5 Fitness Trends That Are Set To Dominate in 2017, a guest post by Evelyn Kail While personal fitness encompasses more than simply following trends, it remains extremely beneficial to understand which direction the fitness community is going. The social aspects of fitness are important to numerous individuals, allowing for fitness enthusiasts and newcomers to feel as if they are part of a much larger community. These community aspects motivate individuals to strive to their long-term fitness goals, while those who are more isolated have a higher probability of slowly losing interest in exercise in general. Therefore, being knowledgeable of the upcoming trends could be the difference between reaching your goals, or becoming one of many who fall to the wayside. Wearable Tech, You Say? Perhaps inspired by the renaissance of innovation in which we currently live, wearable technology (or wearable tech) has become a force in the fitness industry. Millions of dollars of targeted marketing by several companies with high brand awareness play a role, however wearable tech delivers more than something flashy to keep around. Elected officials, celebrities, and everyday citizens have gravitated towards different aspects of wearable tech due to how increasingly accurate the technology has become. No long do individuals have to guess how many steps they are taking, how many calories they are burning, or how close they are to their daily (or long-term) goals. "¦Yes, the innovation has gone that far. Wearable technology can also track your heart rate, blood pressure, and in some cases be programmed to help you track your macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins), the possibilities are endless with wearable technology, making it the most likely to remain "œhot" during 2017 and far beyond. Don"™t Speak"¦Dance! There"™s no doubt receiving a boost from the festive environment that was the 2016 Rio Olympics, Zumba"”along with other dance-themed exercises are poised to continue gaining popularity in 2017. Zumba is not only a thriving fitness trend, it"™s one that incorporates the community atmosphere allowing participants of all ages to have fun while breaking out in"¦ "¦Dance! Looking at the pure fitness aspects that come with dancing routines, there"™s little room for critique. These controlled dancing atmospheres foster a festive environment where individuals embark on strenuous aerobic routines and burn countless calories throughout the entire session. This takes cardio to the next level. There"™s no denying how tedious running on a treadmill, Stairmaster, or any cardio machine can be. Dancing completely eliminates any feelings of boredom and Zumba in particular brings flair and style to your workouts. Bodyweight Training Time to be honest, exercise equipment is expensive. Luckily, bodyweight training is expected to continue trending in 2017. While almost every physical trainer will use some form of weight training, there"™s no denying using your own body as a weight comes with unique benefits that traditional exercises in the weightlifting community do not offer. For example; if you have to spend eight hours a day inside of any office, the motivation to drive all the way to a gym may not exist. Bodyweight training allows for you to get a quick workout in while you"™re at the office using nothing other than your body to stimulate your body. Bodyweight training is effective to incorporate into your regimen while traveling, on off days from the gym, and to shock your muscles with new exercises to positively encourage lean muscle growth. What"™s HIIT All About?! High Intensity Interval Training (or HIIT) is geared towards burning calories at a rapid pace. Unlike low intensity training, HIIT encourages short bursts of maximum or near maximum heart rate. The continued trend of this exercise ideology comes with individuals want more efficient workouts instead of walking on a treadmill for hours at a time. Oh, there"™s something else"¦ High Intensity Interval Training also presents a challenge and pushes even the most dedicated gym rates to their limits and beyond. HIIT is great for cardio, burning calories, and for those who want to bring a creative challenge to their training. HIIT workouts can also be done at home using fitness devices such as rowing machines and treadmills. This method of training is also great for those who are short on time, yet still strive to have an effective workout. Exercise As Medicine? Say What? In what seems to be a logical process, doctors are beginning to prescribe exercise as medicine to their patients. Numerous studies have shown the effectiveness of exercise on the human body for short and long-term benefits. This is a trend that is expected to not only be a trend in 2017, but for the foreseeable future as well. This is great news, especially as the stigma around women embarking on strength training has begun to fade. Exercise can help improve the memory, fight depression, and help individuals sleep better at night. Exercise promotes the release of many endorphins which promote a healthier body and mind. That"™s right, exercise can accomplish a great deal for your standard of living! There you have it; these are the top five fitness trends that should dominate the world of fitness throughout 2017. It"™s quite possible each trend mentioned here will remain "œhot" within the fitness community for the next decade.