Why The Future Of Fitness Is All About Inclusivity

We know slow fitness and recovery are having a huge moment right now, but when it comes to movement, what's next? Will exercise become more ingrained in school curricula? Are digital classes on the rise? Will fitness become a more spiritual experience? Here's what some of this year's revitalize attendees have to say.

Krista Stryker, HIIT instructor and 12-Minute Athlete founder, agrees. "I think it's going in a very positive direction, where people of all ages are realizing that it's never too late to get fit and adopt a healthy, active lifestyle," she says. "I'm also seeing more and more of an emphasis on strength and feeling good in your own body versus the old focus on only appearance, as well as a focus on functional fitness that helps you move better in everyday life. Lastly, I think that more and more people will ditch the stuffy gym and the treadmill/elliptical machine in order for more fun and satisfying workouts—things like aerial silks, rock climbing, dance, gymnastics, even club sports. There are more and more opportunities out there for activities that feel more like play than fitness but still get you a good workout!"

The days of exercising solely for the purpose of torching calories are long gone—and Jordan Younger, RYT 500 and the face behind The Balanced Blonde, thinks spirituality is about to have a huge moment in the fitness space. "I think that the future of fitness is going to be rooted much more in spirituality and an overall mind-body-soul wellness versus the craze of high-intensity or cardio workouts alone," she explains. "I really see fitness moving in that direction, and I am so excited about it! It's not about giving up the high intensity but rather adding a healthy mix of exercise into your life that is a balance for your hormones, your body, and your soul."

CrossFit Games athlete Julie Foucher agrees. "I think the future of fitness is increasingly communal and integrated into our daily lives. More environments and communities will exist where movement is the norm rather than the exception—workplaces, schools, neighborhoods, churches, etc.," she says. "In these environments, movement will be incorporated regularly in small bursts throughout the day, and will not only be reserved for those who attend 60-minute classes. Imagine an office where everyone stops to do a midmorning stretch together, or a school where kids do a set of burpees every hour. Movement helps us to connect, and fitness is contagious. The more we can move together in our communities, the more others will join us, and the healthier we will all become."

Ironman champion Meredith Kessler, who will be giving a talk at revitalize this year, thinks there will be a larger focus on developing healthy habits early in life. "As most of us have learned, if we try to develop habits or functions later in life, they are a lot harder to learn and stick with as time goes on," she says. "For example, if you skied or swam a lot as a child and learned the proper techniques, these skills will be stuck with you for the rest of your life. The same is true with fitness. If children are educated and the healthy lifestyle principles put to use at a young age, they will be more inclined to follow through on this as an adult. This will ensure the future of fitness and the value of continuing to move your body will endure the test of time."

Want to watch revitalize live? Get all the details here. And if you have any questions about the future of food you'd like answered, we want to hear them! Get in touch at editors@mindbodygreen.com.