Every year brings fresh fitness and wellness trends, but only some of them have real staying power. We’ve looked at what 2023 will have in store for our collective fitness and picked out the most exciting – and future-proof – developments. From sound-based wellness therapies to a focus on flexibility, here are the top five trends most likely to become a long-term fixture in your routine.
1. The Biophilia Boom
The increased popularity of exercising outside shows no sign of slowing down in 2023. In fact, we’re expecting this trend to grow even further.
Biophilia means love of living things, which in the fitness world translates to working out in nature. Whether it’s a flawless sunny day or (more likely) full of rain, taking your exercise outdoors can really boost the benefits of your session, from improving mood, productivity and cognitive function to lowering stress levels.
It turns out fresh air really is good for you.
Our range of outdoor sessions includes Battlebox. This circuit training class offers a mixture of cardio and weights, utilising monkey bars and ropes as well as kettlebells, slam bags, and bodyweight exercises. It’s suitable for all fitness levels, and there’s a family option for kids aged 8+.
You can feel the benefits of the great outdoors without exercising – simply relaxing in nature can give you a boost, too. We also offer outdoor meditation sessions in our Spa Gardens (as well as yoga if you want some movement with your mindfulness!)
2. Recovery & Recuperation
But recovery after exercise has been discussed in the fitness world for years, we hear you cry. Yes – but in 2023 we’re set to start supercharging our recuperation, making it a key part of our fitness routines.
Heat and cold therapy will play a big part in this. Social mentions for ‘hot therapies’ and ‘cold therapies’ are already up by 38% from 2021 to 2022, according to Brandwatch.
Put simply, after your workout, you immerse yourself in cold or heat in order to aid muscle recovery. Cold treatment reduces inflammation by decreasing blood flow, while hot treatment promotes blood flow and helps muscles relax.
We’ve already got ahead of the trend at David Lloyd Clubs, with everything from plunge pools and ice caves to citrus and crystal healing steam rooms.
3. Sounds Good
Looking for ways to relax and switch off from everyday life? Sound therapy needs to be on your 2023 wellness radar.
This healing practice has been used for centuries across different cultures to improve emotional and physical health. It now seems set for wider attention in 2023, with Google searches for ‘music therapy’ on the rise since 2021. Sound therapy can be a powerful and effective tool to boost mood, with different frequencies achieving different effects, from relaxation to encouraging focus.
With that in mind, we’ve launched Binaural Beats soundwave therapy in specially designed meditation rooms at David Lloyd Spa Retreats. Choose from a number of binaural therapy soundtracks (music using different frequencies) depending on what you want to achieve, such as dealing with anxiety, insomnia or fatigue. We also offer SPIRIT Sound Meditation classes, a type of mindfulness meditation that uses – you guessed it – sound to focus the mind.
4. Women Who Weight Train
Women are increasingly turning to strength training instead of cardio alone. We expect this to continue in 2023 as more and more gym goers embrace the benefits for the mind and body. Weight training can improve metabolism, bone density and strengthens joints, and it can also have a positive effect on confidence.
If you’re feeling inspired but haven’t lifted weights before, it’s a good idea to consider the help of a Personal Trainer. They can teach you the correct form for specific exercises and set up a tailored strength training programme.
5. Flexibility Focus
A focus on flexibility is not just for older gym-goers; younger people are starting to build this into their fitness regimes, too. After all, having a wider range of movement is key to being more functional in your everyday routine – now and later in life. Greater flexibility can also decrease the risk of injuries and enable your muscles to work most effectively.
Flexibility training can include exercises such as lunges and stretches, as well low-impact classes. At David Lloyd Clubs we offer a range of classes that promote flexibility, such as Reformer Pilates, yoga and our signature class, SPIRIT. With elements of yoga, Pilates and meditation, SPIRIT is a holistic class that allows members to improve their balance, posture and core throughout the 45-minute session.
Want to make 2023 your best fitness year yet? Start by discovering all the classes and experiences offered at your nearest David Lloyd Club.
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