Dave McGarry earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida in exercise science and an MBA from the University of Texas, Dallas. Along with his degrees, McGarry is certified through the NSCA as a certified strength and conditioning specialist and is the current assistant general manager for the Cooper Fitness Center at Craig Ranch. His experience consists of more than 12 years as a personal trainer and fitness manager. McGarry also is actively involved with the community as a public speaker and presenter to corporations for health and wellness. His most recent accomplishment is a self-published book for fitness professionals and personal trainers called “Anatomy of Sales.” If you would like to learn more or read his blog, visit www.davemcgarry.com.

What does 2010 hold for the industry as far as fitness trends? Here are my thoughts on what to watch for this year:

1. Boot camps. Boot camps are going to continue to be popular. Boot camps appeal to a large audience and are economical for participants in this struggling economy. One target market to consider is the corporate market. Some companies do not have fitness centers in their buildings but before work or after work, boot camps can draw a large group of people.

2. Small group training. Small groups offer members a sense of community that can increase their commitment and allows a little more intimacy with the trainer.

3. Shorter personal training sessions. By offering half-hour personal training sessions, you allow clients to not only maximize their time but also save financially. Also, shorter personal training sessions can increase intensity levels and still provide a challenging workout.

4. Cardio/interval training. Specialized cardio interval classes and groups have become popular. These classes can be conducted two to three times a week and be designed to target different heart rate zones.

5. Personal training by demographic.

A. Baby Boomers. They are the fastest growing segment of the market. Boomers recognize that they will have health issues, and they want to be proactive about it. Design programs that are geared specifically for this population.

B. Sport specific. This training is popular as a growing majority of kids today play at least one organized sport, and spending on youth sports programs is estimated at several billions of dollars. More and more kids will want to train to get that competitive edge.

C. Seniors. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the senior population accounts for one-third of the total U.S. population. As they live longer, the senior population will continue to work out so they not only “live longer” but live a more quality life as well.

D. Children. Obesity is still the No. 1 issue facing our children today. Specialized programs and training will continue to grow as more kids lack the daily physical activity needed to maintain proper health.

6. Weight loss. Weight loss still ranks high among the goals people are looking to achieve through fitness. Now, a good weight-loss program will be composed of several components, such as behavior modification, nutritional counseling and structured exercises that fit a client’s abilities.

7. Aquatic personal training. The benefits of using the properties of water for exercise are highly documented and without a doubt a growing trend in the fitness industry. Aqua training can be used for rehab, a change in training modality and for different populations, such as Baby Boomers or seniors who still need to exercise but may be limited on what they can do on land.

8. Functional training. The buzz may have faded, but in reality, functional training is still the backbone to developing a sound foundational program for members. If you have not marketed your services to death using the term functional training, you might want to consider rolling out a marketing campaign promoting it now.

9. One-on-one. Still a staple in the industry, one-on-one personal training will continue to be popular. However, clients will be looking for results and the biggest value for their money. One-on-one sessions will become more wellness coaching centered.

10. Post rehab/physician referral. If you have not created relationships with physicians and physical therapists, then you need to start. More and more member referrals will be coming from doctors and therapists as the population ages and needs exercise to continue to be active and healthy.

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