Functional Fitness vs. Traditional Workouts: And Other Fitness Trends to Keep You Moving in 2024

Imagine knowing the secret to staying fit without getting bored or burnt out.

That's precisely what you'll discover in our latest 2% Solution Podcast episode!

From my pandemic stairwell hikes to the revolutionary shift towards hybrid workouts, I'm sharing how the fitness landscape has forever changed.

Yes, fitness warriors, the days of monotonous routines are over. Whether you’re a gym enthusiast or a home workout guru, this episode is your golden ticket to understanding why mixing up your fitness routine is the way forward.

We'll unpack how hybrid workouts are reshaping the industry, thanks to a whopping 50% increase in virtual fitness offerings reported by the International Health Racket and Sports Club Association.

Picture tackling a high-energy spin class one day and a calming yoga flow the next, all from the comfort of your home or local gym. It's the ultimate fitness buffet, perfect for those days when getting off the couch feels like conquering Everest.

Tune in as we navigate this exciting blend of flexibility and variety, ensuring you never have to compromise on your fitness goals again.

Hold tight to those protein shakers because this episode is packed with insights and laughs—you won’t want to miss it!

Resources

• American College of Sports Medicine
• Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
• Global Wellness Institute

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to the 2% Solution Podcast
• 0:52 Reflecting on Pandemic Fitness Trends
• 2:08 Exploring Hybrid Workouts
• 3:54 The Rise of Wearable Tech and Biohacking
• 6:15 Functional Fitness and Mobility
• 8:08 Mental Health Integration in Fitness
• 9:14 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Transcript

Dai Manuel: 0:00

Hey there, fitness warriors, welcome back to the 2% Solution Podcast, back with another electrifying episode, and today we're going to dive headfirst into the wild world of 2024's hottest fitness trends. I know we're past the halfway hump, right, we're on our downward trajectory towards the end of this year. But you know what? We should probably talk about some of the things that have been buzzing online and offline IRL, as my kids would say and really talk about some of the things that have been buzzing online and offline irl, and really talk about some of these fitness trends, because I don't think they're just trends. I think they're things that are here to stay, based on the track record we've experienced the last 10 years, but also with where things are going today. So buckle up because this ride is going to be exhilarating, as that first sip of your morning pre-work, that is, if you work out in the morning and I reckon I'm working out fasted oh, you know what I digress? That's for next week's episode, so be sure to tune in for that one.

Dai Manuel: 0:56

But remember when you thought doing jumping jacks in our living rooms during lockdown was like revolutionary. Do you remember that? I remember I was hiking the stairwell in the condo building we lived up on the I think it was the 23rd floor. It was a rental unit we were in when we first moved back from Bali. We came back right before the pandemic and then we relocated to our old place that we had sublet. Anyways, we were with my wife, my two daughters and myself. We're living in a one-bedroom. It was actually technically a two bedroom, with a very small would be dead, but it only had one bathroom. So you can imagine this Four of us, one bathroom. Oh man, it was crazy, but I was walking the staircase up and down. That's what I was doing to try to stay healthy and fit and really just to keep my mental state in a better place. That's what I did during the pandemic. What were you doing? Did you work out in your living room? Were you the ones that went on Marketplace or online trying to buy whatever equipment you could? And it was sold out everywhere? Holy, it's hard to believe that was only a few years ago.

Dai Manuel: 1:56

So, anyways, hold on to your protein shakers, because we're about to explore what's making waves in the fitness ocean right now, and whether you're a newbie still figuring out which end of the dumbbell to hold, or you're a seasoned gym rat looking to spice up your routine. This episode's your golden ticket to the fitness future. Let's kick things off with hybrid workouts. All right, picture this On Monday, you're crushing a spin class at the gym, sweating, pumping music. On Tuesday, you're in your PJs following a yoga flow in your living room, trying not to faceplant during warrior pose, while your dog watches judgmentally. And that's the beauty of hybrid workouts, folks.

