One resolution that will never be struck off the book is, ‘to get fit this year’. As cliched as it may seem, there are people who kick-off small only to end up achieving mighty goals. The year 2017 witnessed how Indian athletes proved their prowess on field — be it hockey, cricket, badminton, tennis, football and other sports. Simultaneously, fitness and strength training became an integral part of people’s lifestyle.
While the last year saw a boom in outdoor boot camps, yoga retreats, running events, triathlons and walkathons, 2018 is going to be the year when fitness is complemented with a scientific approach. For a regular fitness enthusiast, options offered vary from outdoor to indoor activities, but a broad classification indicates what lies ahead for runners, yogis (yoga practitioners) and gym addicts.
Run baby, run
Those in the running circuit will agree that the number of running events sky rocketed in 2017. In addition, obstacle races such as Devil’s Circuit, The Battleram and Spartan Race India did see a decent turnout of participants. “Obstacle races continued though they didn’t truly address the running crowd given the need of the sports,” offers Ashok Nath, seasoned marathoner and co-founder catalystsports.in.
He says 2018 will be the year for global running races, with more domestic runners putting in their best to qualify for the likes of the Boston Marathon. “Having done the larger domestic events, it’s only natural to seek fresh pastures, so larger groups will head to run at events in Europe and USA. Interest in the World Marathon Majors, to run in the footprints of Pheidippides on the original Athens Marathon course is what runners will seek,” he says. On the local front, the number of women participating in running events will further increase, additionally, Ultra runs on new trails amidst nature will be in demand.
Anywhere, anytime
Yoga in 2018 will move out of the studio and into outdoor spaces with many serious practitioners opting for retreats. Acro yoga, surfboard yoga and trapeze or aerial yoga (also known as anti-gravity yoga) are the new approaches that will be experimented with. “As yoga teachers are getting younger by the day, the practice is getting hippier, more playful and is being taken out in the open. Yoga retreats bring the newness factor to a regular yoga practice. A weekend retreat breaks the boredom of an usual yoga practice. It’s like eating out on a weekend, instead of eating regular home-cooked food,” explains Pradeep Gowda, Head of Yoga Format, Curefit.
Another factor for yoga enthusiasts to pursue their interest seriously is the freedom to practice anywhere and anytime with a virtual guru. Unlike outdoor sports and the gym, which require the individual to get out of their homes and workout in a designated location, yoga is not restricted to a particular space. Pradeep explains, “In 2018, yoga will only get embedded deeper into our everyday life, into our living rooms and into our cell phones with yoga and meditation apps on TV screens and phones. There is a lot more openness of mind now and acceptance of these new approaches.”
Animal instinct
Those who have trained, strengthened and conditioned their bodies through rigorous workouts such as Zumba, high intensity interval training and Hi-Lo workouts there’s more intensity coming their way in 2018. The New Year comes packed with workouts such as Strong by Zumba, Animal Flow and the Boxing Workout. “Strong by Zumba is a new addition, it’s a combination of functional training and martial arts and is certainly going to be the trend in 2018,” says Shwetambari Shetty, Zumba Educational Specialist — Master Trainer India and Fitness Expert, Cult.
While Strong by Zumba is a technique that uses dynamic movements interspersing Zumba moves, the other new regimen, Animal Flow, is a combination of movements akin to animals. Steps such as Crab and Scorpion Reach, Vertical Frog Jump, Ape Squat, Crab Flip and others engage the complete body. Getting close to the ground for different steps, jumping up to stand straight and once again going down, it’s a combination of high-intensity and powerful steps. “This workout has a lot of ground-based movements, done using body weight, it’s fun and challenging. In simple words, moving like animals. The workout is multi-planar and is brilliant for improving strength. 2018 will see a demand for workouts like this,” adds Shwetambari. For others who prefer going back to basics, boxing could be an option. It’s a powerful cardio workout that strengthens the body and is being touted as one of those workouts that will catch on with fitness enthusiasts.
2018 training essentials
Regular workouts apart, a good diet and ideal active wear are essential to help achieve
your goals. Here’s a shortlist of essentials recommended by experts:
• Manasa Rajan, health and wellness coach, Eat.fit shares that probiotic foods such as fermented or
cultured vegetables, kombucha, coconut and yoghurt are going to gain prominence. Specific foods like
reishi and chaga mushrooms, spices like ginger,
nutmeg, turmeric, green powders like spirulina and chlorella, and vegetables like beetroot and sweet potatoes are the superfoods to watch out for.
• Experts at Amanté suggest a low-impact bra for yoga or walking, a medium-impact bra for cardio workouts and a high-impact bra for cross
fit and weight training.
• Runner Ashok Nath suggests Yoga Protein Bars that come with 20g of convenient protein
as a good snack.
• Newbie fitness enthusiasts — particularly men — stock up on Vaseline petroleum jelly. It is the go-to first aid for chaffing.
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