Never a particular follower of fashion nor fads, I have recently found myself intrigued at trends in the health and fitness industry. Body image is ever-pervasive with most young people listing a ‘muscular physique’ as one of the most desirable attributes.

What’s Out
Well I never – if industry experts are telling the truth, its time to put my Jane Fonda DVD in the compactor – high impact aerobics are OUTer than an Adam Lambert performance. Buying your own home gym equipment is also a thing of the past. It appears most people are only prepared to commit to leasing or hiring for short periods but the big purchase is over.

What’s In
Fundamental exercises have regained their status as the true way to staying fit. The basics like push-ups, sit-ups, star jumps and short burst or interval sprints that you learned at school are back in every personal trainer’s routine. What many trainers have discovered is that gimmicks and gadgets tend to distract people from what they are really trying to do – move and get fit. People don’t necessarily want to win the Noosa Blue Triathlon, but they do want to be able to touch their toes and walk up stairs without puffing.

Flexibility and Core-Strength exercises (like Yoga and Pilates) are booming. No longer for the hippy chicks – even footballers see the benefit of increasing their range of movement and strengthening the stamina of their core. Another reason for their popularity is the linking of mind and body. These exercises involve winning as many mental battles as physical ones. They encourage control, technique and discipline to achieve results – attributes that when applied to other areas of your life can have great benefits.
Fitness Friends are also very popular – from gym buddies to Boot Camp crews it seems like the Biggest Loser mentality has firmly rooted itself into our psyche of how to achieve fitness results. Oh, and has another season of shows just started?

What’s On the Comeback
After all the hullaballooo about the loss of community, it would appear that group activities are on the rise. From Aqualicious Swim Squad (who are just about to have a tilt at becoming the Qld State Long Course Champions), the Brisbane Frontrunners who run several nights around the streets of Brisbane, Gay Tennis Brisbane on Tuesday nights at Spring Hill to the Wolfies Touch Footy Team, who play each Sunday at New Farm Park, it would appear that people actually do like being part of a team. If you haven’t had a look then maybe it’s time to share the fun of getting fit – no matter what stage you are at.

And I think I may just hold onto that Aerobics DVD – Olivia Newton John looks like she is ready for a comeback.