Looking for a new workout to start your year off with a fitness bang? The American Council on Exercise (ACE) says time-saving and cost-conscious workouts are hot for 2010. Incorporate the following workout trends into your fitness routine and you’ll not only change up your sweat sessions, you’ll also stay on top of the exercise trends for the New Year.
Time and cost are driving the fitness trends for 2010
The American Council on Exercise (ACE), America’s leading authority on fitness, just announced the top 10 fitness trends for 2010 based on an annual survey of its extensive worldwide network of personal trainers, group fitness experts, advanced health and fitness specialists and lifestyle and weight management consultants. The findings conclude that, in the New Year, exercise enthusiasts will be looking to arrange their fitness regimens with time and money in mind. Tighter budgets and hectic schedules will also bring unique and efficient workouts to the forefront of the fitness world.
“Consumers will really look to maximize their workout results while maintaining a close eye on their budgets this year,” says ACE’s chief science officer Cedric X. Bryant, Ph.D. “Along with financial constraints, we understand that people are busier than ever and will look for workouts that offer the results they seek while fitting within their already jam-packed schedules.”
Top 10 fitness trends for 2010
1. Cost-conscious workouts
The impact of the economy continues to affect the choices of exercisers and health clubs alike. Gyms will offer programming and training to better serve the needs of the cost-conscious member, while in-home workouts utilizing small, portable fitness equipment will be popular among individuals watching their budgets.
2. Group training
Individuals will scale back on personal training sessions to take advantage of small-group training and group class participation as another way to save on expenses. Health clubs may alter some programs to better suit the needs of larger groups. Likewise, individuals may find that the group setting offers additional motivation and support of their fitness efforts.
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3. Time-efficient workouts
Shorter yet higher-intensity workouts will be more appealing to the time-pressed fitness enthusiasts with busy schedules. Boot-camp style workouts will continue to be one of the most popular of these trends in 2010, offering the ability to burn a sufficiently large number of calories while simultaneously improving muscular fitness. Circuit training will also be a time-efficient workout of choice due to its combined strength and endurance activities.
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4. Exergaming
Exergames will continue to climb in popularity and be taken to the next level: fitness clubs. By integrating fitness-based video games into their programming, clubs will offer unique exercise sessions for game-lovers and those looking for variety within their workouts.
5. Baby boomer-specific programs
Special fitness programming for aging adults will remain a strong trend next year. Growing numbers of boomers recognize the multitude of benefits that come along with regular exercise participation from lowering blood pressure and cholesterol to maintaining their functional independence and overall wellbeing.
6. Functional training workouts
Functional training workouts will increase in variety, including popular suspension training tools such as TRX. The portability and time-efficiency of these workouts will appeal to people looking to stay fit at home, the office, the gym or while traveling.
7. Health and fitness awareness
The importance of health and fitness is gaining greater awareness among commercial and government organizations. There will be a strong movement towards collaboration between these groups and health and fitness organizations throughout the New Year. These diverse groups will work together in the fight against physical inactivity and obesity.
8. Importance of proper professional credentials
Health and fitness clubs are recognizing the need for, and the importance of, hiring trainers who hold high-quality, reputable professional credentials. NCCA-accredited fitness certification is fast becoming the recognized stamp of approval for credentialing quality in the fitness industry. ACE is among the few organizations to which the National Commission for Certifying Agencies grants this accreditation for certification programs.
9. Specialty exercise classes
Specialty classes such as ethnic dance, hooping, pole dancing and Zumba will remain popular due in part to the continued success of shows like Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance. Fusion-type classes will be popular among fitness enthusiasts that want to switch up their typical workout programs. Additionally, more gyms will offer unique group exercise programs and mind-body activities.
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10. Fitness training tools
Technology is continuing to infiltrate the fitness world. The use of tracking and online training and scheduling tools will increase in the coming year with more people looking to better gauge their progress by accessing and monitoring details of their fitness programs. Some popular examples of tracking gadgets include GoWear fit and Fitbit, while online tools such as TrainingPeaks software offer fitness programs and meal plans that people can access 24/7. Mobile applications are even bringing fitness on-the-go through iPhone applications and other downloadable programming.
The popularity of these fitness trends in 2010 means you will have an even greater variety of fitness opportunities for the New Year — and with many of them being time-saving and cost-conscious, you have no excuse to skip your workouts!
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