The Idea Health & Fitness Association announced the results of their 2006 survey on fitness trends, equipment and more. The following were some of their results:
- Personal training remains the most frequently offered program. One trainer working with one client is offered by 84 percent of the respondents. Optimism remains high that personal training will continue to grow, as expressed by 64 percent of those polled
- Personal training sessions with two-to-five clients are emerging as a popular option as people seek greater variety or value from their workouts. With 68 percent sharing sessions with two clients and 44 percent offering three-to-five client workouts, it’s clear multi-client personal training continues to climb
- While Pilates and yoga remain very popular (offered by 64 percent and 58 percent of the respondents, respectively), the survey revealed that after a brisk increase in availability over recent years, the number of these classes might be leveling out
- Pilates and yoga appear to remain independent activities. Only 32 percent reported a fusion of yoga and Pilates, 24 percent a fusion of Pilates and traditional strength training and 23 percent a blend of yoga and traditional strength training — numbers that have not changed over the past three years
- Fitness programs for youths are readily available, with 63 percent of respondents offering specific services for children and teens. One-on-one personal training for those 18 years old or younger was offered by 60 percent. And 65 percent of respondents said they believe kids’ fitness programs will grow. While fitness programs for kids may be an offered, the contradiction lies in the number of youths who participate. Only nine percent of respondents said they have members/clients who are 18 years old or younger
- The element of fun, crucial to appealing to youths and teens, could be a factor in the continued prevalence of urban-street and hip-hop classes, now offered by 31 percent of those polled
- Group strength training with music is offered by 58 percent of respondents, while only 32 percent prefer to go sans tunes. Either way, less than two percent of respondents said this form of exercise would decline
- Traditional “aerobics” classes continue to decline, with all types combined (high-, low- and mixed-impact) still being offered by roughly half of the respondents
As for data on exercise equipment, the 2006 survey revealed:
- Barbells and/or dumbbells as well as resistance tubing and bands are the most frequently offered equipment, provided to clients by 90 percent of the respondents. The number of personal trainers and the prevalence of equipment-based classes likely heighten the usage of free weights, always popular for their simplicity and effectiveness.
- Stability balls were favored by 89 percent of respondents and 45 percent said they believed usage would continue on the upswing.
- Two-thirds of respondents said they expected the use of Pilates’ equipment to grow.
- Over the past nine years, elliptical trainers have shown a 30 percent growth to where they now are close to the ubiquity of treadmills. Stair climbers and upright cycles, meanwhile, both have suffered 23 percent declines.
- The popularity of many pieces of fitness equipment remains stable, if not growing. This is an indication that businesses are probably using the gear and experiencing an advantageous return on investment for their purchases.