Fitness, just like everything is constantly evolving. When looking at trends we want to filter out fads. Trends are the evolution of fitness as the science of Sports Medicine continues to push the limits and achieving maximum results. Some of the trends are new ideas and some are revamped old notions.
The American College of Sports Medicine base these trends on a survey of 3,346 Health and Fitness Professionals.
1. Certified Fitness Professionals. For many years the number of College Programs and Graduates continues to increase. As insurers and employers realize the value of fit and healthy individuals, the demand is expected to increase.
2. Strength Training. Weight rooms used to be thought as exercise for body builders. Over the years strength training has been more and more incorporated into global fitness and weight control programs.
3. Body Weight Training. Part of the back to basics movement. Body weight training has been used for centuries. Training using one’s own body weight allows for inexpensive and portable exercise.
4. Children Obesity Programs. Obesity continues to be a prevailing preventable health problem in children. With schools facing cutbacks sports programs are often the first to go. More and more community efforts need to continue.
5. Exercise for Weight Loss. Weight loss programs are less often relying on diet alone. Studies have shown that exercise not only burns calories but can modify eating habits and metabolism rates.
6. Fitness Programs for Older Adults. With baby boomers getting older and the health benefits of exercise have been proven at all stages of life, more programs are being adapted to keeping over 50s active.
7. Personal Training. Continues to remain popular over the last 10 years.
8. Functional Fitness. Programs adapted to improve balance, coordination, power and endurance to facilitate normal life activities.
9. Core Training. With emphasis of strengthening the trunk leads to a strong balanced platform for the extremities to work off of.
10. Small Group Training. An evolution of the personal trainer is expanding to small groups of two or three, which allows continued personal attention at less cost.