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2020 Health Trends
Richard Drury/Getty Images

What Health Trends Will Be Hot for 2020?

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2020 Health Trends
Richard Drury/Getty Images

Dawning a New Decade of Health

From nootropics and intermittent fasting to paleo and Goop, the 2010s were the wellness decade and, going into the 2020s, the trend isn't losing any steam. Healthy body, healthy mind is the order of the day, and the viral trends of the coming year are already taking shape. Here's a look at the movements and fads that will grab the health headlines in 2020. For a look back at what trends — health and otherwise — dominated the decade we're leaving behind, check out The Hottest Trends Every Year of the Past Decade.


Click here to see the hot health trends of 2019

Wearables (Again)
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Wearables (Again)

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) completed its 14th annual survey of worldwide fitness trends, which polled more than 3,000 worldwide fitness professionals about their expectations on what will trend in 2020. The No. 1 response yet again — as it was in 2016, 2017, and 2019 — was wearables. Research firm Gartner says spending will total $52 billion in 2020, an increase of 27% over 2019.


Related: The Best and Worst Health Food Trends of 2019

Micro-HIIT
microgen/istockphoto

Micro-HIIT

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is apparently not short and intense enough in the era of sitting-is-the-new-smoking awareness. In 2020, experts from luxe-fitness club Equinox are among those predicting the rise of micro-HIIT. Dubbed "movement snacks," micro-HIIT involves tiny bursts of intense exercise in frequent increments throughout the day. That could include anything from running up the hallway stairs in the office or knocking out 100 pushups throughout the day in sets of 10 in the break room — anything to negate the gross effects of sitting and staring into a glowing box all day long.


Related: 11 Ways to Get Exercise While Just Going About Your Day

Connected Bike and Treadmill Training
Peloton

Connected Bike and Treadmill Training

Peloton built a loyal cult following and an impressive subscriber base by redefining the age-old stationary exercise bike with a good product, good service, and slick ad campaign. That hasn't translated into business success recently, but the company's biggest problem is the patents it depends on to maintain what Bloomberg calls the "moat" keeping out its competitors. Peleton is fighting several tough patent validity legal challenges in court launched by competitors looking to undercut Peloton's pricey equipment and subscriptions. The in-home, subscription workout bike market isn't going anywhere in 2020 — but Peloton's reign as king of the hill might be over.

Smart Mirror Training
Curiouser Products Inc.

Smart Mirror Training

Like Peloton, Mirror brings live and pre-recorded workouts — and even one-on-one personal training — into your home with pricey ($1,495), but undeniably impressive equipment that calls for a $39 monthly subscription (individual personal training costs $40 per session). With Mirror, you can watch both workouts and yourself at the same time while your trainer also watches you through a 40-inch 1080p vertical display with a 5 megapixel camera. Turn it off, and it looks just like a mirror with a lowercase "m."

Tonal
Tonal

Tonal

New on the high-end, in-home workout scene is Tonal, which is sort of like a blend between Peloton and Mirror, including both connected strength training hardware like the former and an interactive visual display like the latter. With a $3,000 price tag and a $50 monthly subscription fee, the weight-lifting system is even pricier than the others — but it's catching on fast with high-end fitness buffs. If you want to know how high end, consider that many Tonal enthusiasts also own and subscribe to Peloton.

Free Weights
Ridofranz/istockphoto

Free Weights

Systems like Peloton, Mirror, and Tonal have cult followings, but all the cult members have one thing in common — lots of disposable income. They're well out of reach for the unwashed masses, but raising and lowering hunks of metal is not. The ACSM survey predicts free weights — which includes things like non-machine-assisted barbells, dumbbells, and kettlebells — will be the No. 4 fitness trend of 2020.


Related: 15 Annoying Mistakes You're Probably Making at the Gym and How to Avoid Them

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Bodyweight Training
BartekSzewczyk/istockphoto

Bodyweight Training

No. 7 on the ACSM list is bodyweight training. That's where you use that bag full of meat, bones, and water you drag around with you everywhere you go for resistance training instead of weights. Pushups, pullups, and the miserable experience known as burpees are always annual contenders because they're simple, safe, effective, and you can do them anywhere with no equipment.

