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The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world, has released its annual survey of fitness trends. The results, just published in the ACSM'S Health & Fitness Journal, show a change for 2013 that most likely reflects current economic realities – and the fact so many of us don’t have a lot of time to hit the gym. For the first time, back-to-basics exercises like push-ups, planks, pull-ups, squats and other exercises which use the body as resistance and can be done at home appear in the ACSM top 10.
The international survey, which is now in its seventh year, was completed by 3,346 health and fitness professionals who are certified by ACSM and other professional sports medicine and fitness organizations. Here’s a look at what these experts say are this year’s top ten trends for getting in shape and staying fit.
1. Certified and experienced personal trainers and other fitness professionals.
Holding on to the top spot in the survey for the last six years is an increase in fitness and clinical exercise program professionals who have completed specialized degree and certification programs. This means there are more qualified personal trainers and other fitness pros who are accessible to more people in a variety of settings – for private lessons, exercise classes and more.
2. Strength training.
For the second consecutive year, strength training is the number two fitness trend for both men and women of all ages. According to the Mayo Clinic, a regular strength training program can reduce your body fat, increase your lean muscle mass and burn calories more efficiently. Strength training can also help prevent or reduce that loss of muscle strength that can occur with aging. Even people with certain health conditions can use strength training (which involves exercises such as stretching with inexpensive resistance tubing and lifting free weights), if their physician approves and their disease or health problem is stable enough for exercise.
3. Body weight training.
This trend made it’s the first appearance on an ACSM survey this year. You don’t need expensive equipment for this form of exercise. Instead, body weight training incorporates exercises such as push-ups and pull-ups that work with the body’s own weight as resistance. “In a time when many people are concerned with cutting expenses, body weight exercises are a great way to feel great and look toned without a big financial investment,” Walt Thompson Ph.D., a professor of exercise science in the Department of Kinesiology and Health at Georgia State University and author of the ACSM study, said in a media statement.
4. Activity programs to help children overcome or prevent obesity.
The number of children who are overweight and obese, placing them at risk for type 2 diabetes and other medical conditions, has become a serious public health problem and a big concern for parents. The fact many schools are cutting back on recess and physical education programs, lessening the opportunities for youngsters to get adequate exercise , may be contributing to the problem. However, a possible solution could be on the horizon, according to the ACSM survey. The main source of physical activity for kids appears to be shifting into specialized physical activity programs under the direction of fitness professionals.
5. Incorporating a healthy diet along with exercise to get fit.
The survey also found that fitness programs for people of all ages are increasingly combining attention to not only burning calories but to providing information about healthy eating and weight control.
6. Fitness Programs for older adults.
Baby Boomers are growing older, but their interest in looking and feeling fit is an ongoing trend. The ACSM survey notes that more opportunities for physical fitness are being provided for this age group – including exercise programs for aging “weekend warriors” who are still athletic and looking for rigorous workouts.
7. Personal trainers aren’t just for movie stars any more.
Personal trainers are now accessible to more people through community-based programs, commercial settings, corporate wellness programs and medical fitness programs. If you want to learn how to exercise the right way to get the results you want -- and you want to exercise safely – it can be worth it to pay a fitness pro certified by the ACSM or other accredited groups to teach and motivate you.
8. Functional fitness.
This trend uses several methods of exercise, including strength training, to improve balance, coordination, and endurance. While functional fitness routines are often designed for elders, this type of individually designed workout can help men and women of any age improve how they perform daily activities while minimizing stresses on the body in order to prevent strain to the back, neck and limbs.
9. Core training.
Exercising core muscles of the hips, lower back, and abdomen (all of which provide support for the spine and thorax) can improve posture and build lower extremity strength. The result is more stamina in daily work and living activities as well as in sports.
10. Group personal training.
Enjoy working out with friends? Are you on a budget? This trend could be the answer. A personal trainer working with small groups of two to four people can provide individualized attention at reduced group rates.
Other popular fitness trends that almost made the top ten include: - Health and exercise programs provided on-site where employees can exercise during the workday. Zumba and other dance workouts that combine Latin rhythms with interval-type exercise and resistance training.
- Outdoor activities including hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and camping.
- Yoga in all its forms – including yoga classes and using DVDs and audio tapes for at-home workouts.
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 Sherry Baker is a writer from Atlanta, Georgia. She last wrote the article on What You Need to Know About Holiday Leftovers for Synergy. |
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