Sometimes living in Northwest Wisconsin I feel by the time we get around to the new trends they are almost over. This seemed more apparent when I was younger “the age without cell phones and readily accessible internet”. I will refer to this as the dark ages. I have no idea what life could have been like for me, my folks, or even worse for my grandparents if we had had the technology in those days that people have now. In all honesty, I remember days of riding bike into town and meeting my high school friend “Ace” Powers and spending the day riding around town, hitting the beach and making sure I was back home by 5pm for supper. If you were not home by 5 for family supper you had better be dead, or you would wish you were. We had many great nights--technology free--playing kick the can and flashlight tag with our neighbors Kelly and Marcy. Who wouldn’t be having fun?! That is until you’re literally clotheslined by a clothesline at a full run. Good times and so many laughs. Oh jeepers, I sound like my parents...I am getting old. Sometimes, though, the way things were--having a little shelter from the outside world--weren’t that bad.
I have always liked to entertain all the different fitness trends from said “outside world” but am always a little tentative to radically change our fitness center and risk losing focus on the overall betterment and wellbeing of the member based on a trend. Not to mention, there’s a fine line between a trend and a fad, and you sure don’t want to change for a fad. It is pretty amazing that now between the 3 fitness centers, Shell Lake, Spooner, and Trego we have been able to offer the majority of the different varieties of working out based on the individual.
But when it comes to our health and fitness, I wanted to touch base on the top 10 trends according to ACSMs Health and Fitness Journal that we can stand behind here at our gyms. And, yep, we cover most of them at The Body Shop Fitness Centers (not so shameful plug wink, wink)
- High-intensity interval training. HIIT typically involves short bursts of high-intensity exercise followed by a short period of rest or recovery and typically takes less than 30 minutes to perform.
- Group training. Group exercise instructors teach, lead, and motivate individuals through intentionally designed larger group exercise classes.
- Wearable technology. Wearable technology includes activity trackers, smart watches, heart rate monitors.
- Body weight training. Typical body weight training programs use minimal equipment, Although most people think of body weight training as being limited to push-ups and pull-ups, it can be much more than that.
- Strength training. In today’s gyms, men and women, young and old, children are using strength training.
- Educated, certified and experienced fitness professionals. Studies have shown growth in these types of programs in community colleges and universities.
- Yoga. Yoga comes in a variety of forms including Power Yoga, Yogalates, and Bikram Yoga (the one done in hot and humid environments).
- Personal training. Personal trainers will continue to be an important part of the professional staff of health and fitness centers.
- Fitness programs for older adults. There is a growing market of older adults who are now retiring healthier than other generations.
- Functional fitness. Functional fitness is defined as using strength training to improve balance, coordination, force, power, and endurance to enhance someone’s ability to perform activities of daily living.
Fitness programs for older adults (#9 on the list) is one of the biggest growth factors we see in our facilities. The two largest programs addressing this need are SilverSneakers and Silver & Fit. Within 15 miles of Spooner and Shell Lake, there are over 1,100 people who are eligible for these programs, which offer FREE memberships to seniors. Not only do they offer free memberships but also offer a free class that is designed for seniors to have fun and move to the music through a variety of exercises designed to increase muscle strength, range of movement and activities for daily living. In every class, they use hand-held weights, elastic tubing with handles and a small ball are offered for resistance. A chair is used for seated exercises and standing support.
Another trend I see in the last couple of years that didn’t make the top 10 list, is the involvement with insurance companies giving back incentives to their clients to be healthier. Many companies such as Health Partners, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medica, Preferred One, and WPS, etc. will offer up to $20.00/month back if you come in 12 or more times a month. That could be ½ your monthly membership.
Some of the trends and fads that have become popular in larger populated areas haven’t always caught on here in the Midwest, especially during the “dark ages”. The top 10 trends for this year, however, are accessible even in our small towns.
We may sway a little with trends, but in general, we try to stay true to the health and fitness of our members. Here is what we offer at each location:
Shell Lake
- General fitness facility providing user-friendly fitness machines geared towards all fitness levels
- Personal trainers
- Specialized equipment for athletic training
- Specialized equipment for strength training
- Equipment for Powerlifting, Strong Man, Boxing
- 1600ft2 indoor/outdoor old-school garage lifting environment.
Spooner
- General fitness facility providing user-friendly fitness machines geared towards all fitness levels
- Personal trainers
- Equipment for strength training
- Classroom space for HIIT, group training, body weight training, yoga
- Fitness programs for older adults
Trego
- Smaller fitness facility geared towards experienced lifters and classroom-based fitness
- Classes offering HIIT, group training, body weight training, functional fitness
And don't forget that the Body Shop Fitness Center is waiving their activation fee for all new members who sign up for a 12-month membership. Those who have previously been members and have already paid their activation fees will receive a free shaker bottle when signing up for a new 12-month membership.
About Matt Dryden: Matt has been offering personal training services in fitness and nutrition for over 12 years. He began his interest in Health and Fitness while working as a Correctional Officer and Police Chief when he realized that in this profession that those men and women should have the fitness level of being able to protect and serve the people he has sworn to do so. Matt went on to become a certified personal trainer and began educating and helping fellow officers in setting and working toward their goals in fitness.
Matt started his gym, The Body Shop Fitness Centers, in Shell Lake in 2007 and now offers locations in Shell Lake, Spooner, and Trego, Wisconsin. These locations offer a wide variety of fitness training opportunities unique to each location. To find out more, visit The Body Shop Fitness Center website or Facebook page.
Free Saturday Classes Offered for Entire Month of January
Friday, January 5, 2018 | DrydenWire
SPOONER -- The Body Shop Fitness Center (Spooner location) is now offering FREE Saturday classes for the entire month of January.
The FREE Saturday Classes will be at our Spooner location (116 Vine Street, next to Nick's Family Restaurant) and are taught by their regular Fitness Instructors, giving you a variety of different classes and experiences.
"Don't let the cold or fear of trying something new in 2018 stop you from coming in and having some fun with these wonderful instructors," said Matt Dryden, Owner of the Body Shop Fitness Centers.
"These classes are for all fitness levels: beginner or advanced and everything in between. Modifications can be made for those in need.
"Be sure to come a few minutes early to set up your mat, get the necessary equipment and meet the instructor. All you need to bring is comfy clothes that you can move in and clean dry shoes."
On January 6th & 20th, Join Leslie for:
Bootcamp style class to include strength, core, cardio & endurance exercises sure to give you a full body workout!
On January 13th, Join Vickie for Cardio Fit:
A 60-minute "music inspired" Total Body Work-out. The perfect work-out soundtrack affects our minds and bodies in amazing ways. It can boost motivation, improve energy, mood and endurance, and even make you a little less aware of exertion and fatigue. It's through this philosophy I hope to set the tone for a fun-filled, high-energy class that will target major muscle groups, improve strength and functional fitness. The 5 main elements of fitness will be covered; Aerobic, strength, flexibility, core and balance. So come and let that familiar lyric or pulsing beat help you get moving again or push you a little harder. All moves can be modified to low or high intensity, so all levels welcome!
On January 27th Join Regan for:
A mixture of HIIT (high-intensity interval training) using circuit training stations, weights, cardio aerobic workouts, dance moves, barre toning techniques, a variety of equipment and even some kickboxing moves at times.
Last Update: Jan 16, 2018 8:02 am CST
