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Yoga on the up, but martial arts out in USA and Canada fitness trends
Core-conditioning, stretching and strength training are the fastest growing group fitness programmes in the USA and Canada according to the latest report from the world's leading membership organisation of health and fitness professionals.
Trendwatch 2001, an annual report of fitness trends issued by the IDEA Health & Fitness Association, finds that core conditioning programmes, flexibility/stretching classes such as yoga and pilates and group strength training have shown the greatest increase in participation levels. This growth has partly been attributed to the ageing population's interest in keeping fit as well as consumers being better educated about the benefits of particular fitness programmes.
Programme directors representing a wide range of fitness facilities including large and small fitness chains, university-based programmes, YMCAs, spas and hospitality-based facilities, participated in the survey. Other fitness programmes found to be increasing include walking, indoor cycling, water classes and sport-specific training, while martial arts-based classes, boxing-based classes and indoor rowing were found to be decreasing in popularity.
With a slowdown in the economy and consumers having less discretionary income to spend on fitness activities it's crucial that fitness facility managers and programme directors offer appealing options to attract new members and retain existing ones, said Kathie Davis, executive director of IDEA
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