Fitness Fads vs. Simple Fitness: Finding a Sustainable Path to Health

In the world of health and fitness, new trends seem to pop up almost every season. From high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to cutting-edge workout equipment you never knew you needed, there is always something claiming to be the newest and best way to get in shape. Sometimes, those fitness fads yield results. And trying something new might be motivating. However, not all fitness trends have staying power, and many fads don’t provide the sustainable results they promise. This article will give you ideas about how to build a fitness routine that leverages the best parts of fitness fads into an approach that yields results.

Fitness fads are popular workout trends with or without accompanying fitness equipment, that often come and go quickly. Do you remember Tae Bo (1982) or aerobic step classes (early 1990s)? Did you love spinning classes in 1994 until a friend brought you to a Soul Cycle class in 2006? Do you still have your circa 1990s boot camp T-shirts, the CrossFit water bottle from 2000 and more than one complete package of TB12 resistance bands circa 2017?

Most fads focus on quick results or selling a specific product or membership, often overemphasizing novelty as the reason to embrace something new. Factor in celebrity endorsements and it may become difficult to resist at least trying the latest in fitness trends. And that doesn’t mean that you can’t try something exciting and new. Just make sure that what you choose is safe, effective and worth your investment.

Keep Fitness Simple and Sustainable

The good news is that an effective fitness routine does not require specialized equipment or expensive memberships. Here are some straightforward principles to follow that can help you achieve and maintain a fitness program that delivers results over time:

Focus on the Basics: Strength, Cardio, Flexibility

• Strength Training: Bodyweight exercises, like push-ups, squats, and lunges, can help build muscle. Simple weightlifting with dumbbells or resistance bands also works. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends 2-3 strength training sessions per week for most adults.
• Cardiovascular Exercise: Walking, jogging, swimming, and cycling are great options. The CDC recommends 150 minutes of moderate cardio work or 75 minutes of intense cardio work each week.
• Flexibility and Mobility: Regular stretching or yoga can help to keep your body limber and helps to prevent injury.

Make Exercise Part of Your Routine

• Instead of seeing exercise as something that requires a specialized place or sophisticated equipment in order to do it, look for ways to integrate movement into your day. Walk, take the stairs, or try short home workouts. Consistency is key; 20 minutes of daily fitness can have a significant impact if done regularly.

Set Realistic Goals

• Start small. Instead of aiming for a complete body transformation in a month, set achievable goals, like working up to 15 minutes on the treadmill, or building up to doing 10 push-ups. Track your progress to stay motivated, but don’t overemphasize numbers in terms of how much you lift or how far you walk. Celebrate strength, endurance, and energy.

Choose Activities You Enjoy and Make it Social

• If you don’t find a specific type of workout appealing – or if you dread it – you won’t do it. Find something that makes you happy—dance, bike, swim, hike, or play a sport. The more you enjoy what you’re doing, the easier it is to stick with it.
• Consider making your workouts social. Accountability to a fitness program can be easier to do – and fun – when you’re including others.

Limit Social Media Influence

• There is nothing wrong with using social media to see what is new in the fitness world. However, social media runs on novelty. Focus on your own progress and follow social media accounts that promote a balanced, realistic view of fitness.

Ultimately, the best fitness plan is one that fits comfortably into your life, meets your goals, and is sustainable long-term. By focusing on movement, strength and flexibility as basics, you can strategically leverage today’s fitness fads and trends and make them work for you.