The American Council on Exercise (ACE), a non-profit fitness advocacy organization, recently polled 50,000 fitness professionals for their 2006 “fitness trend predictions.” Their collective crystal ball is apparently filled with more yoga, semi-personal trainers, and long daily walks. Below, I’ve paraphrased and quoted their final top ten.

ACE’s Fitness Trend Predictions for 2006

1) Teenagers and kids using personal trainers for sport-specific training. For example, tennis players strengthening their rotator cuff muscles to improve their serve.

2) Small-group personal training (usually less than five people). This is a way to receive the technical instruction and supervision of personal training for less money. It can also help families work out together.

3) In-home training. Home gyms can offer variety and comfort economically––after an initial investment. (ACE’s website can help––it has a huge exercise library full of detailed yoga poses, calisthenics, and stretching.)

4) Specialized fitness for older adults. This way they’re able to condition muscles, tendons, ligament, and bones to help fight osteoarthritis and osteoporosis and lower the risk of everyday injury.

5) Simple exercise habits, such as a walk a day. The nation’s growing waistline can be fought with a minimum of 60 minutes of exercise per day. Moderately intense daily activity can prevent illness and prolong your life.

6) Balance training (e.g., Tai Chi, yoga, Pilates, etc.). These activities and related equipment (foam rollers, wobble boards, Bosu balls, etc.) are among the fastest growing and most popular exercise options for adults.

7) Employers encouraging fitness and weight loss. Companies lose revenue due to increased absenteeism, higher health and medical expenses, and reduced productivity related to obesity. So they’re now backing wellness programming to encourage an overall healthier lifestyle.

8) Restaurants offering healthier nutrition options––or at least nutritional information. Many Americans are demanding to know what’s in their meals and restaurants are responding by offering nutritional content listed on their menus.

9) Mind-body fitness fusions. Classes that blend Yoga and Pilates with more traditional exercises are booming. Practitioners of these programs get all the usual benefits of traditional fitness plus learn proper posture, breathing, and body awareness.

10) Functional fitness in personal training sessions and classes. These exercises enhance coordination, strength, and endurance in everyday activities.

Photo by Jeff Daly