ACSM Fitness Trends 

Wearable technology includes fitness trackers, smart watches, heart rate monitors and GPS tracking devices. Wearable technology has been estimated to be about a $100 billion industry. New innovations include blood pressure, oxygen saturation and electrocardiogram.

Video

• Fitness Technology: Making it Work for Your Clients Presented by Ted Vickey, Ph.D., as a part of the 2020 Virtual Summit Series *Available exclusively for ACSM Members

Webinars

• Maximize Wearable Technology with Your Clients  *Sponsored by POLAR
• New PAI Technology Prescribes Optimal Levels of Physical Activity *Sponsored by MIOGlobal 
• Increase Motivation and Engagement with Wearable Technology *Sponsored by POLAR
• Using Wearables and Technology to Encourage Healthy Behaviors presented by Christine Pellegrini, Ph.D., as a part of ACSM's Brown Bag Series in Science 

Blog

• Fitness Trackers Can Be Fashionable and Functional by Paul Hibbing, Samuel LaMunion and Lindsay Toth  
• Sales of activity trackers booming, but more research is needed on their benefits by Carol Kennedy-Armbruster, Ph.D., FACSM
• Industry-Presented Blog: New Technology Prescribes Optimal Levels of Physical Activity by Carl Lavie and MioGlobal

Articles

• Fitness Watches and Nutrition Apps: Behavioral Benefits and Emerging Concerns | by Scheid and Lupien, published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
• The History of Exercise Equipment: From Sticks and Stones to Apps and Phones published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
• A Framework to Evaluate Devices That Assess Physical Behavior by Keadle and colleagues, published in Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews; Also features a visual abstract
• Wearable Technology Reduces Prolonged Bouts of Sedentary Behavior by Ellingson and colleagues, published in the Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine
• The Impact of Pairing a Wearable Movement Tracker with an Online Community Weight Loss Intervention by Wilson and colleagues, published in the Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine
• Revisiting Heart Rate Target Zones Through the Lens of Wearable Technology by Jennifer Scheid, PhD and Emma O'Donnell, PhD published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
• Validity of Activity Tracker Step Counts during Walking, Running, and Activities of Daily Living by Toth and colleagues, published in the Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine
• Activity Tracking + Motivation Science: Allies to Keep People Moving for a Lifetime by Michelle Segar, Ph.D. published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
• Move More, Sit Less, and Be Well: Behavioral ASpects of Activity Trackers by Brian Kiessling, M.S. and Carol Kennedy-Armbruster, Ph.D., FACSM published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
• Motivational Dynamics of Wearable Activity Monitors by Elizabeth Lyons, Ph.D., and Maria Schwartz, Ph.D., published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
  
  

CEC Opportunities

• Heart Rate Monitoring Assessment Course 
  This course will provide both fitness professionals and heart rate monitor enthusiasts a foundational knowledge of the physiology of heart rate and how to build an effective heart rate based training program. This course will primarily focus on utilizing five heart rate training zones through the exercise disciplines of cycling and running. This course was developed in partnership with POLAR. Value: 6 CECs.

• ACSM's 2017 Annual Meeting Online CEC: What's Next with Wearables?

  Industry experts discuss the rapidly evolving technology landscape and its implications for physical activity and sport. Value: 2 CECs.

• ACSM's 2016 Health & Fitness Summit: Activity Trackers, Reaching Non-Movers: What's Next with Wearables?

  Learn how to integrate evidence-based practices into daily routines, targeting individuals who are in the contemplation/preparation stage of change. Value: 3 CECs.

Home gyms will continue to be a popular alternative to going to a gym as a consequence of the global COVID-19 pandemic. People will continue to isolate themselves by staying home and taking advantage of the abundant equipment now available, along with effective on-line classes. Home gyms can use minimal equipment, or expensive treadmills and bikes. This is the first year that Home Exercise Gyms has appeared as a fitness trend.

 

Articles

• An Evaluation of home Exercise Equipment Claims | from ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
• The History of Exercise Equipment | from ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
  
  

Infographic

• Home Weight Room Equipment | Looking to outfit your home gym? Here's a break down of the most common equipment that you can purchase so you can determine which items are best for you! 

Perhaps because of the COVID-19 pandemic, more outdoor activities such as small group walks, group rides, or organized hiking groups have become popular. They can be short events, daylong events or planned weeklong hiking excursions. Participants can meet in a local park, hiking area or on a bike trail typically with a designated leader.

