IDEA Health & Fitness Association Reveals Findings of 2008 Fitness Programs & Equipment...

IDEA Health & Fitness Association Reveals Findings of 2008 Fitness Programs & Equipment Survey

SAN DIEGO--(Business Wire)--
IDEA Health & Fitness Association, the leading membership
organization of health, wellness and fitness professionals worldwide
with more than 23,000 members in over 80 countries, has revealed the
results of its annual IDEA Fitness Programs & Equipment Survey. The
13th annual survey revealed a variety of emerging as well as more
familiar activities that are continuing to gain momentum.

Highlights of fitness programs and trends from the survey include:

-- Survey respondents reveal that the populations of members at
their facilities are heavily female (66 percent) compared to
male.

-- Long-time favorites Pilates (offered by 68 percent of the
respondents) and yoga (61 percent) continue their climb in
popularity.

-- Personal training in small groups made an impressive leap to
58 percent, up from 44 percent last year.

-- Creating a fun environment is a key focus for 43 percent of
fitness mangers and two-thirds said they expect this area to
grow, citing that social activity groups (walking or running
clubs, organized group activities, etc.) strengthen client
retention.

-- Personal training for youths (18 years old or younger) is
offered by 63 percent of respondents; kids' fitness programs
are offered by 36 percent. Classes for seniors rose from 39
percent to 51 percent.

-- While nutrition assessment and coaching are now offered by
more than half of the survey respondents, fitness
professionals are encouraged to build reciprocal relationships
with registered dieticians and others.

Regarding data on exercise equipment, the survey revealed the
following:

-- Equipment topping the charts continues to be small and
versatile; 94 percent of respondents said they offer
resistance tubing or bands while 87 percent favor barbells
and/or dumbbells.

-- Stability balls and weighted bars are offered by 88 percent
and 70 percent of respondents, respectively.

-- While elliptical trainers have been around for years, 61
percent of respondents said they believe this equipment area
still has room for growth.

For the article that appeared in the July/August issue of the IDEA
Fitness Journal, go to www.ideafit.com or click here to access the
IDEA Fitness Programs & Equipment Survey. For additional information
on this survey and a multi-year trend comparison chart, contact
Tabitha Bailey.

IDEA Health & Fitness Association
Kelly Nakai, 858-535-8979, ext.212
knakai@ideafit.com
or
HetzelMeade Communications
Tabitha Bailey, 805.241.2532
tabitha@hetzelmeade.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008