Introduction
In the ever-evolving Fitness industry, staying ahead of the trends is crucial for Personal Trainers looking to maximise their career and business opportunities. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) conducts an annual survey to identify the latest trends, and the 2024 survey has unveiled some exciting insights. In this comprehensive blog, we will summarise the outcomes of the ACSM 2024 Trends research, discuss all 20 trends, and provide suggestions and ideas for existing personal trainers to make the most of these trends.
Trends in Fitness: An Overview
The ACSM 2024 Trends research identified the top 20 fitness trends that are shaping the industry. Let’s explore each of these trends and then delve into actionable steps personal trainers can take to thrive in this dynamic landscape:
Trend #1: Wearable Technology
Wearable technology continues to dominate the fitness industry as the #1 trend in 2024. Personal trainers should embrace these devices, which provide real-time information such as heart rate, step counts, and sleep time. Utilising wearable technology allows trainers to tailor their clients’ fitness routines, track their progress, and provide a more personalised training experience.
Trend #2: Worksite Health Promotion
Worksite health promotion has risen to #2 on the list, emphasising the importance of workplace wellness. Personal trainers can explore opportunities to collaborate with employers, offering fitness programmes, access to fitness facilities, and health education classes to employees. This trend presents a chance to expand your client base and improve workplace productivity.
Trend #3: Fitness Programmes for Older Adults
With an increasing population of older adults, fitness programmes catering to this demographic are in high demand. Personal trainers should consider expanding their qualification base and completing the Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Clients with Long-Term Conditions to increase their expertise and be able to include specialised workouts that enhance balance, strength, and overall well-being for older clients.
Trend #4: Exercise for Weight Loss
Exercise for weight loss remains a top trend in 2024. Personal trainers can incorporate a holistic approach by combining aerobic activities, strength training, and dietary guidance to help clients achieve their weight-loss goals. With the obesity pandemic not slowing down and specialist courses like the the Level 4 Certificate in Physical Activity and Weight Management for Obese and Diabetic Clients it can be a method to increasing your client base.
Trend #5: Reimbursement for Qualified Exercise Professionals (QEPs)
The recognition of exercise professionals as part of the healthcare continuum is on the rise. In addition to the Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Clients with Long-Term Conditions personal trainers can enrol on the Level 4 Certificate in Exercise for the Management of Lower Back Pain. With an aging population, it is expected that individual’s with these specialist skills are going to be in high demand.
Trend #6: Employing Certified Exercise Professionals
Hiring certified professionals is an enduring trend that assures clients of their trainers’ competence and commitment to their fitness journey. Personal trainers should maintain accredited certifications and promote their qualifications to build trust and reduce liability.
Trend #7: Mobile Exercise Apps
Mobile exercise apps are gaining momentum, offering flexibility in programme delivery. Personal trainers can explore partnerships with these apps, using them as tools to engage clients, track their progress, and offer guidance remotely. With the growth of technology and the use of AI, as well as Online Perosnal Training trending at number 19, it appears Online Personal Training is here to stay,
Trend #8: Exercise for Mental Health
The importance of exercise for mental health is increasingly recognised. Trainers can incorporate mental health aspects into their programmes, promoting the benefits of physical activity in improving mood and overall well-being. Combining this with special population programmes as well as community-based sessions, can be a great method to help the community and grow your business.
Trend #9: Youth Athletic Development
Youth athletic development is a growing trend, focusing on enhancing motor skills, strength, and coordination in children and adolescents. Personal trainers can explore the specialised training for adolescents, ensuring they receive proper guidance and support., and use this as an additional revenue and network strategy.
Trend #10: Personal Training
Personal training remains a staple in the top 10 fitness trends list. Personal trainers should continue to offer one-on-one training, emphasising fitness testing, goal setting, and programme implementation tailored to each client’s needs. Courses available include the Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training, if you already hold your Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing, or for those entering the industry, the Level 3 Diploma in Gym Instructing and Personal Training combines both the L2 Gym certificate and the Level 3 PT course into one Diploma
Trend #11: Lifestyle Medicine
Lifestyle medicine promotes healthy behaviours as the foundation of health promotion, disease prevention, and medical treatment. Personal trainers can align their programmes with lifestyle medicine principles, including physical activity, nutrition, stress reduction, social well-being and the incorporation of Behaviour Change Approaches .
Trend #12: Outdoor Fitness Activities
Participation in outdoor fitness activities continues to be popular. Personal trainers can organise outdoor workouts, engage in community events, and leverage the appeal of exercising in natural settings to attract clients. The use of diverse and alternative equipment can also be a popular method to engage and add variety to clients sessions.
Trend #13: Health and Wellness Coaching
Health and wellness coaching integrate behavioural science principles into health promotion and lifestyle medicine programmes. Personal trainers can consider obtaining wellness coaching certifications to offer holistic guidance to clients, as well as being aware of Long-term behaviour change techniques.
Trend #14: Functional Fitness Training
Functional fitness training aims to improve balance, coordination, and functional strength. Personal trainers can design programmes that improve clients’ ability to perform daily activities and enhance their independence and overall well-being. With exercise methods like CrossFit and Hyrox becoming more popular, implementing these techniques and offering ‘Functional Training’ classes help build a strong business offering.
Trend #15: Yoga
Yoga, a modality that enhances mental wellness and self-awareness, holds a prominent place in fitness. Personal trainers can incorporate yoga into their offerings, making it accessible to clients of various fitness levels. Other modes such as Pilates, as well as being Mindful, are ever growing, showing the connection between physical fitness and mental health.
