20 Fitness Trends You’ll See Everywhere in 2020

A lot of fitness trends have come and gone throughout the 2010s - some beneficial and worthwhile, and some that should have never been a thing in the first place. (Goodbye forever, waist trainers and naked workout classes!) The good news is that a fresh decade is upon us, and it’s already looking like it could be your healthiest and happiest year yet.Thanks to the digital fitness boom, you’ll be able to get a solid workout from anywhere - not to mention have the coolest high-tech equipment and wearables right at your fingertips. There’s also a change in focus happening: Instead of just working out to get a six-pack, the mental benefits of exercise are equally important, if not more so, than the physical.

Here are the fitness trends you can expect to see everywhere in 2020, according to trainers.

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All-in-one fitness

Typically, you’re left going to multiple places to stay healthy, from hitting the gym to booking appointments with your nutritionist and doctors. That might not be the case in the future, though, as more health professionals join forces.

“Instead of having to go to different places for your fitness, health, and wellness needs, you’ll be seeing more trainers, dietitians, physical therapists, and doctors working together under the same roof,” says personal trainer Eric Rakofsky. By eliminating the grey area between these practitioners, it’ll be easier for you to get the results you’re looking for.

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On-the-go wellness

If you have trouble squeezing in workouts while you’re on the road, that’s only going to get easier in 2020 due to having more opportunities available right on your phone. Dancer and trainer Megan Roup says the demand for on-the-go wellness is only increasing - especially around fitness.

“As we get busier, people want to have their favourite workouts on their phones and at their fingertips so they can work out consistently no matter where they are,” she says. Going digital also makes boutique fitness more accessible and affordable. “You now have access to top trainers for less than the price of one class,” she says.

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Community-driven fitness

It’s so much easier to stick with a workout plan when you have a community of like-minded individuals by your side, and that’s why trainers Katrina Scott and Karena Dawn say community-driven fitness is really going to take off in 2020. “[It’s] becoming more important than ever as women seek connection in their busy, modern lives,” they say.

Instead of just hitting the gym by yourself, you can easily connect with others, thanks to the rise in live-streamed classes, sweaty selfie check-ins, social media challenges, and online chats within fitness apps. “Having a team to cheer you on and empathise with where you are in your journey helps make those tough days more achievable,” they add.

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Digital on-demand fitness

Just because studios are starting to go virtual doesn’t mean at-home streaming is becoming any less popular. Next year, even more fitness enthusiasts will be able to take advantage of the affordable option. “You’ll keep seeing more group fitness online classes and more fitness apps,” says Jen Tallman, group fitness instructor and online coach. “Working out at home or while travelling is only going to continue to grow as more people work from home and remotely and want options on top of in-person fitness.”

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Virtual trainers

Maybe getting a trainer has been out of the question in the past because of the sky-high fees that can come with that one-on-one time. But if you go the virtual route and work with a trainer through your screen, you can get the same attention and guidance for a fraction of the cost.

“A big part of the continuation of the digital and on-demand fitness trend is a rise in online one-on-one coaching,” Tallman says. “I have some online clients I train that aren’t located anywhere near me, and it’s been amazing to connect with them from another state. This really diversifies the population we can work with and the amount of people we can help, which is what this industry is all about.”

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A rise in rowing classes

Rowing is officially a thing. The machine used to get dusty at the gym, but people are really starting to realise its benefits. (According to a study from the English Institute of Sport, it works a whopping 86% of the muscles in your body.) There are already boutique studios dedicated to rowing, like C REW."

And that craze is only increasing. “The lack of impact with rowing is incredibly joint-friendly, yet still challenging and effective,” says celebrity trainer Ashley Borden. “It’s an upper-body pulling dominant exercise, and most of the world needs to pull more,” she says, adding that the pulling of the rower handle and pushing with your legs leads to better posture, even if you sit all day.