Dai Manuel: 2:28

Thanks to our not-so-little friend, the pandemic, we've seen a massive shift in how we approach fitness. And guess what? It's here to stay. The folks at IHRSA, the International Health Racket and Sports Club Association for those playing at home, reported a whopping 50% increase in virtual fitness offerings. It's like the fitness industry said, why choose when you can have both? And then they ran with it.

Dai Manuel: 2:53

Now this hybrid model is the ultimate fitness buffet. You get a sample of a bit of everything. It's perfect for those days when you're pumped to hit the gym and leaving the couch feels like a Herculean task. You know what I mean. It's like we have every intention of getting off that couch. We just can't seem to do it. Plus, it's a fantastic way to stay connected with your fitness squad, whether fist bumping in person or sending sweaty selfies online, all about flexibility, and I'm not just talking about your yoga practice. It's pretty darn cool. I'm a big fan of hybrid workouts, and what I mean by that is one day I do one thing, next day I do another thing. We can also call this cross training, but it depends on the intentionality with it. There's a couple of sports that I'm constantly doing. I do CrossFit one day. That's really strength and conditioning and then I'll go for a hike, go for a walk, go for a good long extended bike, and I structure my days based on how I'm feeling, and it's been great. It really has made a big difference to my physicality, but also my mental health.

Dai Manuel: 3:53

Now, next up, we've got to talk wearable tech, especially around this old biohacking conversation. I know what you're thinking. I am not a cyborg Now. Maybe you weren't thinking that, but hear me out. We're talking about smartwatches, fitness trackers, all those cool little gadgets we're seeing pop up all over the place. That'll make you feel like you're living in the future. The American College of Sports Medicine says these bad boys are topping the charts for 2024 fitness trends and, quite frankly, for a good reason. These aren't your grandma's pedometers, folks. I actually feel like I'm dating myself, because I remember once getting a pedometer and I also remember the day when I used to sell those, like 20 years ago, in the fitness store. Yeah, we've come a long way, these high-tech wrist candies, because really they're like candy man, they're so beauty.

Dai Manuel: 4:42

I love the new iWatch. Oh, my goodness, it looks so good, but they do everything but make you breakfast. Oh, technically on the iWatch is you could order food, so in a way it could make your breakfast now, couldn't it? But they track your heart rate, they monitor your sleep, they measure your stress levels, but they also probably know what you had for lunch last Tuesday. But it's pretty cool that it does, because it can start to gauge what's working and also start to identify what might not be working.

Dai Manuel: 5:15

And this is where it gets wild in this whole biohacking conversation. Before you start imagining yourself as a fitness-focused Tony Stark, aka Ironman, let me break this down. Biohacking is all about using the data from these devices to fine-tune your workouts, your nutrition, your recovery, and in real time. It's like having a tiny personal trainer on your wrist, minus the constant reminders of. That'd be pretty cool. I'd like to make a little avatar where I could yell at you Nah, anyways, imagine knowing exactly when to push harder, to take it easy, because that's really what it's all about. All based on what your body tells you, or at least what the watch is telling you. Based on that biofeedback, because it is a very sophisticated device and it's picking up things that's going on internally and it's giving us real-time data so we can make better decisions. Pretty cool. It's like developing fitness superpowers. Who doesn't want those? Anyways, I'm moving on.

Dai Manuel: 6:15

Another big trend is functional fitness and mobility. What do I mean by that? This would be it if hybrid workouts and wearable tech had a love child. All right, that's really where functional fitness comes into play. Functional fitness is all about preparing your body for real life movements, the kind you do every day, like picking up your kids, reaching for the top shelf in your kitchen to grab that weird gadget that you never use, or expecting to catch the bus that you're late for.

