| When it comes to exercise, I like to try new things | | | | classes lasting 30 minutes or less that focus on one |
| and mix it up so I do not get bored. And as the new | | | | element of fitness or training a specific part of the |
| year gets underway, it looks like there will be plenty | | | | body - for example, core training, upper-body |
| of interesting choices to get us all moving. From Latin | | | | strength, balance and agility, aerobics/fat burning. You |
| dancing to water aerobics, the American Council on | | | | can target a specific goal with little time commitment. |
| Exercise (ACE) predicts 2008 will be filled with fitness | | | | Many gyms piggy-back these classes so you can go |
| that focuses on fun. | | | | to two in a row. |
| Here is what ACE lists as the top 10 fitness trends | | | | 6. Total Wellness Programming: More and more |
| for 2008: | | | | people will focus on injury and disease prevention and |
| 1. Out of the Box Workouts: Gyms are not for | | | | understanding how food, exercise, weight and a |
| everyone. The popularity of TV shows like Dancing | | | | healthier mindset must interact for the body to have |
| With The Stars has dance studios popping up across | | | | balance and total wellness. Maintaining a healthy mind |
| the country. Hip hop, ballroom, Latin and country line | | | | and body from the inside with less focus on physical |
| dancing combine high energy music with unique | | | | appearance is steadily becoming a new ideal. |
| moves that let you get your groove on as you get | | | | 7. Hybrid Programming: Fusion of mind-body |
| fit. Outdoor boot camps are also getting more | | | | techniques like breath work and meditation into |
| popular. And local boxing clubs have classes filled with | | | | traditional exercise continues to be popular. Workouts |
| people of all ages. These fun activities can make you | | | | like Spin-Yoga and Pilates Fusion combine strength, |
| forget you are really exercising. | | | | flexibility and endurance - an all-in-one exercise |
| 2. Body Weight and Equipment-Free Workouts: | | | | experience. |
| Equipment can intimidate some people. Others want | | | | 8. Personal Training: 93% of ACE fitness professionals |
| to add options and flexibility to their workouts. These | | | | surveyed say personal training will be more accessible |
| full-body exercises focus on movement patterns, | | | | in 2008. Consumers are demanding competent |
| repetitions, and Plyometrics to target multiple muscle | | | | personal trainers to offer them expert guidance and |
| groups. They are perfect for traveling - you do not | | | | motivation. Many clients view it as a wise investment |
| need any equipment so you can do them anywhere. | | | | in their long-term health. |
| 3. Event or Sports-Specific Programming: Millions of | | | | 9. Technology-Based Workouts: Consumers are |
| Americans participate in charity runs and walks every | | | | downloading exercise programs that feature |
| year, and even train for months to get ready. For | | | | illustrations and/or video to their iPods, PDAs etc. And |
| many people it is a great social event and a chance | | | | advances in technology makes it possible to more |
| to help their favorite charity. Health clubs are offering | | | | precisely measure your performance and keep track |
| training for surfboarding, golf, football, etc. and at the | | | | of your results. This helps improve weight |
| same time helping members build the strength, | | | | management. |
| endurance, and stamina they need for real-life | | | | 10. Functional Strength Training: Whether it is walking, |
| activities and sports. | | | | hiking or lifting weights, you need functional strength. |
| 4. Boomer Fitness Focus: The 50+ age group is | | | | More people will be looking for workout programs to |
| redefining our expectations about age, vitality, and | | | | help improve their endurance, balance, and |
| the importance of physical activity as we get older. | | | | coordination. This will in turn help them more safely |
| For the aging population, regular exercise is critical in | | | | and effectively perform their daily living activities, |
| keeping the body limber, injury-free, and more | | | | work-related tasks, and recreational or sports-specific |
| youthful. The nonprofit group, AARP, launched a | | | | exercises. Health clubs and trainers offer functional |
| major fitness initiative in September of 2007 aimed | | | | training programs and classes for virtually all levels and |
| at providing a wide range of affordable fitness | | | | types of participants. |
| services to its 39 million members. | | | | I definitely like the focus on fun in the 2008 |
| 5. Focused Express Workouts: These are group | | | | predictions. Sounds like my kind of workout! |