Personal fitness 2009: Trends, equipment, new directions

Fitness has never been more fun. New equipment, new trends and new research offer plenty of challenging and rewarding opportunities for a healthier you in 2009. Of course, none of it will do any good unless you workout regularly, adding variety and a good diet to your routine.

The bottom line for 2009 is Get Moving. Whether you start jogging, lift weights, or try any of the new fitness activities, you have to keep your body in motion and well-fed. New research shows a direct link between obesity and cancer (American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund). They recommend a diet high in vegetables with little or no alcohol consumption.

New equipment can make your workout more interesting and more productive. Nordic Track has introduced an entertainment treadmill with an MP3 port, a built-in TV and an ifit workout card as your personal trainer. Stability balls, as advertised on television, offer a simple and inexpensive, yet highly productive workout. Active gaming units, such as Wii, get you moving in the comfort and convenience of your own home. You can even get the kids off the couch with many of the games offered.

Kranking, in which a cycling tool works the upper body and arms to build a strong core and a healthier heart, can be found at many fitness clubs and gyms. Fitness clubs are now offering a wider range of classes and services to improve your health. Boot camp training sessions use a variety of activities that can be rearranged to keep your body and mind challenged for a very successful workout. Interval training uses a combination of high and low intensity workouts to work a variety of large and small muscle groups and improve your cardiovascular health. Traditional cross training provides a high intensity workout, in which your body provides the resistance.

Dance workouts and pole dancing and “stripping” classes can give you a great outlet for moving your body and having fun at the same time. You might be surprised at what you can do and they are not the lewd, tasteless you might imagine. Hip gyrations trim your waist. Hanging from and spinning down the pole build strong arms. The leg work builds sleek, sexy thighs and calves, all while listening to music and having a good time. These classes can also provide an opportunity to meet new friends, which are critical to mental and physical health.

Pilates and yoga classes offer no-impact or low-impact alternative to traditional aerobics classes. While the movements are slow and controlled, the effectiveness is nothing short of amazing. Simply holding a series of poses, which may sound easy, can get the sweat pouring and muscles trembling. These classes range from beginner to expert and the instructors will talk you through all the poses, reminding you to breathe and stretch and to push yourself. The result is a lean, strong, flexible body and who doesn’t want that?

Personal trainers are always a good choice. They have been trained in the physiology of exercise and they can create a routine that suits your body, your health conditions and one that takes your goals into consideration. Even if you cannot afford a personal trainer for very long, or even more than once, they can work with you to build a program that will get the results you want.

Sometimes the tried and true work best. Sometimes we need something new and innovative. The basic rules of physical fitness will probably never change. Drink LOTS of water. Take your vitamins. Eat a healthy diet of whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Don’t expect immediate results, hang in there. Change your routine to keep getting results. Visit your doctor before starting any training program.