| Each year trends in fitness come and go. Some | | | | clubs still have a large clientele base, but it seems |
| workouts are fads and are here for just a year, and | | | | more people prefer smaller facilities for their workout |
| others stick around longer. Here are a few workout | | | | routines. Many of these boutique fitness facilities |
| trends for 2008. | | | | focus on particular workouts such as pilates and |
| Personal Training: Personal trainers are more common | | | | yoga. |
| than you might think. People like having an expert | | | | Another new trend coming about in workout facilities |
| there to guide them through a workout. Personal | | | | is 24-hour access. Most hotels equipped with a |
| trainers are becoming more accessible in the health | | | | workout facility are open 24-hours. People have |
| and fitness industry. | | | | hectic schedules and it can be difficult to get to the |
| Strength Training: Strength training is popular for both | | | | gym, so now many are open day and night for |
| men and women. Some focus on it for bodybuilding | | | | better convenience. |
| and body sculpting. And there are many who weight | | | | A Tango or Cha, Cha? With shows such as Dancing |
| train to increase and maintain their strength as they | | | | with the Stars, ballroom dancing is becoming more |
| get older. | | | | popular. Couples seem to be signing up for classes |
| Core Training: Core training, once a fad, but has | | | | more often than before. It gives a great opportunity |
| proven itself to be a beneficial type of workout | | | | for both partners to stay in shape and spend time |
| focuses on the abdominal and back muscles. Stability | | | | with one another. Ballroom dancing can be a very |
| balls, BOSU balls, wobble boards and foam rollers are | | | | useful aerobic workout. The Cha, Cha, Fox Trot, |
| still used to help target the core area. Having a | | | | Polka, Jitterbug, plus many more dances can serve as |
| strong core helps with working out other areas of | | | | workouts that make you break a sweat. |
| the body because it gives you the needed support | | | | Children and Adolescents: The health of young |
| for your spine. | | | | children and teens has been a concern now for quite |
| A Mix of All Worlds: While some focus on just weight | | | | some time. With the increase in popularity of the |
| training or cardio, many are combining it all into their | | | | Internet and video games, children are not as active |
| workouts. At the gym it seems many choose to | | | | as before. Child obesity is becoming a problem and is |
| focus on strength, flexibility and cardio. The trend is | | | | being recognized and addressed. Facilities and |
| to focus on all of those areas to have a well-rounded | | | | workout programs for children are popping up more |
| workout. | | | | and more. |
| Pilates and Yoga: Pilates and yoga are those trends | | | | Younger individuals need to engage in physical activity |
| that have remained popular longer. They are the | | | | whether it is working out weekly, trying a new sport |
| exercises for the mind and body. These workouts | | | | or playing outside instead of being glued to the |
| target the core of the body, help increase flexibility | | | | television screen. |
| and improve posture. Many facilities have classes and | | | | New trends each year are nice to look for because |
| there are instructional videos if you want to workout | | | | you don't want your workouts to be monotonous. |
| in the privacy of your home. | | | | They should be fun and enjoyable. Try putting a new |
| Popular Facilities: The major fitness centers and health | | | | twist on your workout this year. |