Biohacking To Flexible Eating: 5 Trends That Redefine New-Age Fitness

From dalgona coffee to hot girl walk, it's hard to get through a week without hearing about a new trend taking social media by storm. The rise of reels and influencers has turned the internet into a frenzied world where things go viral within a few minutes.

While few internet trends stand the test of time, some are simply more memorable than others. And in a world obsessed with fitness, it can be hard to sift through the chaff and find a new trendy habit that is right for one. So let's start by defining what a fitness trend is.

What Exactly Is a Fitness Trend?

The term fitness trend encompasses everything from a weight loss smoothie to a style of apparel and way of training. But it's important to remember that trends aren't just fads. Trends have convincing power that extends far beyond the New Year's resolution craze, often lasting years.

The following are some trends that can help one get a step closer to their fitness goals.

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

HIIT workouts are currently all over social media and are among "Thor" actor Chris Hemsworth's favorite exercises.

A HIIT workout can help one gain lean muscle mass or shed pounds. It involves body-weight cardio exercises with strength training and low rest periods. Typically, a HIIT workout allows an individual to burn a lot of calories in a single workout. One of the best things about HIIT workouts is that they can be performed anywhere: all one needs is some basic equipment and perhaps an espresso shot to get going.

Veganism

The vegan (or plant-based) diet gained a lot of popularity in recent years, especially since the release of "The Game Changers" on Netflix. According to The Guardian, the year 2018 marked the rise of "veganism in the world," with every trend forecaster and business analyst appearing to express their agreement.

Going vegan or avoiding animal products may seem difficult, but with fast food chains like McDonald's and Starbucks now offering vegan options, veganism has become the "new normal" for many.

However, switching to a plant-based diet right away can be costly. What one may do is gradually eliminate animal products. Not only will this save calories from meat products, but it will also make things easier for them.

Cupping Therapy

In recent years, cupping therapy has emerged as a go-to therapy for those who want to feel rejuvenated and get rid of toxins and muscle soreness. Actor and former WWE wrestler Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, as well as celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Ashley Graham and Jennifer Aniston have all lauded the numerous benefits of cupping therapy.

The cupping technique is safe to explore for individuals who work out or are into sports, and the best part is that it has no obvious side effects. However, it is wise to speak with a physiologist first before trying out this therapy, especially if one has already experienced injuries.

Biohacking

Undoubtedly, humans have goals that they strive to achieve every day. What if someone told them that "biohacking," often known as "do-it-yourself" biology, is the key to their success?

But what is biohacking in the first place?

The term biohacking gained traction after former Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey told his followers that he benefitted from it both mentally and physically. He went on to share that biohacking enhanced his productivity.

Interestingly, there are those who claim that biohacking can help with almost anything – right from weight loss to cognitive function. It is worth noting, however, that biohacking is heavily dependent on an individual's mindset and beliefs. It means one should keep telling themself that it is, indeed, possible.

Biohacking is typically safe as long as one doesn't go too far and follows the advice of a doctor or a specialist. Most importantly, caution should be exercised at all times.

Flexible Eating

A 50-gram whole wheat pasta for breakfast, a tortilla wrap of one's choice for lunch, one small McDonald's fries for dinner and a pint of beer to cap off the day — this menu seems intriguing, doesn't it?

It is possible with flexible eating, which allows an individual to consume any food long as it is within their daily macronutrient targets. In other words, it lets a person eat whatever they want without compromising their fitness goals.

Flexible eating has become popular in recent years, mostly due to its adaptability which gives people the freedom to continue enjoying their favorite food even as they try to be healthier. Many also laud it for its flexible approach to eating, which reportedly resulted in more purposeful weight loss in overweight and obese women, according to a study.

One simply has to keep in mind that flexible eating cannot be compared to any other types of diet like keto or vegan because it is an eating protocol and not a diet type.