UK Fitness Trends for 2024

When it comes to working out, boredom is one of the biggest barriers to progress. Luckily, the world of fitness is constantly evolving and adapting, meaning there’s always a new workout trend to try out.

So which fitness and nutrition trends will be sweeping the nation this year? Last year, the great outdoors reigned supreme. Will hiking continue its steady ascent to the top of the weekend to-do list? Might bungee workouts see a plummet in popularity? Let’s find out.

How will we be working out in 2024?

Holistic Fitness

First up, holistic fitness. This trend is all about looking at overall wellbeing instead of just physical health.

Encompassing essentially every aspect of lifestyle, it takes in nutrition, social life, mental health, mindfulness, and basically anything else that contributes to how you feel in yourself.

Pilates, tai-chi, and yoga, with their focus on the body and the mind, are all types of exercise that suit a holistic fitness plan.

 

 

Longevity Training

I’m spotting a pattern here… like holistic fitness, longevity training is another rising workout trend that isn’t primarily concerned with athletic performance.

Except in this case, the aim is not to live a more rounded life, but to preserve quality of life.

Obviously, no form of exercise can guarantee you’ll stay fit and strong into old age, but you can give yourself a better chance by staying active and eating healthily.

Longevity training will typically encompass a range of functional exercises of different intensities to support heart health and maintain muscle mass.

So, brisk walking for moderate intensity, running or jogging for high intensity, and a hefty dose of weight or resistance training.

Sustainable Fitness

The third trend on the list continues the clear desire for workouts that aren’t about things like losing weight or putting on muscle.

But this time, it’s less about self-improvement and more about simply sticking to the plan.

How many people decide that on 1st January they’re going to run every day, go to the gym, cut all treats, only to give it all up two or three weeks in because life got in the way.

The problem is, their resolution to totally, comprehensively change their routine was never going to work.

Sustainable fitness is all about being realistic. Sensible workout expectations and reasonable diet plans mean motivation can be maintained until new habits stick, and don’t all come undone at once.

Virtual Workouts

I’m having flashbacks to 2020… gyms shut, streaming exercise classes in the living room. Was it all a dream?

The truth is, virtual workouts never really lost popularity, probably because they’re just so practical.

Anything that can be done in the comfort of your own home is bound to be a hit.

Typical gym classes like HIIT, yoga, and pilates can all be easily modified for a digital session. And there are so many fun, accessible options providing people who otherwise would struggle to stay active, it’s no bad thing at all.

Personal Trainers

One of the most common reasons people don’t take up an exercise is because they simply don’t know where to begin. To the unfamiliar, the gym, with its array of scary-looking machines, is an intimidating place.

That’s where a personal trainer can come in handy. A good PT can show you the ropes (literally, in some cases), teaching you everything from nutrition to form, and can help you set, and stick to, long-term goals. Sign me up.

Improved Inclusivity

You love to see it. As touched on above, anxiety can be a real dealbreaker for some. If a space doesn’t feel welcoming, they may be easily discouraged and give up entirely.

So, 2024 is the year for making sure everyone, no matter what their background is, feels like they belong and is free to feel like themselves. Whether it’s accessible facilities, special classes, safe spaces, there are many things gyms can do to improve their sense of inclusion.

And there are small things we can do, too. That’s no staring, respect personal space, and be polite. It’s all about respect, really.

 

HIIT, LIT & Strength Training

If you’re looking for more intensity in your workout routine, then High Intensity Interval training may be the answer.

HIIT has been popular for years, but online data suggests a resurgence.

If you’re low on time but high on ambition HIIT may be what you're looking for. Short, sharp, and highly effective training sessions so you can move to full effect for your goal.

Maybe you want to get LIT instead?

Nothing to do with hitting the bars, pubs and clubs in your area. LIT is low intensity training, where your heart rate should peak around 60-75% of its maximum. LIT also reduces impact on your body and can take the form of walking, swimming, or a gentle bike ride.

Strength training is also spiking once again with social media users turning to bodybuilding and resistance training.

