Here are five trends for fitness that were described in our local paper. Some of them such as “time efficient fitness” seem perfect for the working woman. Also discussed are “boomer fitness” which is described as an “ageless” approach to exercise. I think that means it will help us hold on to what we’ve got.

Technological Advances –

Expect to see more innovative fitness video games, such as EA Sports Active-2, which, paired with a Kinect sensor for Xbox 360, uses wireless motion tracking to monitor your activity.

Smart-phone apps likely will continue to multiply and become more complex, experts say, going beyond basic calorie counters to interactive tools to measure and respond to your physical activity (for example lolo Burn, which changes the beat of workout music to match your running or walking pace).

Fitness pros will use social networking to connect with their clients for motivation, instruction or accountability.

Bodyweight Training

Strength training is going back to basics, with machines and workouts that use the weight of your own body to get you in shape. So less use of dumbbells and more use of ropes, stretchy bands or pull-up equipment.

Barre Workouts

Barre training, inspired by dance and Pilates movements, will be popular. The Los Angeles based Cardio Barre program combines barre work, light weights and floor exercises. Studios are opening across the country.

At home barre workouts are available on DVD from Cardio Barre and other companies. You don’t need a barre at home you can just use a chair.

Boomer Fitness

Jane Fonda has just released new workouts, and fitness DVD veteran Kathy Smith will introduce her Ageless line of at home workouts in 2011. I really like Kathy Smith’s workouts. She has a very practical approach and is easy to follow. Nothing crazy on Kathy Smith’s DVD’s.

Functional fitness are workouts to help you perform everyday tasks. These are predicted to grow in popularity, possibly to reflect the needs of baby boomers.

Time-Efficient Fitness

Programs for the chronically time crunched will continue to be popular such as circuit training and boot camps, which combine strength and cardio intervals, and fitness DVDs featuring several five-minute or 10-minute segments. I have a Denise Austin Yoga DVD that has 10 minute yoga segments and I really enjoy it. I also recently came across a seven minute yoga routine from Dr. Oz which is very easy. He mentioned it in his New Year resolutions for better health. See our post Dr. Oz Health Tips at
and get the link to the routine.

The biggest loser trainers have made a workout DVD and it was reviewed in our paper. Here is what our DVD diva had to say:

Cast - Non-gimmicky Biggest Loser TV show trainer Bob Harper strolss among show contestants, Bernie, bill, Michelle, Heba, Vicky and super-toned Ali.

Skill Level Required – Beginning to moderate. DVD has three add-on levels. In one you hold long yoga poses and sweat; in the second you do abs/pilates/yoga and shake a little; and in the third, yoga mixed with weights may make you grunt.

Equipment – Yoga mat, medicine ball and a couple of light weights. This workout works.

What’s good - Bob is as no-nonsense as his basic gray T-shirt and shorts. The people he instructs are at various levels and you can pick yours all along the ways. Great mix of basic yoga with everything but cardio.

What’s bad – Music in one segment was “so tension building DVDiva expected Keanu Reeves to drive through any minute in a bus rigged to blow.” Calling this “weight loss” is deceptive because there is no cardio.

Overall Grade – A-

See our previous DVD reviews Sculp-ilates DVD review and Walking DVD for Exercise

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Our paper has a health section that periodically reviews workout dvds. really like the way the woman who reviews them organizes the review. IHere is the latest review on The Firm Sculpt-ilates:

Skill level – Beginning to moderate

You’ll need – Bare feet, a mat and a strong stretch band, one is included with the DVD

What’s good – This is Pilates sculpting with a twist. It’s a series of deceptive-looking little tortures with cute names like “ladybug” and “swimming” mixed with moves like “swan” and “mermaid” that can feel even better than the cool down stretches. The 50 minutes are over before you know it. According to our local columnist and I quote “DVD diva almost forgot that there were moments when a thigh muscles or obliques were already screaming when Robyn smiled”, and said “Only four more, I’md oing it with you.”

What’s bad – Not much. According to the columnist “The Firm muscle mavens have never wasted DVDiva’s time.

Grade – B+

There was another new Pilates-type DVD that was reviewed. Piyolet is a blend of pilates, yoga and ballet all rolled into one workout. The DVD has three 20-minute piyolet workouts and sells for $14.99 on the creator’s (Roslyn Bazzelle) website – www.roslynbazzelle.com. According to the reviewer the ballet moves are mostly confined to arms (port-de-bras) but the workout is intense.

To see a review of a a walking dvd see our post Women walking for exercise in front of the tv

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