Unveiling Health and Fitness Trends to Dominate in 2013
Get ready for another game-changing year in the realm of fitness and wellness! We've tapped into the wisdom of 12 health and fitness thought leaders to share their insights on what's hot, what's not, and what's entirely new in 2013 (in no particular order). From disease detection and the death of energy drinks to kettlebells and mobile tech, brace yourself for tonight's rollercoaster ride of facts, trends, and predictions.
Breathing Deeply
Tony Gentilcore, Co-owner, Cressey Performance, shares his prediction that fitness pros will pay more attention to assessing the breathing patterns of their clients. Learning how to properly use the diaphragm, rather than relying on accessory breathing muscles, can bring about significant improvements in posture, reducing common dysfunctions like neck and shoulder pain, and boosting performance both inside and outside the gym.
The Surge of Tech and Personal Wellness
Dr. Douglas Kalman, Nutrition Researcher and Greatist Expert, foresees an increase in the use of apps to track personal health and fitness. More companies will invest in corporate wellness, recognizing it as an effective means to reduce insurance burden. Sarcopenia – age-related muscle loss – will be recognized as a medical condition, paving the way for prescription of muscle-maintenance or muscle-building drugs to the aging population.
Super Supplements
Kurtis Frank, Head Researcher at Examine.com, expects the benefits of Spirulina, Berberine, and Creatine to receive more attention in 2013. Spirulina and Berberine, with their anti-inflammatory and therapeutic benefits, will become more popular due to their remarkable potential to rehabilitate and reverse symptoms of various diseases. Creatine will shed its undesired stigma, becoming a popular supplement choice for the weekend warrior and stay-at-home mother looking for a healthy boost.
Health: From Fringe to Normal
Dr. John Mandrola, Cardiologist and Greatist Expert, believes we are at the turning point for making a healthy lifestyle normal. Success stories like up-and-coming wellness websites, health insurers rewarding exercise, and colleges offering wellness programs for all students demonstrate a growing awareness of the importance of health and wellness in our lives.
The Fall of Energy Drinks
Dr. James L. Hardeman, Physician, Author, and Greatist Expert, predicts a decline in the popularity of energy drinks. Consumers will recognize them for what they truly are – calorie-laden, hyper-caffeinated sugar water devoid of any nutritional value. Gluten-free diets, which are not necessarily beneficial for those without a celiac disease diagnosis, will also begin to lose traction. Sleep will be valued and appreciated as it plays a critical role in performance and weight control.
A Gymnastic Renaissance
Anthony Mychal, Author and Fitness Journalist, anticipates seeing more gymnastic maneuvers in sports training. If you look back at Soviet sports training methods, gymnastics-style movements, like rolls, cartwheels, and barefoot hops, were common. The competitive scene will shift towards balanced, coordinated movement, offering a fun challenge for athletes and boosting kinesthetic awareness.
Female-Friendly Strength
Jordan Syatt, Author, Trainer, and Greatist Expert, envisions a focus on female strength training in 2013. Driven by the success of women embracing strength training, the demand for programs, resources, and supportive communities like Girls Gone Strong and Fitocracy will increase. Glute development will also receive a well-deserved spotlight, as more trainers and athletes appreciate its contributions to power, performance, and aesthetics.
Early Disease Detection
Dr. Murdoc Khaleghi, Physician and Adviser to WellnessFX, believes that better, cheaper diagnostics will be a hallmark of 2013. Consumers will take a more proactive role in their health, investing in personalized testing and focused prevention strategies.
Breakthroughs in Kettlebell Training
Chris Beardsley, Biomechanics Researcher and Co-founder of Strength and Conditioning Research, predicts a surge of original research into kettlebell training. Scientific studies will help us unlock the biomechanics of the training and optimize its benefits for strength, power, and conditioning.
Healthcare Confusion
Carolyn Engelhard, Health Policy Analyst, sees another year filled with "hurry up and wait" as new healthcare changes unfold. The Affordable Care Act's changes and regulations will leave many people frustrated, but they'll also create an impetus for small businesses and state governments to prepare for the new landscape.
Insight Into Trauma
Mark Banschick, Psychiatrist, shares his expectation that complex trauma will become a more widely understood topic in 2013. Innovative therapies like EMDR, DBT, and Somatic Experiencing will provide alternative, research-backed treatment options for individuals coping with depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
Sayonara to Bacon and Cupcakes
Elizabeth Jarrard, Dietitian, predicts that hot sauce will rise in popularity in 2013, with Sriracha continuing to reign supreme. Vegetables and VR experiences will gain in prominence, while the once beloved bacon and cupcakes will fall out of favor among health-conscious consumers.
Wrap-Up
So there you have it – a mouth-watering (literally and metaphorically) smorgasbord of predictions for 2013 by some of the brightest minds in the world of fitness and wellness. These trends represent the next wave of breakthroughs, revolutions, and advancements in our pursuit of health, happiness, and personal well-being. Don't miss the excitement, and stay tuned for more scintillating insights as we delve deeper into the world of health and fitness.
- In the context of weight management, Tony Gentilcore suggests that fitness professionals should pay more attention to clients' breathing patterns, as improving diaphragm usage can lead to better posture, reduced pain, and enhanced performance.
- Dr. Douglas Kalman anticipates an uptick in the use of health and fitness tracking apps, with companies investing in corporate wellness programs to lower insurance costs.
- Spirulina, Berberine, and Creatine are expected to gain more attention as super supplements in 2013, due to their anti-inflammatory and therapeutic benefits, and their potential to improve physical performance.
- A healthy lifestyle is becoming increasingly more accepted and normalized, as evident by the growth in health-focused websites, insurance incentives for exercise, and college wellness programs.
- Energy drinks may see a decline in popularity in 2013, as consumers understand their sugar-laden, calorie-heavy, and caffeinated nature, devoid of any real nutritional value.
- Gymnastic maneuvers are expected to become more common in sports training, as athletes look to adopt balanced, coordinated movements for improved performance and enhanced kinesthetic awareness.
- Strength training for women is set to gain more attention and support in 2013, with a growing need for resources, programs, and communities to help women build strength and confidence.
- Innovations in diagnostics and personalized testing will allow consumers to take a proactive role in their health, enabling them to monitor their health and prevent potential issues, using more affordable and accessible methods.
