IDEA Articles

Inner IDEA®, early October, La Jolla, California, the evening of the first full day: The sun was gently setting on an uncharacteristically blue Pacific. Just inland, the vibrant greens of the world-famous Torrey Pines golf course had developed an amber glow. For IDEA’s associate editor, Ryan Halvorson, it had been awhile since he’d felt this peaceful.newsletter_teaser: “As the sun descends into the big blue sea, I relish the peace I've found.” Inner IDEA®, early October, La Jolla, California, the evening of the first full day: The sun was gently setting on an uncharacteristically blue Pacific. Just inland, the vibrant greens of the world-famous Torrey Pines golf course had developed an amber glow. For IDEA’s associate editor, Ryan Halvorson, it had been awhile since he’d felt this peaceful.

Many years ago, IDEA Health & Fitness Association formed several committees to ensure that we would continue to meet the needs of the fitness industry. These committees comprise leaders in the fitness instructor, personal trainer and program director fields of fitness. Our committee members help us identify current and upcoming trends, determine areas needing improvement and guide us in helping the industry evolve.

IDEA is coming to the end of an exciting conference and convention year. We are about to put on our third event of the year and are feeling the elation of being in the home stretch while simultaneously feeling a bit wistful that it’s all winding down.

You might describe it as overwhelming, but even that superlative is an underwhelming descriptor for what transpired at the 2011 IDEA World Fitness Convention in Los Angeles, August 11–14. Between Apolo Ohno’s keynote message of zero regrets and the convention theme of “Take the Challenge,” there was no way to leave even a whisper of yourself on the table. The atmosphere at this event had a way of sucking the energy right out of you and then infusing it right back in—plus 10%. Everyone gave it up and got it back, and the effect was palpable.

The IDEA World Fitness Awards are the industry’s highest recognition for fitness professionals. Applicants are selected by a panel of judges for three categories of awards: Personal Trainer of the Year, Fitness Instructor of the Year and Program Director of the Year. Do you walk the talk, inspire others and make a difference in your community? Check out the application details at www.ideafit.com/idea-awards-application. Apply yourself or nominate someone who has made a considerable contribution to the fitness industry!

Nearly 700 IDEA personal trainer members—mostly independent, small-business entrepreneurs—completed the 2011 IDEA Personal Trainer Programs & Equipment Trends survey. Read on to discover what they are seeing in their day-to-day operations, why they are making certain decisions about programming and equipment and how they are positioning themselves for 2012 and beyond. Topline Trends The most popular trends emerging from the 2011 data show that IDEA trainers continue to incorporate small, portable equipment into small-group training sessions that focus on body weight leverage training, functional resistance training and balance training. Results further show that these trainers believe specialized client populations, such as older adults and those in need of weight management or back pain prevention programs, are growing. This, in turn, means that professionals need more continuing education to remain current and effective in their service. Survey respondents reaffirmed that training adults one-on-one remains the mainstay of their training businesses. Sessions focus most often on cardiorespiratory cross-training, strength training, stretching, functional resistance training and balance training. Top 10 Programming Trends This year we asked IDEA personal trainers to report their picks for the top programming trends in the industry. Participants were asked to respond yes or no to a list of more than 30 possible programming trends. Write-in replies were also analyzed. Results fell into three main categories: training methods, special populations and organizational training formats. p>Training Methods The number-one programming trend is body weight leverage training, followed closely by functional resistance training and balance training. Two of the top three trends—functional resistance training and balance training—have been offered by at least 95% of respondents since 2008. Tied for fourth in popularity are senior-specific training and weight management training. Further down the list are cardiorespiratory interval training (tied for sixth with personal training, 2 clients share); nutrition coaching (eighth); and back pain prevention (tied for ninth with outdoor boot camp classes and personal training, 3-5 clients share). More than three-quarters of trainers who responded to the survey currently offer their clients these types of programs. Special Populations Consistent with the trends, Ray Vargas, owner of ISOTONEX Personal Training in San Jose, California, is keeping his eye on a few special populations. His top three picks are the weight management sector, seniors and clients needing postrehabilitation. “The reason for such growth is that these markets have remained untapped for many years, but now we are seeing the need for training at every phase of life. For an athlete, this may mean speed, agility and quickness, but for a senior citizen it may mean getting in and out of the house without breaking a hip,” Vargas observes. Organizational Training Formats Working with multiple clients—through personal training sessions that 2 clients share or 3–5 clients share, or through outdoor boot camps—ranks among the top 10 programming trends. Five-year trends data show that while 2 clients sharing and 3–5 clients sharing have both grown, outdoor boot camps—perhaps surprisingly—have shown no growth. Survey data regarding which types of facilities are more likely to offer shared sessions show equality across facility types, with slightly fewer group sessions available at the trainer’s home. For detailed survey results, please see the complete article, "2011 IDEA Personal Trainer Programs & Equipment Trends" online in the IDEA Library or in September 2011 IDEA Fitness Journal. newsletter_teaser: Nearly 700 IDEA personal trainer members—mostly independent, small-business entrepreneurs—completed the 2011 IDEA Personal Trainer Programs & Equipment Trends survey. Read on to discover what they are seeing in their day-to-day operations, why they are making certain decisions about programming and equipment and how they are positioning themselves for 2012 and beyond. Topline Trends The most popular trends emerging from the 2011 data show that IDEA trainers continue to incorporate small, portable equipment into small-group training sessions that focus on body weight leverage training, functional resistance training and balance training. Results further show that these trainers believe specialized client populations, such as older adults and those in need of weight management or back pain prevention programs, are growing.

Each year IDEA Health & Fitness Association recognizes inspirational industry leaders, but we need your help. If you or someone you know has made tremendous contributions to the fitness world and beyond, visit www.ideafit.com and complete an application or nomination for the 2012 IDEA World Fitness Awards. The deadline for all applications is December 1, 2011. Apply today!

Setting a new industry standard for education, product knowledge and inspiration, the 2011 IDEA World Fitness Convention, in Los Angeles, August 11-14, was a flat-out fantastic experience. Between Apolo Ohno’s keynote message of zero regrets and the convention theme of “Take the Challenge,” there was no way to leave even a whisper of yourself on the table. The atmosphere at this event had a way of sucking the energy right out of you and then infusing it right back in--plus 10%. Everyone gave it up and got it back, and the effect was palpable.newsletter_teaser: Setting a new industry standard for education, product knowledge and inspiration, the 2011 IDEA World Fitness Convention, in Los Angeles, August 11-14, was a flat-out fantastic experience. Between Apolo Ohno’s keynote message of zero regrets and the convention theme of “Take the Challenge,” there was no way to leave even a whisper of yourself on the table. The atmosphere at this event had a way of sucking the energy right out of you and then infusing it right back in--plus 10%. Everyone gave it up and got it back, and the effect was palpable.

Since last year’s survey, we’ve seen a modest uptick in the economy. Perhaps with that comes increased optimism for growing your businesses and expanding your services to new (and old) clients who are looking to loosen up some dollars to spend on their health and fitness. How do you best prepare for this? How do you know in what direction to steer your offerings or what equipment to buy?Node Features: Has PDF