Industry News

So, you're running for Governor? What are the steps you take? Where would you stand on the important issues? Who would you hire to be a part of your staff, your inner circle?

Well, that's easy - you select a personal trainer to be a part of your staff. It seems that Alan Hoover, gubenatorial candidate from Florida, has the owner of a personal training company as his deputy campaign treasurer. If elected, could it be a great four years for any personal trainers operating in Florida?

Sorry, we couldn't resist when we read this today. Make sure you take a look at the last line:

"I’m going to get the future governor of Florida ready for his world series," Yeckinevich promised. “No more peanut butter and banana sandwiches,” he emphatically stated.

Welcome to the first part of our series looking at the ACE's Top 10 Fitness Trends for 2006. We're going to look at what these trends might mean for personal trainers, gyms and fitness facilities.

Trend #1: Sport specific training for teenagers and kids

Unless you haven't been paying attention, you've probably noticed the growth in "year-round" sports for kids. Kids aren't just playing soccer in the Spring, they're playing all year round - indoors if they have to. Parents are encouraging their kids to focus on a single sport and develop their skills year-round. Of course, teenagers are often looking to develop their skills in the hopes of landing that dream college scholarship.

As a result, two things are happening: parents are seeking out training services that might enhance their childs/teenagers skills in their sport AND these same kids are developing injuries related to overuse.

The year-round trends provides an opportunity for trainers to target a specific sport (baseball, basketball, etc.) and provide services for an entire year. In addition, trainers should look to develop relationships with coaches, leagues and clubs and offer services to parents who might not be active searching out for training for their children. Due to the high level of competition between teams (many youth coaches are now paid for their services), coaches often look to trainers to get that advantage.

So, what does it mean for you?

If you have experience or knowledge of a specific sport, there are going to be opportunities for you to take your knowledge and provide it to the youth market. Begin developing relationships with local coaches, clubs and leagues to provide your services. You might begin by offering sessions to entire teams or groups of select players. Chances are that parents are going to seek you out for more information or services if they value your training.

An important trend that's going to have impact on the personal training industry is the growth of larger at-home gyms.

In the past, millions of Americans owned one or maybe two pieces of fitness equipment at home. Whether it was a stationary bike, rowing machine or one of the informercial products.

Recently, the trend towards a creating or building a dedicated "fitness" area of the home (an in-home gym) is gaining popularity. Skimming through this article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution today called "More People Brining The Gym Home", we picked up on a great quotes from a spokesment for the Sporting Goods Manufacturing Association. From the article:

"Mike May, a spokesman for the Sporting Goods Manufacturing Association, said the trend is advancing on two fronts: homeowners converting a room where they already live and builders including a fitness room in new homes."

One of the impacts this is going to have on personal trainers is that for some clients, there is going to be less of a need for on-location services and personal training studios. A larger number of clients are going to have he majority of necessary equipment at their own or are going to be willing to purchase it. As a result, there is going to be a growing need for personal trainers who provide at-home consultations and follow-ups to ensure that their clients are continuing to use the equipment properly whereas at a gym, there is more supervision in the event that bad habits develop.

At least it's good to know that as people build larger homes, with larger kitchens and in-home movie theathers they're also thinking about their health.

We just a news release for the latest “day of the year”… it’s “Personal Trainer Day” and it’s coming up in a few weeks!

The timing of the “Personal Trainer Day” is perfect, January 2nd, 2006 when most of us begin the struggle to maintain our New Years resolutions.

Kudos goes out to Joey Atlas and Jim Labadie, the two guys who are collaborating to promote the day. They seem to be taking the right tact in promoting the event as a means to generate awareness that “trainers are highly educated and are not the tank top wearing 'muscle-heads' ”.

For more information, check out http://www.nationaltrainersday.com.