Top Workouts of 2014

1. 

   1. CrossFit

   The powerful, high-intensity workout program was the top search at the turn of 2014. It’s not for the weak; the full-body routine was formally used to train soldiers, policemen, martial artists and professional athletes, and includes cardio, gymnastics and weight lifting. Men searched for the workout 65% of the time.

   
   

2. 2. Yoga

   Ah, breathe in, breathe out. The Eastern practice steeped in religion is a popular exercise stateside. Yoga is all about spiritual wellness and places an emphasis on stretching and meditating. The search term "yoga for beginners" jumped 822%, while "yoga wear" spiked 277%. Types of yoga like bikram, hatha and vinyasa also logged popular searches.

   Image: Flickr

3. 3. Zumba

   When you feel like having a dance party instead of a workout, you turn to Zumba. The aerobic routine is inspired by Latin American dance, and participants, naturally, perform while listening to Latin music. About 72% of the searches came from women.

   
   . Insanity
4. It’s all in the name. The Insanity workout is a 60-day DVD program that costs about $120. It’s a rigorous, full-body routine that requires users to do familiar activities, such as push-ups, squats, lunges, kickboxing and more.

5. 

   5. P90X

   Short for Power 90 Extreme, this is another home exercise routine. The DVD clocks in around $140, and comes with a three-phase nutrition plan. The workout's popularity was boosted by celebs like Pink, Sheryl Crow, Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher, who all swear by it.

   
   

6. 

   6. Couch to 5K

   If running a marathon was part of your New Year’s resolution, then Couch to 5K is what you’re looking for. The plan promises you’ll be able to run 3.1 miles in 30 minutes in nine weeks. Time to lace up your sneakers.7. SoulCycle
7. Here's another celebrity-touted workout. Soul Cycle, the stationary bike workout, has been touted as a miracle routine by the likes of Lady Gaga, Kelly Ripa and Katie Holmes.

   
   

8. 

   8. Squat challenge

   Workout neophytes looking to get leaner legs are bound to be interested in squat challenges. The craze requires you to squat every day for a month, starting with 50 squats and working all the way up to 250. If Beyoncé is your body idol, this workout is for you.

   
   

9. 

   9. Kettlebell workout

   In the fitness world, kettlebells are basically dumbbells on steroids. They’re huge cast iron balls with handles, and have gained a lot of popularity because of their use in CrossFit. You can find them in most gyms, next to the bodybuilders admiring themselves in full-length mirrors.

10. 

    10. Plank exercise

    Time and time again, research shows that the best way to strengthen your core is via a simple plank. You just get into a push-up position and stay still. Simple, right? Try it and find out for yourself.

Remember that New Year’s resolution you made to drop some weight and become more fit? Well, tons of other people made that resolution as well, and turned to the Internet to hunt down workouts that would help kick off a year of fitness.