Q: What are the fitness trends for 2011? I am up for trying some new things and getting back to having some fun while also getting more fit. — Abby R., Denver
A: If 2010 took its toll on your enthusiasm for maintaining a gym membership, taking classes or hiring a trainer, this is the year to dust it all off and renew momentum for health and wellness. While it would be nice if the health care industry would figure out that prevention is cheaper than the cure, and create incentives for exercise, it still behooves all of us to assume that responsibility and get or keep moving.
According to the American Council on Exercise, people are deciding that mutual accountability can make the difference between showing up and doing the work or falling back into excuses for remaining sedentary. The “buddy system” is back, regardless of whether it is a workout partner, fitness class or peer group that decides to do activities together. Websites like help exercisers looking for workout connections to find each other.
Boot camps still rule as one of the more popular classes for 2011. Seems people cannot get enough of pushups, walking lunges, burpees, sprints and other sorts of intense physical challenges. Boot camps incorporate all aspects of a quality fitness program into each session-strength, flexibility, endurance and cardiovascular drills in both indoor and outdoor settings. Most major fitness facilities offer boot camps as part of their group exercise programming and private studios and boot camp companies abound.
Zumba Fitness, whose motto is “Ditch the workout, join the party,” was created by accident in the 1990s when Colombian fitness instructor Alberto “Beto” Perez forgot his standard aerobic music for a class he was about to teach and used the high-energy Latin dance salsa and merengue music he had on hand instead.
By 2001, “Zumba” was trademarked and taking hold in all markets, from classes to DVDs to video-game platforms and even apparel. The philosophy is to “love everything you do, even your workout.” With special options that also include baby boomers, kids and aquatic and circuit versions of Zumba, Perez just might succeed in making exercise too fun to ignore.
Another dance-fitness form that is getting hot in Los Angeles (which means it is just a matter of time before it hits here) is Yoga Booty Ballet. “YBB,” as its enthusiastic aficionados call it, combines yoga, ballet and aerobic dance with the goal of better flexibility and leaner muscles for its participants. For people who love to dance and enjoy yoga, yet want something more active than a yoga class provides, this is a fun option. Until more local instructors are certified to operate classes, here in Colorado we may have to be content with DVDs for a while.
TRX Suspension Training, developed by Navy SEAL Randy Hetrick, is not only a total body workout but a portable tool as well. The entire piece consists of nylon straps that can hook up anywhere and be modified to work with anyone, from the sedentary to the super athlete. More fitness clubs have them on hand and many are even doing classes just with the TRX (Total Resistance eXercise).
Strength training, core training, functional fitness, yoga, and spinning are all still as popular as ever, with Pilates taking a hit in these harder economic times (most likely because of the specialized training and equipment required).
Linda J. Buch is a certified fitness trainer in Denver; linda@ljbalance.com.
Resources
Zumba: , 720-514-9010, or find a class at .
TRX: The Power Method, , 303-803-2438
Boot camps: BCOR, Scot’s Denver Boot Camp, Wash Park Boot Camp, Genesis Fitness, Altitude Peak Fitness, Mile High Adventure Fitness Boot Camp, to name a few.
Yoga Booty Ballet: or DVD from .
