Where is fitness going in 2010? Well, people want to sweat, get it done quickly and not spend a lot of money.
The American Council on Exercise announced the top fitness trends for 2010 based on an annual survey of personal trainers, group fitness experts and others. The key words are "unique" and "efficient."
"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," said the council's Cedric X. Bryant.
The council says we should look for:
Cost-conscious workouts at fitness clubs and at home: The economy continues to affect the choices of fitness enthusiasts and health clubs alike.
Group training: People will scale back on personal training sessions to take advantage of small-group training and class participation.
Time-efficient workouts: Shorter yet higher-intensity workouts will be more appealing to those with busy schedules. That's why boot-camp-style workouts will continue to be one of the most popular of these trends in 2010, offering the ability to burn large numbers of calories while improving muscular fitness.
Exergaming: Fitness-based video games will continue to climb in popularity and be taken to the next level - health clubs. By integrating video games into their programs, clubs can offer exercise sessions for game-lovers and people looking for variety in their workouts.
Boomer-specific programs: More boomers recognize the benefits of regular exercise, from lowering blood pressure and cholesterol to maintaining independence and overall well-being.
Functional training: These workouts include suspension training tools such as TRX, and they are portable and time-efficient, so they appeal to people looking to stay fit at home, the office, the gym or while traveling.
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 credentials, the council says.
Specialty exercise classes: Specialty classes such as ethnic dance, hooping, pole dancing and Zumba are fueled by the continued success of shows such as "Dancing with the Stars" and "So You Think You Can Dance."
Fitness training tools: Tracking gadgets such as GoWear fit and Fitbit, and online tools such as TrainingPeaks software are gaining ground, offering fitness programs and meal plans that people can use 24-7. Mobile applications are bringing fitness on-the-go through iPhone applications and other downloadable programming.
