Fitness trends for 2017

Every year I write about the up and coming fitness trends for the New Year. I have to confess that every year when I look at the projected trends, it becomes painfully obvious truly new fitness and exercise programs are few and far between.

When one looks at the fitness and exercise landscape for 2017, it is almost entirely a rework of programs and regimens from the past 10 years. It seems ridiculous to tout all the “New” trends when they are just repackaged glitter which have some catchy names to drive participation.

With that said, it only makes sense that there are limitations to how many ways a person can move their body or lift weights to build their fitness. Dancing, high intensity intervals, running, biking, rowing, even a rework of the Zumba craze from 2009 — called Zumba Step — have all seen a resurgence in popularity.

So what is really new and groundbreaking out in the wilds of American fitness? If we want to see true groundbreaking trends, we need to widen our view to include nutrition, wearable technology, genetic testing and other science-based health and wellness developments. Fitness or wellness of the future will be based on genetics, nutrition and technology. How we move, lift and push our bodies will be based on a person’s genetic makeup and body type more than the next cool group workout program.

1. I think one of the most interesting new developments in health and wellness is around genetic screening, involving your DNA and gene expression. Studies are finding many external factors can influence changes in gene expression. These findings strongly suggest your environment and the foods you eat can change your gene expression, which in turn has an altering affect on your DNA programming. There has been so much research around nutrition and lifestyle choices such as cigarettes, sugar consumption and even stress which can change gene expression, having a long-term negative effect on your DNA and inclination toward specific diseases such as cancer and debilitating chronic diseases. These new studies are developing screening methods that will be used to avoid changes in your gene expression and DNA.

2. Another area that is very new and trending are services that analyze your gut bacteria. Yes you can now fill out a health questionnaire through a smart phone app then get a kit sent to you where you can send a stool sample (yup your poop) swab back for analysis. Once the various bacteria types and microbes are identified, a course of action can be taken to build a better gut biome for your body. Research and science has found that bad bacteria overgrowth can lead to certain types of cancers, autoimmune diseases and even create physiological problems. Future trends include poop screening for better health!

3. Food as medicine is a growing trend and interestingly enough, very retro. Before we had modern pharmaceuticals we only had foods to treat diseases and other health problems. This area will see amazing growth in 2017. Social media and other mass media delivery will continue to drive food trends for health and wellness. Everything from juicing, medicinal soups, cultured foods, healthy oils and organic from the farm fruits and vegetables will be on the menu to treat, support and enhance your health.

4. I have covered meditation and mindfulness extensively over the past few years and it is often tied to the practice of yoga. The newest trend in the area is again an idea that was popular for a very short time in the early 1980s. Do you remember the movie “Altered States?” You may have guessed it, deprivation pods are back in style and the trend in growing rapidly. This time around they are called relaxation pods and spas around the country are adding them to their offerings. What makes this trend noteworthy is the research that has shown time in a pod is very therapeutic for your brain and stress levels. Now anyone who has even slightly mastered mediation will tell you floating in a pod is not required to lower stress and relax your brain and body. This is a trend to watch and perhaps try if it lands in a local spa near you.

5. Health coaching is very much trending and medical professionals are embracing these new personal one-on-one health advocates for their patiences. With obesity, poor nutrition and lack of exercise driving America’s health crisis, having access to a health coach can give a person the guidance and attention they need to improve their health and wellness. Time spent with a coach is exactly what many people need and their primary care doctors just don’t have that kind of time to do the same consulting. Health coaches can give clients that additional step their doctors cannot by helping them build healthy habits, motivate and support a workout routine. Certified health coaches can discuss the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and find answers to health questions for their clients when working with a primary care team. This falls under preventative care and you will no doubt see this trend increase sharply in 2017.

Fitness trends are great and the celebrity glitz of new workouts is very compelling. But as you can tell from this short list of health and wellness categories, there is so much more to consider when you start to build your health and wellness future.

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Judd Jones is a director for The Hagadone Corporation in Coeur d’Alene.