There’s no doubt that 2017 has been a big year for strength sports. The fitness industry as a whole seems to be at a transitional point where a majority of gym-goers are finally starting to recognize that, “Strong is good.” In addition, strength sports are trending to becoming more mainstream and accepted by larger demographics.
Sports like weightlifting, powerlifting, strongman, bodybuilding, and functional fitness are no longer limited to their niches, and are finally being recognized by the masses. And this is a great thing for everyone, because it deepens the reach of the sports, and it introduces new faces to new passions.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcdnJoxA3vH/
Google recently released their Year In Search data – which is basically a summary of how often terms were searched on Google throughout the year – and strength sports workouts made the top ten workout list twice. In 2016, strength sports workouts didn’t even make the list once. Check out the top ten searched workouts from 2017 below.
Top 10 Searched Workouts
1. “Murph CrossFit Workout”
This popular CrossFit Hero WOD is typically performed every Memorial Day in honor of Lt. Michael P. Murphy. Many CrossFit boxes and gyms will hold fundraisers for this workout. The workout’s composed of a: 1-mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 pushups, 300 air squats, and 1-mile run.
[Check out the CrossFit athlete that completed Murph 10-times in a row!]
2. “Bungee Workout”
3. “Tabata Workouts”
4. “TRX Workout”
5. “Burpees”
A popular movement typically used in functional fitness workouts, or for conditioning work. We know this isn’t necessarily a “strength sport”, but it’s a movement that’s gained momentum due to them.
6. “HIIT Workout”
Again, not necessarily a strength sport, but HIIT workouts often include barbell and dumbbell movements, which we’re counting as a win for strength sports everywhere.
7. “PiYO Workouts”
8. “Inner Thigh Workouts”
9. “CrossFit Open 17.2 Workout”
Workout 17.2 in this year’s CrossFit Open trended extremely well on both Google and BarBend, we’re guessing because it was (in part) the workout that introduced the use of dumbbells to the Open.
This workout had athletes complete as many rounds as possible in 12-minutes in the style of two triplets. The first two rounds included: 50 foot walking lunges, 16 toes to bar, and 8 dumbbell power cleans. Then the next two rounds included: 50 foot walking lunges, 16 bar muscle-ups, and 8 dumbbell power cleans.
10. “Oblique Workout”
Concluding Thoughts
We know there was still no mention of sports like weightlifting, powerlifting, or strongman, but we’re optimistic they’ll make the list in 2018. If you look at the past year’s lists, then you’ll notice the fitness industry as a whole is starting to trend towards slightly more ‘strength’ focused work.
Hopefully next year we’ll see the recognition of strength sport workouts double on this list. Do you think it could happen?
Feature image from @crossfit Instagram page, photo taken by @squatsandpixels.
