5 Fun Fitness Trends to Watch for in 2012
We already covered the top 10 weight-loss and fitness trends of 2011, but now we're looking full-steam ahead to 2012. Although we're only a couple of weeks into the new year, we thought we'd ask some of our favorite industry experts to try their hand at predicting what fun fitness and health trends will pop up in the coming months. Here are some of their predictions:
1. Weight-loss programs for kids: Obesity has more than tripled during the last 30 years (in both adults and children), says Dianne Sykes Scope, head exercise physiologist and owner of Achieve Fitness in E. Rockaway, New York. "Parents are recognizing the need to get their children involved in supervised, structured physical activity, and this trend couldn't be more valid: physical education programs around the country are being cut left and right, leaving kids far less active and more prone to weight gain-Facebook, television, video games, and a plethora of high-calorie, sugar-loaded junk foods equals obesity and early onset disease."
Sykes says fitness professionals see the opportunity and past failure, and are digging deep to devise the most effective, results-driven fat loss programs to solve this problem this year. "As fitness experts we must act now to leave a healthy legacy for the future of this country. It's beyond a trend in 2012, it is a solution to a crisis."
Parents can find these types of specialized kids' fitness programs at their local health clubs or nearby personal training facilities. "Many clubs are now offering semi-private training to make it more cost-effective for kids to participate," Sykes says.
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2. Small group training: Look for specialized, small group training such as TRX Suspension Training and ViPR programs in 2012, says Pete McCall, an Exercise Physiologist with the American Council on Exercise (ACE). "Small group training programs are a fun and cost-effective way that fitness enthusiasts can experience the benefits of working with a certified professional."
While working with a personal trainer can run upwards of $100 an hour, joining a small group program averages around $20 per person for group training that can still offer you the benefits of working with more personalized, skilled instruction. "In fact, this trend has become so hot that in 2012 ACE will be launching a workshop to teach fitness professionals how to design and run small group training programs to help make fitness available to everyone," McCall says.
3. Barre workouts: Barre workouts have already been going strong for a few years, but we'll see even more of them making their way across the US this year, says Linda LaRue, RN MEd, ATC, and creator of The Core Transformer workout. "Local ballet-inspired barre class studios are popping up everywhere; these small, local studios offer barre classes along with several boot camp style exercise classes."
Get in on this trend by searching online for a nearby class in your area, or try a barre workout DVD at home.
4. Plyometric training: "A big trend to watch in 2012 will be the emphasis on plyometrics for the general public (especially baby boomers)," says Ben Dearman, owner of KDR Fitness in Lebanon, New Hampshire. "As we age, working on power production is sometimes a better way to preserve and build lean body mass as opposed to traditional weight training because we can use a very light load to reap amazing benefits.This trend will be incredibly valid as we continue to learn more and more about how the human body ages and responds to exercise."
For example, a 60 year old that plays golf (a plyometric sport) doesn't need to be able to lift a lot of weight, but does need to be able to control their body under low loads and high speeds (such as during a golf swing , racquet swing, etc), Dearman says. "Learning new tasks is a proven way to keep the brain young, so when someone has to learn a new physical task like a kettlebell snatch, they get a double whammy-the brain gets a work out as well as the body."
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5. Sandbags: Move over kettlebells, the hot piece of equipment for 2012 may just be a sandbag, says Cari Shoemate, a certified personal trainer in Houston, Texas. What makes these weighted bags of sand so great? "It's a training tool that is super versatile&mdashyou can use it in place of dumbbells or weights , and it's also easy to carry. Because it's softer than a set of weights (or kettlebells), you can even place it on your back during planks, lunges, and other moves, or use it to make your plyometrics more challenging." Try it out for yourself by purchasing a bag online or at a local sporting goods store, or make your own!
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