Top Fitness Trends of 2018: 10 Classes to Try Now

The Top 10 Best Fitness Classes of 2018

With the New Year comes a new you – and that often includes motivation to put your health first and embark on a new fitness routine. But even though you’re motivated to start something new, it can be hard to decide on exactly what kind of workout you want to do. There are so many group fitness classes out there, not to mention the latest celebrity crazes in the workout world. So how do you decide exactly which one is best for you? And how do you know what the benefits of each one really are? Not to worry, we’ve got you covered! We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 best fitness classes of 2018. There’s got to be at least one class that peaks your interest enough to add it to your schedule!

Motivation for the New Year: 10 New Classes to Try

High Intensity Interval Training or HIIT is a workout guaranteed to get your heart rate up and burn more fat in less time. With HIIT, you go all out through quick intense bursts of exercise followed by short, active periods of recovery. You can get a great workout in 20 minutes or less. And the great news is that anyone can do it, from beginners to the more advanced. The exercises are adaptable so if you aren’t quite able to complete an exercise there’s always a modified version.

Zumba Step is a combination of the fun dance moves of Zumba and a cardio-heavy aerobic step routine. You’ll burn calories and strengthen your legs and glutes, all while grooving to great Latin music. You’ll be having so much fun, you’ll barely notice you’re working out.

You might be hesitant to try a pole workout but don’t discount it just yet. Pole classes are actually effective, sweat-inducing workouts. They work to tone your entire body, enhance flexibility and build overall strength. Not to mention how great you’ll feel about your body – talk about a boost in self-confidence!

Bokwa may not be a well-known class but it’s actually a calorie-torching cardio routine that’s worth giving a try. Similar to Zumba, this dance workout aims to burn calories by combining hip hop and step aerobics into a South African style dance. Sound confusing? It really isn’t that hard. You’ll draw letters and numbers with your feet while performing a cardio routine. Each move is pretty basic so you can make it as hard or easy as you want.

Designed by celebrity trainer Paul Katami, Katami 4x4 is a challenging bootcamp style class comprised of one-minute burst intervals. There are 4 different types of moves – one high-intensity cardio, one lower body, one upper body and one core – each repeated for 1 minute, with 30 seconds of active recovery before repeating the round 4 more times. The exercises are basic (pushups, lunges, burpees etc.) but they are guaranteed to leave you breathless and give you results.

In a group training class, instructors teach, lead and motivate you through a variety of exercises. Group programs are meant to be motivational and effective for any level of fitness, even beginners. Instructors are focused on helping you achieve your individual fitness goals while you learn in a group environment.

While not a high-intensity workout, yoga still has its merits when it comes to fitness and strength training. Yoga is great for those looking for a low-impact exercise to do on rest days or as part of a fitness routine. Yoga is perfect for those looking to calm the mind and relieve stress as it focuses on postures designed to increase mindfulness and relaxation.

RELATED: How to Do Yoga: A Routine for Beginners

Functional fitness is a form of strength training that focuses on improving balance while performing patterns that simulate movement patterns in everyday life. The intent is to help build strength while helping to lower the risk of injury at the same time.

According to certified eating psychology coach Jenny Eden Berk, returning to a childlike state will be the latest fitness craze in 2018. Classes will be focused on games that get people moving while having fun. Doing so can help motivate you to exercise and have fun while burning calories at the same time.

Live-streaming your favorite fitness class isn’t exactly new, but it has yet to become a craze. It looks like 2018 will be the year that live-streaming group classes really takes off. With so many of us lacking the time needed to workout, it just makes sense to do a quick workout from home. And with added variety in classes, it’s likely to become more popular in 2018.

With so many options out there for group fitness classes, there’s bound to be one that will pique your interest. Try a few different options (and instructors) to see which one works best for you. In order to keep your motivation high, you need to find a workout class that you enjoy, that works with your schedule and that makes you feel good. You’re more likely to stick to it if that’s the case – because, let’s be honest, if you dread going to the class you’re not going to stick with it.

To help you get excited for your new class, go pick up some great, functional workout gear before you start. A pair of pants or crops, a good tank top and a supportive sports bra are a few key items you’ll need to get you started. Look for a sports bra like Shefit's Ultimate Sports Bra for small tatas to large breasts that provides you with enough support to get you through even the toughest workout. Shefit’s sports bra is designed with the patented Zip, Cinch, Lift technology that adapts to each individual body type to provide personalized support, keeping even those with big busts secure and supported.

Photo credit: Bigstock, Pixabay