Health-and-Fitness online information.

8 MAJOR FITNESS TRENDS OF THE 1990s:

In their recently published annual report, the Fitness Products Council identified eight major fitness trends in the 1990s.

1) An increase in the use of exercise machines--America especially embraced cardiovascular machines such as treadmills and stair climbers, but they also utilized strength training equipment.

2) A boom in the use of free weights, especially by women--In 1995, working out with free weights became the number one fitness activity in the nation.

3) An increase in treadmill popularity--In 1987, 4.4 million Americans reported exercising on a treadmill. By 1997, the number had grown by 720% to 31.7 million.

4) An increase in health club popularity--Health club memberships rose from 13.8 million in 1987 to 22.5 million in 1997--a 63% gain.

5) Increased usage of home equipment--The Fitness Products Council found exercise equipment is owned and used in nearly one-third of American households.

6) Enduring commitment--Baby boomers, the creators of the fitness movement, have not surrendered to middle age and settled into a sedentary life. Instead, they remain committed to working out.

7) An evolution in exercise forms--New devices and routines have emerged to motivate and attract exercisers. Not only has new equipment such as stair climbers, abdominal trainers and elliptical motion machines been introduced to the gym, but step aerobics now shares the floor with yoga, ethnic-inspired dance movements, cycling, free weights and treadmills.

8) More personal trainers--Personal trainers who were once only employed by movie stars and sports heroes are now accessible to almost anyone. In 1993, the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America held 96 certification workshops for personal trainers. In 1998, the number of workshops will be nearly 300.

# posted by Medical Information : 1:40 AM