After countless hours of research and analysis of industry and consumer trends, here are my annual exercise and fitness predictions.  If you recall from last year, there were absolutely no incorrect predictions for 2010!  I hope you can find a few ways to stay trendy and fit in 2011 with this year’s list.  So, without further delay, here you go:

1. Boot-Camp Fitness: This has gotten big, and will continue to gain in strength until everyone gets sick of the boring reality shows.  Most people will realize that they quickly burn out with bootcamp, and would have been better off with a steady, consistent, long term fitness plan.  I give it until around July 2011, when it will peak and interest will drop sharply.
2. Your employer will force you to workout:  Perhaps “force” is too strong a word, but we will see more ways to persuade employees to be fit, mainly through wellness programs and insurance discounts.
3. Pilates: Contrary to the one survey in 2010, Pilates will not fade during 2011.  Our research indicates new studios planned for the year as well as more adoption of Pilates at traditional health clubs.  Pilates at home has become increasingly popular with more DVDs available and low cost reformers, which will continue.  On a side note, people will continue to confuse Yoga and Pilates, despite the best efforts of Pilates enthusiasts to educate people in the difference.
4. The Shake-Weight: Will disappear from the infomercial scene for at least five years.  New and used units will sell on eBay for pennies on the dollar.
5. Zumba:  Lots more Zumba in 2011.  Classes, certifications, DVDs, and more.  As everyone begins to forget Bootcamp, Zumba will gain in popularity.
6. Online fitness equipment: More people than ever will purchase major fitness equipment online to avoid sales tax and not have to borrow a neighbor’s pickup truck to get their purchase home. Improving economy (Lord, I hope), free shipping, convenience, and selection will continue to drive this trend.
7. Children Fitness: Parents will continue to be shouted at that their kids are fat.  The nanny-state government will come up with new and interesting ways to do the job of parents and surely fitness programs for kids will follow.
8. Kettlebells: These will continue to be strong.  Interest declined slightly in 2010, but I expect to see this more than made up for in 2011 with the availability of inexpensive adjustable kettlebells and new, interesting programs.
9. Vibration/Power Plate workouts:  A slight uptick for these as they become more widespread, but it won’t move the needle much.
10. Spinning:  Will become more popular in the home as affordable club-style bikes become more readily available.

Do you have a prediction?  If you do, please leave a comment below!

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