Resources

• Starting A Walking Program | Handout
• Selecting the Right Running Shoe | Handout
• Sun Protection for Outdoor Sports | Handout 
• Cold Weather Clothing | Infographic
• Exercising in Hot and Cold Environments | Handout

Articles

• Go Green With Outdoor Activity | by Brown and Stanforth, published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
• Engineering Physical Activity Into Daily Life Through Public Space | by Bailey and Hamilton, published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
• Sun Exposure and Exercise: The Good, the Bad, and the Behavior Change | by Lynn and colleagues, published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
• High-Altitude Recreation: What to Expect at the Top! | by Dobrosielski and colleagues, published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
• Development of a Logic Model for a Community-Based Walking Program for Mothers | by Das and Dlugonski, published in the Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine
• Staying Active Outdoors During the Winter Season | by Roy, published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®

Previous surveys included a category described as “strength training.” Determined to be too broad a category, strength training was dropped in favor of the more specific free weight training. Free weights, barbells, kettlebells, dumbbells, and medicine ball classes do not just incorporate barbells into another functional class or activity. Instructors start by teaching proper form for each exercise and then progressively increase the resistance once the correct form is accomplished. New exercises are added periodically, and those begin at the form or movement level.

Resources

• Selecting and Effectively Using Free Weights | Downloadable Brochure 
• Resistance Training for Health | Infographic

Videos

• Dumbbell Bench Press Technique Video
• Forward Lunge Technique Video (With Dumbbells)
• Teaching Barbell Movements and Implementing a Premium Strength Program

Do It Right Series

The Do It Right Series appears in every other issue of ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®. The series on executing proper technique is written and demonstrated by Peter Ronai, M.S., FACSM, ACSM-CEP, ACSM-EP, EIM III, CSCS

• The Deadlift
• The Bench Press Exercise
• The Power Snatch
• The Barbell Row Exercise
• The Hang Power Clean
• The YMCA Bench Press Test

Articles

• Understanding the Deadlift and Its Variations by Clifton Holmes, M.S., published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
• Unilateral and Bilateral Exercise Movements: Considerations for Program Design by Charles Fountaine, PhD, FACSM, published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
• Weightlifting Exercises for Lower-Extremity Power: An Alternative with Less Risk by Jim Schilling, PhD, ATC, CSCS published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
  
  

CEC Opportunities

•  Do it Right: Teaching Barbell by Kyle Kercher, Brad Roy, Grey Reugamer and Peter Ronai
  • Describe how to undertake an initial proficiency assessment of primary movements and utilize the information to structure an individualized program
  • Implement teachable progressions for primary lifts
  • Identify the key elements of implementing a safe premium strength and conditioning program at your facility for both novice and intermediate-level participants

Perhaps because of the self-quarantine imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting perceived (or real)weight gain, exercise for weight loss made a comeback in 2022.Most diet programs recommend including some type of exercise program into the daily routine of caloric restriction, adding the caloric expenditure of physical activity into the equation. in 2021 the trend ranked at #16.

Resources

• Being Active for a Healthy Weight | Handout from Exercise is Medicine^®
• Facts on Childhood Overweight & Obesity | Article & Handout

Journal Articles

• Self-Regulation Strategies for Barriers to Weight Loss | From ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
• Grit: A Weight Maintenance Tool for Health Coaches | From ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
• Abnormal Exercise Test or CVD History on Weight Loss or Fitness: The Look AHEAD Trial | Article + infographic from the Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine

Personal training has been a Top 10 Trend since the first published trends report in 2006. Personal training includes fitness testing and goal setting with the trainer working one-on-one with a client to prescribe workouts tailored to the individual's needs and goals. Personal training may take place in health clubs, in the home, at worksite fitness facilities or online. 

Brochure

• Investing in a Personal Trainer as available in the ACSM Resource Library 

Articles

• ACSM Certifications: Defining an Exercise Profession from Concept to Assessment by Magal and Neric, published in ACSM's Health and Fitness Journal^®
• To Specialize or Not to Specialize? That Is the Certification Question by Paul Gallo, Ed.D., FACSM, ACSM-EP, ACSM-CEP, ACSM-GEI, published in ACSM's Health and Fitness Journal^®
• Your Training Personality — What’s Behind the Clipboard? by Patrick, Freeman, published in ACSM's Health and Fitness Journal^®
• Scope of Practice by Anthony Abbott, Ed.D., FACSM, published in ACSM's Health and Fitness Journal^®. Reviews the scope of practice for personal trainers and other health fitness professionals. 

ACSM Certification

• Learn how to become an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer. 
• Job Task Analysis of a Certified Personal Trainer. Covers the scope of practice and reviews key themes covered in the Certified Personal Trainer Exam. 
• Locate an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer using the ACSM ProFinder. 
• Compare the ACSM Personal Trainer Certification to other Personal Trainer Certifications. 
• Facebook group: ACSM Certified Personal Trainer Study Group
• Book: ACSM's Resources for the Personal Trainer, 5th Edition 

Webinar

• The Journey to Becoming ACSM Certified with National Director of ACSM Certification Francis Neric, and three individuals preparing to take the ACSM exam. 

