The Year's Biggest Fitness Trends: Fads No More

From the American College of Sports Medicine, SHAPE Magazine to ACE Fitness, thousands of health and fitness professionals have weighed in on what they believe to be the biggest fitness trends of the year. After reading through, I decided that many of these trends are directly related to physical therapy and Pilates. They are a far cry from fads - they are staples in my work! Here is a synopsis of my top ten:

1. Educated and Experienced Fitness Professionals
   
   These days, you will be hard pressed to find a physical therapist without a graduate degree. These professionals know more about postural and gait analysis than most others - they are the meat and potatoes of my work! Couple that with a comprehensively trained Pilates teacher. Completing such a program typically requires 400+ hours of basic training, including a review of anatomy and modifications for special populations. It is doubtful that a personal trainer has as much formal training as a Pilates teacher that is comprehensively certified by a PMA accredited program.
    
2. Personalized Functional Training
   
   Functional training has been on the scene for quite some time now. There are an abundance of boot camps, TRX classes, and Cross Fit programs to choose from across the country.
   
   The problem? They are not one-size fits all. Many individuals are experiencing injury because their bodies are not ready to handle the demands of these high intensity, generalized group workouts.
   
   The solution? Physical therapists have been utilizing a functional approach long before it became a buzzword. With respect to your activities of daily living, job demands, and injuries, find a professional to work with who appreciates analyzing the tasks you perform routinely (Moms picking up little ones frequently, corporate Americans slumping at the computer screen, hairstylists holding their arms up all day) and incorporates these needs into your exercise program!
    
3. Small Group Training
   
   Small group sessions are never more than 6 people to 1 trainer. They are an effective and affordable way to receive expert training. The Pilates Method Alliance recommends no more than 10 individuals in a mat class or 5 in an equipment class.
    
4. Barre Workouts
   
   Essentially, these classes are standing Pilates with a barre for balance and support as needed. By following this fitness trend, do expect a variety of exercises, including plies, pushups, passes, planks, and port de bras to sculpt and stretch the whole body.
    
5. Physician Referrals
   
   Many of the prescriptions that patients bring to my physical therapy clinic merely read "strengthening, stretching, stabilization, teach HEP." HEP, meaning home exercise program. With America bringing preventative medicine to the forefront of health care in the next few years, there is no question that such referrals will keep on coming.
    
6. Fusion Workouts
   
   Hello barre workouts! They are a combination of ballet-inspired sequences with Pilates (and an occasional Child’s Pose or two).
    
7. Self Myofascial Release
   
   Fascia is a layer of connective tissue layer surrounding muscles, bones and joints that gives support and protection to the body. Myofascial release is a form of soft tissue therapy that will treat pain and restricted motion. Foam roller massage has been making its way on to the scene for quite some time now and I am seeing them in stores more and more. Buy one. Your body will love you for it.
   
   Lots of Pilates classes incorporate the roller in to Mat classes as a fun prop, but Yamuna Body Rolling has been gaining more attention. Keep your eyes and ears open and expect to see more of it.
    
8. Core Training
   
   Core Training, i.e., Pilates. I find that there are a lot of misconceptions about the core. This region of the body consists of the deepest layers of muscle in the abdomen, lumbar spine, and ribcage. These muscles need to be trained to stabilize the spine and pelvis during dynamic movement. Pilates training (especially on the Reformer) is one of the best ways for the body to acquire this component of physical fitness.
    
9. Exercise with Diet for Weight Loss
   
   Mind body exercise, such as Pilates, is fantastic to perform while dieting or cleansing. It helps to keep your calm, while not requiring your heart rate to sky rocket if your body is feeling fatigued from the nutritional changes. The workout promotes the development of lean muscle mass, which increases calorie-burning potential.
    
10. Sport Specific Training
    
    Pilates for Golf has always been popular and Tiger Woods was a great example of a participating professional athlete. Over the past several years, the method has become a staple in the conditioning of professional athletes including NBA players Jason Kidd, Greg Oden, Kobe Bryant, and Lebron James, MLB players Manny Ramirez and Curt Schilling, and soccer star David Beckham. With over 500 exercises to choose from, the mat and apparatus repertoire make adapting programs for particular movements and muscles needed for athletes a simple process.

With the upcoming holidays, it definitely is a good time to be familiar with some of the fitness trends.

Click here for more information on Kristen Reynolds.

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