Latest Trends in Exercise and Fitness

Are there any clear fitness trends emerging for 2009 ?

1. Number 1 for me is couple training together. This can be a challenge for a Personal Trainer because there are now two people to keep safe, keep interested and keep challenged. I'm happy with couples working out together as long as they are nice to each other - don't bring any married couple arguments into the gym. Luckily for me, all the married couples working out together get on really well.

2. The second big trend is men wanting to improve their flexibility. This has surprised me as until this year persuading men to stretch was a hopeless task. We could spend a few minutes stretching or squeeze in one more set - "Let's get in one more set" has always been the male attitude but no more. Stretching and flexibility are now front and center for most men. 

3. At least we've reached Number 3 before mentioning the economy. I've seen the fragile economy affecting training in two ways. People are being cautiously frugal, cutting back on monthly spend, maybe working out as couples or less often because no one can be certain how long we have to survive the economic winter. 

4. People who have been laid off are flocking to the gym like never before. Men and women who might have worked two, three or more decades for one organization have been told this is the end of road for you with us. Good people who previously have barely fitted in one workout in two weeks are now in the gym for hours on end  4, 5 or 6 times a week. It has to be a good trend.

5. Older people are wanting to workout seriously much more than ever before. At 65 I smile a little when I say older people as I'm not quite sure who or what I mean. Let's just say good souls of 50 and upwards, usually with an injury or two, often a serious health condition which is being managed, want to make sure they can enjoy life in the best condition possible. 

That's my list of fitness trends in 2009. 

The ACSM did a carefully calibrated survey and came up with their view of fitness trends. The full article is at

 http://www.acsm-healthfitness.org/pt/re/acsm/fulltext.00135124-200811000-00006.htm;jsessionid=KDWPzdK9QldQMXypVlk7tZJwVpwVK7Y9thP4xFpPyLh6wHnJ6zXn!1160382954!181195629!8091!-1

but without ACSM membership you'll probably find it difficult to gain access. The survey is carried out on behalf of the ACSM by Walter Thompson, PhD, FACSM, FAACVPR, Regent's Professor at Georgia State University:

The ACSM top 10 fitness trends:

• 1. Educated and Experienced Fitness Professionals

• 2. Children and Obesity

• 3. Personal Training

• 4. Strength Training

• 5. Core Training

• 6. Special Fitness Programs for Older Adults

• 7. Pilates

• 8. Stability Ball

• 9. Sport-Specific Training

• 10. Balance Training

Then ACSM goes all the way to 20.

• 11. Functional Fitness

• 12. Comprehensive Health Promotion Programming at the Works...

• 13. Wellness Coaching

• 14. Worker Incentive Programs

• 15. Outcome Measurements

• 16. Spinning (Indoor Cycling)

• 17. Physician Referrals to Fitness Professionals

• 18. Exercise and Weight Loss

• 19. Group Personal Training

• 20. Reaching New Markets

My take on ACSM: 

- everyone wants to feel safe with their Personal Trainer so one can see why in general Educated & Experienced makes it to Number One for ACSM;

- children are not in my demographic but I recognize the impact that childhood obesity has on the rest of life - most obese children go on to become obese adults with all the diabetes and metabolic syndrome risks;

- it's not just about personal training - one wants everyone who can safely exercise to do so in whatever shape or form is safe and enjoyable;

- strength training is definitely starting to make progress compared to "cardio" but I'd say that 75% of gym members only do cardio in one form or another;

- Core Training often gets translated into "Can I get my tummy flat ?" and that's OK because core training makes for better posture, deals with lower back pain as well as getting the tummy flatter and tighter.

Of course ACE has it's own take on Fitness Trends.