Trend #16: Exercise is Medicine® (EIM)
The ‘Exercise is Medicine®’ initiative emphasises the importance of physical activity in healthcare. Personal trainers can collaborate with healthcare providers and registered EIM programmes to promote exercise as a vital part of healthcare. This is predominantly within the US but by networking with your local authority and contacting the CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group) here are opportunities for personal trainer who are qualified with the Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Clients with Long-Term Conditions to engage with these programmes in the UK.
Trend #17: Traditional Strength Training
Traditional strength training, while declining slightly, remains an essential component of fitness. Personal trainers should continue to provide clients with proper guidance on lifting techniques and exercise selection. The importance of strength cannot be overrated. From ensuring quality of lifestyle and independence in older age, to improving power and endurance, as well as maintaining general functionality, strength should be a core objective of most programmes.
Trend #18: Data-Driven Training Technology
Real-time data-driven training technology is gaining prominence. Personal trainers can use digital tools to personalise workouts, offer individualised coaching, and enhance clients’ exercise experiences. With the growth of technology and AI, watch this space as an ongoing and growing trend.
Trend #19: Online Personal Training
Online personal training has made a resurgence in the top 20 trends, emphasising the convenience of virtual coaching. By leveraging online platforms personal trainers can offer more diverse services, reach a broader client base, and help overcome barriers to physical activity.
Trend #20: High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
HIIT workouts, characterised by short bursts of high-intensity exercise, continue to be effective and popular. Personal trainers can incorporate HIIT into their training programmes, tailor it to clients’ fitness levels, and promote its benefits. With busy life-styles and the rise of other fitness trends like functional training, HIIT seems to be a staple requirment.
Actions for Personal Trainers
To capitalise on these trends and maximise career and business opportunities, personal trainers can take several strategic actions:
- Embrace Wearable Technology: Incorporate wearable technology into client assessments and training programmes. Use data from these devices to personalise workouts and track progress effectively.
- Target Worksites: Collaborate with employers to offer worksite health promotion programmes. Provide fitness classes, wellness seminars, and access to fitness facilities for employees.
- Specialise in Older Adult Fitness: Expand your expertise to cater to the growing population of older adults. Design fitness programmes that focus on balance, strength, and overall well-being for this demographic.
- Offer Comprehensive Weight Loss Programmes: Develop holistic weight loss programmes that combine exercise, nutrition, and behavioural change. Guide clients in creating a caloric deficit while preserving lean body mass.
- Explore Reimbursement Opportunities: Investigate reimbursement options for your services, where feasible. Advocate for policy changes that recognise exercise professionals as part of the healthcare continuum.
- Maintain Certification: Keep your certifications up-to-date and prominently display them to build trust with clients. Continued education ensures you stay current with industry developments.
- Leverage Mobile Exercise Apps: Partner with mobile exercise app providers to engage clients remotely. Use these apps to deliver workouts, track progress, and offer guidance.
- Address Mental Health: Incorporate mental health considerations into your training programmes. Highlight the positive impact of exercise on mood and overall mental well-being.
- Focus on Youth Athletic Development: Consider additional training or certifications for working with children and adolescents. Design age-appropriate fitness programmes to enhance their skills and confidence.
- Personalise Training: Continue offering one-on-one personal training, emphasising fitness testing, goal setting, and program implementation tailored to each client’s needs.
- Align with Lifestyle Medicine: Promote the principles of lifestyle medicine, including physical activity, nutrition, stress reduction, and social well-being, in your training programmes.
- Organise Outdoor Workouts: Capitalise on the appeal of outdoor fitness activities. Plan outdoor workouts and community engagement events to attract clients.
- Pursue Wellness Coaching: Explore wellness coaching certifications to offer a holistic approach to health and well-being for your clients.
- Promote Functional Fitness: Design programmes that improve clients’ balance, coordination, and functional strength for daily living.
- Incorporate Yoga: Integrate yoga into your offerings, making it accessible to clients of various fitness levels.
- Collaborate with EIM: Partner with healthcare providers and registered EIM programmes to promote exercise as a vital part of healthcare. Research your local CCG and contact them to see what programmes are in the pipeline. or better yet, set your own programme up.
- Educate on Strength Training: Continue to educate clients on proper strength training techniques and exercise selection for their goals.
- Embrace Data-Driven Training: Utilise data-driven training technology to Personalise workouts and enhance clients’ exercise experiences.
- Offer Online Personal Training: Expand your reach by offering online personal training services, catering to clients who prefer virtual coaching.
- Implement HIIT Workouts: Incorporate HIIT workouts into your training programmes, customising them for clients’ fitness levels and goals.
Conclusion
Maximising career and business opportunities as a personal trainer in 2024 requires adapting to industry trends and taking strategic actions. By staying informed about the latest fitness trends and implementing the suggested strategies, personal trainers can thrive in a dynamic and competitive environment. Success in this field comes from dedication to clients’ well-being and a commitment to offering innovative, effective, and personalised fitness solutions.
For those looking to further their knowledge and skills in personal training or explore online personal training courses, CMS Fitness Courses provides comprehensive training programmes. To learn more, contact CMS Fitness Courses today at 01924 470 477 or email [email protected]. Your journey to becoming a successful personal trainer starts here.
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