The 5 Fitness Trends for 2015 Predicted by Experts

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world, recently published the results of its fitness trend forecast for 2015. ACSM predicted the top trends for next year based on results from 3,400 survey respondents, consisting of worldwide health and fitness professionals.

 

Here are the top five fitness trends for 2015 predicted by experts:

Note: To see the full list of the top 20 predicted trends, read here.

 

1. Body Weight Training

Requirement: Body.

 

Body weight exercises, those that do not require free weights, but rather just one's body, took the number one spot. It jumped into ASCM's annual trend list in 2013 and took the top spot for 2015. Push-ups, pull-ups, planks, lunges, squats, leg raises, and burpees are common body weight training examples. The ACSM report said that "typical body weight training programs use minimal equipment, which makes it a very inexpensive way to exercise effectively." Fitness experts predict that 2015 will be a year in which body weight training will be incorporated more and more into group fitness programs, personal training sessions, and home workouts.

 

2. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

Requirement: Clock.

 

This runner-up in the trend report was last year's top trend, high-intensity interval training (HIIT). HIIT, which is popular due to its short duration and high effectiveness, is comprised of alternating bursts of activity (e.g., sprints) and brief periods of recovery. It can be used with both cardio and strength exercises.

 

3. Educated and Experienced Fitness Professionals

Requirement: Thinking Cap.

 

Ignorance may be bliss, but when it comes to exercise, it stunts progress, leads to inefficient workouts, and causes injuries. Knowledgeable fitness professionals help set and establish best practices and find innovative new ways to work out. The ASCM report cites a continued "exponential growth of educational... and certification programs." Fitness professionals have new ways to expand their tool sets with each new exercise science course.

 

4. Strength Training

Requirement: Muscles.

 

Strength training uses resistance to build muscle and anaerobic endurance. It typically involves the use of equipment, such as free weights. This type of training evokes the nostalgia of the movie Pumping Iron, but is certainly not only for the body-building type. As the ASCM report states, "Strength training remains a central emphasis for many health clubs. Incorporating strength training is an essential part of a complete exercise program for all physical activity levels and genders."

 

5. Personal Training

Requirement: Talent.

 

Personal training has been in the top 10 of the ACSM trend list each year for the last decade, and this year's report states that "trainers will continue to be an important part of the professional staff of health and fitness centers." The number of employed fitness trainers and instructors is projected to grow by 24 percent from 2010 to 2020. As I noted in last week's blog post, 10 Keys to Being a World Class Personal Trainer, there's a lot that elite trainers need to do well to distinguish themselves from the pack.

We'd love to hear from you. Which trend do you think will be the most important in 2015? Comment below or on our Facebook page at facebook.com/flytefitness, or tweet us at @flytefitness.

 

 

Be Flyte Fit,

 

Jeremy Greenberg

Co-Founder & CEO

Flyte Fitness