I love making predictions on what’s going to happen in the get you in shape world. This is the world I’ve been in for 28 years now. I’ve seen enough fitness trends come and go that I believe I can spot the winners and losers now.
I’ll also say that my predictions are based off my own personal experience, my network of 700 top fitness professionals(both here in the states and world wide), boot camp owners, health club owners, and internet fitness gurus, reading and writing for fitness industry trade journals, and looking at where we are currently.
1. Boot Camps Will Continue to Gain Popularity-
Still a major trend-because they work(when done right). From our very first Rapid Results Camp over 2 years ago. I knew we were onto something. Clients from the beginning were getting results as good as(and sometimes better) as I was seeing with my Personal Training Clients. My theory then and it’s proven to be true is that there’s power in Groups. There’s power in getting around like minded motivated people. That and the nutrition support is always an important factor.
Unfortunately many boot camps have popped up all over that have been run by trainers looking to make fast money. Fortunately, those have or will be shutting down. The fitness consumer is much more savvy than even 3 years ago. By using the internet you can compare the great programs with the not so great programs. I’ve already seen this in Fort Worth, with some of the boot camps shutting down.
Boot camps have evolved. You’ll want a program that gives you a personal consultation, measures you and your progress, and provides nutrition support(if you’re not getting these things you’re paying a lot for a Bodypump class). If the program doesn’t offer you a Results or Your Money-Back Guarantee. They’re not confident they can get you results. So keep looking.
Average price per Boot Camp class is $8-$19.50 across the U.S..
My Rapid Results Boot Camp two locations and Unlimited Workouts(up to 40) per month, enrollment is limited. And yes it has everything described above and a Results or Your Money-Back Guarantee.
2. Long Distance Running for Weight Loss will lose popularity.
Old school long slow cardio for fat loss just frustrates people. Long distance running for fat loss may be the worst of all (2nd place goes to the elliptical).
Long distance running seems to do the least for people that are running for weight loss the most-Women! I’ve actually had clients gain weight and bodyfat while training for a marathon!
Multiply your total time investment exercising, boredom factor, and high injury rate to fat loss. People are realizing that there are better fat-loss tools available.
(At the same time. Running in organized races(Cowtown, El Sorcho, local 5 k’s & 10k’s) will continue to gain popularity. Half-marathons(13.1miles) are selling out within days of opening registration. One reason is they’re fun with friends! Many of my clients lists running a 5k or a Half-marathon as a long term goal. I encourage you if you’ve never ran in an organized run try one soon)
3. Shorter more time efficient workouts-
People are getting busier and busier. 30 min programs will continue to gain popularity. Since the 80’s 30 min workouts have been the mainstay of lunch time exercisers. 15 min to change-30 min workout-15min to shower and get back to work. Now more time crunched people want the benefits without a huge time investment.
To get the most out of a 30 min workout you definitely have to go in with a plan that maximizes your time and efforts. 3-30min full body workouts a week and a solid nutrition program will deliver you just about any results you desire.
My Accelerator Personal Training program maximizes the 30min workout. I don’t see any reason people should stay in the gym any longer than they need, to get the results they want. You’re going to see more of this in the coming year.
4. . Increase in Short Burst Cardio(High Intensity Interval Training)-
This is goes hand in hand with the death of long slow cardio and peoples desire for time efficient workouts.
After decades of people joining health clubs to walk on the treadmill to lose weight-and everyone that does this looks the same or worse year after year. People want a real visible return on their exercise investment.
HIIT training delivers visible results within weeks. It’s effective, challenging and easy to adjust programs. My Rapid Fat Loss Short Burst Training video is closing in on a thousand views so someone’s interested.
Even better news about HIIT is it can be done anywhere anytime with Rapid Fat Loss Bodyweight Intervals.
The real reason it’s gaining popularity is because it works to burn fat rapidly while giving you hours of your life back.
5. More People will use Personal Training–
Shows like The Biggest Loser has legitimized Personal Training for creating life changing transformation.
The economy kept a lot of people from investing in themselves the last 2 years.. People are feeling a little better about their future lately. More will be investing in personal training, definitely an investment, but one that can be incredibly helpful to getting you to your weight-loss and fitness goals.
Just like the Boot Camps quality and results can vary wildly. Look for evidence( Photos/testimonials) that the trainer/program has been successful with clients like you in the past. You’ll want goal setting, physical measurements and nutrition support to be included. You get what you pay for in this arena. Top trainers charge top fees. Require a Results or Your Money-Back Guarantee here too.
One thing to avoid here is an incomplete program. No nutrition support or coaching and programs too short in duration(less than 12 weeks) to deliver real results should be avoided.
Prices for One on One Personal Training ranges from $35-$55/30min to $65-$125(and up)/hour. Depending on your part of the country.
My Advantage Platinum Personal Training and Accelerator Personal Training have limited openings.
5. Small Group Training will continue to evolve-
This is a hybrid of personal training. Small group training is 1 trainer working with 2-4 clients. Small Group training is a great balance of one-on-one PT and group support. It also is a more affordable alternative to one-on-one programs.
What you’re looking for is the same as Personal Training. A Consultation, Goal Setting , Measurement, and Nutrition support and a Results or Your Money-Back Guarantee. If any of these essential factors is missing you can not be assured of results.
Clients have come to us from other local programs. They’re not happy they’ve purchased small group training, just to show up to workout with 8-12 clients and one trainer. No goals, no nutrition, no personal coaching, no guarantee just a workout with a 10 other people. This isn’t Small Group-this is greed. Avoid this type of program.
Rates range from $35 to $45 per session for small group training depending on your part of the country.
Accelerator Small Group is our small group program find a program like this in your area.
6. Apps for Food Tracking/Nutrition will be used more- I was skeptical of this last year. Now I’m a believer.
After a full year of testing. I’ve had clients get amazing results using different phone apps to track their daily food intake. Results have been just as good as using the handwritten food journal.
Client feedback is -the automatic calculation of calories through out the day, convenience since you always have your phone, and low profile for clients that do a lot of business lunches and dinners and a journal would be inappropriate. These things rock and they’re only going to get better in 2011.
If you’ve struggled with the hand written food journal(the Secret to Fat Loss) this may be an alternative for you.
7. Superhard Workouts/Challenges –
With the popularity of P90X, Insanity, and Crossfit it’s obvious there are people looking for a challenge. You’re going to see more programs/events niched to people that like to rise to the challenge and train extremely hard for a designated time period. These will be programs to take the fit to superfit.
These will be short duration programs 1 -4 weeks at most or singular events like the Crossfit Games. I think you’ll see these programs available both locally and on DVD in the next year.
8. Online Programs Will Get More Mainstream Traction-
Remember back when online dating was considered kind of a weird way to meet. People would rather say they met at a bar than admit to meeting online. Now it’s completely normal.
Same thing with online fitness programs. People are doing them just nobody admits to it. With technology getting better and video getting faster. I see a possible breakout follow-along program(think p90x on DVD, you do what Tony Horton does). Especially with Google TV and Apple getting into the game.
The Gold Standard of Online programs right now is Craig Ballyntines Turbulence Training. Everything you need to get in shape is there. Workouts, Fat Loss Nutrition, Mindset, and they use an online community to provide group support so you’re not on your own. Our boot camp workouts are based on his model so I know it works like gangbusters. You will see an online program go big this year.
I’m excited for the New Year. Fitness has been a place of rapid growth and innovation the last 2-3 years. Faster more dramatic results from cutting edge nutrition and exercise programs.
I hope you found something on the list that excites you. I know I’m looking forward to this new year, I hope you are too!
May 2011 be your best year ever!
Dave
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