Top 5 Group Exercise 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. As in recent years, the programming and services offered clearly underscore a robust group exercise presence.

Of the facilities surveyed, 75% offer group exercise programming. Here are a few more stats from this year’s survey:

• Strength-based classes (strength, abdominals and core conditioning) top the list of programs offered.
• Body weight leverage classes are first on the list for group exercise trends (according to a write-in question).
• Group exercise instructors, on average, teach at two different facilities.
• The most commonly offered class length is 60 minutes.

Survey results are based on responses from 2,818 fitness professionals. Also included in the report are statistics on personal training, mind-body, equipment and facility trends.

Here are the top five group exercise trends for 2013. How does your facility stack up?:

To see more group exercise class statistics including average number of classes conducted per week, average number of participants per class and most frequently offered group exercise programs and activities click here.