CBD Oil (Again)
Tinnakorn Jorruang/istockphoto

CBD Oil (Again)

Five years ago, most people had never heard of CBD oil. By 2018, AARP was writing about the huge number of senior citizens dabbling in the hemp product to explore its ostensible healing properties (as were we). Although CBD products of all stripes had back-to-back banner years, it seems that the dam has not yet burst in terms of mainstream acceptance — but 2020 just might be the year. It's more legal, more affordable, and better understood than it has ever been. By 2024, CBD is poised to become a $20 billion industry.


Related: Why Health Experts Are Talking About CBD

K-Beauty
Neogen

K-Beauty

A generic name used to describe the vast number of Korean-derived products that are influencing American beauty trends, K-beauty looks to be poised for a 2020 takeoff, according to Elle. Green tea cleansing sticks, coconut cleansing oil, and sheet masks are all part of the rage, and companies are cashing in and stocking their shelves as the trend continues to grow.

Encapsulated Ingredients
Amazon

Encapsulated Ingredients

According to the U.S. Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, "Many cosmetics and personal care products contain biologically active substances that require encapsulation for increased stability of the active materials." By suspending those ingredients in a special coating, beauty companies are creating a wave of new cosmetics based on encapsulated ingredients. According to a PopSugar interview with Glow Recipe's cofounders, "encapsulated ingredients" could become household lingo in 2020.


Related: 21 Skin Care Tips to Keep You Looking Young for Less

Sound Bath Healing
Sound Healing Academy

Sound Bath Healing

Although Tibetans would likely say that singing bowl meditation was trending in the fifth century, it's "having a moment" in the runup to 2020, according to SheKnows. There's no actual bath, at least in a water sense — just ancient-looking bowls that play soothing music, which practitioners hope will relax and heal their bodies. Harper's Bazaar provides proof of the movement's rise with a report showing that searches for "sound bath healings" have increased by 285%.

Quitting Vaping
Sergey Granev/istockphoto

Quitting Vaping

For smokers across the land, vaping promised the sweet honey of vice without consequences — a nicotine fix that feels like actual smoking, but with no smoke, and therefore no harm. Then 2019 happened. A rash of scary and serious vape-related lung injuries and illnesses popped up across the country followed in short order by a long string of highly publicized deaths. The victims all had one thing in common — vaping. Evidence emerged that vaping is as addictive as cigarettes and may be harder to quit. At the same time, it became clear that legions of teens were getting hooked after falling prey to many of the same schemes pioneered by old-school tobacco companies. The coming year could be the one that gets vapers to take a second look at their habit.

New Year, New Fitness Trends
Rawpixel/istockphoto

What Health Trends Will Be Hot for 2019?

New Years come with resolutions, and it's probably safe to say that most resolutions have something to do with getting into shape, getting healthy, and getting off the couch. If this sounds like your resolution, you're in luck. There is no shortage of health-related trends, fads, and crazes heading into 2019. From foods and supplements to workout routines and fitness fads, the new year will bring plenty of new health kicks for you to try.

Retin-Alts
DragonImages/istockphoto

2019: Retin-Alts

From sun damage to fine lines, retinol is, for some, the go-to skincare additive for a host of conditions and treatments, and for good reason — the vitamin A derivative works. The problem is that retinol can be harsh and irritating, particularly for those with conditions like sensitive skin, eczema and rosacea. The good news is, several promising plant-based alternatives have emerged, with 2019 looking to be a breakout year for so-called retin-alts. Look for retin-alt ingredients like bakuchiol in new products sold at places like Sephora and Neiman Marcus.

Cauliflower
ALLEKO/istockphoto

2019: The Cauliflower Craze

In the realm of trendy "superfood" fads, kale was undoubtedly king in 2018, with avocados not far behind. Although the leafy cruciferous vegetable's and creamy green tree fruit's 15 minutes aren't up just yet, there's a new sprout in town. Contrary to popular belief, cauliflower is not just white broccoli, and the dense, fleshy veggie is surprisingly versatile — broiled cauliflower steaks are nearly as chic as cauliflower rice. Cauliflower, which actually comes in a spectrum of colors, packs a pretty hefty nutritional punch, and the health food industry is poised to make a big push to elevate it to the status of the next big superfood in 2019.

Best: CBD Oil
razerbird/istockphoto

2019: CBD Oil

Cannabidiol oil (CBD) comes from the same plant as marijuana, but since it doesn't contain the psychoactive ingredient THC, it cannot get you high. It does, however, offer a range of promising and exciting potential health benefits, including relief from pain, anxiety, and even acne. With legal hemp production included in the most recent farm bill, and major marijuana legalization movements sweeping much of the country, 2019 is expected to be a banner year for CBD-based products of all stripes.

