It’s hard to determine the difference between fitness fads and fitness trends. While they’re similar in appearance and appeal, it’s important to know which is which.
Google gives us this definition for a fad: (n) an intense and widely shared enthusiasm for something, especially one that is short-lived and without basis in the object’s qualities; a craze.
And Google gives us this definition for a trend: (n) a general direction in which something is developing or changing.
So when it comes to fads and trends in the fitness industry, my goal is to help you differentiate them. Educating yourself is almost as important as exercising when it comes to changing your body. With this education you’ll know which exercises and diet approaches are worth your valuable time and money.
Differences in Fitness Fads Vs. Fitness Trends
Fitness fads
Fitness fads tend to come and go. When popular and current, they grab our interest mostly based on their appearance or reputation at the moment. And while not all fitness fads are gimmicky or ineffective, I encourage you to focus more on fitness trends.
Fitness trends
Fitness trends can present like fitness fads, but they have the ability to change the way we think and approach fitness altogether. They adapt and help us evolve, and they typically last longer than a fitness fad. They also take lessons and approaches learned from the past and transition them into what is relevant today. And they encourage us to progress and continue improving.
As a personal trainer I run into fitness fads and trends all the time! One of the most recent fitness fads I’ve noticed in almost every gym is training with a BOSU ball. While I frequently use the BOSU in the gym with clients and during my own training, I’ve based my decision to use this piece of equipment not on its fad-like appeal, but rather because of the important fitness trend behind it: core conditioning. I chose this piece of equipment not merely because of its popularity, but also because I know how beneficial core conditioning is for physique transformation and overall performance, and I understand that the BOSU is a tool I can use to achieve significant core conditioning.
I encourage you to see beyond fitness fads and look for fitness trends. You can use fitness fads and benefit from them, but don’t blindly follow their popularity or shininess. Become an informed consumer and know why you’re using certain pieces of equipment or following the latest diet craze. Without any learning or understanding, you could potentially waste your money and time and never see results.
And while I know it’s easier to follow the crowd than lead at times, I promise that taking the extra time to dive deeper into the methodology and science of different fitness approaches will pay off immensely for years to come. The body you have tomorrow will thank you for the work you put in today!