Pilates Ranks High in 2010 Fitness Forecast
November 12, 2009 by Lauren Charlip
(Originally published: Pilates Forecast for 2010! )
The American College
of Sports Medicine released a fitness trends forecast for 2010
last week and based on its list of projected top 10 trends, the outlook
is great for Pilates instructors next year.
Pilates itself was ranked No. 9 as a standalone category, and two more
of the ACSM’s top 10 trends have a direct connection to the work of
Pilates professionals; core training and functional fitness were ranked
No. 5 and No. 9 respectively. The ACSM’s No. 1 trend was ‘Educated and
experienced fitness professionals,’ making this the third year in a row
that trend tops the list. Other strongly Pilates-related trends on the
list were personal training and strength training, though a Pilates
connection could easily be drawn to any of the top 10 items.
The top trends were assembled from the results of a worldwide survey
with nearly 1,500 respondents. Surveyors gave 37 potential trends as
choices and then ranked returns, formulating
a report on the top 20 that was initially published in the
November/December issue of ACSM’s
Health & Fitness Journal®
The top 10 fitness trends predicted for 2010 are:
1. Educated and experienced fitness professionals.
Because of an increase in the number of organizations offering health
and fitness certifications, it’s important that consumers choose
professionals certified through programs that are accredited by the
National Commission for Certifying Agencies, such as those offered by
ACSM.
2. Strength training.
Strength training is an essential part of a complete physical activity
program – for all physical activity levels and genders. In addition,
some health clubs still focus exclusively on weight lifting and strength
training.
3.
Children and obesity.
Health and fitness professionals see the growing problem of childhood
obesity as an opportunity to reverse an alarming trend. There is also an
increasing market demand for programs tailored to overweight and obese
children.
4. Personal training.
Education, training and proper credentialing for health and fitness
professionals who act as personal trainers has become increasingly
important, and is an integral part of staffing for health and fitness
facilities.
5. Core training.
Different from strength training, this type of training
specifically emphasizes conditioning of the middle-body muscles,
including the pelvis, lower back, hips and abdomen – all of which
provide needed support for the spine.
6. Special fitness programs for older adults.
With more and more of the baby boomer population reaching retirement
age, health and fitness professionals are designing age-appropriate
fitness programs to keep older adults healthy and happy well into their
golden years.
7. Functional fitness.
This is a trend toward using strength training to improve balance and
ease of daily living. Functional fitness and special fitness programs
for older adults are closely related.
8. Sport-specific training.
This trend distinctly relates to young athletes. High school athletes
are incorporating training into their off-seasons in order to stay in
top shape for their sports, and might join a health and fitness club or
local community health organization to increase strength and endurance.
9. Pilates.
Incorporating core training using the entire body, Pilates classes have
become a mainstay of many health and fitness clubs. Pilates also
improves flexibility and posture.
10. Group personal training.
Perhaps the most surprising top-10 trend of the survey, group personal
training involves small groups, in lieu of one-on-one instruction. The
trend may reflect economic difficulties and makes financial sense
for both the client and the trainer.