Fitness Trends For 2009

Many people start the New Year with the resolve to lose weight and get in shape. Yet, within a few weeks to months, the fitness enthusiasm wanes and many are back to their old, sedentary habits.

Anne Wilkinson is a spokesperson for the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and a Certified Trainer with Temple University. She says sometimes the initial thrill or novelty of an exercise program wears off. Sometimes people miss a few sessions and then have a hard time getting back on track. The fitness industry responds to consumers’ need for new ideas or change by adapting programs and emphasizing the most popular routines. Wilkinson gives us an overview of some of the expected trends for 2009:

Back to Basics. Many Americans have very busy schedules. While fitness buffs may go out of their way to make time for exercise, the average person is looking for a way to squeeze the time in. So expect to see more programs emphasizing basic fitness needs, like strength training, balance and flexibility exercises.

Fusion classes. This is a great option for people with busy schedules or those who want some variety in a single session. Fusion classes combine two techniques or disciplines in a single class. Some examples include: Yogalates (combining yoga and Pilates), Spin-Yoga (spinning and yoga) and Cardio-salsa (cardio workouts in a Latin dance style).

Kettlebells. Kettlebells are cast iron weights that look like a cannonball with a handle. They range in size from four to over 100 pounds. When used during a standard exercise program, the bells provide a high impact workout in a short amount of time.

Specialty facilities. According to the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association, 41.5 million Americans are members of some type of health club or gym. Most gyms have many different pieces of equipment and offer several kinds of classes. Group fitness classes will always be popular. They provide motivation and support for many people. However, the American Council on Exercise believes we will see an increase in the number of studios that offer one specific type of program, like all Yoga or Pilates. There are also places that offer a single type of workout equipment, like the POWER Plate®, a vibrating platform that gives the muscles an extra workout. Wilkinson also foresees that more people will use the services of a personal trainer.

Circuit training. Circuit training uses a succession of short bursts of resistance exercise to work various muscle groups. It provides a person with a balanced, workout for different muscle groups in a short period of time. There is no rest period when switching muscle groups, so heart rate stays elevated. In some cases, aerobic exercises may be intermingled with the resistance exercises to further increase the heart rate,

Mixing it up. Wilkinson says when people follow one particular routine, they are likely to get bored or reach a plateau. She expects more people to use different kinds of training throughout the week. For example, a person may choose cardio exercises one day, strength training on another and yoga or Pilates on another. Another option is to change the way a workout is done. A low-intensity workout may be done on one day and a high-intensity workout on another. By alternating the intensity of the workout, the body is less likely to adapt to the exercise. That leads to better overall results and decreases the risk of reaching a plateau.