Friday, April 1, 2011

Reprinted from IDEA. Unique Fitness Market Research Reveals Top Industry Trends

      Inspire the World to Fitness® 


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Contact: 
Kelly Nakai      Tabitha Bailey 
IDEA Health & Fitness Association    HetzelMeade Communications 
858.535.8979, ext. 212     805.241.2532 
knakai@ideafit.com     tabitha@hetzelmeade.com 


Unique Fitness Market Research Reveals Top Industry Trends 

IDEA’s 15th Annual Fitness Programs & Equipment Trends Report  Provides Reliable Data on Industry Trends 

San Diego – July 19, 2010 – To get an accurate read on what is happening at the front lines of fitness, this trends report is a one-stop source for credible information. IDEA Health & Fitness 
Association, the leading membership organization of health, wellness and fitness professionals worldwide with more than 23,000 members in over 80 countries, has published the results of its 
15th annual IDEA Fitness Programs & Equipment Trends Report. The survey, which is geared to fitness program directors and facility managers who live and breathe fitness at the front lines each day, summarizes what fitness equipment their customers are using the most and what fitness programs they are demanding more or less of. 
The following highlights from the report include a solid picture of the most up-to-date fitness research available. Detailed results of these fitness industry statistics are available to the media at http://www.ideafit.com/fitness-library/2010-idea-fitness-programs-equipment-trends. 
Personal training continues to be in high demand. Whether one-on-one, with a partner or in a small group, it consistently offers an opportunity for clients to reach their individual goals.  
Fitness equipment trends are aligned with this sustained growth in personal training. Types of equipment that are easily transportable and that can be individualized are very compatible with personal training sessions. 
Fitness centers are offering a wider range of group exercis formats to meet the interests of members. Currently, classes with uncomplicated or modest choreography are popular offerings, as they allow members to be successful in their fitness quest. 
Mind-body programming has made mixed progress. The big areas of growth are Pilates, and Pilates and yoga fusion. Pilates is now offered by 90% of fitness centers (up from 63% in 2002), and Pilates and yoga fusion has seen a robust increase over the past 7 years (31% to 59%). Meditation, tai chi and yoga have declined in prevalence, and Gyrotonic® or Gyrokinesis® exercise and mind-body fusion offerings have increased just slightly. 
Following are the Top 10 lists reflecting what is currently being offered in facilities for fitness equipment and programming 

10 Most Frequently Offered Fitness Programs 
personal training, combined 97% 
personal training, adult, one-on-one 96 
Pilates 90 
personal training, 2 clients share 90 
fitness assessment 90 
strength training, individual, nongroup 88 
yoga 82 
core-conditioning classes 80 
stretching and/or flexibility 78 
strength training in group, combined 78 

10 Most Frequently Offered Types of Fitness Equipment 
stability balls 95%  
resistance tubing or bands 95 
barbells and/or dumbbells 90 
balance equipment (e.g., BOSU® Balance Trainers, disks, wobble boards, balance boards)  87 
medicine balls           87 
yoga mats and equipment 85 
foam rollers and small balls 83 
weighted bars 82 
steps and platforms 81 
treadmills 76  

Top Three Fitness Program Trends  
This year we asked IDEA professionals to write in their opinions regarding the top three programming trends for 2010. Small-group personal training was the number-one write-in trend for 2010, followed by boot camp training and Zumba. “As we look at these top trends, it is interesting to note that they all involve groups of individuals coming together to achieve their fitness goals,” says IDEA’s executive director Kathie Davis. “Exercise compliance is much improved and many find their fitness activities more enjoyable when they do them in a group.”  

Top Three Fitness Equipment Trends 
We also asked respondents to write in what they anticipated would be the top three fitness equipment trends in 2010. Elliptical trainers, TRX Suspension Training® equipment and treadmills topped the list. Although a decline has been observed in other large pieces of 
cardiorespiratory equipment (stationary bikes and stair climbers), elliptical trainers and treadmills continue to be popular. “Treadmills and ellipticals continue to thrive in our facilities because they are easy to operate and are very intuitive pieces of fitness equipment (mimicking walking and running, which most people use as their main methods of cardio),” Davis says.  For full analysis of all the fitness program and equipment trends, go to 
http://www.ideafit.com/fitness-library/2010-idea-fitness-programs-equipment-trends. There you will find more statistics including the Top 10 Programs and Equipment With Growth Potential as well as insight on the data from many of the industry’s leading fitness professionals.  


visit IDEA Health & Fitness Association. 


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