The hottest health trends for 2016

January is a boring month. Christmas has been and gone (*sob*), but it’s not all doom and gloom! Instead, team WHL is looking at what there is to get excited about in 2016 and let us tell you now; there is loads!

So what can we expect from this new year? Here are the top trend predictions (with a little insider knowledge from PT, Instagram star and WHL fave Zanna Van Dijk!).

Wearable technology

Top of the list on the Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2016 and, unsurprisingly on everyone’s lips, is – you guessed it – wearable technology. Most of us probably had this predicted quite a few months ago when it seemed as though every brand possible was bringing out their version of the fitness must-have. And, now that the big guns are involved (Apple is set to sell more than 485 million of its watches by the year 2018), it’s destined to become the biggest fitness trend of 2016. ‘Fitness trackers are only going to get more advanced and more prominent in the fitness industry,’ says Zanna. ‘Soon everyone will be wearing one to help keep them on track!’ And this is essentially it. People have realised that wearing a fitness tracker not only ups your motivation but also allows the user to take a more active and positive role in their own fitness, which most of us are looking for. Current favourites for WHL include Fitbit, Jawbone and the Microsoft Band (which you can talk to and tweet from among other things), but who knows what is to come in 2016? There’s even talk of tattoo fitness trackers from a company called Chaotic Moon, so watch this space!

HIIT

Falling from the top spot of the Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2016 last year, high-intensity interval training or HIIT looks as though it’s here to stay for a little while longer. It’s been especially popular over the last year, but has been used by athletes for a lot longer. Why do people love it? Research from a 2012 Journal of Obesity study revealed that 27 minutes of HIIT three times per week offers the same aerobic and anaerobic improvement as five weekly 60-minute steady-state cardio sessions. It’s also super versatile, targeting multiple areas of the body and effective beyond the workout. And with more gyms than we can count offering amazing HIIT classes, it’s something that we’re sure is sticking around. ‘HIIT is going to remain a hot fitness trend, as it is backed by solid research. And who doesn’t like a good sweaty workout?’ says Zanna. Who doesn’t indeed.

Bodyweight exercises

Coming in at third place, and completing the top three expected trends for 2016 is bodyweight training, which, FYI, we’re super happy about over here because it could not be more convenient. You don’t have to go to a fancy gym to do it, nor do you need a range of fitness equipment; essentially, you are the equipment! You can also adapt it to what you want to focus on, so if you want a great bum (don’t we all) then go hard on the squats, or to tackle ‘bingo wings’ get working on those arms with some pull-ups and press-ups.

Fitness challenges

Another expected trend for 2016 is fitness challenges. ‘Fitness challenges are getting more and more popular and I think this will continue into 2016,’ says Zanna. ‘Events like Tough Mudder are a great way to push your body to the next level!’ They sure are –, as WHL’s very own Amanda realised this September during her own Tough Mudder. Not only do they test your stamina, they also are incredibly demanding in terms of strength and fitness, so you really do have to be on your ‘A game’. Check out Votwo, Rough Runner and Human Race for other great fitness challenges.

Strength training

If you hadn’t guessed already, strong is in! Gone are the days where most ladies were striving for ‘thinness’  – in its place are women promoting strength and healthiness and loving your body. So we at WHL HQ are super happy it’s sticking around for another year. Indeed, in all sectors of the health and fitness industry the emphasis now sways heavily towards health and being strong – eating meals that nourish your body, not being afraid to venture into the weights section at the gym and having the odd cheat day are all huge steps in the right direction. You go girls!