As the Holidays approach, it’s time to begin planning ahead for the inevitable January hurry to shed weight and return to a healthy lifestyle. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has just finished their annual survey of 4,000 and health and fitness professionals and identified health and fitness trends to watch for in 2018. Listed below are the top six tendencies:

1. High Intensity Interval Training — Once more, HIIT tops the list of fitness tendencies. Instead of spending hours on the treadmill or stationary bicycle, why not burn an equivalent number of calories in a fifteen per minute intense workout by alternating short periods of “all out” extreme effort followed by brief periods of active recovery — then replicate.

1. Group Training And Classes — The ideal approach to fitness comprises a Coach or Personal Trainer, but may not be an affordable choice for you. A group class allows for trained and educated coaching at a price. Look for a class that’s adaptable to a inspiring and certified instructor and exercise degrees. Consider plyometrics or fitness courses that are similar, spin classes, boxing or kickboxing, boot camps or MMA.

1. Fitness Trackers — Smart devices, heart rate monitors, fitness trackers and similar “wearables” are all the rage. They can help you identify, track and reach your goals that are quantifiable while providing motivation and feedback. Calories burned, and most have the capacity to keep track of your steps, distance and innovative models monitor your heart rate, recovery and also the efficacy and quality of your sleep.

1. Bodyweight Training — it’s possible to accomplish fitness using just your leg and little or no equipment. Strength, balance and flexibility can be improved in the neighborhood park with the right combination of exercises or the gym, at home. Include these high five bodyweight movements: planks squats, lunges, pushups and pull ups.

1. Age Appropriate Training — Exercise improves the quality of life, regardless of age. Muscles that are not used will develop weak and waste away, as will bone density and strength. As the population ages, it’s important to provide age appropriate physical fitness programs to keep flexibility and strength for all those over 50 and beyond. These applications improve balance and prevent falls and injury.

1. Functional exercise — Fitness should compliment our everyday lives and actions, functional fitness programs are designed to do just that. Exercise mow the yard or climb a ladder must make life easier and boost your ability to climb stairs, carry groceries and transfer them to your vehicle, sit back and stand out from your seat, bed or vehicle. Functional exercise trains your muscles to function together to carry out tasks by simulating common movements you may do at home, at work or in sports and improving balance, strength and endurance.