Here is a snippet of a report outlining the top 10 fitness trends for 2008, courtesy of the American College of Sports Medicine. "Trainer to You" is providing services for most of these trends already. The #2 spot, programs for childhood obesity, will be a highlight for us as we roll out "Kids Fit Camp" in January of '08.
Read on and see my comments highlighted in blue.
ACSM SURVEY PREDICTS 2008 FITNESS TRENDS
Second-annual survey names top 20 predictions for next year
INDIANAPOLIS – Educated and experienced fitness professionals are predicted to be the number one fitness trend in 2008 based on the American College of Sports Medicine's (ACSM) second-annual Fitness Trends survey. The survey, administered to health and fitness professionals worldwide, published this month in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal®.
This is the second year for the survey, which was designed to reveal trends in commercial, corporate, clinical, and community fitness program environments. The potential trends in the survey were scored by expert respondents from all over the world including Asia, Europe, Australia, Africa, North American, and South America. This year's response rate nearly doubled that of last year. The trends were ranked from highest to lowest based on the scores given by the respondents and only the top 20 trends are included in the article.
According to the survey, the availability of more "educated and experienced fitness professionals" will be the biggest fitness trend, offering exercisers even more options when choosing a trainer to complement their fitness routines.
The fitness professionals trend was listed at number three last year. Exercise programs for children to fight childhood and adolescent obesity ranked in the top spot in 2007, and remains high on the list for 2008, at number two.
"The survey revealed a few surprises, and also confirmed what has been on the landscape this year in the health and fitness industry," said Walter R. Thompson, Ph.D., FACSM, and lead author of the article. "We were interested to find that the top three predictions for next year were statistically close, but they all support the idea that the health professional is going to be held to a higher level in education and certification. Overall, we're seeing these themes develop now that will help the fitness professional design specialty programs for their clients. It also creates an expectation for the public, who can glean new ideas to improve and build upon their workouts."
The top 10 predictions for 2008 fitness trends are:
1. Educated and experienced fitness professionals. More organizations are seeking accreditation for academic and certification programs for fitness professionals, including personal trainers, which will contribute to industry regulation. ACSM currently has one of the nation's largest certification programs, and is widely considered the industry's standard.
All "Trainer to You" trainers are certified through ACE, American Council on Exercise - A gold standard in the industry. We continue to hone our skills and knowledge each year with additional courses and methodologies.
2. Programs to fight childhood obesity. The high ranking of this trend matches the country's concern about childhood obesity and health. An influx of fitness programs designed specifically for children and adolescents is expected to help combat this problem.
Beginning in '08 we will start our "Kids Fit Camp" program, a boot camp for kids. Teri and Helen have been working on this for the last couple of months. See promo trailer in an earlier post.
3. Personal training. This trend moved up four spots from last year's survey, signaling that the profession of personal training is becoming more realistic and accessible to the public.
The "lunchCRUNCH" program was introduced so that populations that may not usually use Personal Training services due to time and financial constraints may be served. The program is going well and we expect big growth from this program in '08.
4. Strength training. The number four trend for 2008 supports ACSM and the American Heart Association's updated physical activity guidelines, released earlier this year, which state that eight to 10 strength training exercises should be done at least twice per week. Strength training also plays a vital role in maintaining bone health for women, helping to prevent osteoporosis.
Strength Training, aka, weight lifting, is the key ingredient that Personal Trainers teach. Any One-on-One training packages or the lunchCRUNCH program meets these minimum requirements.
5. Core training. Emphasis on core training is expected to continue. Core training strengthens muscles surrounding the spine, such as the pelvis and abdominal muscles. This type of training can improve back stability and make everyday activities easier.
Core Training, although overemphasized in general marketing materials, will always be a part of what an experienced Trainer will teach you. For example - doing a simple push up is strengthening your core - assuming it is done correctly.
6. Special fitness programs for older adults. The fitness industry is expected to capitalize on the fastest-growing segment of the population: older adults reaching retirement age. Exercise programs for this group can improve strength and balance, making everyday activities more enjoyable and with less risk of falling or injury.
Each of the "Trainer to You" staff has one or two seniors as clients. They are a joy to train because you see results very quickly, that the client notices as well. This is one area that we may want to concentrate on more with specific programs.
7. Pilates. In last year's survey, Pilates and yoga were grouped together as "mind/body fitness," but both made this year's top 10 trends as separate entities. Pilates targets the core muscles and improves overall strength and flexibility.
This one is sore subject for me at the moment. "Trainer to You" had incorporated a Pilates instructor into our group earlier in the year to complement our servicesoffered, but due to business practices differences we had to separate. A goal for '08 will be to find another Pilates Instructor to provide these services.
8. Functional fitness. Functional fitness focuses on training that aids in everyday activity, like reaching for items on a top shelf or increasing ability to perform a certain work task. Functional fitness will be important in older adult training.
