Zumba, the Latin-inspired dance workout that is more like a wild party scene than a strict exercise regiment, has salsaed into the top 10 fitness trends for the coming year, according to a report being released Thursday by the American College of Sports Medicine.
"Zumba has experienced a rapid surge in popularity in the past year, but we'll see if it's a trend or just a fad," says lead author Walter Thompson , a professor of exercise science at Georgia State University.
The survey, conducted since 2007, is designed to identify trends in areas ranging from career opportunities to groups of people being targeted to specific workouts and to help the fitness industry make business decisions for the future. ACSM surveyed more than 2,600 fitness professionals to compile the top 20 fitness trends for 2012. A total of 37 potential trends were given as choices.
Top 10 fitness trends:
1. Educated and experienced
2. Strength training
3. Fitness programs for older adults
4. Exercise and weight loss
5. Children and obesity
6. Personal training
7. Core training
8. Group personal training
9. Zumba and other dance workouts
10. Functional fitness (for older adults)
Source: American College of Sports Medicine
2. Strength training
3. Fitness programs for older adults
4. Exercise and weight loss
5. Children and obesity
6. Personal training
7. Core training
8. Group personal training
9. Zumba and other dance workouts
10. Functional fitness (for older adults)
Source: American College of Sports Medicine
Zumba appeared on the list for the first time and jumped in at No. 9 along with other dance workouts. It super fast forwards merengue, salsa, flamenco — and even belly dancing — and other international dances, leaving participants breathless and sweaty.
"Zumba is exercise in disguise," says Josie Gardiner , 65, a Zumba-certified instructor in Boston. "It's fun. When people hear the music, they get moving. They lose weight, too, and feel good about themselves."
Created in the late 1990s in Colombia by Alberto Perez , Zumba classes are now offered in 125 countries in 110,000 locations, according to Gardiner. More than 12 million people take classes every week with some drawing a 100 or more followers in dance halls and night clubs. It's so trendy even the current New Yorker has a Zumba cartoon.
"It's not competitive and you can move in and out of the dancing at any point," says Gardiner, a convert who was the American Council on Exercise 2005 Instructor of the Year. "You don't need a partner. My background is in ballet, so really anyone can do it. There are classes for all levels, even for people now with Parkinson's and people in wheelchairs."
Also new this year: outdoor activities, climbing in at No.14.
"Some commercial clubs are starting to structure outdoor activities for small groups with very specific goals," says Thompson, who lives in Atlanta. "Stone Mountain is near me, and I'll hear about clubs offering walks up the mountains."
Pilates, balance training and stability ball remained out of the top 20 trends after being included for several years. Pilates was in the top 10 from 2008-2011, ranking as high as No. 7 in 2008 and 2009. It fell out of the top 20 in 2011. Thompson thinks the Pilates fade is due to the expense of the equipment and specialized instruction in "tough economic times."
