Key Fitness Trends for 2021

1. Exercise for weight loss

Exercises for losing weight are the top fitness trend in China this year and often complemented with balanced diet and healthy food intake.

2. Healthy diet

Diet education, food and services aimed at improving health levels are becoming trendy as more people are now paying attention to physical exercises.

3. Training, certification of sports and health practitioners

With more people undertaking fitness programs, demand for trained instructors has been increasing. As a result, short-term training courses offered by enterprises, academic organizations, and institutions of higher learning are in high demand.

4. Youth sports

Fitness exercises targeting the younger population, especially those featuring certain skills, are becoming popular as sport is now part of the entrance examination for high schools and colleges.

5. Aerobic exercises

Indoor fitness activities such as running on treadmills, aerobic gymnastics, and boxing, are gaining more traction.

6. Core training

Exercises to strengthen the stability of abdominal and back muscles and endurance training using equipment such as Swiss ball, fitness balance board and foam roller are becoming popular.

7. Private training

One-on-one training sessions with coaches over the Internet, at health clubs, home or workplace, has become an option for many fitness-savvy as they prefer personal coaching.

8. Functional fitness

This refers to the use of strength training for improving balance, coordination, strength and endurance, to improve functioning in daily life.

9. Health guidance

Mentors, who focus on customer value, needs, expectations, short-term and long-term goals, provide one-on-one support, goal setting, guidance and encouragement sessions.

10. Licensed fitness professionals

Demand is increasing for certified fitness professionals. The fitness industry has more licensing requirements for fitness professionals, such as personal trainers.

SOURCE: SHANGHAI UNIVERSITY OF SPORT