Why do we care about trends? Researchers study them, writers report them, teachers teach them, and tweeters tweet them. Although there are many advantages to being “in the know,” one of the most important reasons to pay attention to trends is that they can help us prepare for and adapt to changes ahead.
Over the past six years, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has identified trends in the fitness industry with their ”Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends” (you can view the full 2012 survey text here). Come January 1, some of the most popular resolutions will be health- and fitness-related, so let’s get a jump on meeting our goals by looking at what the 2012 fitness trends mean for us.
Educated, certified, and experienced fitness professionals are the core of a rapidly expanding industry. In spite of tough economic times, consumers still place a lot of value in getting and staying healthy. The fitness industry has responded to this need by employing qualified trainers and instructors.
What does that mean for you? You can breathe a little easier knowing that you can trust your fitness professionals to lead you in safe and effective workouts, helping you reach your goals faster and giving you more bang for your buck.
Strength training is here to stay. Having been near the top of the trends list for several years, strength training is the first training “type” on the trends list, accompanied by personal, core, functional, and group training.
What does that mean for you? Since most of us sit at a desk all day, adding a little weight-bearing exercise such as resistance training can help improve our energy levels, mood, and overall functionality. Expect fitness centers to continue to update equipment and training options to facilitate strength-training programs that meet the needs of all types of exercisers – a stronger body is yours for the taking!
No one will be left behind. Training options are becoming more population-specific, with new programs being tailored to the aging Baby Boomer population and the fight against childhood obesity (just to name a few). Your fitness professionals are trained specifically to work with a variety of individuals from athletes to people fighting obesity or other diseases.
What does that mean for you? The fitness industry is actively trying to meet you where you are to help you get the most you can out of an exercise program, regardless of your goals or fitness level. In other words, you don’t have to start off looking like Jane Fonda to make exercise a part of your life.
It’s all about energy. Zumba, boot camp, and spinning are growing in popularity. These group classes are high-energy and fun, and put the emphasis on pushing your physical limits.
What does that mean for you?Releasing stress through dancing, high-intensity training, and cycling will leave you feeling strong, accomplished, and ready to tackle life’s challenges. You just have to be willing to give them a try. And although not “trending” anymore, Pilates fans shouldn’t be worried that their favorite class is going to disappear; only time will tell whether these new arrivals and old favorites will continue on as actual trends rather than fads.
The key this year is to work with Midtown to customize a fitness program that will leave you feeling refreshed, rejuventated, and (hopefully) like you had a darn good time.
Now that you know what’s to come in 2012, it’s time to use this information to start doing something that will work for you.
Your 2012 motto shouldn’t be “once I meet my goal, I’ll be happy.” Instead, how about you take a chance on what the industry is giving you and say “it’s time to give myself knowledge, revitalizing energy, and a sense of accomplishment, and add some more fun to my fitness routine.” Now that’s a reason to work out today.
What do you think of these trends? Have you already tried any of these fitness programs or plan to in 2012? What are you going to do differently in your workout routine this year?
If a personal trainer said the following to you, “After 10 Pilates sessions, you will feel the difference. In 20 sessions, you will see the difference. And in 30 sessions, you’ll be on your way to having a whole new body,” what would you say?
Now, as a trainer and Pilates instructor, I’m a little biased. That said, Pilates is awesome and life-changing. It might be relatively unknown in some parts of the country, but we are trying to change that.
Want to know more about Pilates and its creator, Joseph Pilates? Read on!
Joseph Pilates was a gymnast, diver, and bodybuilder. When he moved to England in 1912, he earned a living as a professional boxer, circus-performer, and self-defense trainer at police schools and Scotland Yard. It was in England that he developed an integrated, comprehensive system of exercise where the mind controlled the muscles. He called it “Contrology.”
When he moved to NYC, he trained clients on his system of exercise, with a focus on core postural muscles that help keep the human body balanced and provide support for the spine, throughout the 1960s.
Joseph Pilates developed a series of exercises on a variety of equipment to work towards a more pain-free and balanced body. In particular, Pilates exercises teach awareness of breath and of alignment of the spine, and strengthen the deep torso and abdominal muscles.
The most common pieces of Pilates equipment used today are the Reformer, the Wunda Chair and the Pilates Cadillac.
The Reformer is the most well known of the Pilates machines. It has a sliding carriage and uses spring tension and straps for your hands and feet. This is my favorite Pilates exercise machine to work on! It is also what Joseph Pilates hoped that every home in America would have in their living room (would you have this in your living room?).
The Wunda Chair also utilizes spring tension and the exercises can be challenging: lying on your back and stomach, seated, standing, and kneeling positions that are both demanding and energetic movements.
The Cadillac was named by Joseph Pilates at the time when its namesake automobile was the most prestigious car in the U.S. The Cadillac was used for individually selected rehabilitation exercises. It is still used that way today, as well as for facilitating more movement and flow into the exercises.
There are four major purposes of Pilates:
1. Strength (We all need that!)
2. Stretch (Most of us need this too!)
3. Stability (Balance is important)
4. Stamina (It’s a cardio workout too)
On top of all of that, it exercises your body and your mind, which is a really good thing.
Why do you love Pilates?
