Program Trends Articles

buzz by Joy Keller Keeping It Real Broaden the appeal of your classes with something for everyone. Rope Yoga uses mindfulness techniques and deep breathing to complement a four-stage strengthening, stretching and relaxation workout. Using a special pulley system, participants go through a repertoire of 20 exercises while lying on a mat. The routine isolates abdominal muscles and focuses on preci...

BUZZ BY JOY KELLER Addicted to Action Siphon ideas from outside the group fitness lines for a fresh focus. Indian culture meets cardiovascular groove with MASALA BHANGRA. Masala means spicy in Hindi, and Bhangra is a traditional Indian folk dance. Combine the two and you get an "exotic blend of dance." "People fall in love with the beat of Bhangra. The [sound] of the dhol drum--combined with sens...

BUZZ BY JOY KELLER Fuse, Lose, Cruise Will your anchor class focus on fusion, weightloss or something completely novel? Among the wide range of choices on the schedule at the 12th Street Gym in Philadelphia is PILOGA. This fusion class flows from Pilates mat work into yoga postures. The focus is on breath and alignment, with an eye toward strength, balance and flexibility. IDEA member and profess...

BUZZ BY JOY KELLER Footloose, Functional and Free Transmute old favorites into new favorites with flair. IDEA member Sheldon Wesley from Belmont, California, created FootworksTM as an alternative to conventional step training. Footworks blends customized step, tap and dance movements. The instructor strings "tiny bits of choreography together to create ornate moves." Since the moves are called ra...

Tr e n d s By Diane Lofshult Fitness in the Great Outdoors It's been said that there is a season to everything and a time to every purpose under heaven. With 44 percent of participants in the 2003 IDEA Fitness Programs & Equipment Survey reporting that they offer outdoor group activities (October 2003 IDEA Fitness Manager), it looks as though the time has come to exercise outside! Judging by the...

Tr e n d s By Diane Lofshult The Profits of Personal Training in Small Groups Want to increase your revenue stream in 2004 using the resources you already have at hand? Here's a formula for success: One personal trainer plus several club members equals extra income--at no additional cost to you! Sound too good to be true? This win-win situation is a reality for a wide range of fitness facilities...

Tr e n d s By Diane Lofshult Personalizing Postrehab Programs With the medical community, consumers and even insurance companies recognizing the benefit of exercise conditioning after an injury, postrehab fitness programs are on the rise. According to the 2003 IDEA Programs & Equipment Survey, 48 percent of participating fitness facilities and personal training gyms now offer this type of progra...

Tr e n d s By Diane Lofshult With the holidays now behind us, many consumers have resolved to lose weight and make better nutrition choices. What better time for health clubs and personal fitness training studios to implement some kind of nutrition coaching program to meet this demand? All Shapes & Sizes Like the people they serve, today's nutrition coaching programs come in many shapes and siz...

Fitness Trends Report Circling the World With Inspiring Exercise By Patricia Ryan The IDEA mission to Inspire the World to FitnessTM begins with each of you. Your expertise in integrating equipment and fitness activities is the key to attracting and retaining exercisers. The more people are attracted to--and retained by--your programs and facilities, the more people will exercise. Their participa...

Tr e n d s By Diane Lofshult Circuit Classes Come Full Circle S TAT I O N E Q U I P M E N T & PROPS In the past, most circuit classes offered a limited inventory of equipment--items like steps, slides, bands/tubing and hand weights. Nowadays, circuit classes feature a wide array of innovative equipment and props, including the following: ...