9. Swiss ball. A surprise in the list is the appearance of the Swiss ball, a round object constructed of rubber with a variable diameter. Allowing for a wide range of activities, the ball follows suit with other predicted trends, as it can help improve core strength and balance training.
If you have trained with us you are probably tired of the stability ball by now. I love it's versatility - and that of the BOSU.
10. Yoga. Finishing the top 10 predicted trends list for 2008 is yoga, which has grown to include many different forms, such as Power Yoga or yoga designed to be performed in hot and humid climates. Participants expect to see various forms of yoga continue to be explored as a fitness activity.
This one we don't have any trainers for. Something to consider for the upcoming year.
The full list (Top 20 trends) is available in the article " Worldwide Survey Reveals Fitness Trends for 2008 ."
Here is a snippet of a report outlining the top 10 fitness trends for 2008, courtesy of the American College of Sports Medicine. "Trainer to You" is providing services for most of these trends already. The #2 spot, programs for childhood obesity, will be a highlight for us as we roll out "Kids Fit Camp" in January of '08.
Read on and see my comments highlighted in blue.
ACSM SURVEY PREDICTS 2008 FITNESS TRENDS
Second-annual survey names top 20 predictions for next year
INDIANAPOLIS – Educated and experienced fitness professionals are predicted to be the number one fitness trend in 2008 based on the American College of Sports Medicine's (ACSM) second-annual Fitness Trends survey. The survey, administered to health and fitness professionals worldwide, published this month in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal®.
This is the second year for the survey, which was designed to reveal trends in commercial, corporate, clinical, and community fitness program environments. The potential trends in the survey were scored by expert respondents from all over the world including Asia, Europe, Australia, Africa, North American, and South America. This year's response rate nearly doubled that of last year. The trends were ranked from highest to lowest based on the scores given by the respondents and only the top 20 trends are included in the article.
According to the survey, the availability of more "educated and experienced fitness professionals" will be the biggest fitness trend, offering exercisers even more options when choosing a trainer to complement their fitness routines.
The fitness professionals trend was listed at number three last year. Exercise programs for children to fight childhood and adolescent obesity ranked in the top spot in 2007, and remains high on the list for 2008, at number two.
"The survey revealed a few surprises, and also confirmed what has been on the landscape this year in the health and fitness industry," said Walter R. Thompson, Ph.D., FACSM, and lead author of the article. "We were interested to find that the top three predictions for next year were statistically close, but they all support the idea that the health professional is going to be held to a higher level in education and certification. Overall, we're seeing these themes develop now that will help the fitness professional design specialty programs for their clients. It also creates an expectation for the public, who can glean new ideas to improve and build upon their workouts."
The top 10 predictions for 2008 fitness trends are:
1. Educated and experienced fitness professionals. More organizations are seeking accreditation for academic and certification programs for fitness professionals, including personal trainers, which will contribute to industry regulation. ACSM currently has one of the nation's largest certification programs, and is widely considered the industry's standard.
2. Programs to fight childhood obesity. The high ranking of this trend matches the country's concern about childhood obesity and health. An influx of fitness programs designed specifically for children and adolescents is expected to help combat this problem.
3. Personal training. This trend moved up four spots from last year's survey, signaling that the profession of personal training is becoming more realistic and accessible to the public.
4. Strength training. The number four trend for 2008 supports ACSM and the American Heart Association's updated physical activity guidelines, released earlier this year, which state that eight to 10 strength training exercises should be done at least twice per week. Strength training also plays a vital role in maintaining bone health for women, helping to prevent osteoporosis.
5. Core training. Emphasis on core training is expected to continue. Core training strengthens muscles surrounding the spine, such as the pelvis and abdominal muscles. This type of training can improve back stability and make everyday activities easier.
6. Special fitness programs for older adults. The fitness industry is expected to capitalize on the fastest-growing segment of the population: older adults reaching retirement age. Exercise programs for this group can improve strength and balance, making everyday activities more enjoyable and with less risk of falling or injury.
7. Pilates. In last year's survey, Pilates and yoga were grouped together as "mind/body fitness," but both made this year's top 10 trends as separate entities. Pilates targets the core muscles and improves overall strength and flexibility.
8. Functional fitness. Functional fitness focuses on training that aids in everyday activity, like reaching for items on a top shelf or increasing ability to perform a certain work task. Functional fitness will be important in older adult training.
9. Swiss ball. A surprise in the list is the appearance of the Swiss ball, a round object constructed of rubber with a variable diameter. Allowing for a wide range of activities, the ball follows suit with other predicted trends, as it can help improve core strength and balance training.
10. Yoga. Finishing the top 10 predicted trends list for 2008 is yoga, which has grown to include many different forms, such as Power Yoga or yoga designed to be performed in hot and humid climates. Participants expect to see various forms of yoga continue to be explored as a fitness activity.
The full list (Top 20 trends) is available in the article " Worldwide Survey Reveals Fitness Trends for 2008 ."