the future of gyms in a progressively online world? What new exercise trends could catapult the workout world into its next era? Keep your finger on the pulse of the trends making waves in the fitness industry with FS8’s guide to the future of fitness. 

What is the future of fitness?

Current fitness trends in Australia reflect a global shift in thinking about exercise and the role it plays in health and wellbeing – beyond the physical. Off the back of a pandemic and looking into a future dominated by tech, two things shine through as the foundation for new exercise trends: 

1. The future of fitness is all about workout routines customised to address your unique needs and slot naturally into your lifestyle. 
2. Building an approach to wellness based on evidence and supported by tech is key. 

7 fitness industry trends for the future

While the latest trends in the fitness industry point broadly to a future of self care supported by tech, there are some more specific emerging ideas that can benefit workout routines starting now. Here are the new exercise trends we’re loving: 

• Biohacking 
• Workouts for mental enhancement 
• Functional training 
• Active recovery 
• Community fitness 
• Body weighted training 
• Low impact exercise 

Ahead, we unpack each of these trends to discover what the future of fitness really looks like and what to expect from FS8.

Biohacking

Biohacking is at the centre of current global fitness trends, but the name can make it seem more complicated than it really is. With a focus on increasing energy and improving vitality, biohacking is all about changing the body’s chemistry and physiology with a science-based approach. It can be as simple as lifestyle and dietary changes, or as futuristic as wearable or even implant technology that tracks workouts, steps, sleep and water intake.

Workouts for mental enhancement

The benefits of exercise on mental health go beyond bettering moods through the release of endorphins (those feel-good hormones) – mental health also refers to your ability to concentrate and focus. Some popular new exercise trends centre the mental enhancements of physical workouts, like benefits of different types of yoga for mindfulness or energetic workouts to clear away brain fog.

If you prefer to get your brain into focus mode with a dynamic, pacey training session look no further than FS8 OG – remixing pilates, tone and yoga for a full body workout. 

Functional training

When it comes to the future of exercise, FS8’s functional workouts are ahead of the curve. Like the name suggests, functional strength training is designed to improve how the body operates through exercises that mimic how you move in daily life.

Functional workouts can reduce the likelihood of injury by helping improve mobility and flexibility – but that doesn’t mean they skimp on sweat and strength. FS8 Remix incorporates both mat and reformer pilates for high energy, low impact functional training that supports core strength, balance, and mobility. 

Active recovery

Rest and recovery have always gone hand–in–hand, but these days more and more experts are singing the praises of active recovery. One of the latest trends in the fitness industry, active recovery benefits the body through maintaining movement between sets, after a workout, and days out of the gym. It makes sense too – after all, the human body is designed for daily movement.

Forms of exercise like FS8 Restore, a walk, or swimming can help clear away lactic acid that builds up during training, reducing soreness and supporting the muscle building process.

Community fitness

Having a comfortable, neutral space outside of home or work to take time for yourself is an important element of self-care – and the gym can be that space. One of the reasons why FS8 is so popular is the supportive, social environment of our group fitness classes, where you can find a sense of belonging among other likeminded individuals. It’s a true gym of the future, allowing you to create work life balance or take time to check out of daily frustrations, build new friendships or focus on yourself and hit reset. 

Body weighted training

Body weighted training classes is a global fitness trend we can get behind. While free weights and machines will always form a key part of a workout schedule, classes should teach you how to exercise anywhere and everywhere.

FS8 Blast provides both machine (Pilates reformer) and body weighted strength training in short blasts to help increase cardiovascular endurance. You can reap the social and physical benefits of group fitness classes and feel empowered to keep training even when you can’t make it to gym.

Low impact exercise

The advantages of low impact exercise has been at the heart of FS8 workouts from the beginning and it seems global fitness trends are starting to catch up. Low impact workouts are built from low load bearing exercises that don’t put unnecessary pressure on the joints and typically emphasise slower, more controlled movements. For low impact workouts that still provide the strength building benefits you’re looking for – find an FS8 studio to book a class.