January 8, 2008
The American College of Sports Medicine published
it's fitness trends report for 2008 in December of last year.
A pdf version of the article is here: http://www.informz.net/acsm/data/images/worldwidetrends.pdf
In surveying nearly 2,000 fitness professionals
throughout the world and corroborating with internationally known
fitness experts, a list of 20 fitness trends was identified. I'm
giving you the top 10 and adding my comments to each.
Take a look and let me know what you think. Are
your New Year's Resolutions aligned with any of these trends? Are
you a member of a health club or fitness center that offers services
like these? Do you have access to these services?
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Number 1: Educated and Experienced Fitness
Professionals
There is currently no regulation of Certifying agencies for fitness
professionals. Anyone can offer a "Personal Trainer" cerfitication
and not have standards to meet. However, more and more certifying
organizations and schools are becoming accredited. This is great.
Just as hiring a CPA gives confidence that certain levels of education
have been obtained and demonstrated, so should it be with fitness
professionals.
As a doctor, I continuously push for higher educational
standards of personal trainers and you should too. After all, you
literally put your life in their hands. And if a trainer you have
chosen isn't educated and trained regarding contraindications, you
are taking a big risk.
Number 2: Children and Obesity
This is an important one. Reports have been saying for a while that
this may be the first generation that doesn't outlive their parents.
And a big part of that is obesity and related lifestyle disorders.
If we can keep physical education in the schools and take advantage
of physically active based after school programs for our children,
it will be a major step in the right direction.
Number 3: Personal Training
This will be a staple of the top 10 every year the survey is conducted.
Learning to exercise properly, whether it be for health or sport,
should be your number one priority. And a well-educated personal
trainer is invaluable in that regard. Without proper instruction
you are more likely to get injured and may never reach your goals.
Number 4: Strength Training
Personally, I'm glad this is in the top 10. The health benefits
of strength training are simply too numerous and profound to ignore.
You must incorporate strength training into your exercise routine.
Number 5: Core Training
At one time, people thought this was a fad. But it has certainly
lasted long enough to be called a trend. Core training has been
defined as training the muscles of the abdominals and lower back.
Some include balance training too. Whatever the case, strength in
the trunk of your body is needed for support. Strengthen your core
and you'll feel better.
Number 6: Special Fitness Programs for Older
Adults
As you age, health becomes more important (it really should be important
from day 1). And programs tailored to older individuals are more
popular. Programs like these focus on increasing strength, flexibility
and performing activities of daily living. As a side benefit, all
of these things significantly improve your health too.
Number 7: Pilates
A form of core training, Pilates has been a staple of the fitness
scene for years.
Number 8: Functional Fitness
This is a form of exercise that improves your ability to perform
activities of daily living. A well-balanced program will improve
overall strength, flexibility, balance and heart fitness. As you
progress, you will feel more confident when performing regular tasks
as your risk of injury and adverse events decreases.
Number 9: Swiss Ball
Most people refer to them as stability balls. These are the large
balls most fitness centers now have. They can be used to perform
an almost limitless number of exercises, focusing on training the
abdominals, improving balance and overall stabilization. Core training
incorporates the use of stability balls.
Number 10: Yoga
A form of mind-body exercise that focuses on flexibility, posture
and meditation.
Additional thoughts by me...
I like the list and am considering posting 11-20. However, I think
teasing out the differences in some of these is difficult. For example,
Core Training, Functional Fitness, Pilates, Swiss Ball and Yoga
aren't all that different - at least not different enough to have
their own categories.
There are a couple of things I would have liked
to seen in the top 10: