ACSM Fitness Trends 

Wearable technology includes fitness trackers, smart watches, heart rate monitors and GPS tracking devices. Wearable technology has been estimated to be about a $100 billion industry. New innovations include blood pressure, oxygen saturation and electrocardiogram.

Video

• Fitness Technology: Making it Work for Your Clients Presented by Ted Vickey, Ph.D., as a part of the 2020 Virtual Summit Series *Available exclusively for ACSM Members

Webinars

• Maximize Wearable Technology with Your Clients  *Sponsored by POLAR
• New PAI Technology Prescribes Optimal Levels of Physical Activity *Sponsored by MIOGlobal 
• Increase Motivation and Engagement with Wearable Technology *Sponsored by POLAR
• Using Wearables and Technology to Encourage Healthy Behaviors presented by Christine Pellegrini, Ph.D., as a part of ACSM's Brown Bag Series in Science 

Blog

• Fitness Trackers Can Be Fashionable and Functional by Paul Hibbing, Samuel LaMunion and Lindsay Toth  
• Sales of activity trackers booming, but more research is needed on their benefits by Carol Kennedy-Armbruster, Ph.D., FACSM
• Industry-Presented Blog: New Technology Prescribes Optimal Levels of Physical Activity by Carl Lavie and MioGlobal

Articles

• Fitness Watches and Nutrition Apps: Behavioral Benefits and Emerging Concerns | by Scheid and Lupien, published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
• The History of Exercise Equipment: From Sticks and Stones to Apps and Phones published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
• A Framework to Evaluate Devices That Assess Physical Behavior by Keadle and colleagues, published in Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews; Also features a visual abstract
• Wearable Technology Reduces Prolonged Bouts of Sedentary Behavior by Ellingson and colleagues, published in the Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine
• The Impact of Pairing a Wearable Movement Tracker with an Online Community Weight Loss Intervention by Wilson and colleagues, published in the Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine
• Revisiting Heart Rate Target Zones Through the Lens of Wearable Technology by Jennifer Scheid, PhD and Emma O'Donnell, PhD published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
• Validity of Activity Tracker Step Counts during Walking, Running, and Activities of Daily Living by Toth and colleagues, published in the Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine
• Activity Tracking + Motivation Science: Allies to Keep People Moving for a Lifetime by Michelle Segar, Ph.D. published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
• Move More, Sit Less, and Be Well: Behavioral ASpects of Activity Trackers by Brian Kiessling, M.S. and Carol Kennedy-Armbruster, Ph.D., FACSM published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
• Motivational Dynamics of Wearable Activity Monitors by Elizabeth Lyons, Ph.D., and Maria Schwartz, Ph.D., published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
  
  

CEC Opportunities

• Heart Rate Monitoring Assessment Course 
  This course will provide both fitness professionals and heart rate monitor enthusiasts a foundational knowledge of the physiology of heart rate and how to build an effective heart rate based training program. This course will primarily focus on utilizing five heart rate training zones through the exercise disciplines of cycling and running. This course was developed in partnership with POLAR. Value: 6 CECs.

• ACSM's 2017 Annual Meeting Online CEC: What's Next with Wearables?

  Industry experts discuss the rapidly evolving technology landscape and its implications for physical activity and sport. Value: 2 CECs. 

Previous surveys included a category described as “strength training.” Determined to be too broad a category, strength training was dropped in favor of the more specific free weight training. Free weights, barbells, kettlebells, dumbbells, and medicine ball classes do not just incorporate barbells into another functional class or activity. Instructors start by teaching proper form for each exercise and then progressively increase the resistance once the correct form is accomplished. New exercises are added periodically, and those begin at the form or movement level.

Resources

• Selecting and Effectively Using Free Weights | Downloadable Brochure 
• Resistance Training for Health | Infographic

Videos

• Dumbbell Bench Press Technique Video
• Forward Lunge Technique Video (With Dumbbells)
• Teaching Barbell Movements and Implementing a Premium Strength Program

Do It Right Series

The Do It Right Series appears in every other issue of ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®. The series on executing proper technique is written and demonstrated by Peter Ronai, M.S., FACSM, ACSM-CEP, ACSM-EP, EIM III, CSCS

• The Deadlift
• The Bench Press Exercise
• The Power Snatch
• The Barbell Row Exercise
• The Hang Power Clean
• The YMCA Bench Press Test

Articles

• Understanding the Deadlift and Its Variations by Clifton Holmes, M.S., published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
• Unilateral and Bilateral Exercise Movements: Considerations for Program Design by Charles Fountaine, PhD, FACSM, published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
• Weightlifting Exercises for Lower-Extremity Power: An Alternative with Less Risk by Jim Schilling, PhD, ATC, CSCS published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
  
