HIIT, spin, and CrossFit classes have many fans, but some people prefer to participate in slightly less intense workouts. So if this is you, you’ll be glad to hear that “slow fitness” is becoming more popular.
In fact, searches for “mindful exercise” on Google are up 233% year-over-year, meaning more people are incorporating exercise that’s good for their bodies, too. and your mental health.
That’s because research has shown that while high-intensity exercise is beneficial for your overall health, it also causes a sudden increase in cortisol levels, the hormone that causes stress.
On the other hand, low-intensity exercise has the opposite effect and instead reduces cortisol levels.
What is slow fitness?
“Slow Fitness represents our growing desire for a ‘slow life’ that has begun to seep into our fitness routines,” says Head of Fitness at Everlast Gym, part of Sports Direct. Martin Oakey says.
“This approach shows that you can replace intense, fast exercise with slower, more mindful movements and still reap the physical benefits of increased strength.”
Oakey added that the movement is just another shift toward “more holistic health that encompasses body and mind equally.”
How to embrace slow fitness
Whether you’re new to working out or a regular gym goer, embracing the slow fitness trend is different for everyone.
“[It will depend] For existing fitness routines and goals, from strength training to increasing flexibility to wanting to be more mindful, look at the fundamental elements that define slow fitness and how it fits into your routine. It’s best to check. ”
Ultimately, Oakey added, slow fitness means “moving slowly and engaging in less strenuous exercises that can fit into almost any workout routine.”
An example of slow fitness includes LIIT (low-intensity interval training), which replaces the short-term burn seen in HIIT with longer periods of lower-intensity exercise and longer rests.
“Similarly, with strength training, instead of doing as many reps as possible in a short amount of time, try doing fewer reps and focusing on the quality of each lift,” Oakey added.
“In fact, doing so allows your muscles to experience the tension of each lift for longer, which helps improve strength and stamina.”
Other examples of slow fitness exercises include exercises such as Pilates that focus on slow, controlled movements. His 12-3-30 method, popular on TikTok, is another example of how switching from running to incline walking allows you to train for longer and expend more energy.
