Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Top 20 Fitness Trends for 2015

Push-ups and other body weight training are at the top of the list of 2015 Worldwide Fitness Trends according to the American College of Sports Medicine. (istockphoto.com)



As you are rushing around with all your holiday preparations in the next couple of weeks, January may seem still so far away, but before you know it, you will be planning your New Year’s resolutions. While we always mourn the end of the holiday season and the extra time with family and friends, January is also a fresh start where we can make good on our vows to work toward better finances…better health..better job…better family/work balance….you know this list could be endless. To help those of us planning on focusing on healthier living and staying fit in 2015, the American College of Sports Medicine has a compiled a list of Top 20 Worldwide Fitness Trends for 2015. Don’t know whether to pick up yoga or weight lifting? Pilates or Spin Class? Maybe you will find your inspiration in these top trends.
Top 20 Trends
1. Body weight training. With money woes still a concern for many as we enter the New Year, inexpensive fitness programs seem to be very popular. Because body weight training does not require a lot of equipment, basically you use your own body as the weights to strengthen your core muscles, it can be an inexpensive way to whip yourself into shape. This form of training can be found in most gyms and fitness clubs and many of the programs are designed to be much more than just push-ups and pull-ups.
2. High-intensity interval training. High intensity and fast-paced, this workout usually calls for short bursts of high-intensity exercise followed by a short recovery time. Due to its efficiency at burning calories and building muscles it has become a favorite in the world of fitness; some health professionals warn however that there is an increased chance of injury with this type of exercise.
3. Educated, certified, and experienced fitness professionals. As the fitness industry continues to grow in leaps and bounds, especially here in the U.S., there has been a surge in demand for fitness professionals who are at the top of their field. More colleges and universities are now offering accreditation and certification programs for specialties in health and fitness. Maybe you can check off two new resolutions at the same time and get fit while starting a new career path.
4. Strength training. Strength training is not just a “guy” thing or just for athletes in training. All men and women and even children can benefit from building stronger bones as well as controlling their weight and increasing energy levels. This type of training includes body weight, resistance tubing, free weights and weight machines.
5. Personal training. As we all know, fitness programs are not one size fits all. While your friend might love the pulsing beat and comradely of a spin class, you might have more lone wolf tendencies and prefer a more solitary form of exercise. Hiring a personal trainer to design a custom fit plan tailored to your wants and needs as well as to be your personal cheering section might be just what you need to stay on track with your New Year’s resolution.
6. Exercise and weight loss. If you are trying to lose inches off your waist as well as tone your body, then programs that combine exercise and weight loss might be the best option for you. Look for programs that emphasize the important balance between healthy eating and exercise.
7. Yoga. Yoga in all forms continues to be a favorite in the fitness community. Could it be its ability to continually invent itself that is so attractive? Yogis can do traditional forms like Vinyasa yoga or fly high with more modern versions like aerial yoga.
8. Fitness programs for older adults. Age is just a number right? Fitness programs designed for the 60+ crowd are a growing part of the fitness industry. If you are a baby boomer who wants to stay fit and active, but don’t want to be stuck in a class with twenty-something gymnasts, there are many fitness programs that are designed with you in mind.
9. Functional fitness. In many physical therapy programs, functional fitness is used to help a patient improve balance and coordination as well as strength and endurance by repeating physical activities of everyday life.
10. Group personal training. Training two or three people at the same time in a small group is becoming a popular solution for those looking for more individualized attention then you would get in a larger class, but without the higher cost of one on one sessions with a personal trainer.
11. Worksite health promotion. With the rising cost of healthcare, 2015 will see companies offering more health and fitness programs and services to keep their employees healthy.
12. Outdoor activities. It seems the call of the outdoors will never go out of style. If you prefer feeling the sun on your face and the wind at your back, maybe outdoor activities like running, hiking or skiing might be want you to need to get the blood pulsing again.
13. Wellness coaching Wellness coaching incorporates health promotion, disease prevention, and rehabilitation. Some personal trainers offer wellness coaching as part of their services.
14. Circuit training. Circuit training, a group fog 6 to 10 exercises that are completed in a sequence, is very similar to high-intensity training, but is performed at a lower level of intensity. 
15. Core training. This type of training focuses on strengthening the muscles of the abdomen, thorax, and back by exercising the hips, lower back, and abdomen. Common equipment used includes exercise balls, BOSU balls, wobble boards, and foam rollers.
16. Sport-specific training. Many athletes look for programs that help develop their sport-specific skills like throwing in baseball to increase strength and endurance during the off season.
17. Children and exercise for the treatment/prevention of obesity. With the increasing rate of obesity especially here in the United States, a focus has been placed on programs that help children maintain healthy lifestyles. Keep your kids active in 2015.
18. Outcome measurements. No matter what fitness regimen you choose, one thing you will notice in 2015 is the emphasis on outcome measurements. Healthcare professionals will be holding themselves more accountable for their ability to produce the desired health benefits for their clients. Look for clubs and studios that track the results of their programs.
19. Worker incentive programs. This survey suggests that many more companies are considering offering incentive programs to their workers for healthy behavior change in another effort to reduce healthcare costs.
20. Boot camp. More and more men and women are favoring this military style training that includes cardiovascular, strength, endurance and flexibility drills. This is a great option if you prefer intense, highly-structured workouts.

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