Personal Training on the rise

Personal training still is the most successful program for retaining newcomers, according to a survey by IDEA Health & Fitness Association. The survey showed a growing trend toward putting people first before choosing the mode of exercise, which is reinforced by the variety of programs now available to meet a wide range of consumer needs regardless of age or physical condition, says Kathie Davis, co-founder and executive director of IDEA Health & Fitness Association "Fitness training is a choice that is open to people of all ages and capabilities,” says Davis. “This year's survey shows more attention than ever is being placed on finding the proper programs and equipment to remove all impediments to achieving a healthier lifestyle." More than three-quarters of respondents said they offer classes or programs specifically designed to reach inactive or new exercisers. Some of the significant trends and findings revealed in the 2006 survey include: • 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 working out with three to five clients, 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 • Those who offer Gyrotonic® or Gyrokinesis® exercise feel it has significant growth potential. While presently only three percent of respondents said they offered these programs, 63 percent of those respondents expect this area to grow. • Fitness assessments, while a low-profile activity, maintain a role among the most offered options according to 84 percent of those surveyed. • Traditional "aerobics" classes continue to decline, with all types combined (high-, low- and mixed-impact) still being offered by roughly half of the respondents. • Boxing-based and kickboxing classes dropped nine percent over the past year and now are offered by only 39 percent 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. • 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. • Specialized balance equipment, foam rollers and small balls have continued to gain favor over the past three years, probably because more fitness professionals have learned how to use them and see applications for a wide variety of clients. Nearly 300 IDEA business and program directors across North America responded to this year's survey. These fitness professionals represent a blend of small and large health clubs, specialty studios, personal training facilities, colleges, corporate and hospital fitness centers as well as parks and recreation programs.

Experts pinpoint emerging trends and tell entrepreneurs planning their next ventures which opportunities to consider, on and off the Web.

Fitness Business

The business opportunities for fitness centers have been and continue to be attractive.  Aging baby boomers want to stay fit and live longer. There is also a plethora of dependable businesses built around serving boomers' concerns about longevity, many of which are business that will make their owners a lot of money in 2007. Matthew Shay, president of the Washington-based International Franchise Association, says the best opportunities for entrepreneurs reflect changing U.S. demographics. Business opportunities surrounding the promotion of good health and fitness have been, and continue to be, attractive, Shay adds.  There are a lot of entrepreneurial opportunities in health and food products, says William Rosenzweig, an adjunct professor of social entrepreneurship at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business and managing partner at Great Spirit Ventures, which funds early-stage food, medicine, and agriculture companies.

Who Are Fitness Professionals?

Fitness Professionals are coaches dedicated to helping you realize your potential. Great Fitness Professionals • Educate • Motivate • Inspire And like great coaches, the best Fitness Professionals know that the study of movement and nutrition can convey useful lessons of life – from increased confidence and self-esteem to improved discipline and focus. Your Fitness Goals: Weight Loss Management & Training The goal of our personal training program is to turn you into your own personal trainer. Only you are guaranteed to be with you for the rest of your life. We don’t teach you how to use a particular machine, we teach you how to exercise properly to achieve goals, rehabilitate injuries, and prevent future injuries. Nutrition is the basis. Learn how to eat properly based on your goals following two key principles: Eating strategies must be easy to follow (we don’t believe in diets) and they must include foods you already like to eat. Learn how to manage your fitness in a way that allows you to avoid all of the fad diet and exercise programs out there. Save thousands of dollars by learning about proper exercise and nutrition now and enjoy a lifetime of maintenance. Core Stability/Flexibility/Coordination. Consider hiring a Fitness Professional for 8 to 16 weeks — long enough to learn the nutritional strategies, various fitness principles, equipment technologies and exercise techniques required to become reasonably self-sufficient and to achieve noticeable results. Periodic sessions with a trainer will reinforce training habits and help you learn new techniques. Show your friends and family members that you have made the choice to be different from the 50-60% of Americans that choose to live their lives overweight. What Results Can You Expect from Your Personal Sessions? K Create a nutritional plan based on your goals and on your personal profile. K Learn how to turn your body into a “fat burning machine” - Lose up to 2 pounds per week of body fat per month and keep it off for life! K Find out how to get the maximum results out of the least amount of exercise time. K Learn how to burn fat while you sleep, watch tv, or sit at your desk at work. K Have the body you’ve always wanted, be in better shape at 40 or 50 then you were at 20. K Fit in that bikini you’ve always dreamed of, go down 4 dress sizes or change your waist from the 38 you’ve been for 5 years back to the 32 you were in high school. K Get the motivation and inspiration you need to stick with your program. K Learn how to adapt an exercise program K Learn how to recover from an injury and how to prevent future injuries. U S FITNESS GROUP Professional staff is there for you with a mix in: • Nutrition • Injury/Rehabilitation • Sports Training • Figure Modeling With knowledge in exercise science, nutrition, fitness assessment, exercise programming, and instructional and spotting techniques they are: • Professionals • Experienced and Committed • US FITNESS GROUP Fitness Professionals hold certifications in important programs such as: ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine), NFPT (National Federation of Professional Trainers), NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine), IFPA (International Fitness Professionals Association), NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) ACE (American Council on Exercise), as well as other programs.

US FITNESS GROUP
TODD MAYO
todd@usfitnessgroup.com
425-223-7169