ACE Announces Top Ten Fitness Trends of 2009

November 28, 2009 -- The American Council on Exercise (ACE) has recently announced the top 10 fitness trends of the year 2009, based on its annual survey of personal trainers, group fitness experts, advanced health and fitness specialists and lifestyle and weight management consultants.

The survey revealed that boot camp-style workouts, which were named the most popular workout in 2008, were also the most popular fitness trend in 2009.

The following represents ACE's listing of the top trends for 2009:

Although they were originally developed in Russia over 300 years ago, Kettlebells are gaining in popularity this decade. Above, even women are flocking to this exercise which give a total body workout in very little time.

1. Boot Camp-Style Workouts:

Boot camp workouts remain extremely popular because they provide a total-body workout that's varied, fun and challenging. Up to 600 calories can be burned during a boot camp session, which is obviously going to facilitate weight loss.

This modality is in stark contrast to the softer gentler yoga that was topping the list earlier in the decade.

2. Budget-Friendly Workouts:

With today's economy slow to recover, more people will cut costs to stay in shape. Gym membership continues to decline in 2009, with many people using the resources around them as their gym and equipment.

This may explain the explosive growth of Planet Fitness, a cheap, no frills way to join a gym.

It may also explain why personal training which also top the list just a few short years ago has slipped and a lot of personal trainers are struggling to keep their practice alive.

3. Specialty Classes:

While yoga and Pilates will remain a staple with women, especially boomer women, dance-based classes rose in popularity this year. Zumba, a fitness program inspired by Latin dance, combines South American rhythms with cardiovascular exercise. Bollywood, ballroom, Afro-Cuban and other exotic dance styles grew in popularity thanks to shows such as Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance.

4. Getting Back to Basics:

Despite the fact that many exercises and equipment are becoming more advanced and trendy, trainers continued to focus on basic movements and techniques with their clients.

Gravity against body parts can go provide a lot of exercise. A Swiss ball and floor mat can offer innumerable combinations, just witness a mat Pilates program. Add a simple ballet bar and Lotte Berk Method can take you to the limit.

5. Circuit Training:

This one has remained in the top five of most lists for much of the decade. Many gyms and Y's offer circuit training for the busy people. And, of course, Curves has catapulted its version of the concept to one of the most popular exercise modalities ever.

Studies have shown that interval training combining strength training and cardiovascular activity at different intensities provides a more time-efficient workout than participating in traditional aerobic and weight training sessions.

6. Kettlebells:

Kettlebells are a relative newcomer to fitness trend lists but deservingly so.

The reason for the surge in kettlebell training is that it gets back to basic training that requires functional, whole body fitness. It has many cross plane movements and requires the engagement of many muscle groups to stabilize, hence one can get a full body workout in relatively little time.

7. Boomer Fitness:

Individuals age 50+ have the means, motivation and desire to enhance their quality of life through physical activity - and this group is only going to increase in size in 2010.

These are the people populating the yoga classes and strength training circuits. As their joints age, you can bet that aquatics is going to take off.

8. Technology-Based Fitness:

From iPods to Cardio Cinema to exergaming (i.e., Wii Fit, Expresso Bikes) the latest in technology continued to infuse itself in all aspects of fitness.

9. Event or Sport-Specific Exercises:

Despite the emergence of new and trendy workouts, sports or recreational activities remained a popular way to stay in shape.

10. Mixing It Up:

Variety is the spice of life, even in fitness

Traditional programming has changed from what's called linear progression to undulating, as research shows similar if not better results. When muscles are shocked, they respond in development.

For example, mixing low-intensity cardio with intervals on different days, and mixing high-volume, low- intensity weight training with low-volume, high-intensity training on alternate days.
Source: ACE

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