Dai Manuel: 6:44

According to the brainiacs of the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, functional training is like a secret sauce for your muscles. It enhances your strength, coordination, balance, agility. It's not just about looking good in the mirror, although that is a nice sort of byproduct, I guess. It's about being able to move through life with ease and with grace as much grace as one can have while chasing a runaway shopping cart in a parking lot hey, we've all been there, right? It's nice to know that you can do that when we have to, and that's called confidence in your ability. It is wise, isn't it? And let's not forget about the mobility side of things. This isn't just about those flexible yoga gurus on Instagram.

Dai Manuel: 7:26

Incorporating mobility work into your routine is like giving your body a big juicy hug. It helps prevent injuries, it improves your performance. It keeps you moving well as you age. Trust me, your future self will thank you when you can still tie your shoes at 80. It's not just about building muscle. It's about creating a body that can move freely and without pain. We refer to this nowadays not as how long we live or longevity, but it's really a health span, not a lifespan. It's how long can we live with our health and thrive? Because, let's face it, nobody wants to be buffed but unable to scratch their own back.

Dai Manuel: 8:05

Now, as I'm moving on to the last trend, now let's get a little deep for a moment. We're going to talk about something that's super close to my heart mental health, integration into fitness In 2024, we're seeing more and more people realizing that six-pack abs means squatting if your mental health is in the gutter. It's all about that mind-body connection. The Global Wellness Institute did some digging and found that 70% of people believe mental wellness is as vital as physical health. What I think they're right. We're seeing a rise in fitness programs, like a spa day for your brain and biceps. We're talking mindful movement classes, fitness meditation and even workout sessions that end with guided breath work. It's like a party where both your mind and body get to dance.

Dai Manuel: 8:52

Hello, this holistic approach is all about nurturing both the mind and body because, let's face it, you can have. You can't really have the other. Now can you? It's like trying to drive a car with only two wheels. You might move, but it will be a bumpy ride, unless it's a motorbike, and I guess then you can ride it with two wheels. But anyways, chris, I guess forget that metaphor. But what does this all mean for us and for you, my fitness warriors? It means 2024 is your year to shine.

Dai Manuel: 9:21

It's time to embrace innovation, personalization and balance your fitness journey, whether diving into hybrid workouts, strapping on your favorite health tech, focusing on functional fitness, or giving your mental health some TLC. There's something here for everyone. Remember, fitness isn't a one-size-fits-all deal. It's about finding what works best for you and sticking with it. Maybe you'll discover you're a secret yogi or you'll fall in love with the data that's pouring out of your new smartwatch. The key is to stay open, stay curious and, most importantly, keep having fun.

Dai Manuel: 9:54

To learn more about these trends, check out the resources like the American College of Sports Medicine Journal of Strength and Consistency Research and the Global Wellness Institute. They're like the Hogwarts, narnia and Middle Earth of fitness world, full of magic, adventure and the occasional confusing term that sounds like it's in Elfish. I will attest to that. That was probably where my lowest grades were. Was trying to name a lot of these processes in the body, which have some very interesting and strange names. But there you have it, my 2% Collective family. We've sprinted through the top fitness trends of 2024 faster than you can say Burpee Challenge. Well, maybe not that fast. I guess I could go a little bit faster. I hope you're as pumped as I am to shake things up on your routine. But remember, fitness is a journey, it's not a destination, as much as a cliche that is. It is true, it's about progress, not one of perfection. Staying open to new ideas is the secret sauce that keeps things fresh, but also exciting.

Dai Manuel: 10:55

Thanks for tuning in to the 2% Solution. If this episode got you fired up, share it with a friend who needs some fitness inspiration. And hey, if you love the podcast, don't be shy, leave us a review. It's like giving me a high five, but for my ears. And until next time, stay curious and strong and push those limits. Remember you're capable of so much more than you think. I'm Diamond and you've been listening to the 2% Solution. Now go out there and make some fitness magic happen, and let's keep thriving together. My 2% collective warriors, I'll see you next time.