PureGym study reveals weighted hula hoops and animal inspired HIIT among top fitness trends for 2022

A new study by PureGym analysed worldwide Google search data for over 100 different fitness trends to calculate the increase (or decrease) in interest between now and the same period last year.

The study revealed the fitness trends set to dominate 2022, as well as those on the way out.

Weighted hula hoops have come out as the biggest trend to watch as we approach the New Year, with a massive 234% increase in interest, while ZUU, the Australian-born HIIT workout, came in second with a 124% increase in interest globally.

Largely thanks to going viral on TikTok recently - racking up close to 200 million views - weighted hula hoops have seen the biggest spike in interest as we approach 2022. But ZUU, the brain-child of Aussie fitness guru Nathan Helberg that uses movements inspired by the animal kingdom to give a challenging full body workout, wasn't too far behind - currently proving more popular than other big fitness trends such as CrossFit and Boxercise.

Elsewhere the findings reveal that in 2022, many of us will be looking to mix up our exercise routines by merging them with other interests or activities. Plogging, which benefits both your health as well as the planet by picking up litter while you run, has seen a 22% spike in interest, while ‘beer yoga’ is also on the up, a trend that is exactly what it says on the tin: a yoga session featuring an ice-cold pint.

The popularity of glute workouts shows no sign of slowing down either, with interest growing even more year on year (+22%), crowning glutes as the body part global fitness fans are most interested in building, followed by the back and our calves. On the other end of the scale, big arms may be less of a focus in 2022, with an 18% drop in interest over the last year.

It was however online workouts that saw the biggest decline. Following the rise of home workouts due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the trend is now on a steep decline, with interest in the likes of ‘online workouts’ dropping by 64%.

This move away from home and virtual fitness experiences and back to gyms, clubs and classes is echoed through other trends seeing a fall in interest for 2022, with virtual fitness classes and home workouts also on their way out.

Methodology: PureGym compiled 105 different fitness trends by tracking any mentioned in news articles covering ‘fitness trends’ across 2019, 2020 and 2021. The trends were then analysed using Google Keyword Planner. The monthly worldwide Google search volumes in both October 2020 and October 2021 were taken, and the percentage increase/decrease for each trend was calculated to provide the final ranking. Data correct as of November 2021.

For further information on the trends revealed in the research visit puregym.com/blog/top-fitness-trends-2022/

Image top: Weighted hula hoop; image above ZUU