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Fitness trends 2024: From 10k steps to mental health practices, gadgets to monitor progress, more

Fitness in 2024 was smarter, more fun, and easier to fit into busy lives. Here are the top trends that made staying active exciting and accessible this year.

December 30, 2024 / 14:03 IST
Benefits of climbing stairs: Stair climbing emerged as a low-cost, high-impact workout in 2024. It’s a great way to build cardiovascular health, strengthen the lower body, and burn calories without any special equipment (Image: Canva)

Benefits of climbing stairs: Stair climbing emerged as a low-cost, high-impact workout in 2024. It’s a great way to build cardiovascular health, strengthen the lower body, and burn calories without any special equipment (Image: Canva)

The biggest fitness trends of 2024 remind you that exercise is evolving to meet your diverse lifestyles and needs. From joining the VR fitness bandwagon to rediscovering the joy of Pilates, or taking up the 10k steps-a-day challenge for a fitness boost, this year offered something for everyone. As you step into 2025, these trends are likely to continue shaping how you stay fit, happy, and healthy.

Tracking your progress: Fitness gadgets became essential in tracking your progress and keeping you motivated. From smartwatches to fitness trackers, these devices provided real-time feedback on activity levels, sleep pattern, heart rate, calories burned, and more.

10K steps everyday: Walking 10,000 steps a day was a simple yet effective goal for fitness enthusiasts. This trend encouraged daily movement and was loved by people of all ages.

Pilates: Pilates continued to be a favourite for core strength, flexibility, and body conditioning. Whether through traditional mat exercises or high-intensity reformer sessions, Pilates remained a powerful tool for balanced fitness.

Also read | Best exercises: 5 types of treadmill workouts for beginners

Yoga: Yoga was one of the most adaptable and accessible workouts, with people of all ages participating in various styles, from restorative to power yoga. From surya namaskaar to child pose and warrior pose, many yoga asanas became a staple.

Meditation: Mindfulness took over center stage this year. Meditation, combined with movement, emerged as a holistic approach to wellness that nurtures both mind and body. Daily meditation practices to reduce stress, increase mindfulness, and improve mental well-being were popular.

Strength training: Strength training isn’t just for bodybuilders anymore. More people practiced resistance exercises to build lean muscle, improve bone density, and boost metabolism. Exercises such as squats, lunges, and deadlifts became a thing.

Virtual workouts: Virtual workouts became more popular in 2024 as people adored the flexibility of exercising from home or on the go. Streaming platforms and apps made it easy to access a wide range of workout classes; Live and on-demand fitness classes, ranging from cycling to yoga, all from the comfort of your home.

Also read | Best exercises to burn belly fat, trim your waistline

Outdoor workouts: The trend of outdoor fitness continued to grow, with people opting for activities like hiking, running, or circuit training in parks to take advantage of fresh air and nature. Also, group fitness classes conducted in parks that included exercises such as push-ups, sprints, and jump squats were a rage.

Fitness for the mind and body: Fitness in 2024 expanded to include mental health as an integral part of your wellness. This trend focused on activities that engage the mind and body simultaneously. From meditation to breathing exercises and tai-chi; the practices gained popularity for their ability to reduce stress, improve focus, and promote mental clarity

Micro workouts: Busy schedules often make it difficult to fit in long workouts. Micro workouts, consisting of short, intense bursts of exercise were loved for their flexibility and effectiveness. A high-intensity interval training method with 20 seconds of work followed by 10 seconds of rest, repeated for a few rounds, was embraced.

Stair climbing: Last but not the least, stair climbing emerged as a low-cost, high-impact workout. It’s a great way to build cardiovascular health, strengthen the lower body, and burn calories without any special equipment.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.

Namita S Kalla is a senior journalist who writes about different aspects of modern life that include lifestyle, health, fashion, beauty, and entertainment.
first published: Dec 30, 2024 01:09 pm

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