TIGHTER BUDGETS AND LESS FREE time impact how we exercise. According to the American Council on Exercise, among many fitness trends in the upcoming year, people will look for workouts offering greater results in a shorter workout period.

Trends # 1
COST-EFFECTIVE GROUP TRAINING:
Individuals will scale back on one-to-one personal training sessions and participate in small-group training sessions to save money.

Trends # 2
TIME-EFFICIENT WORKOUTS:
Boot-camp style workouts and circuit training burn a lot of calories, improve muscular and cardiovascular fitness and appeal to people with a busy schedule looking for a higher-intensity workout.

Trends # 3
EXERGAMING:
Fitness clubs will integrate fitnessbased video games such as Nintendo’s Wii Sports, Wii Fit and Dancetown into their programming.

Trends # 4
FUNCTIONAL TRAINING WORKOUTS:
Functional training workouts will increase in variety, including popular suspension training tools such as TRX. The portability and time-efficiency appeal to people looking to stay fit at home, the office, the gym or while traveling.

Trends # 5
PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS:
Health and fitness clubs are recognizing the need for, and the importance of, hiring trainers who hold high-quality, reputable professional credentials. NCCA-accredited fitness certification is fast becoming the recognized stamp of approval for credentialing quality in the fitness industry.

Trends # 6
SPECIALTY EXERCISE CLASSES:
Ethnic dance, hooping, pole dancing and Zumba will remain popular due in part to the continued success of shows like Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance. Additionally, more gyms will offer unique group exercise programs and mind-body activities.

Trends # 7
FITNESS TRAINING TOOLS:
Technology continues to infiltrate the fitness world. More exercises will use tracking and online training and scheduling tools to gauge their progress. Mobile applications will bring fitness on-the-go through iPhone applications and other downloadable programming.