  

CEC Opportunities

•  Do it Right: Teaching Barbell by Kyle Kercher, Brad Roy, Grey Reugamer and Peter Ronai
  • Describe how to undertake an initial proficiency assessment of primary movements and utilize the information to structure an individualized program
  • Implement teachable progressions for primary lifts
  • Identify the key elements of implementing a safe premium strength and conditioning program at your facility for both novice and intermediate-level participants

Body weight training programs are all about using the weight of the body as the training modality through a combination of variable resistance and neuromotor movements through multiple planes. Since body weight training requires little to no equipment, it is an inexpensive and functional way to exercise effectively.   

Articles

• Developing a Home-Based Body Weight Physical Activity/Exercise Program by Zheng and colleagues from from ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal®

• High-Intensity Circuit Training using Body Weight: Maximum Results with Minimal Investment by Brett Kilka and Chris Jordan from ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal®
• Utilizing Body Weight Training with your Personal Training Clients by Becky Langton, A.M. ACSM-EP, and John King, M.S., published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal®

Videos

• Side Bridge Technique Video
• Chin-up Technique Video
• Pull-up Technique Video
• Plank Technique Video
• Bodyweight Squat Technique Video

People today are living longer, working longer and remaining healthy and active much longer than in past generations. Currently fitness programs for older adults cater to the needs of the Baby Boom and older generations. 

Articles

• Aging in America  by Madelyn Byra, B.S., M.S., published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
• Currency for Retirement: Investing in Physical Capital by Dondzila and Glass, published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
• Keep On: Staying Active to Promote Well-Being During the Golden Years  by Bushman and Goddard, published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
• Do It Right: The Short Physical Performance Battery (Assessment)  by Ronai and Gallo, published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
• Strength, Power and the Baby Boomer by Kent Adams, Ph.D., FACSM, and Trish Sevene, Ph.D. 
• The Role of Exercise in Preventing Falls Among Older Adults by Debra Rose, Ph.D., published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
• Resistance Training for Older Adults: Targeting Muscular Strength, Power and Endurance by Joseph Signorile, Ph.D., published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
• Targeted Resistance Training to Improve Independence and Reduce Fall Risk in Older Clients by Joseph Signorile, Ph.D., published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal®
• Biology of Aging: Identified Drivers and Interventions for Optimal Healthspan by David Pruett, Ph.D., published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®

Blog

• Staying Independent Later in Life: The Role of Midlife Physical Activity by Barbara Sternfeld, Ph.D., FACSM 
• Is Middle Age Too Old to Start Exercising and Seeing Benefits? Research Shows that It's Not Too Late! by Erin Howden, Ph.D. 

Resources

• Moving with Arthritis | Infographic 
• Being Active as We Get Older | EIM's Rx For Health Series
• The Sympathetic Nervous System and Vascular Health | Video featuring Jody Greaney, Ph.D., FACSM and Anna Stanhewicz, Ph.D.

CEC Opportunities

• Helping Baby Boomers Stay Functional: Exercise and Dietary Protein as Key Strategies for Body Composition Management and Successful Aging presented as the Dr. Bortz Lecture by Dr. Ellen Evans at ACSM's International Health & Fitness Summit 2019. 
• Dynamic Programming for Active Aging presented by Erika Quest at ACSM's International Health & Fitness Summit 2019
• Is 70 the New 40? Research Update on Nutrition, Aging and Exercise presented by Bob Murrary and Christine Rosenbloom at ACSM's International Health & Fitness Summit 2019
• Functional Aging Circuits presented by Dan Ritchie at ACSM's International Health & Fitness Summit 2018 
• Age-related Sarcopenia: Diagnosis and Screening with Older Adults presented by Christopher Bopp and Paul Gallo at ACSM's International Health & Fitness Summit 2018 

Functional fitness training is a trend toward using strength training and other activities/movements to improve balance, coordination, strength and endurance to improve activities of daily living. 

Articles

• The Movement-Based Programming Method for Select Populations by Matt Kind, M.Ed., and Dixie Stanforth, Ph.D., published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal®
• Ten Nice-To-Know Facts about Functional Training by James Peterson, Ph.D., FACSM, published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal®
• PRIME: A Novel Low-Mass, High-Repetition Approach to Improve Function in Older Adults by Allen and colleagues published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise

Blog

• Staying Independent Later in Life: The Role of Midlife Physical Activity by Barbara Sternfeld, Ph.D., FACSM

CEC Opportunities

• FMS (Functional Movement Systems): Move Well then Move Often presented by Lee Burton at ACSM's International Health & Fitness Summit 2018

Perhaps because of the COVID-19 pandemic, more outdoor activities such as small group walks, group rides, or organized hiking groups have become popular. They can be short events, daylong events or planned weeklong hiking excursions. Participants can meet in a local park, hiking area or on a bike trail typically with a designated leader.

