Want to boost your physical and mental health workout routine in 2023? Check out these top fitness trends in 2023 to strengthen your body and mind.
A healthy body and mind can help you achieve your goals this year and for life. "Exercise more" landed the top spot for 2023 New Year's resolutions, cited by 52% of U.S. adults in a Statista poll. The following two most popular resolutions were also related to health and wellness in 2023. Half of the respondents resolved to "eat healthier," while 40% cited "lose weight."
These are the most prominent emerging health and wellness trends to consider adding to your routine.
Streaming services are also embracing fitness in 2023. Netflix expanded its profile in the fitness space by teaming up with Nike to debut Nike Training Club fitness content on the streaming app. Netflix members can find dozens of exercise sessions, from yoga, to strength conditioning, to interval training. With some classes only 10 minutes long, you can work fitness into your day whenever you need a break.
Virtual reality (VR) uses technology to place people in a computer-generated, simulated world. Typically, people use VR headsets and handsets to play games, but that's changing. According to a 2022 report by Insider Intelligence, VR usage in the U.S. increased from 50.7 million users in 2020 to 66.8 million in 2022. By 2025, 75.4 million people are expected to use VR technology.
VR expands fitness possibilities by immersing users in virtual workout rooms and other activities that burn calories. Supernatural for the Meta Quest VR headset has more than 500 workouts, like boxing and stretching, which you can take in various settings worldwide. Beat Saber works your arms as you wield a "sword" to slice through shapes flying toward you set to energizing music. You can also find active VR games on devices like PlayStation VR.
Fitness trackers have been popular for over a decade, but increasingly people are using smartwatches and other wearable technology to reach their goals. Wearable technology ranked #1 on the Top 20 Worldwide Fitness Trends for 2023, a global survey published in ACSM's "Health & Fitness Journal."
In addition to tracking daily steps and calories burned, wearable tech has evolved to track blood pressure, oxygen saturation, electrocardiogram, respiratory rate, and body temperature.
Mental health is a major concern for Americans today. A 2022 survey by CNN in partnership with the Kaiser Family Foundation found 9 out of 10 U.S. adults believe there's a mental health crisis in the country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mental health issues like depression can increase physical health risks for conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. People interested in holistic health habits may use meditation to boost their mental fitness.
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, meditation may help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, lower blood pressure, and help with insomnia.
There are many free meditation apps, such as 1 Giant Mind. This free app includes an introductory course to meditation, a 30-day meditation challenge, and on-demand, customizable meditation sessions.
Sound baths are meditative sessions where participants lie down on mats and listen to percussion sounds like gongs and bowls. Research published in the "Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine" found sound baths induce a relaxation response that lowers stress levels, blood pressure, and heart rate. Another study found that 11 minutes of daily sound bath practice improved cognition, boosted brain metabolism, reduced cortisol, and lowered inflammation.
Sound baths may be offered at yoga studios, meditation spaces, or outdoor community spaces. You can also find free sound bath videos on YouTube to indulge in your own sonic session at home.
Pickleball is one the fastest-growing sports with one of the most memorable names. According to USA Pickleball, there were 4.8 million pickleball players in the U.S. in 2021, up 11.15% in the past five years.
Sharing similarities with tennis, ping pong, and badminton, pickleball is relatively easy and can be played indoors and outdoors. With a global, co-ed, team-based professional league backed by pro athletes like Tom Brady, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James, expect pickleball to become more popular among mainstream sports and community courts.
Strength training has long been popular with fitness enthusiasts, but expect it to play a more significant role in aging populations concerned about maintaining mobility. "Strength training with free weights" ranked #2 in the ACSM "Health & Fitness Journal" survey, while "bodyweight training" ranked #3.
As we age, we lose strength and muscle mass, diminishing some of our physical abilities. A 2022 study published by the National Institute on Aging found 30% of adults 70 and older have trouble with everyday tasks like walking or getting out of chairs. Strength training can strengthen bones, protect joints from injury, and build muscles that improve balance and decrease the risk of falls.
Proper form is critical. Look for professionally-led strength training classes at gyms or with a personal trainer. Exercise apps like Peloton also offer courses that use free weights. At home, strength training with free weights or body weight. If you don't have free weights, you can use soup cans or water bottles for resistance. Squat while you watch TV, or do sit-ups while waiting for a pot of water to boil. Exercise bands are low-cost strength tools that can also help you build muscles.
There are many free and low-cost ways to boost your health, from cooking nutritious meals to taking daily walks outside. Mobile applications can help you stick to a plan, too.
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