So what's the outlook for fitness? A new wave of fitness workouts for the young athlete, crazy gym rat, average mom, and for the retired and elderly. 2014 has a lot to look forward to. Strength training such as P90X and CrossFit are the hottest fitness trend that will be around into 2014. These exercises incorporate a multitude of basic workouts, body-weight methods, yoga, pilates, and cardio into a fast-paced, quick workout. P90X and CrossFit are ideal for many people who have busy schedules but want to continue with regular workouts and a healthy lifestyle.
CrossFit and P90X are great ways to cover strength, cardio, flexibility, and endurance in a workout. These exercise routines can result in injury if they are performed incorrectly or by those who are not physically in shape. Therefore it is often normal for people have to work up to certain levels in order to begin and continue with programs such as crossfit.
Many people who are faced with ailments such as diabetes, obesity, or injury may feel intimidated by going to a public gym or trying programs such as P90X. It whould be acknowledged that walking is still the most popular activity in the United States and is an excellent way to have a passive and active workout. Walking regularly can be the first activity that a person does before the move on to more challenging fitness routines.
[Via USA Today] Here are the other trends on the top 10 list for 2014, released in the November/December issue of the ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal:
• Employment of educated and experienced fitness professionals. Most gyms are requiring trainers to have a national certification from an accredited group, Thompson says. "In the past, people could just walk in a gym and say they were a personal trainer, and all they had to do was look good in a pair of tight shorts and Spandex. Today, fitness professionals have to be educated and have experience."
• Strength training. The exercises can be done at the gym or at home with free weights, machines or tried-and-true calisthenics. Weight training will really enhance your workout, Thompson says.
• Exercise and weight loss. "For decades we have been preaching that you have to have a sensible diet and exercise to lose weight effectively and maintain the weight loss," Thompson says.
• Personal training. "It has been popular for a long time, but we are seeing a slight decrease in the one-on-one training, and now it's changing to small-group personal training," Thompson says. "People still want the personal attention."
• Fitness programs for older adults. Many fitness professionals are creating age-appropriate fitness programs to keep older adults healthy and active. Some gyms are catering to older members during their slower times such as from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Thompson says. Gyms may turn down the loud music and stop the flashing lights and offer programs for these adults, he says.
• Functional fitness. This is closely related to special fitness programs for older adults. The goal of this trend is to use strength training to improve balance, coordination, endurance and people's ability to perform activities of daily living such as carrying the groceries, reaching for things, getting in and out of chairs and the car, and going up and down the stairs, Thompson says. "These exercises imitate activities of daily living."
• Group personal training. Personal trainers who work with two or four people can offer deep discounts to each member of the group.
• Yoga. It utilizes a series of specific body postures practiced for health and relaxation. "The yoga instructors are really smart. They change their yoga routine enough that it remains attractive to participants," Thompson says.
