The Biggest Fitness Trends of This Year

Want to stay fit and on-trend? Here are the biggest fitness trends of this year.

If you’re reading this, you’ve probably added ‘get fit’ to your New Years’ Resolution for this year, and perhaps you’ve also added it to previous resolutions too. 

Research shows 95% of New Year’s Resolutions are fitness related, but after just 3 months, only 10% of people have stuck to it.

There are a number of factors, including a lack of motivation and having no plan. 

Time and time again, we’ve heard the phrase, “next year’s going to be different.”

But let’s not make this year a year of empty promises. Let’s make sure we’re on the road to success by actually hitting our fitness goals in 2023. 

By doing research and understanding the upcoming fitness trends of this year, you’ll feel more excited and determined to accomplish your goals.

These fitness trends are set to dominate this year. 

1. Low-intensity workouts 

Have you heard? Walking is cool again. It has been TikTok’s favourite fitness obsession since 2021, during the pandemic which shut down gyms and fitness studios.

Though life has got back to ‘normal’, walking will continue to be a fitness trend and a fun way to not only get fit but to leave the house, get some fresh air and clear your head. 

Walking reached its peak popularity when TikTok user, Mia Lind (exactlyliketheothergirls) took her followers along with her on her casual neighbourhood stroll. She rebranded the regular walk by coining the term, ‘hot girl walk’. She explained in an interview that she felt as though walking had “a strong stigma as not being a valid form of exercise.”

Walking then became even trendier when Lauren Giraldo created the ‘12-3-30’ method using the treadmill, which spiked 308% in popularity last year. PureGym personal trainer, Laura Eaton, says that “walking is already a fantastic cardiovascular activity, and adding the incline creates a bigger increase in heart rate. improving cardiovascular health and endurance.”

Read all about 12-3-30 here.  

Here’s what you have to do to go on a hot girl walk… Walk. 

Unlike other workouts, there is no pressure to walk a specified distance for a set period of time. You can take it at any pace, or you can break your walks up into shorter increments. 

Ideally, Mia says to walk 3 to 7 kilometres for about an hour for three to five days a week. However, it’s what you do during the walk that matters. 

Mia explains in a TikTok, “you’re only allowed to think about three things. 1) things you’re grateful for, 2) your goals and how you’re going to achieve them, 3) how hot you are.”

But, you can also choose to listen to an entertaining podcast or a motivational music playlist. This is Mia’s Hot Girl Walk playlist. 

Mia adds that the hot girl walk isn’t about weight loss; it’s about transforming internally. This means, improving mental health and self-esteem through mindfulness and positive thinking. Weight loss is simply an addition to this. 

Furthermore, walking is so much gentler on the joints than running or jogging and is an excellent choice for different ages and fitness levels. Best of all, it’s free! 

If you want to learn more about the hot girl walk for 2023, click here.  

In short, people have realised that staying fit doesn’t have to be about pushing your body to the maximum limit – you can stay fit and feel good just by moving your body in a way that it already knows. 

2. CrossFit

Crossfit ranked as the second fastest-growing fitness trend in 2022, increasing by 173.21%, and it’s predicted to continue growing in popularity throughout this year.

CrossFit is a style of high-intensity training. Studies in 2018 defined CrossFit as incorporating functional movements like building stamina, strength and speed, among other areas. 

Crossfit differs from a traditional workout as it puts more emphasis on load, distance and speed rather than the number of repetitions over a period of time. Professional CrossFit athlete, Rich Froning Jr. states that the exercise “takes all aspects of fitness and sports, cherry-picking the best, most effective, and most applicable to everyday life, and combines them together.” 

Functional movements are those that mimic the things you do in your everyday life. This includes carrying groceries from your car to the kitchen, climbing up the stairs, picking up parcels and so on. These functional movements reflect aspects of gymnastics, weightlifting, running, rowing, cardio exercise and more. 

CrossFit workouts include squats, push-ups and weight lifting. Various equipment can also be used to boost intensity, such as kettlebells, rowers, bikes, medicine balls, and more. 

If you choose to commit to this exercise this year, you’ll reap the rewards of weight loss, improved agility and flexibility, and enhanced muscle strength, stamina and mental strength. 

3. Exercising anywhere through ‘movement snacks’

‘Movement snacks’ are going to be all the rage this year.

People are realising that bite-sized movements can also account for exercise. It’s especially great for travelling when you have little time to interweave a full workout into your busy itinerary.

Exercise doesn’t have to be lengthy, strenuous and repetitive. With more flexible work schedules, hybrid working and busier schedules, in combination with people’s priority to take care of their health and fitness, people are taking advantage of smaller, easy-to-do activities throughout the day. 

These mini-movements throughout the day are known as ‘‘movement snacks’. Movement snacks are more attainable and sustainable ways to work out. Just like a snack, it will provide you with a small burst of fuel and energy. 

Aly Giampolo, fitness enthusiast and founder of ‘the ness’ told Forbes, “movement snacks are the key to shifting our general mindset around fitness, finding enjoyment and strength without the pressure of carving out time. It also lets you take advantage of the endorphin rush that the movement gives you, multiple times a day.” 

Movement snacks are at times more beneficial than longer workouts, which can result in ‘fitness burnout’. This phenomenon can be caused by overtraining or under-recovery. When experiencing a fitness burnout, it is recommended to do varied light movements to refresh and re-energise.

Examples of movement snacks include walking your dog around the block, using a stand-up desk rather than sitting down to work, a 5-minute yoga practice before your morning coffee, jumping jacks during a commercial break – the list is endless. Remember that it doesn’t have to be fancy, just consistent. 

There is no excuse to be ‘too busy to work out’ in 2023! Alternate between intense workouts and movement snacks to remain consistently active throughout this year.

4. Working out with a crowd

Lots of people are returning to in-person workouts, especially after being in isolation for so long. People are motivated and desire a sense of community. Studies show that 90% of Australians – regardless of age, gender, income or location – agree that it’s important for people to get together in person. So, workout classes are an effective way to increase social interaction, make new friends and experiences.

Workout classes are set to remain trendy in 2023. They are particularly enjoyable for millennials and Gen-Zers as music is often a key component of these classes. Workout programs with hip-hop themes are becoming more popular as it energises people, thus contributing to their overall wellbeing. Make sure to keep an eye out for these types of classes this year.

Whether you choose to do a Pilates class, boxing class, go to the beach, or have an at-home dance party, staying active with company is sure to inspire you to stay fit and bond with your favourite people. 

5. Wearable technology

In the past few years, more and more people have turned to interactive fitness technology to track their fitness progress. 

This fitness trend will continue this year as technology continues to be accepted and integrated into human lives.

Technology is undergoing huge transformations, specifically in 2023, with devices being able to almost precisely record blood sugar levels and metabolic rates.

This will take them to a new level of medical science and make life easier for diabetics and anyone wanting to monitor their vital health signs. Of course, this is only one of the many upgrades we will see this year.

As new models are released, the devices become easier to use and more efficient in their tracking. In turn, as more people care about their health and wellbeing and affirm that they are incorporating movement into their busy lifestyles, technology is said to become more affordable. 

If that Apple watch, Fitbit or Oura ring has been on your mind for quite a while, now is the time to look into it, and look for the latest models being released this year.