Trends for 2013 include:

HIIT

HIIT, which stands for High Intensity Interval (or Intermittent) Training, involves structured periods of exercising at a high intensity with rest periods and although has been around in various forms is becoming more and more popular as people look to undertake the most efficient forms of exercise to lose body fat. Many clubs and brining in 30 or 45 minute classes in this form with equipment like sandbags, Kettlebells and rope training. This type of format will produce lots of lactic acid, but is really efficient for improving fitness and changing your body composition.

Unusual Training

Unusual or unconventional training methods will continue to expand the repertoire of potential ways of exercising in today’s gyms and health clubs. Gone are the days of just your standard cardio, freeweights, resistance machine and stretching/core area. Now many clubs have specific functional and combat training areas, and the different types of effective equipment continues to grow. Becoming more standard now for the modern gym are Kettlebells, suspension systems, sandbags, and space to use plyometrics boxes or for sprints. Ropes for ‘wave training’, functional training rigs / frames with monkey bars and wings for climbing, and sleds for dragging or pushing, are all becoming more and popular with both trainers and the club members as efficient and enjoyable ways of exercising.

Crossfit

Crossfit style training continues to grow with the fitness industry as well as the demand for training and education on the constituents of these sessions. These include advanced Kettlebell exercises, Olympic weightlifting, MMA (mixed martial arts) fitness, extreme bodyweight training, suspension training and use of the functional training rigs, as well as some modified strongman training, such as farmers walks, rope training and prowler work. A number of years ago we were only running a few Olympic Weightlifting courses for personal trainers, now the demand is increasing every year as trainers want to learn how to correctly execute and coach the snatch and clean and jerk to their clients.

SGT

Small Group Training (SGT) or Small Group Functional Training (SFGT) will really expand in 2012 as trainers look to diversify their one-on-one PT business and offer clients the ability to have more effective oversight of their training, but now with 3-4 others as part of a small group. Not only is this good for the trainer, it also allows many others to tap into the expertise of these PTs, but at a reduced rate of maybe £8-12 per session rather than the traditional £30-40 for PT. It also gives the benefit of motivation and integration that comes with larger group training, but is commonly done on the gym floor rather than in a studio and usually with functional training equipment.