Everyone wants to create their dream physique and get in shape for those hot summer months, but how do you actually do it? Head on over to Instagram and within a couple of minutes you’ll be left thinking that you’re one of the only people in the world without a six-pack or a thigh gap. Of course, this isn’t the case, but it won’t stop you from wondering how those lucky few online seem to have achieved the perfect body.
What we need to look at are the key fitness and exercise trends that are taking 2024 by storm. Enjoy!
CrossFit is bigger and better than ever
One of the most difficult things about getting in shape is keeping up the consistency on those days when you just don’t feel like hitting the gym. The key is to build working out into your day, so it actually becomes a social occasion, not just a time when you push yourself to the limit.
The beauty of CrossFit is that it brings people from all different walks of life together in a truly collaborative way. You spot each other, count reps for one another, and cheer on anyone in the gym who is going for a PB or maximum lift. The buzz and adrenaline that you’ll experience is more than enough to push you over any plateaus in enthusiasm or determination you’re feeling. After all, don’t you want to make sure of your spot on the gym’s team at the next CrossFit Open event? Thought so!
HIIT is great for an intense workout
Short, sharp, focused sessions that get the blood pumping and the muscles burning is what High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is all about. You can fit these types of workouts into your lunch break or your journey home in only 30 minutes, allowing you to keep up the momentum and build the body you have always wanted. Ideal when it’s time you had the confidence to look in the mirror and see someone inspirational looking back at you.
One of the main reasons HIIT is more popular than ever in 2024 is that it allows you to burn fat at an accelerated rate. The key point to note is that because you’re building lean muscle, you’re accelerating the fat burning process because muscles eat up fat even when you’re resting. This is something that simply won’t happen to anywhere near the same degree when you go on long steady runs or hour-long treadmill sessions. Something to have at the back of your mind when it’s time to get lean!
Hot yoga is getting seriously popular
If you want to be able to tone up, get flexible, and improve your all-body conditioning, hot yoga is the training methodology of the moment. It forces you to hold positions and activate supporting muscle groups unlike anything else, all while boosting your cardio in a hot yet comfortable environment.
Some of the world’s premier elite athletes swear by hot yoga, with Floyd Mayweather and Ryan Giggs being long-term champions of the discipline. If you remember that both of them performed at an elite level when they were 40, you start to see that hot yoga is an approach to training that really will work wonders for all ages and body types.
Boxing for fitness is a revelation
Back in the day boxing was something done in spit-and-sawdust gyms where the vast majority of us would fear to tread. The raw power imparted on the heavy bag and the intensity of the spars would put off most people who even considered walking through the door, but today things are totally different.
Boxing now has much more of an approachable gym industry working alongside it, and it’s pushing the fitness angle in a big way. Putting on the gloves and hitting the bag no longer means that you have to be prepared to step into the ring for real and go 12 hard rounds with a pro who is ready to do some serious damage. Today you’ll find people from all walks of life — men and women — getting in shape, toning up, and putting their cardio to the ultimate test. Ideal when you want a workout that’s technical, fun, and gets your adrenaline flowing all at the same time. Just take a look at the shape boxers are in and you’ll be left in no doubt about what a couple of sessions on the pads each week can do for you.
You can’t beat a morning run
Sometimes it’s the simple things that really make the difference, which is why it’s great to see the classic early morning run still as popular as ever in 2024. Getting all the health benefits of first light while simultaneously getting the blood flowing and loosening the muscles really does work wonders for your health and wellbeing. It’s all about getting out there, exploring your local area, and having the freedom to move naturally at your own pace.
If you can find someone who is keen to join you, you’ll discover a whole extra burst of motivation on those days when you’re tempted to ignore your alarm clock. A few extra minutes in bed is always a welcome treat, but it’s nothing compared to the gift of endorphins rushing through your body before you’ve even sat down to have breakfast. Go out there and make it happen and you’ll never look back.
Top tip!
Finding the right way to fuel your body and get active is key if you’re going to live a truly balanced life. Little habits like staying up late playing online casino games, or watching YouTube, can quickly snowball and derail your progress. Set a 7-day challenge where you’ll pick the right option in our list for you and you won’t believe the difference in yourself a week from now.
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