Happy New Year!!
2011 was absolutely incredible for us here at Chanhassen Fitness Revolution.
First, we opened our facility – exactly one year ago…
Then we cranked out amazing boot camp programs that helped our members lose hundreds of pounds of fat and build all kinds of lean, sexy muscle.
On top of that, we introduced new classes like Yoga, added cool equipment like kettlebells and battling ropes, and held a bunch of different educational workshops and series.
All in all, 2011 was fantastic. However, we’re just getting started here at Fitness Revolution…
In 2012 we’re talking our Chanhassen weight loss & fitness program offerings to a whole new level with things like:
- Functional Movement Screening
- Group Personal Training
- Miss Teen Boot Camp
- Customer Service Assistant
- Online Scheduling
- Improved Program Design to Calendar Flow
- National Transformation Challenge
- Member Support Program
- Chanhassen Fitness Revolution INNER CIRCLE
- Weekend Classes
- And More!
I’ve been working in the fitness industry for 15 years now (studying for about 23 years), and I’ve seen a lot of things come and go, while others have stood the test of time. Each year I like to look into my crystal ball and make my fitness industry predictions. It’s a fun little game I play. So, without further adieu let’s get into my 2012 Predictions for the Fitness Industry…
Fitness Industry Prediction #1: Boot Camps Will Continue To Grow
The number of local boot camps that have popped up around the country, and world for that matter, over the past year is staggering. Boot camps are all the rage, and for good reason. They’re cost-effective and, when led by a true fitness professional, results-effective. Of course, there in lies the “rub”…
With more and more “copy cats” and “I don’t like my regular job, I’m really fit, so maybe I’ll just start a fitness boot camp” ‘trainers’ getting in on the trend, boot camps are spreading like wildfire.
The effect is kind of like a double-edge sword for us “fitness professionals.”
One the one hand, it helps spread the word to the masses that you don’t have to workout in a big, fancy health club or spend a fortune hiring a personal trainer. On the other hand, these “bust ‘em up, beat ‘em down, no real planning” boot camps give those of us who take being a fitness professional seriously a bad name.
All-in-all, I’ll take it. The more people who are aware of what we do the better. We (the true fitness professionals) will just have to continue to work hard to spread our message and show how we’re different. This leads me to my next prediction…
Fitness Industry Prediction #2: Corrective Exercise Will Gain Massive Popularity
In an effort to separate themselves from the local “get ‘em tired” boot camps, to stay on the cutting edge of fitness, and ultimately do the very best they can for their clients, fitness professionals will incorporate more and more corrective exercise into their programs.
It started with Tissue Quality work using tennis balls and foam rollers at the beginning of a boot camp session. Now, it will evolve into complete fitness assessments using advance screenings like the Functional Movement Screen.
The FMS is a ranking and grading system that documents movement patterns that are key to normal function. By screening these patterns, the FMS readily identifies functional limitations and asymmetries. These are issues that can reduce the effects of functional training and physical conditioning and distort body awareness.
The FMS generates the Functional Movement Screen Score, which is used to target problems and track progress. This scoring system is directly linked to the most beneficial corrective exercises to restore mechanically sound movement patterns.
Exercise professionals monitor the FMS score to track progress and to identify those exercises that will be most effective to restore proper movement and build strength in each individual.
So, in a nutshell, the FMS is designed to
- Identify functional limitations and asymmetries which have been linked to increased injury risk
- Provide exercises to restore proper movement, and build stability, mobility, and strength in each individual
Skilled fitness professionals will use the FMS and incorporate the results into their boot camp and personal training program designs. Corrective exercise circuits will become a staple part of every fitness professionals program.
Fitness Industry Prediction #3: Group Personal Training Programs Will Gain Popularity
Personal training started years ago as a one-on-one, personal trainer-to-client relationship. This seemingly “natural” philosophy allowed for complete customization of a training program for the individual client’s needs. However, it also becomes very limiting…
For one, with a limited number of hours in a day, personal trainers have to charge significantly high rates in order to make living. In addition, continuing research supports the idea that people are more successful when they train in groups because of the positive peer pressure leading to more consistent and intense workouts.
