Tuesday, August 14, 2012

The Future of Fitness: Forecasting Trends in the Training Industry


The History of Physical Culture

Fitness as a lifestyle has a long history, dating back to classical times. In ancient Greece, strength training was a way of life, and the fittest athletes won fame and fortune in the Olympic Games. Centuries later, carnivals would feature a usually mustachioed strongman hoisting unwieldy barbells above his head to the awe and delight of onlookers.
As the 20th century saw the birth of broadcast television, a strong and wiry Jack LaLanne took the country by storm, and young men everywhere began to idolize the muscled physiques they witnessed on television and in print magazines. Soon, another fitness craze was born when Dr. Kenneth Cooper developed aerobics. The fitness movement began to expand rapidly and eventually evolved into a full-fledged industry.
Technological triumphs continued to lay the groundwork for fitness entrepreneurs. The release of VHS and its eventual replacement by DVD’s meant people could work out in the comfort of their homes but still retain the guidance of a knowledgeable and charismatic trainer. Now, even game consoles are getting in on the action, by offering fun exercise games featuring aerobics, yoga, and stretching. These games are utilized by health clubs and even nursing homes for the elderly.

The Expanding Exercise Industry

These impressive technologies also changed the overall character of the general workforce. More people began to work in offices and increasingly at home, leaving behind jobs with long hours of manual labor. As consumers searched for an outlet to nurture their neglected physicality, gym memberships and regular exercise regimens became the norm.
For these reasons, personal training is now one of the fastest growing occupational fields. More and more individuals are looking for ways to get their feet in the door. And why not? Working in the fitness industry allows individuals to be independent, earn a substantial income, and make a difference in people’s lives. It’s truly a fulfilling job in more ways than one.
Personal training is defined by its nomenclature. It’s an intimate client-teacher relationship, and a trainer’s career is built by reputation and in many ways, personality. To be successful, a new technology must allow a personal trainer to capture his or her individuality. The internet fulfills these needs, and has already begun to once again transform the ever-developing industry.

The Future of Personal Training

By broadcasting live events, a personal trainer can now effectively work with clients remotely. All that’s needed is an internet connection and a webcam. Trainers can showcase their personality, create personalized training plans for individual clients, and lead group lessons with participants from around the world. By monetizing their live sessions regularly, trainers can amass a global audience that is both profitable and personally engaging.
More people sign up for web services everyday. Concurrently, more people seek out ways to become more physically fit in a hassle-free environment. Just as magazines, television, and the video revolution before it, these new online capabilities will usher in a new era of the fitness industry. With its focus on interpersonal relationships, the internet is especially conducive to personal trainers, turning the entire planet into a potential studio.


Dan Berwick




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