ADDRESSING THE TRENDS: BODYWEIGHT TRAINING
This is the easiest and most cost effective trend to address in your facility. Learn a few tricks on how to do it the right way.
We talk a lot of about trends vs. fads around here. What does that really mean?
Trend: “a general development or change in a situation or in the way that people are behaving”
Fad: “a style or activity that suddenly becomes popular but which usually does not stay popular for very long”
Remember thigh-masters? The ab roller? Sweatin’ to the oldies? Probably you’re thinking it’s best not to! And that’s true because fortunately these fads faded as quickly as they started. That’s why it’s important not to run out and purchase every new gadget your residents/guests/members might be asking for but invest wisely in proven trends that are not just a flash in the fitness pan.
#4 TREND OF 2018: BODYWEIGHT TRAINING
What is it?
Bodyweight training refers to strength training exercises that you can do using only your own body-weight as resistance(as opposed to machines, free weights, etc). Think push-ups, pull-ups, squats, planks, etc.
How long has this trend been identified in the ACSM survey?
This trend has been ranked in the top 5 fitness trends since 2013.
“Body weight training appeared for the first time in the trends survey in 2013 (at number 3) and was in the number 2 position for 2017. ” -ACSM(linked to full 2018 survey)
Why is it such a big deal?
The benefits of body-weight training are pretty endless. You can perform them almost anywhere that there is some open floor space with minimal to no equipment. Additionally since there is no added weight on the body, the potential for injury is reduced.
The benefits of any kind of strength training has been consistently shown through research. Such as increasing metabolism and reducing pain. It’s also great for your heart, blood vessels, lungs, hormone production and even brain activity.
How can I address this trend in my facility?
The great news is that this trend requires little to no equipment so it’s very cost effective to address. Think open spaces! The days of cramming your facility with every piece of equipment under the sun should be over.
By providing a safe spot to do moves like push-ups, squats, planks, etc. you will also create a better feel in your facility. It will be less intimidating for new users and also help your facility towards ADA compliance.
You can assist your residents/guests/members who are taking full advantage of this trend by providing a few key items. A mat and resistance bands are a must. Plus a spot to do pull-ups. A great solution that allows the most amount of exercises per footprint is a functional trainer.
Additionally, you can help your members/residents/guests to get the most out of the facility by carefully choosing workout posters. The more they see the benefits, the greater their satisfaction with your facility. It’s a win:win for everyone.
A solution we love is the Trainer Series by SKLZ. Provide workout direction and inspiration right on the accessories! Additionally, the workouts are designed by EXOS and they’ve been training some of the best professional athletes for years.
Plus we’ve got them in stock so call us today to get them coming your way!
Feeling like your space is a little too crowded but don’t know what to drop? Give us a call or email to take advantage of our complimentary layout services.
ADDRESSING THE TRENDS : WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY
Wearable technology is the #1 trend for 2017... but how can you address it in your fitness facility?
Whether it be time or money, we’re all interested in making good investments. Chasing the latest fads can waste both our time and our money, quickly sabotaging our goals. This is why we design fitness rooms around trends, not fads.
“Now in its eleventh year, the survey was completed by more than 1,800 health and fitness professionals worldwide, many certified by ACSM, and was designed to reveal trends in various fitness environments. Forty-two potential trends were given as choices, and the top 20 were ranked and published by ACSM.” -American College of Sports and Medicine regarding the 2017 Worldwide Fitness Trends Survey
By addressing trends in your facility instead of fads you can have confidence that your investment will add value for years to come.
#1 TREND FITNESS TREND FOR 2017
WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY
What is it? Wearable technology includes activity trackers, smart watches, heart rate monitors and GPS tracking devices.
How long has this trend been identified in the ACSM survey? Wearable technology was #1 in the 2016 ACSM Fitness Survey.
“Some business analysts have predicted that sales of the Apple iWatch® alone will exceed 485 million devices by the year 2018 (https://www.abiresearch.com/). Trending in this part of the industry now are smart glasses, with a predicted $1.5 billion in sales (http://www.juniperresearch.com/home), and smart fabrics and interactive textiles reaching sales approaching $2.6 billion by 2017 (http://www.strategyr.com/). It is unpredictable how wearable technology will advance through the next decade.”
- ACSM
Why is it such a big deal?
Whether we’re recovering from a heart surgery or just looking at improving our performance, tracking our heart rate can have some real benefits. It gives us clues on how hard we’re working, if we’re allowing enough recovery time during a HIIT workout, how well are we sleeping or if we’re getting in better shape.
Tracking our activity helps us to track whether we’ve got the right priorities. Are we spending enough time moving each day? Are we making progress on our fitness goals? How did we do compared to last week? Wearable technology can help people to keep health and fitness at the front of their minds, instead of putting it on the back burner.
“Technology is now a must-have in our daily lives. Everyone can easily count steps taken or calories burned using a wearable device or a smart phone,” said Walter R. Thompson, Ph.D., FACSM, the lead author of the survey and associate dean in the College of Education & Human Development at Georgia State University in Atlanta. “The health data collected by wearable technology can be used to inform the user about their current fitness level and help them make healthier lifestyle choices.”
How can I address this trend in my facility?
This is never and should never be a “one size fits all” question. Factors such as space allotment, budget, goals, etc. should be considered and weighed. Here are a few ideas:
Get creative! Honestly, this is a tough trend to address and it’s been a subject of much discussion. The first thing to do is identify potentials benefits:
Multi-family & HOA: Increase community feel with motivating social interactions
Perhaps a board, whether it be a physical or virtual one, where residents can post their workouts or share a shot of their activity data for the day.
Hospitality: Enhance guest experience
Can you take fitness outdoors with wearables? What if you provided guests with a wearable with built in routes to explore the city?
Health & Rec Centers: Provide motivation for members to increase member retention
Accountability is huge and wearables up accountability. Combine that with social accountability and the motivation factor goes up exponentially.
What about other areas? What if you’re a fire or police department: Can you use wearable technology to track your department's training? Medical and wellness: Are you taking advantage of the increased accuracy and comfort of heart rate monitors to monitor your patients?
How can you address wearable technology in your unique facility? Post your ideas below.
Give us a call or email if you’d like a little help!