 If you’re like most people who made New Year’s resolutions as 2012 began, you put ”getting in shape” near the top of your list. So how’s your workout routine going so far? Are you already getting bored with your exercise routine or just starting to get in shape and wondering what options might be the most effective?
A good place to turn for ideas and information is the “Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2012”, recently published by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). With 45,000 international members, the ACSM is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world. For their new report, the ACSM surveyed 2,620 health fitness professionals, including trainers, fitness instructors, program directors and other specialists, and asked them to rank previous, ongoing and emerging fitness trends.
Among their top findings is the burgeoning interest in working out to music (for example, zooming with Zumba), while once super popular Pilates has fallen out of favor as a top way to exercise. The survey also found that exercise is growing in importance for all age groups – including baby boomers who are hitting the gym to keep fit into middle age and beyond. According to Walter R. Thompson, Ph.D., an exercise physiologist at Georgia State University, and a Fellow of ACSM, even when baby boomers reach retirement age, many are remaining active and exercising regularly.
Another trend noted by the ACSM survey, group training sessions, reflects the current economic reality. Dr. Thompson points out that professional trainers often offer discounts to groups of people, making these workouts more affordable than one-on-one training.
The ACSM’s top ten fitness trends for 2012: - Training conducted by educated and experienced fitness professionals
With all the exercise options available, how do you know the instructor or trainer you are working with is an expert who can help you get the most effective and safest workout possible? The ACSM emphasizes that consumers need to educate themselves about instructors’ qualifications. Although a large number of organizations offer various types of health and fitness certifications, look for professionals certified through programs accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
- Strength training
Strength training, usually involving working out with weights or weight machines, is now considered an essential part of a complete physical activity program. No longer thought of as only weight lifting for young guys wanting to “bulk up,” strength training can be adapted for most physical activity levels and genders and help you build a lean, strong physique.
- Fitness programs for older adults
As the baby boom generation heads into retirement, many are using more discretionary money than the younger generation on exercise. The result is a trend for health and fitness professionals to develop age-appropriate workout programs to keep older adults active and healthy. So no matter what your age, you’ll find a growing number of options for improving and maintaining fitness.
- Exercise to aid weight loss
While diet and nutrition are important to losing excess weight, exercise is now known to be a key component of an effective weight loss program. Health and fitness professionals who provide weight loss programs are increasingly combining regular exercise programs with caloric restriction to help their clients with weight control. An important point to remember: strong muscles burn calories more efficiently.
- Special programs to help children with obesity
With childhood obesity now recognized as a national health problem in the U.S., the ACSM survey found that fitness professionals are developing programs tailored to overweight and obese children. Fitness can be a family affair and there are now more opportunities at gyms and health clubs for parents to help youngsters with weight problems by working with professionals with expertise in this area.
- Personal training
No longer a way to work out that’s reserved for the rich and famous, personal training sessions continue to be helpful to many people who need motivation and instruction with their fitness routines. In fact, an increasing number of students are majoring in kinesiology and preparing themselves for careers in allied health fields such as personal training to meet the demand for personal training – which continues despite the slow-down in the economy. “The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics is predicting that jobs for fitness workers will increase much faster than other occupations,” Dr.Thompson notes.
- Core training
Core training differs from weight training and specifically helps condition the middle-body muscles, including the pelvis, lower back, hips and abdomen. All of these so-called “core” muscles provide needed support for the spine and can often help improve or prevent back problems.
- Group personal training
Training two or three people at a time can make economic sense for both trainers and the clients – and also offers the opportunity for friends to work out together with a fitness professional. Interested? Contact your local health club, gym or YMCA for the availability of group training sessions and rates.
- Zumba and other dance workouts
Zumba combines Latin rhythms with interval-type exercise and resistance training. A workout that requires energy and enthusiasm and is often described as just plain fun, Zumba has become so popular that classes are now offered in more than 110,000 gyms in more than 250 countries.
- Functional fitness
Functional fitness and special fitness programs for elders are closely related. The ACSM survey found a growing trend in using specifically designed strength training to help older adults improve their balance and increase their muscle strength in order to make daily living chores easier. If you have an older parent who could benefit from this type of exercise, ask his or her doctor to recommend an appropriate functional fitness program in your area.
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Sherry Baker is a writer from Atlanta, Georgia. She last wrote the article Why Your Credit Report is Important for Synergy. 
