Top Fitness Trends for 2009

According to the American Council on Exercise, the overarching theme for fitness in 2009 is "getting more bang for the buck."

ACE's Chief Science Officer Cedric X. Bryant, PhD, said, "Consumers will engage in workouts that provide multiple benefits due to time and economic limitations. We will also see continued trends from 2008 including boot-camp style workouts, technology-based workouts, out-of-the-box programming, and an increased interest in fitness for those who are over 50 years old."

Here's ACE's top trend rundown:

1. Boot camp-style fitness programs.


2. Membership plans that are less expensive.


3. Specialty classes like Zumba, Bollywood, Afro-Cuban, and ballroom dancing. These classes are set to rhythmic music and aim to increase cardiovascular fitness while folks have fun.


4. The basics. Fitness professionals believe that people will want to return to basic fitness programs.


5. Circuit training. Circuit training blends strength training and cardiovascular activity at different intensities. Another plus: gyms can set up their own circuit for members to follow.


6. Kettlebell training. These iron weights, traditionally used in Russia, aim to develop whole body fitness and core strength.


7. Boomer fitness. A focus on fitness led by people 50 and older.
   
8. Technology-based fitness. Using high-tech gadgets like iPods to help keep workouts engaging, plus an increase in interactive fitness video games.


9. Event or sports-specific exercises. A focus on the simple things, like basketball or volleyball games, or day bike rides.


10. Mixing it up. Low-intensity cardio or weight training on one day, followed by a high-intensity workout on another day.

I think all this stuff is fine, but I still maintain that the best workout in the world is the one you actually do. Don't get caught up on one thing being "better" than another- just get moving and do something. You can get an awful lot accomplished from a health point of view with just a half hour of intense circuit training or interval training.

And if you couple that with diet, you'll not only get the health benefits, you'll see your waistline shrink as well.