Are these fitness trends happening in your club?

by Oliver Kitchingman | Tuesday, February 22, 2011

A recent survey conducted by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) has revealed what are purported to be the world’s top fitness trends for 2011.

ACE surveyed 2,700 fitness industry professionals to gauge what’s hot for the year ahead. Although these respondents were from a ‘worldwide network’, it is not clear whether a higher percentage were US-based (a possibility considering the local of the Council).

The top trends were;

• Economic upswing which is motivating more individuals to resume their personal training and fitness

• Added-value wellness services, whereby gyms and clubs hire allied healthcare professionals to look after member’s needs

• Stress reduction through fitness. Gyms and clubs will offer wellness programs with the specific purpose of lowering stress levels

• Technology becoming a support resource. Social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube will continue to grow in popularity as online motivational support systems

• Buddy systems will become more widespread as a success-boosting tool.

• Most popular workouts included Boot Camps, Zumba classes and TRX Suspension training

• Small-group workouts tick the boxes of being sociable, cost effective and good for motivation.

• Youth-based fitness classes and clients will become more prominent due to the increased focus on childhood obesity

• Corporate wellness will increase, either through in-house personal trainers or discounts and incentives offered to employees

• The need for elevated professionalism will see fitness facilities becoming more insistent on hiring only employees who hold recognised qualifications.

ACE’s Chief Science Officer, Cedric Bryant, PhD, said, ’After what has been a tough couple of years economically, things are looking up as far as the fitness industry is concerned. Consumers are ready to focus on improving their overall health. We will witness an increase not only in personal training, but in value-added wellness services such as nutritional counselling by registered dietitians at gyms and fitness clubs, corporate wellness plans and youth-based fitness curriculum. Additionally, we will see a continued trend toward working out with a buddy or within small groups for motivation, as well as continued interest in boot camp-style workouts, unique activity options like Zumba, TRX Suspension and interval training.’

While these finding are of interest to all in the fitness industry, the upcoming 2011 Australian & New Zealand Fitness Industry Survey (ANZFIS), should provide more locally relevant information for facility owners and managers who operate both here in Australia and across the Tasman.

What trends have you noticed emerging in your club or training business? And are you following trends, or setting them?

Source: ACE & Australian Fitness Network

Posted by: Brendan Rigby | 22-Feb-2011 05:07 PM |

Certainly a trend that we are seeing in our personal training enquiries has been a demand for professional training catering for individual exercise needs. Fitness training focused on individual needs rather than generic group training is being seen to be safer and more effective for clients to address their health needs.

Brendan Rigby
Inspire Fitness for Wellbeing

Posted by: Ariel Gonzalez-Motivate You Fitness & Personal Training. www.motivateyou.com.au | 23-Feb-2011 10:21 AM |

We have noticed an increase in enquiries from special populations. In particular, people with heart conditions have contacted us after being turned away by many trainers as they fear the legal consequences shoudl something go wrong