At the end of every year, experts look ahead to try to predict what’s to come the following year. Here’s what some of them are expecting to see in 2023 in the world of fitness.
Over at Mind Body Green, their editors get together every year to compile their annual wellness trend report, which covers the categories of beauty, health and nutrition, home, and fitness.
In the fitness category, the MBG team is predicting that muscle and mortality research will change the way we exercise. This will likely lead to muscle-focused workouts that are more about longevity than anything else.
MBG is also expecting to see a large focus on inactivity as a health metric. It’s likely we’ll see people prioritizing regular activity and movement to avoid sitting still for too long.
MBG expects hot and cold therapy will start to become more accessible in 2023 as well. “Sauna blankets and cold plunges are going to be our recovery tools of choice in the new year. The industry for hot and cold therapy is just heating up, and everyone's going to want to dive in,” the MBG team says.
Yoga to support the lymphatic system
In the world of yoga, Tiffany Cruikshank (L.A.c., MAOM, RYT) founder of Yoga Medicine, says one big upcoming trend for 2023 is using yoga to support the lymphatic system.
“It’s such a potent and seldom talked about system that is crucial for regulating inflammation, fluid metabolism and immune function to name a few,” she says. “Who couldn’t use a little support in one or all of those areas? The lymphatics are basically your cleanup crew to eliminate toxins and metabolic by-products all throughout the body, in every nook and cranny. [It’s] such an important part of being healthy from the inside out.”
The Yoga Medicine platform is offering classes to support lymphatics and also has a training program for those who want to dig deeper.
Strength training
Lou DeFrancisco, president of global boutique fitness brand BFT, is expecting to see a focus on strength training in 2023.
“While strength training has obviously been around a long time, I see more articles and more influencers talking about classic strength training than ever before lately. While the boutique fitness space has been focused heavily on high-intensity interval training and specific cardio-based modalities (cycling, running, rowing), in the next couple years a major focus will be on strength and particularly group strength training as people crave community,” DeFrancisco says.
“Strength training has benefits for all ages, and all body types,” he says, explaining that strength training goes beyond offering a physical change in appearance and building lean muscle.
“Strength training for teenagers and young adults is beneficial for any kind of sports, athletics, and overall improving performance. Strength training will also reduce the risk of injury for athletes, or for anyone of any age playing any kind of sport or activity. Strength training improves balance and will also increase range of motion in muscles and joints. This will be a major benefit for the age group in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and above, to keep them limber and having the best quality of life in their later years.”