If it seems like everyone from your teenage niece to your postman got a Fitbit for Christmas, well, it’s because they did.
Each year, the American College of Sports Medicine releases its list of fitness trends predictions for the coming year. For the first time, exercise pros say wearable technology that lets users track their running mileage, calories burned or average heart rate will be the top trend in fitness in 2016.
Sports medicine physician Dr. Ethan Schock of Arkansas Specialty Orthopaedics spoke to the seemingly sudden takeoff of wearable technology. “I think the relevance of the technology has finally come to the level that the average person is interested. That is, these devices are now measuring things that everyday people – not just elite athletes – are doing (walking, stair climbing, running, etc.). The compatibility of these devices with social media makes them further appealing as people can share, encourage and even compete with friends.”
He also believes the technology encourages more individuals to maintain an active lifestyle.
“Even the most simple of these devices will provide the feedback (steps taken, stairs climbed, calories burned) that can encourage healthy activity. It only makes sense that wearing these daily can provide fairly constant reminders of the user’s goals. This can provide the immediate and real-time feedback that can keep us reminded of our fitness goals. This can be the gentle but extremely useful reinforcement (positive or negative) that is needed and doesn’t require the weeks to months to see the ultimate goals of weight loss/change in waistline, etc. Add in the social media side of the equation and further encouragement from friends, and our likelihood of sticking with the device and modifying our behavior (eating/exercising) is much more likely to be changed/maintained.”
Dr. Schock, a runner, personally uses a device that uses GPS to track distance and elevation changes, as those are relevant to running. His advice for someone wanting to incorporate the technology such as Fitbit as they begin a program for weightloss or fitness is to keep doing what they normally do for a few days in order to gain an accurate determination of what their “normal” activity level is.
“This will give them a baseline to which they can later compare and see how much change they really are achieving,” he says.
Other trends on the ACSM’s list include high-intensity interval training (HIIT), body weight training, strength training, personal training and fitness programs for older adults.
Dr. Schock believes this Top 10 lists mirrors the trends in central Arkansas. “I think the boot camps/CrossFit/athletic performance businesses in town would agree.”
CrossFit is perhaps the most well-known example of HIIT. As sprint interval training, it is a form of exercise that employs alternating short periods of intense, anaerobic exercise – think sprinting, heavy weight lifting – with less intense recovery, aerobic activity (lighter jogging, walking, non weight resistance exercise). These sessions usually last 5 to 30 minutes.
“HIIT is a form of cardiovascular exercise that has benefits in athletic capacity, conditioning, fat burning and glucose (carbohydrate) metabolism,” Dr. Schock explains. “These programs continue to grow in popularity – as evidenced in the many gyms locally and the many online programs offered.
“These programs provide strong, immediate feedback to the participants in the form of the physical results (exhaustion) and camaraderie of fellow athletes. The classes provide an efficient workout, structured schedule, camaraderie of the participants and measurable improvement in athletic capability – all extremely valuable in achieving the goals most people set when deciding to start the program.”
If you are considering hiring or partnering with a personal trainer in the new year, Dr. Schock emphasizes that one size does not fit all. “The client’s goals need to be identified, and these need to be reflected in the plan/approach of any prospective trainer or program,” he says.
“The goals of the 16-year-old high school athlete wanting to compete at the next level will be very different from the adult looking to return to a more active lifestyle, lose weight, etc. The interview and plan for the program should factor heavily in this decision.”
Finally, Dr. Schock offers a bit of advice to those looking to begin or maintain a fitness routine in the new year.
“Be reasonable in setting goals, start with a friend, be patient in measuring results and get help – from a primary care medical doctor, personal trainer, electronic device, etc.,” he says.
“Most importantly – it has to be fun. That’s the best way to stick with a program and succeed.”