The #1 Top Fitness Trend for 2022? Wearable Tech
The American College of Sports Medicine has identified the top fitness trends for 2022 & ranks wearable tech as #1
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) identified the top trend in fitness for 2022: wearable tech.
ACSM released its survey results in the January/February issue of ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal. The report, “Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2022,” highlights health trends to help the fitness industry to get a look at consumer demands.
Walter R. Thompson, Ph.D., FACSM, ACSM-CEP, and lead author of the survey says that the fitness world continues to feel the effects of the pandemic. “The more widespread use of vaccinations and our need to get back to a normal lifestyle are definitely reflected in the 2022 trends,” Dr. Thompson said.
ACSM says that wearable technology has been the number one trend since it was first introduced in its survey in 2017, with the exception of 2018 and 2021, when it ranked third and second. The wearable tech trend may have faced questions of accuracy, but the report indicates that these issues have seemed to be resolved, as wearable tech is now estimated to be a $100 billion industry. ACSM notes new wearable tech innovations like blood pressure monitoring, oxygen saturation, body temp, respiratory rate, and electrocardiogram.
The pandemic has caused a significant demand for wearable tech including hearables, or electronic in-ear wearables. With at-home work on the rise and consumers becoming more focused on health, consumers are opting for wearable tech that can serve a dual purpose, like earbuds that measure heart rate. ACSM’s report is in sync with CES 2022, where wearable health tech was on full display with a reported 100+ health companies signed up to exhibit.
Other trends identified by ACSM include:
- Home Exercise Gyms
- Outdoor Activities
- Strength Training with Free Weights
- Exercise for Weight Loss
- Personal Training
- High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
- Body Weight Training
- Online Live and On-demand Exercise Classes
- Health/Wellness Coaching
ACSM also published an article that captures a global understanding of health and fitness, comparing trends in North America, Australia, Brazil, China, Europe, Mexico and Spain.
