New Arrivals: 12 Fitness Trends for 2012

To help predict 2012’s training trends, the American College of Sports Medicine surveyed thousands of fitness professionals across the country. The recently released results (published in the ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal) include tried and true toning techniques, as well as some creative new calorie burners that are sure to make getting fit a resolution you’ll actually keep.

 

 

Keep lifting those weights! According to fitness experts, strength training is no fading fad, and it will continue to be a key component of any complete fitness regimen for both men and women for the foreseeable future. Strength-training programs use various tools to improve muscle strength and endurance, including dumbbells, kettle bells, bands, cords, balls and even one’s own body weight. Two emerging trends within this category include strength training for children and adolescents, and for older adults to help maintain muscle strength and endurance as the body ages.

 

 

Having a strong core is important for preventing lower back pain and for being able to perform day-to-day activities with ease. That’s why core training focuses on working the abdominal, back, pelvic and hip muscles to strengthen the stabilizing muscles of the spine. But if the thought of doing all those sit ups makes you squirm, don’t worry: The fitness industry is developing and refining equipment to enhance the fun and effectiveness of core training. For example, the recently released Step360 features two adjustable air-filled chambers, topped by a sturdy padded platform. When fully inflated, the Step360 functions much like a traditional fitness step, but when slightly deflated, it mimics training on wobble boards or Bosu balls, engaging and strengthening your core muscles.

 

 

A personal trainer can help guide and motivate you by creating a workout program designed to fit your specific needs and schedule. Personal trainers are great for fitness newbies or old pros looking to add some variety to their routine. Finding a good one is simple: Simply search listings for certified trainers on the American Council of Exercise website or ask about purchasing training sessions at your gym or fitness center.

 

 

Working out with a friend — or a group of new friends — increases your motivation, accountability and encouragement. Group personal training lets you exercise with an expert while strengthening your social life at the same time! Usually done in groups of 2 to 4 people, group personal training is also a great choice for those who want the focused attention of a personal trainer while avoiding the expense of private sessions, as you’ll usually receive a discounted rate.

 

 

If what you truly need is a proverbial kick in the gym shorts, boot camp might be for you. Boot camp workouts feature high-intensity military-style training to increase cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength and endurance. Though there is some variance, a typical boot camp workout frequently includes interval training, sports drills, calisthenics, sprint/speed training, plyometric training and agility drills designed to push participants beyond their everyday workout routine. Boot camp–style programs can be done in an outdoor or indoor setting, or, thanks to DVD programs like The FIRM Express: Get Thin in 30 System, even in the comfort of your own home.

 

 

With yoga’s increasing popularity, finding a yoga style to fit your fitness needs is easy. Yoga has taken on a variety of forms within the past few years, including power yoga, Yogalates (a combination of yoga and Pilates), Bikram yoga (yoga performed in hot and humid environments), yoga for weight loss, prenatal yoga and yoga used to help treat different medical ailments, such as cancer. There’s yoga for seniors, yoga for couples, yoga for kids — even yoga that you can do with your pet! Whatever your yogic inclinations, 2011 promises to bring with it more innovations in yoga forms and gear, including more integration of digital technology with this ancient practice, from online yoga clubs to yoga mats with built-in speakers for MP3 players.

 

7. Fitness Programs for Older Adults

 

As baby boomers continue to age, experts predict that the demand for programs geared towards older adults will continue to increase. Age-appropriate fitness programs for older adults frequently include exercises designed to enhance daily living (such as functional fitness, below), as well as sports like golf and tennis. Low-impact activities such as yoga, qigong and t’ai chi are especially effective for maintaining flexibility and strength, combating arthritis pain and inflammation, and preventing age-related injuries.

 

 

Obesity numbers for children and adolescents have increased dramatically over the last several years. Unfortunately, children are spending less time in physical education classes and at recess due to reduced education budgets and an increased emphasis on performing well on standardized tests, making it difficult for children and adolescents to get the physical activity they need. In 2011, the health and fitness industry will continue to respond with more new programs specifically designed for children, including aerobics, strength training, and personal training programs, as well as programs that combine gymnastics, dance and tumbling. There are even yoga DVDs designed specifically for kids or for families to practice together. Experts note that positively impacting a child’s health will also help improve the likelihood that he or she will grow up to be a fit, healthy adult. 

 

 

For the most effective results, skip the treats and hit the gym. Both the diet and exercise industries have come to realize the importance of combining nutrition and physical activity in an effective weight loss program. For example, Weight Watchers assigns points to exercise as well as food, Jenny Craig has an activity component to its program, and NutriSystem includes an exercise log in its Online Tools. The reverse is also true, as some exercise programs also offer dietary advice. For instance, many fitness facilities and personal trainers offer nutrition guidance, and at-home exercisers, like those who use The FIRM Express: Get Thin in 30 System, the Step360 or Mari Winsor’s Speed Slimming programs, frequently have access to meal plans designed by registered dieticians.

 

 

Walking, getting up from a chair, picking something up off the floor — these seemingly easy tasks can become monumental challenges as the body ages or after an injury, and can themselves cause damage over the years if not performed correctly. The goal of a functional fitness program is to make these activities of daily living smoother, easier, more efficient and safer. This involves not only training for muscular strength and endurance, but also training for stability and flexibility. A good functional fitness program includes exercises that closely resemble the way we move while performing these day-to-day tasks. As mentioned above, functional fitness training tends to be included in programs for older adults, though it is becoming increasingly popular among adults of all ages as a preventive measure against back and joint problems.

 

 

When was the last time your doctor handed you a prescription for a 30-minute jog on the treadmill? Or 20 minutes of weight lifting? It could happen. More and more, physicians are partnering with health and fitness professionals and facilities to make it easier for their patients to include exercise in their overall wellness plans. This trend is associated with the ACSM's “Exercise is Medicine^®” initiative to “make physical activity and exercise a standard part of a disease prevention and treatment medical paradigm in the United States,” and will likely be bolstered by the current push for health care reform.

 

 

Between work and travel and social obligations, it can be tough to get to the gym some days. That’s why working out at home or while traveling is likely to continue to gain in popularity this year. One of the easiest ways to do that is with online yoga and fitness classes or with workout DVDs. Whatever gets you moving and motivated!