Video

• How to Pick the Right Personal Trainer
• Exercise Professional Scope of Practice: Hot Topic Panel presented at ACSM's Health & Fitness Summit 2016. Speakers include Grace DeSimone, Penny Steen, Ben Thompson, Brad Roy and Michael Lynch
• Starting a Career at Equinox with Liz Minton, Equinox Senior Director of Personal Training Development

High-intensity interval training programs typically involve short bursts of high intensity bouts of exercise followed by a short period of rest or active recovery. 

Resources

• High Intensity Interval Training | Downloadable Brochure
• The 7-Minute Workout | Infographic
• Interval Training for Cardiometabolic and Brain Health | Infographic and Visual Abstract
• Monitoring Aerobic Exercise Intensity | Infographic

Blog

• High-Intensity Interval Training: For Fitness, for Health or Both? by Kenneth Powell, MD, MPH, FACSM
• Interval-based exercise: So many names, so many possibilities by Marcus Kilpatrick 

Articles

• Benefits of Incorporating HIIT Programs for Individuals with Down Syndrome by Ware and colleagues, published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal®
• Interval Training for Cardiometabolic and Brain Health by Gibala and colleagues, published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal® 
• Aquatic Exercise for Health: Probing the Depths of HIIT for Cardiometabolic Training by Nagle et al. published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal®
• High-Intensity Interval Training is Feasible in Women at High Risk for Breast Cancer by Coletta et al. published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
• High-Intensity Interval Training for Cardiometabolic Disease Prevention by Campbell et al. published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
• High-Intensity Interval Training: A Review of Physiological and Psychological Responses by Killpatrick and colleagues, published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal®
• Meeting the Nutritional Demands of High-Intensity Interval Training by Raquel Garzon, M.S., R.D., L.D., and Christopher Mohr, Ph.D., R.D., published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal®

CEC Opportunities

• Coaching HIIT: A Practical Approach to Programming from ACSM lead by Tony Maloney, BS, ACSM EP-C
• What You NEED to Know Before you HIIT with Clinical Populations by Yuri Feito, Ph.D., FACSM, presented at ACSM's International Health & Fitness Summit 2018

• To HIIT or Not to HIIT? The Feasibility of Doing High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) in Clinical Populations by Sheri R. Colberg, PhD, FACSM

 

Body weight training programs are all about using the weight of the body as the training modality through a combination of variable resistance and neuromotor movements through multiple planes. Since body weight training requires little to no equipment, it is an inexpensive and functional way to exercise effectively.   

Articles

• High-Intensity Circuit Training using Body Weight: Maximum Results with Minimal Investment by Brett Kilka and Chris Jordan from ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal®
• Utilizing Body Weight Training with your Personal Training Clients by Becky Langton, A.M. ACSM-EP, and John King, M.S., published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal®

Videos

• Side Bridge Technique Video
• Chin-up Technique Video
• Pull-up Technique Video
• Plank Technique Video
• Bodyweight Squat Technique Video

One of the big changes within the health fitness industry resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic was the temporary closure of clubs around the world forcing innovative delivery of classes.

Virtual online training was first introduced on the annual survey for 2019 and debuted at #3 before dropping to #26 in 2020 when the “virtual” was dropped from the title in favor of the more specific online training. For 2021, online training was the #1 trend. For the 2022 survey, online training was redefined more specifically as online and on-demand exercise classes. 

This trend integrates behavioral science into health promotion and lifestyle medicine programs. Health/wellness coaching uses a one-on-one (and at times small group) approach with the coach providing support, goal setting, guidance and encouragement. The health/wellness coach focuses on the client’s values, needs, vision and short-and long-term goals using behavior change intervention strategies.

Learn about ACSM Partner Wellcoaches

Articles

• Grit: A Weight Maintenance Tool for Health Coaches by Christine Sperdute, DHSc, ACSM-CEP, published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
• Celebrate Success: The Wellcoaches Story by Dixie Stanforth, PhD, and Alex Weidenheft, M.Ed, published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
• Delivering Change That Lasts: Health and Wellness Coaching Competencies for Exercise Professionals by Gary Sforzo, PhD, FACSM; Margaret Moore; Michael Scholtz published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal®
• Health and Wellness Coaching: A New Resource for Health & Fitness Professionals by Gary Sforzo, PhD, FACSM and Margaret Moore published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal®

Blogs

•  Wellness Coaching: Deliver Change That Lasts by Vanessa Kercher, PhD

CEC Opportunities

• Health & Wellness Coaching: Evidence and Practice by Gary Sforzo and Margaret Moore
  • Identify examples of health and wellness coaching research
  • Explain the status of health and wellness coaching research
  • List the four “C’s” of coaching practice
  • Provide examples of how coaching strategies might be applied in fitness and wellness settings