Current fitness trends that have me smiling

What do you think of trends? Do you follow them, or stay strong in doing your own thing?

When it comes to fitness, a lot of things are ever-constant: endorphins feel good, injuries happen, cotton is a no-go if there's gonna be any kind of perspiring happening. Yadda yadda yadda. We all know, though, that things need to evolve with the times, and it's (often) best that we change as well.


Thus, here are some Current Fitness Trends that I'm totally embracing at the moment:

Race "weekends" instead of just a single race.
What a genius idea! A lot of events are now featuring several options for runners to participate in, usually over the course of 2-4 days. Most of these reward participants with bonus bling (aka - medals) for those who take on the challenge of doing more than one race.

As a sufferer of FOMO (fear of missing out), I have done many events that encompassed more than "just one race." These include:

Rock'n Roll Chicago Half Marathon and 5K Remix (2014)


Grandma's Marathon and William K. Irving 5K (2015)


IMT Des Moines Half Marathon and Principal Financial 5K Road Race (2015)


Des Moines Half Marathon and Mercy Live Up Loop 5-miler (2016)


Route 66 Marathon and 5K (2016)


Grinnell Games Half Marathon and 10K Trail Race (2014)


Grinnell Games Trail 10K and Street Race 10K (2015)


Racecations.
I realize I'm a bit late to the party on this, but it's only been in the past couple of years I have actually started taking my running shoes along in the suitcase when our family has traveled. Sorry to all of the peeps who hang out in the gym while on vacay...but I'm opting outside, either on my own or taking part in a race. Seriously, what better way to explore a new city than on your feet? You won't find these kind of treasures on a treadmill. For example:

I've run the streets of San Fran...

exploring the hills of China Town

...and made my way across a famous bridge while there...

crossing the Golden Gate Bridge in my Brooks

...and smelled the ocean while on the beaches of Melbourne, FL

Running and tree-posing on the beach

Tech gear is here to stay.
I love my cotton clothing, don't get me wrong, but there is a time and a place for it (and it's not on the race course or in a gym). Now days, you will see me in wool (or wool-blend) socks. I love the feeling of a sweaty tank top NOT weighing five pounds or bagging and swagging from retaining all kinds of bodily moisture. And compression sleeves/socks? Oh, they feel oh-so-good (even on a hot and humid day).

An emphasis on cross-training (and not just doing the same thing all the time).
Variety is the spice of my fitness life, but it wasn't always that way. My first year of being a runner was spent on my treadmill (believe it or not). I'd run three times a week, and run exactly three miles each time. No hill work, no intervals, no core work, no strength-training. It's a wonder I didn't injure myself from overuse of the same muscles all the time.

Not just a runner

Event swag for the win!
When I first started pinning race bibs on my (cotton) shirts and toeing start lines, the swag was sorta bleak. Usually, we'd get another unisex (cotton) shirt to add to the closet. Now, we're not only getting tech shirts, often times they're gender-specific! And, for those embarking on distance events, a lot of events are now giving long-sleeved shirts or 1/4 zip jackets (some even have thumb holes!). I don't know about you, but I am NOT very fond of race shirts...they're usually boxy-fitting (even the shirts with a woman's cut), so I don't wear them much (if at all). But the jackets? I'm digging those! Granted, some of those jackets have a boxy cut as well...but they're jackets! They're supposed to be a little more loosely-fitted LOL.

 2017 Grandma's Marathon jacket

But enough about me....how about YOU? Have you noticed any new trends in recent years in the fitness industry? What are some new trends that you're following?

I'm linking up with Meranda and Lacey and Rachel for their awesome Friday Five 2.0 Link-up. Today we're chatting about fitness trends....head over and see what's everyone's got to say about the matter.