Want to stay as healthy as possible this winter? Learn some of the best workout trends of 2021 from Save!
Winter brings many good things, from curling up by the fireplace to enjoying holiday presents. But it’s also a great time to double down on your fitness routine. Winter is also cold and flu season (not to mention COVID-19), and the fitter and healthier you are overall, the easier it is to beat those germs back. Getting fit will also help you stay in shape through all the special holiday treats. Here’s a look at some of the best fitness equipment and workout trends of 2021. Start putting some of these in place today to boost your health into the new year.
Wearable technology has exploded in popularity. From dedicated fitness trackers to smartwatches that do it all, what could be simpler than tracking your fitness goals automatically? Whether you want to count your steps, monitor your heart rate, or even track the restfulness of your sleep, wearables are an easy way to start tuning into your overall health.
Wearables are available at many different price points. Naturally, the more expensive versions have more bells and whistles. But you can get a basic wearable fitness tracker in the $50 to $60 range, which may be all you need to start monitoring your health.
In an incredibly stressful year, we're all looking for ways to relax. The mind-body connection is powerful, and settling your mind can have a strong impact on your physical health. Yoga is also an excellent full-body workout, targeting different muscle groups to help build your strength, flexibility, and balance. To maximize the fitness benefits, choose a mix of blood-pumping power yoga and calming restorative yoga. Best of all? Yoga requires little to no equipment, and you can find plenty of free or very low-cost classes on TV or online.
Speaking of online classes, during the pandemic shutdown, many fitness studios moved their operations online. Though gyms have reopened in most places, you can't beat the convenience of joining in from your own home. Whether you’re looking for group classes or personal training, regardless of what type of exercise you prefer, try searching online. You’ll find a range of options at various price points.
Functional fitness switches the focus from exercise for its own sake to preparing the body for the activities of daily life, from carrying groceries to lifting your carry-on luggage into a plane’s overhead bin. Bodyweight training, which uses your own weight for leverage, requires little to no equipment at all. To up your functional fitness game, you may want a few blocks, a resistance band, and perhaps a few hand weights. If you’ve mostly been a couch potato during the pandemic, functional fitness can be a great way to start getting back in shape!
Don’t skip your beloved winter activities this year! If you’re not much of a sports person, consider bundling up and going for a short walk now and then. Simply getting outdoors in the fresh air will give you a mental health boost, and it can increase the endorphins associated with exercise. We’ve all been too cooped up for more than a year now, so take every chance you can get to move around outdoors.
The polar opposite of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), LISS has made a huge comeback this year. While HIIT has some definite health benefits, it also causes stress hormones to spike. We sure don't need that right now! LISS focuses on mindfulness rather than speed. So you might cycle at a reasonable pace while bingeing your favorite show or go for a 40-minute light jog. It relaxes the mind rather than stressing it out, while still offering strong benefits for your health and fitness.
Even better, you get to decide what you want to spend with LISS. You could invest in equipment such as an exercise bike or a rowing machine. But walking, jogging, swimming, and rollerblading all work just fine, with a minimal upfront cost.
For many people, playing video games is a great way to unwind. But did you know you can actually build your fitness while you play? Whether you’re into dancing, boxing, jogging, or strength training, there’s a fitness video game for you. And if you’re into virtual reality (VR), you have even more options, from first-person shooters to lightsaber battles. The cost of entry is a little higher for fitness video games, and especially VR, than for some of the other activities on this list, since you’ll need a console or VR system. But if you’re more gamer than fitness buff, you might find it worth the investment.
Ultimately, the right fitness program is the one that works for you. You’ll get better results from working with your body and mind rather than against them. If you’re a fitness buff, by all means, choose high-intensity workouts that match your current goals. But if you’re not looking to run a marathon, don’t feel obligated to jump into something that makes you uncomfortable. Try yoga, pace the room while watching TV, or experiment with fitness video games. Getting some—any—form of exercise will help you stay healthy, regardless of exactly what you choose.
Staying fit this winter doesn’t have to break the bank. With the Save mailer, you’ll get weekly coupons on home goods, restaurants, grocery items, and more.
