Top 10 Fitness Trends According to American Council on Exercise

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

The following represents ACE's listing of the top trends for 2009, the commentary is ours:


1. Boot Camp-Style Workouts: All the rage now. Some are more traditional military style and others have gone for more specialized participants (Bridal Bootcamps, Sport Drill Bootcamps, Weight Loss, etc.) I think the variety and intensity is the key to its popularity.

2. Budget-Friendly Workouts: Working out with 2, 3, 4, + other participants, while not offering undivided attention from a Personal Trainer, do offer well supervised programs for those on a budget.

3. Specialty Classes: People love variety. So, whether its Latin dance based, Hip Hop, Mind-Body, or even Pole Dancing, people seek out specialty classes to keep exercise interesting.

4. Getting Back to Basics: I believe that this is the realization (by Trainers) that many of the basic free weight exercises that had been replaced by high tech machines, have found their way back into programs due to having greater carryover to sports and activities of daily living than the machines.

5. Circuit Training: a variety of training exercises that keep you moving, maximizing your benefits in the shortest amount of time.

6. Kettlebells: The old school implement of the day. Essentially a weighted ball with a handle on the top, it can be tossed, flipped, etc. Something different for people.

7. Boomer Fitness: Well, more boomers, more boomer fitness.

8. Technology-Based Fitness: From MP3 players that will choose music based on the pace you are running, to interactive computer based nutrition programs, to exergaming, we love our tech.

9. Event or Sport-Specific Exercises: Events, sporting or otherwise, offer specific exercise protocols with a definite deadline.

10. Mixing It Up: Again... variety. (I think you get the point)

What motivates you?