IDEA Survey Reveals Latest Directions In Fitness

San Diego – What are the latest trends in group exercise and personal training programs? Which clients do these programs appeal to most and what types of fitness equipment are most in demand? To answer these questions, IDEA Health & Fitness Association has turned to 20 leading program directors, business owners and personal trainers from a wide variety of fitness venues and their responses comprise the 2003 IDEA Trendwatch.

“This year, the programs most in demand are the ones that are designed to help clients attain their balance, agility and posture goals and they are popular with older persons, new exercisers and baby boomers. Next, clients are looking for kinder, gentler fitness formats like yoga and stretching which have universal appeal, especially with women and seniors,” says Kathie Davis, Executive Director of IDEA Health & Fitness Association.

“And reflecting how consumers have embraced personal fitness training, two different types of personal training formats also score high on the list of people’s fitness wants. One-to-one personal training and partner training are tied for the third spot in this year’s Trendwatch,” IDEA’s Davis adds. “One-to-one training is growing in popularity with all types of clients while partner trainer appeals to spouses, siblings, close friends, business colleagues and even parents and their children.”

IDEA 2003 Trendwatch Specifics:

What Do People Want?

• Balance, Agility and Posture Training. Popular with new exercisers, athletes, baby boomers and older adults.
• Kinder, Gentler Formats like Yoga and Stretch. Popular with middle-aged and prenatal women, older persons, baby boomers, new exercisers and Generation X.
• One-to-One Personal Training. Popular with all age groups, especially seniors and baby boomers as well as women.
• Partner Training (defined as two clients sharing one trainer). Popular with persons on a limited budget, women, husbands/wives, parents/children, friends, and business colleagues.
• Post-rehabilitation Training. Popular with post-operative patients, females with osteoporosis, older adults, and baby boomers.
• Small Group Training (defined as three to five clients working with one trainer). Popular with all ages and fitness levels plus it has the appeal of reduced fees-per-sessions with multiple persons sharing the cost of a trainer.

Programs More Popular than the Year Before:

• Yoga
• Personal Training
• Core Conditioning/Abs Classes
• Pilates
• Stretching/Flexibility
• Group Strength Training
• Fitness Assessments
• Indoor Cycling

Exercise Equipment Increasing in Popularity:

• Stability Ball
• Elliptical Trainer
• Pilates Reformer or Training Tools
• Core Equipment like Reebok Core Board or Bosu®
• Weighted Bar
• Indoor Cycle

The 2003 IDEA Trendwatch surveyed 20 leading fitness professionals from the United States and Canada and they represent a broad range of venues including, large and small fitness facilities, personal training studios, spas, hospital/corporate fitness centers, outpatient physical therapy clinics and client’s homes. The complete 2003 IDEA Trendwatch appears in the July-August 2003 issue of IDEA Health & Fitness Source magazine.

IDEA is the world's leading membership organization of health and fitness professionals with more than 23,000 members in over 80 countries. Since 1982, IDEA has provided health and fitness professionals with pertinent information, educational opportunities, career development programs and industry leadership while helping them enhance the quality of life worldwide through safe, effective fitness and healthy lifestyle programs. For more information on IDEA events, publications, educational products, member services or other activities, visit the IDEA website at: www.IDEAfit.com.