Fitness Trends For 2012

by Kris Pitcher

As you're getting ready to game plan for 2012 I thought you might be interested in what's trending in the industry. Each year the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) conducts a comprehensive industry survey regarding what's happening industry wide.

A trend marks a general situation or development or change in the way people are behaving. And a fad is a fashion that is taken up with great passion and enthusiasm for a short period of time. This study marks trends, and I guess by default fads.

Trends have a proven and long lasting impact on the industry. We know we can count on trends, or rather we know we can count on people to continue to be interested in what's trending.

Topping the list is Educated, Certified, Experienced Fitness Professionals. This is no surprise and has topped the list for many years. Consumers want professionals who know what they are doing, who are experienced and who can help them meet their goals. We'll continue to see this as an industry leading trend.

Strength Training comes in number two. No surprise in this continuing industry trend. People young and old are incorporating strength training into their comprehensive fitness programs.

Programs for Older Adults is 3rd on the top ten list. Baby Boomers will continue to be trend setters as they age and this is another example. Older adults want to have specific programs designed for their needs. Exercise & Weight Loss programs including things like challenges are still topping the trends. We continue to seek specific programming to meet our weight loss needs.

Targeted programs for kids specifically Children and Obesity are trending very high at number 5. The industry has joined forces in collaboration with community organizations to fight childhood obesity and continues to provide programming for this special population.

Personal Training comes in at number 6 on the list. People are still very interested in one on one training designed to meet their specific needs and goals. And we find Core Training at number 7. Training programs specifically for the abdomen, thorax and the muscles of the back continue to trend high.

Group Personal Training continues to be an industry standard. Small groups of 2-4 can cost-share while getting a great deal of personal attention. And the one you've all been waiting for ZUMBA & Dance Workouts makes number 9 on the top ten. People love this program and it is new to the trend list this year. Congratulations!

Rounding out the top ten is Functional Fitness. These programs use strength to improve balance, coordination, force, power and endurance. Functional fitness can be specialized to any sport or daily activity.

And don't panic all you mat carrying Blissers, Yoga makes number 11 on the trend list. ACSM's Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2012, Thompson, Walter R. Ph.D, FACSM is published annually and can be found at www.acsm.org.

Which trends fell off the top 20 as reported by ACSM? Pilates which fell to number 26, showing that it is falling out of fashion (fad?). As well as the stability ball which deflated to number 27 after a three year high in the survey. Another fad gone flat.

There you have it folks, the trends of 2012. Time to game plan as you think about what the year holds for you and your fitness plan. Now you know what's trending in the world of fitness.