Fitness Trends: What's Hot, What's Not
A lot has changed since I entered this field 13 years ago. Stability balls hadn't made their way out of physiotherapy clinics, and Crossfit was men who worked out in dresses.
IDEA is one of the largest organizations of fitness professionals in the world, here is the most recent report of fitness programming and equipment trends, gathered from club managers and program directors.
- Almost 90% of clubs offer personal training. I'm thinking the 10% of club owners aren't very smart.
- Not surprisingly, partner and small group training have really jumped in popularity, with people looking for more affordable options.
- Bootcamps and small group circuit training also increased - presumably for the same reason. In my city, bootcamps have absolutely exploded over the past couple of years.
- In the traditional group exercise realm, hybrid classes (hi-low/step) have experienced a 35% decline in the past 9 years.
- Dance classes have seen a marked increase in popularity over the same time span. Classes like Hip-hop, Funk and Zumba have really taken off - a 20% increase in the same time frame.
- Surprisingly, regular aerobics (hi-low, mixed impact) have seen a re-emergence in popularity - jumping 8% in the past year.
- Pilates has seen a steady increase in popularity, going from 47% of clubs offering it, to 70% since 2001.
- The most widely used pieces of equipment over the past few years have been of the portable and versatile variety - with stability balls, resistance bands, medicine balls, foam rollers and small balls being offered in the vast majority of facilities.
- Respondents expect both balance training and suspension equipment to increase in popularity in the near future.
- The largest projected equipment decline according to respondents? Stairclimbers, pneumatic machines and interactive computer training programs.
- Other programs slated for growth potential? Mind-body fusion classes, teen fitness, social activity classes (running/hiking groups), bootcamps, dance-based classes.
- Another sector of programming that has grown in popularity is exercise programs for those with chronic medical conditions (diabetes, coronary heart disease).
My personal philosophy is more of a bare-bones approach, but I'm a fan of anything that gets people off the couch.
What are you currently doing to keep fit? If you belong to a fitness club, what are the more popular offerings?
More like this in Exercise · Aug 9, 2009
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I think it is great that things change & evolve! Variety & change are great for the bod PLUS for those that don't like "traditional exercise", this offers up all kinds of opportunities for people to find a way "to move" that they enjoy... or multiple ways to move so that they don't get bored & allows for cross training so they work all parts of the body & hopefully reduces injury as long as they don't go gung ho into something they are not used to without not only warming up BUT taking it slow so you learn the moves & how to do it with correct form.
ReplyI love how gyms and classes have changed and evolved. There are so many options for workouts.
My local gym started childrens fitness classes a couple of years ago. This may something we see more of in the future. My children haven't done the classes, but the equipment they use looks fun. Little scooters, balls, hoola-hoops all get a work out as the kids run around for 45 mnutes. I dont know why the mums just dont take them to the park to do that for free! :)
ReplyIt's definitely encouraging that more and more gyms are offering non-traditional forms of exercise to get people involved. Too many people think of the gym as a room full of treadmills and intimidating weight-training equipment that they don't know how to use. It's great to see that more and more people are using personal trainers to get results faster. Resistance bands are nice for people that are new to strength training...they provide resistance and they aren't so intimidating.
ReplyI joined my local library this year, and I take out two to four new workout DVDs each week. I can't possibly get bored with my fitness routine because I have no idea what's coming next, and the videos always challenge me to either try something new or push my limits. You can't go wrong!
ReplyFrankly it all sounds like a lot of bs to me. If people can't handle traditional exercise, they won't stick with the fluff stuff.
ReplyMy gym has started doing the "boot camps", but it's never at a good time for me.
ReplySo which is it? It's a lot of bs, or it's not good for your schedule?
I know that I have no interest in a step, spin or generic aerobics class, but I take to cardio kickboxing. I'm sure that's because I practice those sorts of things anyways, but it demonstrates that not everybody wants to stand in front of a mirror and grunt as the traditionalists would do.
ReplyI think it's great we're seeing such an increase in the AVAILABILITY of workout options but very disappointed that the percentage of obese people in America is also increasing each day. The problem? It's like the old cliche saying, "you can lean a horse to water but you can't make it drink". The gyms are there, the personal trainers are there, the equipment is there...But MOTIVATION and DETERMINATION can't be purchased...It has to come from within someone to WANT to make the change. That's why I always encourage my clients along the way-positive reinforcement is definitely the est way to go. I also encourage them to help others they know transform themselves into better, healthier people.
ReplyThe popularity of Pilates is steadily increasing as more and more folks realize its value in toning-up the muscles and giving the body a longer and leaner appearance. It also does away with stiffness brought about by weight-training and improves joint-strength and flexibility!
Reply@ Lynn: Indeed, Pilates exercises are perfect for complementing conventional weight-training. Most people don't find it intense enough however and it's not for those who want a muscular appearance fast. Variety is the key to fun workouts- mix it up!
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