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High-tech fitness boutiques

Next year, things will go a step further as high-tech fitness equipment designed to improve the efficacy of workouts becomes more widely-available at studios. “For example, NOVA Fitness Innovation in New York City uses full-body electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) suits and claims that the suits make a NOVA workout three times more effective than the same workout sans EMS. I presume 2020 will bring more studios of the like,” says Amanda Capritto, a personal trainer and CrossFit coach.

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High-tech fitness at home

It’s not just studios that are getting the high-tech treatment. While Capritto says many are using technology to better your workouts, you can upgrade your at-home workouts in 2020, too. With Mirror, you can turn any space in your home into a fitness studio. It’s like having a virtual personal trainer - and any boutique fitness class you want! - right in your own space.

There's also Tonal: An all-in-one fitness system that attaches to a wall in your home. Because it supports 200 pounds of resistance and hundreds of different exercises, you can do full-body strength-training workouts whenever you want. While these innovations are already cool, get excited: It’s still just the beginning of the home tech boom.

RELATED: Fat-Burning Workouts You Can Do At Home

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More kickboxing workouts

Remember how badly you wanted to grab a pair of boxing gloves and get to work after watching Million Dollar Baby for the first time? Well, get ready, because boxing and kickboxing is only increasing in popularity.

“The main reason people don’t stick to their cardio workouts is cardio dread, and you can end the boring workouts by checking out a nearby boxing studio. These classes make cardio enjoyable and are safe for everyone at any fitness level,” says Holly Rosser, a personal trainer and sports nutritionist. “Expect to burn anywhere from 2,000kJ (500cal) to 3,350kJ (800cal) per hour depending on your height and weight.”

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Meditation as part of your workout

You know meditation has plenty of health benefits, but if you’ve been struggling to fit both a workout and meditation session into your busy schedule, that will get easier in 2020 as more instructors incorporate it into their workouts.

“As we go into the new year, our lives are busier than ever, and it’s scarce that we take time for ourselves,” says Cat Kom, fitness expert. “Fifteen minutes of HIIT followed by fifteen minutes of meditation can transform lives very quickly. By setting aside a slice of time each day, 2020 can be a year of greater peace, equanimity, understanding, compassion, gratitude, and joy.”

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Disconnected fitness

Despite all the fitness tech available, 2020 will also focus on disconnecting. Because as great as technology is, it’s more important than ever - for your mental health and general sanity - to occasionally unplug.

“I believe 2020 will bring, ironically, more clubs and studios dedicated to disconnected fitness,” Capritto says. “Technology and social media have thoroughly infiltrated our lives, making even the most mindful of activities - like meditation, yoga, and deep breathing - tech-heavy or even reliant. At most gyms, you can’t get away from screens and getting in a good sweat sesh has become very transactional. For those reasons, I predict a rise in tech-free fitness and wellness environments.”

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HILIT—aka high-intensity, low-impact training

While high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is still popular, it’s HILIT - aka high-intensity, low-impact training - that’s really going to take off in the new year. According to personal trainer Kenny Rosenzweig it allows you to get the same sweat-inducing workout in a way that’s much more gentle on your body.

The benefits of HIIT are well-studied, and include top-notch kilojoule burn, a boost in metabolism, and improved heart health numbers. “However, HIIT can be physically taxing on the body with constant exertion on the joints,” Rosenzweig says. “HILIT combines the benefits of HIIT, but in a low-impact environment that removes stress on the joints. This trend is particularly exciting for runners, CrossFitters, and other athletes who suffer wear and tear in their joints after years of high impact workouts.”

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Cardio-rhythm classes

Instead of just sweating it out on the treadmill, burning kilojoules is a lot more fun when you move body along to music. In 2020, there won’t just be a rise in already-popular dance-cardio fitness classes but rhythmic movements and beat-based workouts will also become a norm in yoga, HIIT, and beyond.

“Whether it’s a smooth and relaxing or high energy and dynamic style class, cardio-rhythm will have a style and pace for everyone,” says yoga teacher Kajuan Douglas. “There’s a big need to experience exaltation and excitement in our personal life and our fitness regiment. As a result, the combination of a good sweat and fulfilling movement experience will be the theme of 2020. It’s time for the strong and graceful.”

