We live in an ever-changing world where exercise programmes are among the consumer offerings that continue to develop and evolve. Here are my views on the current trends and developments in the fitness industry.
Rather than just maintaining their current fitness levels, people who belong to gyms and other health and fitness facilities are increasingly looking for more – they want to transform themselves through exercise.
To achieve this they need professionally created, goal-orientated programmes that provide a clear pathway to achieve results. And they need fitness professionals who are motivated and skilled and following a clearly defined path to increased proficiency and excellence.
An experienced and competent group fitness manager will have a more positive influence on a club’s membership than a narrowly focused timetable coordinator. A skilled instructor will help members achieve bigger goals more quickly than one who is less well trained.
Club managers need to recognise this and see beyond the extra cost that is initially involved in staff development.
That is not to say that great expertise means uniformity in the exercise experience that fitness professional provide. In the group fitness studio, for example, instructors want to express their distinctive personality and this is to be encouraged.
But clients do need consistency with their exercise experience and they will only receive this if their instructors are trained to a high standard and their exercise programs are quality-controlled and supported with management systems, ongoing instructor education and in-facility marketing campaigns.
Group fitness programmes of average quality may work for a while. But excellent programmes will deliver a more consistent experience for participants and have a much more positive impact on operating budgets.
Such programmes will unlock the potential of group exercise to grow membership and membership retention levels and create an energy and positive atmosphere that will draw people in from a wide demographic.
For many clubs, sustainability is the time bomb in freestyle group exercise programming. Members are left feeling disillusioned when a great instructor who designed a wonderful programme then leaves.
Choreographed, branded programmes, on the other hand, help all instructors to meet world-class standards and concentrate on what most of them do best: teaching, performing and inspiring. They are relieved of the need to acquire the scientific knowledge, choreography skills and financial resources to design programmes that are both safe and effective.
Exercise programme trends
Small group training
Training in small groups, usually fewer than five individuals, is a growing trend that clubs need to recognise and cater for. It allows better usage of a personal trainer’s time and requires less equipment than operating in a big gym environment. This option is a great way for clients to receive technical instruction and close supervision for a more economical fee.
Special population fitness programming
There is also an increasing focus on special population needs, such as the older client and children. Everyone wants their own special attention to help them achieve the transformation they seek. Fitness programmes for children and the overweight will continue to grow, as will specialised, well-balanced programmes for seniors, like BODYVIVE™, that will prolong and enhance their overall quality of life.
Functional fitness and balance training activities
Strength training and/or core conditioning exercises enhance balance, strength, coordination and endurance. Classes using equipment such as the stability ball, Bosu balls and wobble boards are growing in popularity and they appeal to virtually all levels of participants.
Strength training
Health benefits of incorporating strength training into fitness regime will receive continued emphasis. Women and older adults are accredited with keeping this long lasting trend popular. Expect to BODYPUMP™ classes to continue growing for another decade.
Outdoor group activities
Making the most of the outdoors environment outside with, for example, running and cycling are popular as they provide a welcome break from training indoors.
Mind and body fusion
Activities such as t’ai chi, Pilates, meditation and yoga, like BODYBALANCE™, provide an alternative to high-impact activities. The key elements of these mind/body activities include proper posture, breathing and body awareness. Such activities foster the notion of the client taking better care of their psychological self and not just their physical body.
Boot camps
More men are attending group fitness classes. Class formats such as boot camps and more sports-oriented programmes are attracting more male participants.
