Exercise Trends in 2012
With 2012 underway, it’s a good time to examine the latest trends in exercise. This information not only tells us which ideas are popular and which have staying power, but it can also inspire us to try out a trend ourselves!
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) conducted a survey and asked over 2600 health and fitness professionals to pick the top 20 trends for 2012.
For several years now, “educated and experienced fitness professionals” has topped the list. This might seem like a strange choice for number one, but it highlights an important question – how do you know if someone has the required training and education to assist you? It has become increasingly popular to hire certified professionals at fitness centres, but if you are ever uncertain, it never hurts to ask. The top ten trends also includes “personal training” as well as “group personal training,” which serve as excellent reminders that two of the most common deterrents to beginning an exercise program are fear of injury and lack of knowledge. Asking a professional to design a program to meet your specific goals is a great way to help you avoid injury and improve your chances of success. Consider group personal training to decrease the cost and help to keep you accountable. Whether you are just beginning an exercise program, wanting to evaluate your progress or ready to shake things up, using a certified professional is a good way to reduce the risks of exercise and get reliable information.
In the second spot is “strength training,” which most of us think of as weight lifting in a gym, but this is not just for the young. Strength training means building muscle strength, power and endurance and should be a part of every fitness program. In the seventh spot, the more specific “core training” is also a must-have for all programs. Including a core-strengthening program into your routine is a great way to tone the abdominal muscles and support your spine.
Other top ten trends include “exercise and weight loss” and “children and obesity”, both of which highlight the importance of including exercise in a weight loss plan. When combined with changes in nutrition, exercising can have a large and lasting impact on your ability to attain and maintain a healthy body weight. Exercise at any age is a great way to achieve healthy weight management.
And the last topic, in spot number nine, is “zumba and other dance workouts” which shows that crossover between fun and fitness is going to be popular in 2012. You are more likely to stick to healthy choices if they work with your lifestyle and you can see the benefits of these changes. One instant benefit is enjoyment – choose something you like to do – dance, team sports, exercise DVDs at home – the choices are endless. If you enjoy what you are doing, you will find it easier to maintain that change over time.
This article was written for At the Table Nutrition by Jennifer Clune, BSc. Jen completed her BSc. in Kinesiology and a Certificate in Health and Fitness Studies at Simon Fraser University and is currently working in cardiac rehabilitation as a Kinesiologist. Thanks for another great article Jen.
Update 2019: there is currently a new survey for 2020 at the link above.