Customised fitness programs and products

Fitness isn’t one-size-fits all. While boxing might work best for your body, Pilates could be the most effective option for your friend. Because of that, personal trainer Serena Scanzillo predicts there will be a lot more customisation in both fitness programs and products in the new year.

“Personalised fitness programs and products can come at a cost, but it’s also validated. If something is custom to you, then it’s unique in quality and will most likely help you feel better,” Scanzillo says. “This is especially great for someone who doesn’t want generic organic products or fitness services that don’t offer variety or functionality. They want quality that comes with a guarantee, and a program catered to their health goals.”

Strength training over cardio equipment

Farewell, boring hour-long sessions on the elliptical. Hello, strength training. “Women are now shifting from slaving away hours on cardio equipment, or resorting to yoga or Piliates alone, to strength-training,” says fitness expert Debra Atkinson.

The best part is all ages of women can benefit, as strength training helps with weight control, builds up your muscle, tones your body, and makes you feel better both physically and mentally.

Building a rock-solid foundation

According to Angelo Grinceri, master trainer at P.volve, it’s hard to reap the benefits of your workouts if you haven’t built the proper foundation to execute perfect form. “After 15 years of experience, I’ve found the only way to get someone results without getting hurt is to build a foundation and safely progress them. Perfect form is the deciding factor if a workout makes you feel great or you’re walking out of class with your body aching,” Grinceri says.

That’s why movement education will become key, and building a foundation with low-impact workouts that protect the joints and prevent injury will become increasingly important. “‘Quick fixes’ and ‘burn-the-most-kilojoules’ workouts don’t work, and pain doesn’t equal gain,” he says.

Live workout experiences

You don’t even have to leave your house to work out in real time with other fitness buffs. In 2020, it will be even easier to have a live workout experience in your own space no matter which kind of exercise you enjoy. “This trend will allow people to take their favourite fitness experiences and stay connected with their workout communities whenever they want, wherever they are,” says exercise physiologist Geralyn Coopersmith.

Working out for wellness - not chiseled abs

In the past, every magazine you opened gave you the inside scoop on how to shed kilos and get a body like your favourite celebrities. In 2020, that’s all going to change. “People will start working out more for wellness and less so for chiseled abs. Instead of just being seen as a way to lose weight, fitness will become more about what it does for your mind and body,” says running coach Matthew Knippen.

With that, Knippen says taking a more holistic approach to fitness will become a norm. “Instead of just numbers on a scale, people will start to look to other stats and figures that matter—like fasting blood sugar, blood pressure, tracking fruits and veggies, steps, cholesterol, and sleep - for long-term success instead of a short-term goal.”

Wearable tech and smart clothing

Get ready: 2020 is bringing on more wearable tech. While that means new-and-improved smartwatches and fitness trackers, you can also expect to see more tech show up in clothing. The Nadi X vibrating leggings, for example, have sensors that give you feedback during your workout, helping you keep proper alignment during your yoga flows.

“Wearable tech advances have made it easier than ever for users to collect important health metrics and work with fitness professionals and health care providers to improve exercise efficiency, develop healthy lifestyles, manage chronic diseases and, ultimately, increase quality of life,” says kinesiology and health specialist Dr Walter Thompson. “From teenagers to seniors, the growing number of people using wearable technology has never been higher.”

Focusing on quality movement

So long are the days of getting through a workout as quickly as you can and not worrying too much about what’s happening to your body while doing so. Coopersmith predicts 2020 will bring upon more movement quality analysis, allowing people to become more active and stay active with less risk of injury.

“Fitness professionals will become more interested in how to improve the way their clients move. Better movement quality is connected to pain reduction, increased ability to perform at a higher level, and being able to stay active longer,” she says. “It will be measured, tracked, and a key part of the fitness programs trainers design for their clients. They will use simple bodyweight assessments, apps, and motion capture technologies, allowing them to make better decisions about what exercises are best for each individual.”