We ask the experts at Total Fitness, Wholefoods and Health and Fitness Travel, plus futurist Lucie Greene, for their predictions for 2020…

NUTRITION
BLUICING
Yes, you heard that right. Have you ever wondered what would happen if a blender and a juicer had a child? You get the 3X Bluicer, a powerful, space-saving multi-tasker that blends, juices and introduces a whole new beverage category: ‘Bluicing’, or the seamless combination of fresh blends and juices into the same carafe. Basically, it’s now easier to whack together whatever fruit or vegetables you have left in your fruit bowl or crisper at the end of the week.

PLANT-BASED BEYOND SOY
Whilst soy has provided a fantastic base for a lot of yummy plant-based protein, 2020 is the year for soy to take a backseat and make way for some new kids on the block. Brands will start to swap soy for mung bean, hempseed and avocado, maintaining the smooth textures of vegan protein to mimic creamy textures of yoghurts and other dairy products.

‘EVERYTHING BUTTERS AND SPREADS’
Great news for the vegans among us, Whole Foods predicts that ‘<insert nut, seed, snack>’ is likely to be made into a butter or soft spread by 2020. In particular, look out for creamy vegan spreads, which will be ideal for a swift on-the-go snack and perfect for all the busy bodies out there.

NOT-SO-SIMPLE SUGARS
Calling all those with a sweet tooth: if you are seeking sweetness outside of the usual suspects, such as sugar or honey, and are looking for a slightly healthier alternative, 2020 is your year. Whole Foods predicts that there will be a lot more alternatives to choose from to suffice that sweet tooth. Syrupy reductions made from fruit sources, like coconut, will become more widely available and less-common sweet syrups made from starches, like sweet potato, will start to make an appearance, so keep an eye out!

FITNESS
HIIT TRAINING
One of the fastest-growing trends to hit the UK over the last few years is HIIT training, with fitness experts including The Body Coach regularly sharing exercise routines focused on this method. The programming developed within the HIIT concept is becoming more comprehensive and is set to make an even bigger impact in 2020. For those who enjoy an intense method of training which burns fat quickly, Les Mills GRIT, Les Mills SPRINT, Insanity and SYNRGY360 Rig classes are a great place to start, all centred around cutting-edge results.

FITNESS APPS
Fitness apps are becoming a popular training tool for gym-goers at all levels, as they have been specifically designed to make the fitness experience easier. Users can do all sorts, including book classes, monitor workouts and gain specific advice and guidance to help achieve their goals using app technology. The continuing rise of the digital age will see more usage of fitness apps in 2020, covering topics from training, nutrition, lifestyle and more. The apps are easily accessible to anyone with a smart phone and are ideal for those who need some guidance and inspiration. With a wide range of exercise videos, workout tips and supporting information available, there is something to support everyone’s fitness routine.

EXPRESS LES MILLS CLASSES
There are more and more operators offering the Express Les Mills Classes as a quick and intense training option for gym-goers. This is a 30 or 45-minute variant of class disciplines such as Body Combat, Body Pump, RPM and Body Balance, and is expected grow in popularity next year. The class runs the same focusing on cardio, body tone and strengthening, but removes any lower intensity tracks, so members still get an effective workout in half the time. This training class is great for those who are limited on time but still want to gain an intense, full-body workout.

VIRTUAL FITNESS EQUIPMENT
Virtual classes have been extremely popular in 2019, with the virtual concept set to develop even further next year. Equipment manufacturers are developing more equipment which has built-in virtual training concepts, including x-trainers, treadmills and indoor cycles, which are all set to be big in 2020. Total Fitness itself has a Life Fitness Treadmill Run Social which immerses users into the ultimate, virtual running experience allowing them to remotely run alongside a partner – great for those who need a further injection of motivation. Machine-based training can often become tedious, so by including a virtual element into the equipment, the user receives an assisted approach to their exercise training and stay focused.

FUNCTIONAL TRAINING RIGS
Growing demand and improvements in materials mean that Functional Training Rigs are becoming more accessible for 2020 with improved designs to meet the training needs of its user. Available in a range of sizes, Functional Training Rigs bring together a variety of exercises and allow the user to weight train, bodyweight train and stretch all in one space. These rigs are hugely practical as they offer a full, functional training experience. Rigs are becoming more affordable for people to use at home, so it’s easier to continue exercising between gym sessions.

