2012 was a big year in the health and fitness line, with new innovative forms of exercise, to great diets to help those embarking on a healthy diet, to extra tools to help update your fitness regime. These are the health and fitness trends of 2012.
Ballet Barre
Ballet Barre is a fusion of Pilates, ballet and yoga, that helps tone and lengthens your limbs. Victoria’s Secret model, Miranda Kerr credits the ballet barre workout for sculpting her shoulders and tightening her cute derrière.
Emma Seibold, founder of Barre Body in Melbourne credits the workout for getting back in shape after giving birth.
Superfoods
2012 was all about super foods. But what are superfoods? Superfoods are basically natural foods that are high in nutritional value and low in calories. This year, the chia seed, spirulina, pomegranate, kale, and quinoa.
Sorghum
Sorghum are gluten-free whole grains that require less water to grow, and is rich in antioxidants. Surghum contains antioxidants that contain cancer-fighting properties and can even lower cholesterol levels. And since they’re incredibly versatile, they’re substituted for wheat-flour in baking!
Kale
Kale, yes kale. The vegetable ended up being on one of the biggest health trends of 2012. High in vitamin A, potassium, iron and fibre. A top ingredient in healthy salads for detox, and even green smoothies! Derek Blasberg, fashion writer and author of Very Classy (a New York Times bestseller) tweeted “What’s the biggest trend in fashion right now? Kale. Yes, I’m talking about the vegetable. It’s so hot right now”. (Source)
Training Tools
Gyms are beginning to equip their facilities with TRX suspension trainers, which helps fitness buffs improve their upper body strength. Floating yoga has to be one of the coolest fitness trends of the year – combining strength training and the meditative moves of Yoga.
Gluten-free Diet
The gluten-free diet was all the rage this year, with so many gluten-free food bloggers taking the internet by storm and sharing their amazing recipes. The gluten-free diet involves the absence of complex carbs that contain gluten, a form of protein that can cause painful bloating, cramps and vomiting, especially for those who suffer from Celiac Disease. Miley Cyrus lives on a strict gluten-free diet and have shown remarkable weight-loss, but dietitians do not recommend non-Celiacs to embark on a gluten-free diet.
