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What’s Hot in Equipment: Fitness Pro Favorites

Fitness professionals like their equipment—from "tried-and-true" to "oh, so new." And equipment companies like to fill convention halls with fresh gear to help trainers and clients hit their goals. Of course, fitness pros also enjoy new gadgets for the pure thrill of them—and will sometimes go for equipment that targets a fun goal over a hypertrophy goal, for example.

Top 5 Mind-Body Trends for 2013

The 17th IDEA Fitness Programs & Equipment Trends Report bears out that fitness professionals are becoming more specialized, yet more diverse, as the North American population ages and transforms its demographic markers. While there is a prominent personal training and group exercise presence, the report also found that half of the facilities surveyed are also o?ering mind-body activities.

2013 IDEA Fitness Programs & Equipment Trends Report

The 17th IDEA Fitness Programs & Equipment Trends Report bears out that fitness professionals are becoming more specialized, yet more diverse, as the North American population ages and transforms its demographic markers. This year’s survey was distributed to the largest sample pool ever and garnered the largest number of responses in its history (2,818).
As in recent years, the programming and services offered clearly underscore a robust personal training and group exercise presence. Respondents report that half of their facilities are also offering mind-body activities.

What Trends Are Driving Personal Training?

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?

2011 IDEA Fitness Programs & Equipment Trends

How to Read the Numbers

The percentage (%) re?ects the
number of survey respondents who
answered yes to a given survey ques –
tion. All percentages have been rounded
up at 0.5 and down at 0.4. Percentages
do not necessarily total 100, because of
multiple or missing responses

2010 IDEA Fitness Programs & Equipment Trends

The first time we surveyed members for the annual IDEA Fitness Programs & Equipment Trends report, in 1995, personal training was just beginning to emerge as an affordable exercise option for most consumers and as a viable career choice for fitness professionals. Pilates had been around for decades; however, relatively few exercise professionals knew much about it. Zumba® What-a? Never heard of it.

2010 IDEA Fitness Programs & Equipment Trends

The first time we surveyed members for the annual IDEA Fitness Programs & Equipment Trends report, in 1995, personal training was just beginning to emerge as an affordable exercise option…

2009 IDEA Programs & Equipment Trends

This year our 14th annual survey went to club owners, fitness directors and other fitness professionals in the midst of a financially unstable economy. While the fitness market may not be booming, it seems to be at least stable, which is great news when businesses all around the globe are faltering. The really encouraging aspect of this year’s results is that the diversity of classes, equipment and programs offered has continued to increase.

2009 IDEA Fitness Programs & Equipment Trends

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2009 IDEA Fitness Programs
& Equipment Trends

How to Read the Numbers

The percentage (%) reflects the
number of survey respondents who
answered yes to a given survey
question. All percentages have been
rounded up at 0.5 and down at 0.4.
Percentages do not necessarily total
100, because of multiple or missing
responses.

2009 IDEA Fitness Programs & Equipment Trends

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This year our 14th annual survey
went to club owners, fitness
directors and other fitness professionals
in the midst of a
financially unstable economy.While the
fitness market may not be booming, it
seems to be at least stable, which is great
news when businesses all around the
globe are faltering. The really encouraging
aspect of this year’s results is that the
diversity of classes, equipment and programs
offered has continued to increase.

2008 IDEA Fitness Programs & Equipment Survey

According to industry definitions, “multipurpose” health clubs have fitness facilities and racquet courts. “Fitness-only” health clubs have fitness (group exercise and/or a fitness center with equipment), but no racquet courts. Either type of club may have a swimming pool or a gymnasium.

Respondents wer…

REALITY CHECK; America’s fittest city? Well, maybe not

We’re fit! We’re fat! We’re kind of sweaty.
Huh?
It’s hard to say where San Diego stands when you read the myriad rankings that stack us up against other cities. Case in point: Men’s Fitness picked San Diego as No. 9 on its fittest list in 2005. For the last two years, the same magazine put us at No. 21 — on its fattest list.
Yikes! That’s quite a weight gain. Had you n…

Personal Training Stays on Top, Study Shows

SAN DIEGO – Personal training, mind-body fusion and outdoor activities continue to be popular offerings at health clubs while stability balls, resistance bands and balance boards are the most frequently offered equipment, according to the 12th annual IDEA Fitness Programs and Equipment Survey.
The survey of 225 IDEA members, who consist of health club owners, fitness center managers and…

Latest Trends on Health and Fitness

IDEA Health & Fitness Association, the leading membership organization of health, wellness and fitness professionals worldwide with more than 21,000 members in over 80 countries, has announced the findings of its annual IDEA Fitness Programs & Equipment Survey. In its 12th year, the survey revealed an increasing range of activities and gear that are specially targeted to meet the diverse n…

2007 IDEA Fitness Programs And Survey

How do fitness professionals motivate people to become active and—perhaps even more challenging—to adhere to a program? How do we help people embrace the lifestyle of being fit? We can draw motivation from our excitement about the unique professional role we play in society. As exercise scientists continue to make new discoveries, we have the resources to bring this informatio…