“Consumers can expect to see a broad range of fitness trends set to make their mark in the industry next year. This is the time for people to start a new fitness journey or assess their existing training, so they can identify what trends are most suitable for them and implement this into their 2020 routine”

WELLNESS
DIGITAL SPAS
Innovative new tech companies are developing immersive technologies that offer genuine therapeutic benefits and wellbeing, while creative platforms are experimenting with the interactive nature of online social platforms to offer wellness services – both approaches, applied more broadly, could make access to wellness more democratic in future. One example is Umay’s Thermal Meditation device, which promises to “reset the effects of screen time.” It’s a heated goggle-style mask, designed to be worn over closed eyes, as gentle pulsations guide breath meditation to help achieve relaxation. It was developed in response to research that found consumers spend over ten hours on their screens a day, on average. “Screens are now the medium through which we access entertainment, communicate with others, socialise, and shop,” says the brand. “It’s no secret that 80% of what we learn is through our eyes. Studies show that increased screen time poses risks to our mental health, sleep quality and eye health.”

HAIR NUTRITION
Consumers have been increasingly using supplements for a range of skincare benefits, from neutraceuticals to ingestible collagen drinks and beauty powders, and now brands are turning their attention to hair. Direct-to-consumer labels like Hims and Keeps have taken steps to address the subject of men’s hair loss with ingestible supplements and now a new wave of brands are going even further – positioning hair nutrition as a legitimate, distinct dietary supplement to be used not just for fighting hair loss and thinning, but also as a tool to boost hair’s health, and the user’s general wellbeing as a result.

NATURE THERAPY
Exposure to nature is being recognised as a way to combat anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other mental health problems, as research continues to show that living in polluted cities damages mental health. Expect more goods, travel services and experiences set in nature, designed with mental health in mind. In the US, 63 healthcare providers in Washington state and 12 in Oregon have begun to prescribe time outdoors. Over here, the NHS is increasingly authorising doctors to prescribe gardening and nature immersion – benefits to mental health are ascribed to the combination of physical activity, fresh air and focus.

TRAVEL
NATURE IMMERSION GETAWAYS
Yes, yes we all know getting outdoors is good for us. But how many of us actually go outside, walk and frolic in nature daily? We are turned on 24/7 in a world of likes, stories, followers and tweets, and so there is an ever-increasing disassociation with our natural surroundings, which can leave us physically and emotionally in deficit. Added to this is the fact that most people live in the bright lights of urban dwellings, with geography, therefore, playing a part in our disconnectedness. Get the joy of nature back on a wellness retreat in nature. Check out the Euphoria Retreat in Greece, Shanti Maurice in Mauritious and Pravassa in Cambodia.

CIRCADIAN TRAVELLING
An astonishing 35% of Brits have long-standing sleep problems due to stress and worry, which expose us to a shift in the internal biological clock. The result is a transient desynchronisation of the circadian rhythm: think of the birds who sing all night alongside electric lights. Chronic poor-quality sleep affects performance, slowing reaction times, injury rates and judgement errors. Whether you’re a fitness fanatic with a specific goal in mind, or simply exercising for fun, hit the snooze button on sluggish mornings and sub-par performance. Highly specialised wellness retreats around the world are now offering programmes combining a range of holistic treatments and expert sleep tips that are guaranteed to help you reach your optimum wellbeing and skill. Try the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz Sleep in Switzerland or Six Senses Douro Valley Yogic Sleep in Portugal.

MEN’S WELLNESS HOLIDAYS
Over the past few years, there has been a big increase in men aged 45-70 booking wellness holidays, showing the modern man is investing in their health now more than ever. Whilst most wellness resorts once only catered for women, there is now a surplus of male-specific programmes offering anything from anti-ageing and personalised nutrition, to golf and medical spa. When it comes to men’s health, the stats are not great. 12.5% of men in the UK suffer from a common mental health disorder and are, unfortunately, much less likely to reach out for help. It has also been noted that 20% of men will not reach the age of 65, due to either poor lifestyle habits or insufficient awareness of their health status. Wellness holidays offer incredible opportunities and the perfect environment for men to kickstart their healthy lifestyle and learn the best techniques to really reconnect with themselves. Check out the SHA Wellness Clinic in Spain, the Absolute Sanctuary Men’s Vitality or Training Paradise in Thailand.

DIGITAL & EMF DETOXING
Do you need to unplug and unwind from it all? Are you social media sick? It’s not just our bodies that need a detox, our minds can become overloaded from our frantic, stressed, overworked lives which involve prolonged screen time. What to do? Give yourself a digital detox in a place where phones are surrendered or limited and there are lots of other things to do, including rest. Some retreats are simply places where it’s easy to switch off, where there’s no WIFI or mobile reception, for example, or where they actively encourage you to limit your screen time. Other wellness retreats offer dedicated detox breaks which make it easy to break your social media or screen habit surrounded by like-minded people. You choose. Shreyas Silent Retreat in India is a good place to start, or Pine Cliffs Digital Detox in Portugal, or Fusion Maia Juice Cleansing Detox in Vietnam.