Oat Milk
photo_chaz/istockphoto

2019: Oat Milk

Soy milk long dominated the milk-alternative market for people seeking a dairy substitute, although almond milk in 2018 made a move from back-bench status to becoming a major industry player. It appears, however, that 2019 is shaping up to be the year of oat milk. The brand Oatly is spearheading the movement to put oat milk into the mainstream (at least among dairy alternatives), promoting the perceived benefits of the sugar-free, gluten-free drink.

APEX School of Movement, San Diego
APEX School of Movement San Diego/Yelp

2019: Ninja Warrior Gyms

For 10 seasons, NBC's "American Ninja Warrior" has entertained legions of fans who love watching seemingly regular people perform extraordinary acts of strength, endurance, and courage while traversing cartoonishly difficult obstacle courses. Now, the show's fans can train like their favorite competitors in Ninja Warrior gyms that follow the same unconventional theme as the hit TV program. Ninja Warrior gyms can already be found in a dozen states, and 2019 looks to be the year the trend finally catches on with the masses.

Streaming Boutique Fitness
RichLegg/istockphoto

2019: Streaming Boutique Fitness

There's nothing particularly new about staring into a screen while working out at home — Richard Simmons and Jane Fonda built empires from the 1980s VHS aerobics tape craze. But 2019 is expected to be a banner year for a trend that gathered some real traction over the last year or 18 months — streaming luxury fitness. Chic, exclusive and expensive boutique fitness studios once reserved for high-end clientele in New York City and Los Angeles are now offering streaming services that beam their classes into the living rooms of the masses.

Medicinal Mushrooms
Easyturn/istockphoto

2019: Mushroom Everything

2018 was a breakout year for the humble, underappreciated mushroom, which health experts tout for the high level of protein, B-vitamins, and other beneficial compounds found in the edible fungi. In 2019, you can expect to hear even more about the versatile mushroom, which is now popping up in everything from ground beef patties and smoothies to skin-care products, and even coffee.

Fermented Foods
sveta_zarzamora/istockphoto

2019: Fermented Foods

Probiotics have been a buzzword associated with digestive health for years, but they're most often associated with supplements and yogurt. Yogurt, however, isn't the only fermented food that's packed with "good" gut bacteria. One of the biggest trends heading into 2019 is the pursuit of naturally occurring probiotics and prebiotics in fermented foods, drinks and desserts. Be on the lookout for kombucha, kefir, fermented beverages like kvas and vinegar, and heaping servings of sauerkraut.

Genetically Personalized Nutrition
ktsimage/istockphoto

2019: Genetically Personalized Nutrition

Devices like FitBit and Apple Watch popularized the digital cataloging of things like sleep, steps walked and heart rate, and now it appears that the trend of using tech to track personalized health and wellness is moving into nutrition. In fact, giants like Genesis Healthcare Technology and Nestle Wellness are using DNA tests to deliver nutritional programs that are individualized on a genetic level. In 2019, you'll likely see food planning go molecular.

The Disappearing Vitamin and Supplement
Tero Vesalainen/istockphoto

2019: The Disappearing Vitamin and Supplement

When talking about trends regarding supplements and vitamins in 2019, the biggest surprise might just be what you're likely not to see. Gretchen Rubin, author of "The Happiness Project," recently told Outside Online that she predicts a steep drop-off in the multibillion-dollar nutritional supplement industry, thanks to skepticism based on a growing body of research that questions their effectiveness.

Bodyweight Training Returns
nortonrsx/istockphoto

2019: Bodyweight Training Returns

Gyms have long been the centerpiece of American workout culture, with a dizzying menu of gadgets, gizmos, and machines. This year, however, exercise enthusiasts are returning to the basics and embracing the one piece of workout equipment that they already own and never have to pay for: their bodies. From push-ups to pull-ups to hanging leg raises, bodyweight exercises can be done anywhere, they're endlessly customizable, scalable to any fitness level and trending hard in 2019.

Fusion Fitness
gorodenkoff/istockphoto

2019: Fusion Fitness

Yoga and pilates have been trending in the mainstream for years now, but did you know that when you blend them together you get yogalates? High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has revolutionized how regular people exercise, but HIIT fusion keeps interval training fresh by adding elements from different workout genres and styles. Those are just two examples — 2019 is likely to be packed with new and exciting variations of fusion fitness, which incorporate elements from a variety of philosophies, platforms, and disciplines.

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