IDEA Health & Fitness Association has defined three exercise classes that have seen recent increases in participation and, according to the association, are likely to shape future programming at health clubs and personal training studios.

The three classes identified by IDEA are mixed martial arts (MMA), metabolic conditioning and body leverage training.

MMA is has gained popularity since the launch of the US-based Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and is a full-contact activity that includes elements from a variety of martial arts.

Competitors use strikes, kicks, throws and submission techniques to gain dominance over an opponent and win the match. Skills are derived from karate; Muay Thai and traditional kickboxing; Brazilian jiujitsu; wrestling; boxing; judo; kung fu; tae kwon do; and more.

Metabolic conditioning is a swift-paced form of training designed to yield significant caloric expenditure during and after the workout. Because of the high intensity of many metabolic conditioning formats, session duration is kept to a minimum.

Fitness programmes such as CrossFit, P90X and other high-intensity, fast-paced programmes capitalize on its success. These workouts are considered especially challenging and promise exercisers a fast-track approach to improving fitness levels.

Body leverage training uses the body as primary resistance during exercise. Although the principle itself is not new, modern twists on age-old methods have given body leverage training new life.

Interest in "functional training" continues to grow as suppliers are adding new methods to attract people who might not normally consider taking part in organised exercise classes.

Examples include the TRX Suspension Trainer from Fitness Anywhere, Lifeline Jungle Gym, JUKARI Fit to Fly by Reebok, aerial forms of yoga and Pilates, Gravity by efi, fitness pole dancing and more.

The full report on exercise class trends, called Fast, Furious and Functional: 3 Trends Shaping Today's Fitness Landscape, has been produced by authors Bill Sonnemaker, 2007 IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year, and Ryan Halvorson, certified personal trainer and IDEA associate editor, is available from the IDEA website.

IDEA Health & Fitness Association is one of the leading membership organization for health, wellness and fitness professionals and personal trainers with more than 23,000 members in over 80 countries.