5 fitness trends to try as a New Year's Resolution

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The American College of Sports Medicine recently published a list of 40 fitness trends for 2016, with 25 taken from previous years. Here are five that you can do in the coming year.

1.    Wearable tech

These include smart watches, fabrics, fitness trackers and heart rate monitors among others. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, using these devices helps motivate people to do more and be accountable for their routines.

On Health, Garmin International's media relations officer Amy Nouri says "wearable tech provides users with 24/7 accountability, tracking numerous aspects of your day, including steps taken, heart rate, stairs climbed, miles run or cycled in workouts, sleep patterns, and more which can be used to motivate users to live more active, healthier lifestyles."

Cameron Byrnes is a fitness expert for the stars. He says that these tools help educate people on what they need to do and accomplish.

"If they know they're hitting 10,000 steps a day, it's great," Byrnes said. "It's getting people to become fitness savvy, who aren't fitness savvy."

2.    HIIT

According to Health, athletes have been performing high-intensity interval training for years to prepare for games or competitions. Some run stairs while bodybuilders perform supersets.

What makes the 'Insanity,' 'Tabata' and other similar programs popular is that they are versatile yet very effective. You can increase your endurance, develop muscle and strength all at one go.

Plus, you get the "afterburn effect" which allows your body to burn more fat and calories 48 hours after completing your last 30 minute HIIT session.

3.    Body weight exercises

No need to get an expensive membership to a gym or buy equipment for your home. You can simply use your own body weight to get a good work out.

For this type of training, the Huffington Post recommends doing pull-ups, burpees, squat jumps and even push-ups. These may be basic exercise, but they do work out.

4.    Yoga

Yoga may not place as much stress on the body as compared to the other fitness trends listed here, but its effects on the body cannot be understated. Danielle Cuccio, a yoga teacher for celebrities says, "It's one of the best workouts for lengthening, weight loss, and toning."

Practicing yoga is also a way to clear the mind and relax. According to the Huffington Post, some of the more popular styles include Vinyasa, Bikram, and Power Yoga among others.

5.    Strength training

Head straight for the weight room and start pumping those weights. Whether it is performing power lifts or the more traditional way of strength training, lifting weights helps in developing muscle tone and strong bones.

Not only do you shed the pounds but weight lifting also reduces your chances of developing heart disease and diabetes.