7 Fitness Trends to Look Out for This Summer

Less emphasis on equipment

“An emphasis on body-weight workouts will become stronger than ever. With the rise of fitness events, virtual fitness and less studio workouts, people have adapted to working out with little or no equipment,” say cofounders of Sweats & the City and ORRO app Elizabeth Endres and Dale Borchiver Stabler. They predict this will result in more low-impact workouts, which allows beginners to join in the fun.

Plyometric exercises

“The need for truncated, yet comprehensive and efficient workouts was born by necessity during COVID but will live on,” says trainer David Kirsch who has worked with Jennifer Lopez, Heidi Klum, Kerry Washington and Anne Hathaway. Kirsch says the most prevalent fitness trend he predicts for the summer, and uses himself, is integrating “highly efficient, explosive plyometric exercises as part of an express HIIT 30-45 minute workout.” 

He shares an example of how he might implement these exercises, and my core is burning just reading it. “For example, adding a set of plyometric push-ups followed by a one-minute high plank; Ukrainian twists (formerly known as Russian twists) following a set of burpees; squat with a shoulder press followed by switch lunges.”

Weight lifting

Trainer Erin Oprea who has worked with Kasey Musgraves, Kelsea Ballerini and Carrie Underwood, is especially excited about this trend. “Women are definitely opening up to lifting heavier weights,” says Oprea, “which is music to my ears.” If you’ve been hesitant to handle heavy weights before, now is the time to give it a try—with a workout partner beside you for support, of course.

Outdoor activities

Not everyone loves going to the gym, but that doesn’t mean you should skip exercising altogether. Oprea says she sees a lot of people going towards outside activities like tennis, hiking, kayaking, etc. Once you find the sport that suits you, you’ll be hooked.

Trainer Rhys Athayde who has worked with Victoria’s Secret Angels, suggests taking a walk or hike. “I always stress to my clients that if you don’t have the opportunity to get to the gym or the space to do a bodyweight workout where you’re at, go for a 20-minute walk,” says Athayde. “It’s simple, and it has incredible benefits for you! Not only is it a cardio and strength workout, but it also improves your mood and concentration and you will be reenergized.”

Elevated fitness and wellness events

Endres and Stabler feel that after years of being relegated to at-home virtual workouts, in-person fitness has become more special and less frequent for many. They predict that as a result, “fitness lovers will likely have higher expectations when they head to in-person classes this summer.” As summer events pick up, Endres and Stabler think you’ll notice a trend that many will tie in fitness and wellness, especially in popular destinations like the Hamptons, New York City and Los Angeles.

Virtual training

Oprea points out what we all know to be true: virtual training got really popular during the pandemic out of necessity, but she predicts it won’t stop there. She says training virtually will continue to trend, whether it be through Zoom or an online training app like ORRO. “Working out changed and evolved drastically since 2020 due to the intersection of fitness and technology, and now there’s no going back,” says Athayde.

Outdoor workout classes

“With many studios closing in 2020 and 2021, many people who craved personal or group training did so outside in their backyard or parks,” note Endres and Stabler. The pair predicts, “We will see a rise of this in the summer again! Small groups of friends and family gathering with instructors for privates in the home.”

Athayde adds that pop-up fitness classes are a great way to get active while engaging with your community. “No matter which city you’re in, outdoor workouts have become a summer staple.”

If your area doesn’t offer outdoor classes, make a DIY class. “Bring your trainer to the park! Whether you’re working with your personal trainer in-person or over Zoom , you should try to get outdoors for your workout,” says Athayde. “All you need is a mat, towel and water bottle. Let your trainer do the rest by creating a bodyweight regimen with little to no equipment that you can do outside!” As a bonus, he notes that you’ll get a great dose of vitamin D.