What fitness trends should you look out for this year? It turns out that everything from more strength training and childhood obesity awareness to adult fitness classes and dance workouts will be popular.
The “Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2012,” a new report from the American College of Sports Medicine, looked at 37 possible workout trends that could be popular this year. Each trend was then ranked on a scale of one to 10.
Results are based on responses from 2,620 participants representing nearly every continent and several major countries. The respondents were 66.1 percent female and 33.9 percent male and ranged in age.
The top 10 fitness trends for 2012 include:
- Educated, certified, and experienced fitness professionals – The increase in education and certificate programs offered by accrediting agencies and fitness organizations will allow for more experienced professionals.
- Strength training – More men and women are expected to incorporate strength training into their exercise plans in order to increase or maintain their strength.
- Fitness programs for older adults – As the population continues to age and more retirees find themselves with extra free time, money, and a need to stay in shape and stay healthy, gyms will begin offering more adult-oriented exercise programs.
- Exercise and weight loss – People who create and partake in weight loss programs will focus more on supplementing those programs with weight loss plans so they can get and stay in shape more easily.
- Children and obesity – Childhood obesity will continue to rise as more schools are forced to cut fitness programs, leaving an opening for someone to create exercise programs that combat childhood obesity.
- Personal training – More physical fitness students want to become personal trainers, and more gyms are pushing the idea of getting their patrons to sign-up for personal training sessions.
- Core training - We now know that having a strong core is one of the most important steps when it comes to losing weight, getting the rest of your body in shape, and staying fit.
- Group personal training – This is a newer solution to the economic conditions we’re facing and the fact that most people can’t afford to pay for a personal trainer, so trainers are agreeing to help a small group of people at once for a reduced price.
- ZUMBA and other dance workouts – Working out doesn’t have to be boring, as anyone who has taken a ZUMBA class knows, and gyms are capitlizing on that fact as they offer more fun workouts.
- Functional fitness – This type of exercise uses strength training to improve a number of functions that will help you perform daily activities better.
It’s important to remember that you don’t have to hit the gym to benefit from a lot of these trends, especially the exercise-related ones. If you find the best elliptical for home use, you can engage in strength training, core training, and functional fitness, among many other popular trends.
Whether you do visit the gym or workout in your own home, the most important thing is to get out there and exercise when and where you can, so you can live a long and healthy life.
Citations:
About The Author: Roxxy Sonnich writes about fitness and health topics and is passionate about sharing her expertise with others. She thinks it’s extremely important to set up a home gym, which you can do by finding the best elliptical for home use.
Filed under: Featured Press, Health and Lifestyle
