The top 6 fitness trends of 2013 1260x542
3 Jan 2013

The top 6 fitness trends of 2013

2 mins to read
The world of health and fitness is always evolving. Online weight loss coach Andrew Cate looks at what is trending in 2013.


Training trends for the New Year
The New Year can expect to bring with it a series of emerging trends and exercise innovations that may help shape your health and fitness program in 2013. Whether it's new scientific research, new economic constraints, or simply what your friends personal trainer is pushing at the local gym, there are always new developments in the fitness industry.

While, some of these are your more “get a free set of steak knives” late-night TV offers, there are many that will be more worthwhile.

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) surveyed thousands of health and fitness professional from around the world to develop a list of top fitness trends for the upcoming year. Following is a summary of that list, highlighting the top 6 trends that are most relevant to Australia and New Zealand.

  1. Strength training - The importance for both men and women to incorporate strength training into their exercise routines continues to gain traction. The popularity may continue to grow as more women realise that strength training will help them tone up, not bulk up. There are many other benefits to be gained, including increased strength and weight control. The convenience and costs savings of using body weight to perform a variety of strength training exercises is also an emerging trend.
  2. Exercise programs for kids – with excess weight in children continuing to be a major health concern, the importance on exercise programs aimed specifically for kids cannot be over emphasized. Dietary changes alone are not enough, and it's important to create an environment where children can be active without fear of injury or embarrassment. This may involve programs where children participate at school, on weekends, or even with other family members.
  3. Fitness programs for older adults - With an ageing population, and emerging generations of wealthy retirees who have benefited from a lifetime of superannuation, fitness for older adults is big business. Older people have less work commitments, and tend to have time to invest in their health. There is also a growing awareness of the role exercise can play in both prolonging life, and improving quality of life. Fitness clubs are beginning to open that only cater for people over 55, while other centres may offer a designated area, or classes that cater specifically for older adults. Find out more on the benefits of exercise for ageing well here.
  4. Personal training - Not only are personal trainers becoming more popular with individuals, they are also gaining a foothold in community-based programs. Personal trainers are now being utilised by schools, corporate wellness programs, medically supervised exercise programs and even shopping centres to provide more personalised services to individuals and small groups. Their ability to cater for the individual, such as injuries or different levels of fitness, and a greater focus on motivation, will continue to be in demand.
  5. Core training - Developing a strong core helps to condition the stabilizing muscles of your spine, and is important for posture and for physical movement. It also prevents injury, and helps to combat the negative effects of a desk bound work. Core strengthening often involves exercises using the hips, lower back, and abdomen on an unstable surface, such as a stability ball, bosu ball, and wobble board or foam roller.
  6. Zumba and other dance workouts - Zumba and other dance based workouts offer a fun alternative to more traditional exercise classes. Dancing for fitness can still elevate your heart rate, include intervals, and target all the major muscle groups of your body. And the fusion of dance moves with Latin rhythms engages your mind and body, and keeps people coming back for more. It's a type of fitness party that attracts people to fitness and community centres who might tend to avoid traditional forms of exercise.



 



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