Then came boot camps. More clients at one time allowed trainers to charge less per client AND made training more fun for the clients – both leading to greater participation, and ultimately, RESULTS.
However, as I alluded to in the last two predictions, more and more, shall we say, less than stellar “boot camps” have, and will continue to lead to overcompensation, asymmetries, and eventually harmful injuries.
As trainers and clients see the need to get back to more customization, along with corrective exercise, we will see a shift to more of a “middle ground” for personal training formats – Group Personal Training.
Group personal training (groups of 5 -10 clients) will give both clients and trainer a “best of both worlds” scenario…
- Customized programming
- Group dynamic
- Affordable rates
Have no fear though, my boot camp loving friends, boot camps will be around for a LONG time. Boot camps are still the most cost-effective solution for personal training. Group Personal Training will just give clients more options…
Fitness Industry Prediction #4: More Home-based Workouts & Online Personal Training Solutions Will Become Available
Let’s face it, people are busy, and it’s always going to be the #1 reason (EXCUSE) why they can’t workout. Then, of course, for those who do make the time, their #1 reason (EXCUSE) for not hiring a fitness professional is…you know it – MONEY.
Enter – Home-based Workouts & Online Personal Training Solutions.
As technology improves, better and better home-based workouts and online personal training programs will become available. Programs like StreamFit ($19.99/mo) and apps like iWorkoutMuse ($4.95) are making home-based workouts more exciting and easy to follow.
For over two years now, I’ve been providing downloadable workouts to our members at Look Great at the Lake Boot Camp ONLINE. In 2012, we’ll be taking it to a whole new level with the Chanhassen Fitness Revolution INNER CIRCLE ($9.95 – $49.95/mo)…stay tuned!
Fitness Industry Prediction #5: Home Delivered Healthy Meals
Busy, busy, busy. The busy schedules continue to get busier, and now folks are finding it harder and harder to cook healthy meals. Over the past year I’ve had more people than ever tell me they either don’t like to cook or simply don’t have the time to cook a healthy meal every night.
Up until now, the only quick-cook solutions were crappy tasting or extremely unhealthy. The grocery store freezers are filled with these high starch, high sodium, high chemical, low-to-no protein, low nutritional value frozen “foods,” and busy people are buying them by the cartload.
I won’t take the time here now to talk about why these particular pre-packaged meals are terrible for your health. Instead, I’ll just wrap up by sharing a new alternative, and make the prediction that more solutions like this will be coming…
Meal Movement is the “new kid on the block” in the pre-packaged meal industry. But, they’re taking a completely different approach – all-natural, no additives, high protein, high vegetable. What a revolutionary concept. ;-b
2012 is going to bring about some big shifts in the fitness industry, and Chanhassen Fitness Revolution will be on the cutting edge.
I wish you a very Happy New Year, and I look forward to serving you well in 2012.
HAVE FAITH & TAKE ACTION!
Justin Yule, BS, CPT
Justin Yule, BS, CPT is the owner of Fitness Revolution in Chanhassen, MN as well as the Director of Franchisee Support for Fitness Revolution International. Justin holds a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with a Concentration in Adult Fitness. Justin is also a certified personal trainer with the National Academy of Sports Medicine, a Functional Movement Screen Specialist, a Workout Muse Metabolic Training Expert, a Youth Fitness Specialist with the International Youth Conditioning Association, a Kettlebell Coach with Kettlebell Athletics, and a Resistance Band Training Specialist with PerforMax Performance Training. Justin has been helping clients achieve their health and fitness goals since 1997, and became a Best Selling Author in 2011 with his contribution to Total Body Breakthroughs. In addition, he has been nominated as one of the top Rising Stars in the Fitness Industry, and was featured in USA Today as a member of the World Fitness Elite. To contact Justin for training, education or to have him speak at an event please email Justin@justinyule.com.
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