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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – The fads continue but trends are usually here to stay. It’s a new year with the topic of being healthy and fit for our health expanding in every area ( of course, I’m happy about this!)! But what about all the fads that abound within the fitness industry? And what is the difference between a trend and a fad?
According to The American College of Sports Medicine’s article on fitness trends, a trend is described as a “general development or a continuing change in the way people are behaving” versus a fad described as ” a fashion that is taken up with great enthusiasm for a brief period”. During the last several years, the editors of A.C.S.M. conducted research using the survey method to determine the trends in the health & fitness industry. So while we will be discussing the individual components of a fitness program this month, let’s take a look at the overall trends as we continue into this decade, which haven’t changed since last year, 2010.
The Trends
Realistic Healthy Weight. Okay, this one is actually my forecast! The trend though is, slowing down the upward trend of obesity in children. While the epidemic of obesity in children has many causes, let’s focus on increasing our children’s activity levels (And ours too!) rather than dieting. Let’s focus on attaining and keeping a healthy weight range ourselves, not a fad of being too thin! Look for my tip next week on “Realistic vs. Idealistic Weight”.
Baby Boomer Fitness Programs. Actually this trend refers to both baby boomers, those entering or in retirement, and beyond. It includes strength training, cardiovascular training, balance training and some sport specific training for golfers, for instance. Sport specific training for baby boomers and beyond include medical rehabilitative exercises that strengthen and stabilize the joints. And as studies have shown, even the frail elderly can improve strength and functional abilities.
Children’s Programs. As childhood obesity continues to rise, more parents are looking for programs to help them with their children’s fitness levels and to lose weight ( more outdoor activity please and less Nintendo!).
Educated & Experienced Fitness Professionals. Once a fad for the rich and famous, personal training still continues to be a trend, although it fell slightly from the top 3 trends in fitness. However, the trend is more on the educational and professional experience of the personal trainer, since personal training appears to continue as a long term career as more and more of us continue see the benefit to the guidance of a professional.
Core Training. This refers to the strength and conditioning of the stabilizing muscles of our abdomen and back. It also includes the muscles of the pelvis, lower back, and hips combined with our abs, to stabilize our spine. With back pain a major complaint of Americans, this has remained in the top trend for the past 5 years.
Strength Training. This is a consistent trend among men and women, young and old, bodybuilders and us average Joes. Strength training is an important component to any fitness routine, whether our emphasis is on our appearance, functional ability, or for the anti-aging magic it gives us (More on this in a later tip).
And (Additional trends)
Functional Fitness, Yoga, Pilates, Sport Specific Training, Spinning Classes, Boot Camp and Wellness Coaching. In the coming months we’ll take a closer look at these trends which continue to grow particularly boot camp, and pilates, yoga and wellness coaching. Perhaps West meets East, as we place greater emphasis on the mind-body connection and a holistic approach to our lives.
So, there are the trends that have been consistent for the past 4-5 years at minimum. Now, while I think it’s great to try a fad once in a while, I do think it’s the tried and true that may offer us the most results and be safer too. I’d like to suggest that a well -rounded health & fitness program include all of the above with the exception of spinning, boot camp and sport training of course, to be included when applicable. Certainly, we all need to strive for a healthy weight, maintain our strength, seek out professional advice and include exercises that restore balance and help us to manage our stress levels. And, I know I want to anti-age too as I get older, how about you?
Here’s to Our Health in the New Year!
Our health & fitness goals are within our reach, we just may need to change our perceptions! Enjoying my tips? Get a start with a new year weight loss goal with my book, just published! I tell my own personal story. Here’s the link to Amazon, http://www.amazon.com:80/Its-Not-Diet-Creative-Eating/dp/1432743597/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259605985&sr=1-1
June M. Lay M.S.
JuneFit
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