This shouldn’t be a shock. It has loads of benefits from strength and muscle development to supporting mental health.

 

 

Fitness Recovery

Recovery is, arguably, just as important as exercise, so it’s no surprise to see people tempted by the idea.

Contrary to popular belief, it’s not all about putting your feet up and spending the day watching TV. Although it could be that, if that’s what you’re feeling.

Instead, you could focus on low-intensity active recovery like walking or swimming, or you could invest in a deep tissue massage gun to help soothe aching muscles from a tough session. Work hard, but rest even harder.

Outdoor Exercise

It seems this year is the time to get out and about in the great outdoors… to do anything you like.

Running, cycling, hiking, even walking the dog, are all things you can do with near complete freedom to go wherever you like, and without signing up to a gym membership.

Sometimes nothing beats the feeling of exercising in fresh air.

Fitness Snacking

What’s that, you ask? To which I reply: fitness snacking is the hot new exercise trend that splits working out into bite-sized chunks you can easily fit into a busy schedule.

No wonder it’s increasing in popularity. There’s always appetite for new ways to get moving.

Much of the appeal lies in its flexibility, but a typical day of fitness snacking would likely include between three and five short bursts of exercise like a short jog, walking up the stairs, or even a mix of home exercises.

Fitness Challenges

Another trend for 2024 is fitness challenges, these can be a great way to keep yourself motivated to keep going on your journey. These challenges can be as simple as healthy eating challenges.

Taking on fitness challenges can hold many benefits such as creating healthy habits, improved mental health, better night’s sleep and more.

Nutrition Trends of 2024

Exercise is only half the equation when it comes to hitting your goals, which is probably one reason people are always on the lookout for something to give them the extra edge.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at 2024’s hottest nutrition trends.

Superfoods

Superfoods are not new.

In the past avocado was king, but 2024 is set to be the year of the mushroom. Lion's mane, oyster, reishi and tremella have been the talk of TikTok for their supposed benefits, from promoting relaxation and soothing anxiety to supporting brain function.

Elsewhere, fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi and kefir still have people fizzing with excitement over their gut-boosting benefits, and tinned fish preserves its place on shopping lists for its affordability, convenience and abundance in heart-healthy omega-3s.

 

 

Food for the Skin

The skin is the largest organ of the human body, so no wonder it’s one of the year’s biggest trends.

Unsurprisingly, for healthy skin, it really is what’s on the inside that counts. That is, what you put into your body is going to have a massive effect on it.

So, eat a varied diet full of plenty of micronutrients like vitamins B, C, D and E. (You might want to take a vitamin D supplement in winter months.)

You’ll also want lots of protein, particularly collagen. And, of course, stay well hydrated.

Brain Food

Like the skin, the brain generally tends to be high on people’s minds. This likely explains the recent boom in brain food.

To keep those neurons numerous and firing, you’ll need to stay active, get plenty of good sleep, and eat a varied nutritious diet, focusing on oily fish, healthy fats, and unprocessed plant foods.

Seasonal Recipes

Bowls of warming winter root veg stew, baskets of freshly picked April asparagus, punnets of juicy late-summer strawberries.

One of the best, and tastiest, ways to ensure you’re eating a varied diet is by eating with the seasons. Here’s resident nutritionist Jamie to explain a little more.

High Protein Foods

An essential macronutrient, protein helps keep our metabolism ticking and our muscles building. More and more people are turning to protein-dense foods to maximise their intake.

As with all things diet, it’s better not to focus on too much of one thing. Rather, keep things varied, getting your protein and other macronutrients from a variety of sources.

For a convenient dose when you’re out and about, check out our high protein foods.

 

 

Measured Macros

While we’re on the subject of macronutrients, another of 2024’s top nutrition trends is macro measuring. This is essentially advanced calorie counting, keeping tabs on specific carbs, fat and protein intakes.

Be careful, though. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be aware of what you’re eating, but healthy tracking can easily lead to unhealthy obsession.

There’s nothing wrong with the odd treat, and you don’t have to eat the same exact things every day.

To work out your energy needs, try our macro calculator.