Out: Pricey club memberships.
In: DVDs.
Out: Hourlong workouts.
In: Half-hour.
Out: Boring routines.
In: The Wii.
2009 is all about budget-friendly, time-efficient and fun workouts, according to fitness experts. Here are their predictions for how we’ll be getting in shape in the new year.
THE TREND: Small dance studios
From Tamilee Webb, known for “Buns &Abs of Steel”
Webb predicts group fitness classes will move out of mega health clubs and back into smaller studios, Webb said she sees more classes in aerobic dance, toning and even circuit training being offered in smaller places.
THE TREND: Fitness boot camp
From the American Council of Exercise Top Fitness Trends for 2009.
The workouts, which incorporate moves like lunges, push-ups and squats, challenge people in a way that’s empowering, said Cedric Bryant of the fitness council.
THE TREND: Ballroom dancing
From Jeanette Jenkins, “Jeanette Jenkins Hollywood Trainer — Sexy Arms, Abs &Legs” DVD
Thanks to “Dancing with the Stars,” there’s going to be more interest in ballroom dancing, Jenkins said. “The show made it very cool to ballroom dance,” she said.
THE TREND: Fun and games
From Carole Carson, author of “From Fat to Fit”
“Exergaming,” such as the Wii and Dance Dance Revolution will bring fun and appealing exercise activities back into the home, Carson said. There will also be a return to the popular exercises of childhood, such as trampolining and Hula-Hooping, she said.
THE TREND: Working out at home
From Ingrid Von Burg: “Yoga for Familes” and “Yoga for Grandparents” DVD and Dr. Pamela Peeke, senior medical correspondent for the Discovery Health National Body Challenge.
Hard economic times means more people will work out in their homes.
Von Burg said students are already forgoing her classes for DVDs; not only is it more economical — but a group of people can do it together as opposed to each paying for classes at a studio, she said. Many yoga instructors are offering short instructional videos on their Web sites that students can download for free, she said.
THE TREND: Senior fitness
From Amie Hoff, Personal Trainer, New York Sports Clubs
Hoff predicts more classes at senior centers, nursing homes and health clubs to help seniors with balance and coordination. Hoff said many seniors are signing up for Healthways SilverSneakers Fitness Program, which is coming to Curves in January. SilverSneakers is for Medicare-eligible individuals.
THE TREND: Short workouts
From David Kirsch, “Anytime, Anywhere Workout” on WeightWatchers.com, Tracey Staehle, “Fit By Tracey — Walking Strong.”
Kirsch has 10-minute circuit workouts; people can do three in the course of the day with no machines. Staehle says more health clubs are offering 30-minute versions of group fitness classes.
THE TREND: Personalized DVD or Web workouts
From Michele Olson, professor of exercise science, University of Alabama Montgomery, “10 Minute Solution: Kettlebell Ultimate Fat Burner” DVD
Olson says some people may find ways to create their own exercise DVDs by mixing and matching clips from multiple sources, such as YouTube videos, fitness DVDs and downloadable workouts. People can create their own video workout on www.fitnessmagazine.com.
THE TREND: Suspension training
From Jeff Halevy, personal trainer and fitness coach
A suspension trainer is essentially a pair of straps with handles that you attach to any overhead point, such as a beam, tree limb or door. Part of your body is off the ground on every exercise.
THE TREND: Basketball
David Zinczenko, Editor-in-chief of Men’s Health and editorial director of Women’s Health magazines
Zinczenko predicts president-elect Barack Obama will bring basketball back to the forefront as it was in the early ’90s, he said. Back then, there were high-profile stars such as Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, and prominent people such as Clarence Thomas and Al Gore played the sport.
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