Top fitness trends in 2014: High intensity intervals are in, zumba is out

by Brittany Anas · November 30, 2013

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By Brittany Anas

Just like the latest styles, workouts and exercises are trendy. (Just ask Richard Simmons or the creators of Jazzercise).

January is around the corner — ready to pick us up by the sports bra straps and snap us back in the gym. So, what workouts does 2014 have in store for us? For the eighth straight year, the folks at the American College of Sports Medicine are revealing the top fitness trends for the upcoming year.

In a nutshell — High-Intensity Interval Training — is commanding the No. 1 spot, according to the Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends. (Think: Orange Theory or A few fitness fads that have fallen off the Top 20 list: Zumba, pilates and spinning.

Some survey respondents say a sluggish economy are impacting fitness trends as people are hesitant to participate in focused training programs that require expensive equipment. (The folks who put out the survey say that results of the annual survey can help the health and fitness industry make smart investments — instead of just getting behind whatever workout du jour is being promoted by celebs are dominating the Made-for-TV circuit). *Cough* Shakeweight *Cough*.

Here are the top workout trends hitting gyms and workout studios near you in 2014:

No. 1, High-intensity interval training (or HIIT): This workout is defined by short bursts of high-intensity workouts, followed up by a short period of rest or recovery. They are marketed toward those who are short on time because you can knock out an effective workout in a half hour — and, the way they are structured, you’ll be burning calories for up to 24 hours post-workout.
No. 2, Body Weight Training: A good, ole’ fashion workout. Athletes have been using their body weight for resistance training for eons. Most people think of push-ups and pull ups — but body weight training classes are giving new energy to this old-school workout. Body weight training uses minimal equipment, making it an affordable way to get in a good workout.
No. 3, Educated, Certified and Experienced Fitness Professionals: Working out with a trainer had dominated the top spot on the survey for the past six years. The trend is still going strong though and there are a growing number of third-party accrediting organizations for health and fitness and clinical exercise professionals. The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau Statistics predicts the employment of fitness trainers and instructors will grow by 24 percent between 2010 and 2020.
No. 4, Strength Training: A standby on the survey every year since its inception. Though it dropped to No. 4 after being in the No. 2 slot for the past two years.
No. 5, Exercise and Weight Loss: Weight-loss programs are making a more concentrated effort to up their effectiveness by combining eating plans with exercise programs. Most of these well-publicized diet plans incorporate exercise into the daily routing of providing low-calorie, prepared meals for their clients, according to the survey.

Tip: Whatever workout you fancy, save big on men’s and women’s workout clothes this week during the Cyber Week sale at Kohl’s, plus earn 3.5 percent Cash Back from ShopAtHome.com. Work-out T-shirts start at just $4.95.