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10 Fitness Trends for 2004
'Faster-Quicker' Workouts for Mind and Body
Predicted
By
Jennifer Warner
Reviewed
By Brunilda Nazario, MD
on Monday, November 24, 2003
WebMD Medical News
Nov. 24, 2003 -- Fitness buffs and couch potatoes alike may soon be getting more
bang for their buck when it comes to exercise.
Experts
predict "faster-quicker" workouts and exercise programs that
incorporate mind and body techniques will be among the top fitness trends in
2004. Together with an increasing focus on functional fitness, researchers say
these trends will help busy Americans squeeze more exercise into a shorter time
period and eliminate excuses like "I don't have time to exercise."
The
American Council on Exercise (ACE), a nonprofit workout watchdog group, says
their fitness trend predictions for 2004 reflect a rising need to meet the
demands of time-starved Americans as well as making exercise part of preventive
care for a growing number of older adults.
Here
are their top 10 fitness trend predictions for 2004:
- Workouts
and exercise programs will respond to the critical need for busy Americans
to get an efficient workout in a very short period of time using readily
available tools, such as chairs, steps, and walls, to overcome barriers of
time and access.
- Mind and
body programs will be blended into traditional workout sessions. Clubs and
personal trainers will integrate elements of Pilates and yoga into exercise
programs to offer a holistic approach to physical fitness and wellness.
- Functional
fitness will become even more important. Rather than working on muscle
groups in isolation, functional fitness will focus on exercising and
strengthening several muscles and joints together to help people perform
their daily activities with less pain and discomfort.
- Lifestyle
and performance coaching will become more popular as the Internet makes
these services more affordable.
- Health-care
providers and companies will provide and partially subsidize preventive
lifestyle programs, such as providing web sites for wellness information,
risk assessment, fitness calculators, how to contact a fitness professional,
and other services.
- Fitness
equipment will get smarter. Manufacturers will offer equipment that provides
feedback on everything from lactic acid production (a compound released
during exercise) to preparing for a major athletic event like a marathon.
- More
fitness clubs will offer pay-as-you-go pricing rather than long-term
contracts.
- Weight
loss and nutrition will get back to basics. Millions of Americans who
haven't had long-term success on restrictive weight-loss programs will turn
to regular exercise and sensible eating.
- Exercise
will become a larger part of preventive care for older adults to help fight
osteoporosis, reduce the risk of everyday injury, and maintain independence.
Programs will focus on balance, stability, and strength training in seniors.
- Simple
programs to get sedentary people moving will become more important. States
and cities will have more walking programs, and communities will add
sidewalks, walking trails, and parks to make it easier for people to become
physically active.
SOURCE:
News release, American Council on Exercise
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