Resources

• Starting A Walking Program | Handout
• Selecting the Right Running Shoe | Handout
• Sun Protection for Outdoor Sports | Handout 
• Cold Weather Clothing | Infographic
• Exercising in Hot and Cold Environments | Handout

Articles

• Go Green With Outdoor Activity | by Brown and Stanforth, published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
• Engineering Physical Activity Into Daily Life Through Public Space | by Bailey and Hamilton, published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
• Sun Exposure and Exercise: The Good, the Bad, and the Behavior Change | by Lynn and colleagues, published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
• High-Altitude Recreation: What to Expect at the Top! | by Dobrosielski and colleagues, published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
• Development of a Logic Model for a Community-Based Walking Program for Mothers | by Das and Dlugonski, published in the Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine
• Staying Active Outdoors During the Winter Season | by Roy, published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®

High-intensity interval training programs typically involve short bursts of high intensity bouts of exercise followed by a short period of rest or active recovery. 

Resources

• High Intensity Interval Training | Downloadable Brochure
• The 7-Minute Workout | Infographic
• Interval Training for Cardiometabolic and Brain Health | Infographic and Visual Abstract
• Monitoring Aerobic Exercise Intensity | Infographic

Blog

• High-Intensity Interval Training: For Fitness, for Health or Both? by Kenneth Powell, MD, MPH, FACSM
• Interval-based exercise: So many names, so many possibilities by Marcus Kilpatrick 

Articles

• Benefits of Incorporating HIIT Programs for Individuals with Down Syndrome by Ware and colleagues, published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal®
• Interval Training for Cardiometabolic and Brain Health by Gibala and colleagues, published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal® 
• Aquatic Exercise for Health: Probing the Depths of HIIT for Cardiometabolic Training by Nagle et al. published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal®
• High-Intensity Interval Training is Feasible in Women at High Risk for Breast Cancer by Coletta et al. published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
• High-Intensity Interval Training for Cardiometabolic Disease Prevention by Campbell et al. published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
• High-Intensity Interval Training: A Review of Physiological and Psychological Responses by Killpatrick and colleagues, published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal®
• Meeting the Nutritional Demands of High-Intensity Interval Training by Raquel Garzon, M.S., R.D., L.D., and Christopher Mohr, Ph.D., R.D., published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal®

CEC Opportunities

• Coaching HIIT: A Practical Approach to Programming from ACSM lead by Tony Maloney, BS, ACSM EP-C

• To HIIT or Not to HIIT? The Feasibility of Doing High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) in Clinical Populations by Sheri R. Colberg, PhD, FACSM

 

Perhaps because of the self-quarantine imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting perceived (or real)weight gain, exercise for weight loss made a comeback in 2022.Most diet programs recommend including some type of exercise program into the daily routine of caloric restriction, adding the caloric expenditure of physical activity into the equation. In 2021 the trend ranked at #16.

Resources

• Being Active for a Healthy Weight | Handout from Exercise is Medicine^®
• Facts on Childhood Overweight & Obesity | Article & Handout

Journal Articles

• Self-Regulation Strategies for Barriers to Weight Loss | From ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
• Grit: A Weight Maintenance Tool for Health Coaches | From ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal^®
• Abnormal Exercise Test or CVD History on Weight Loss or Fitness: The Look AHEAD Trial | Article + infographic from the Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine

Fitness Professionals who have been certified by educational programs and certification programs that are fully accredited have a base of knowledge that is essential for performing the tasks of the job. 

Databases

• Search for ACSM Certified Professionals via the ACSM ProFinder
• All U.S. residents who are certified with a member organization of the US Registry of Exercise Professionals can be found on the USREPS database

ACSM Certifications

• Learn more about each of the ACSM Certifications 
  • Certified Personal Trainer
  • Certified Exercise Physiologist
  • Certified Group Exercise Instruction
  • Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist 
• ACSM offers additional specialty certifications. These Fitness Professionals have proven knowledge in specialized fields
  • ACSM Exercise is Medicine Credential 
  • ACSM/ACS Certified Cancer Exercise Trainer
  • ACSM/NCHPAD Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer
  • ACSM/NPAS Certified Physical Activity in Public Health Specialist

Corporate Partnerships

• ACSM Announces Strategic Partnership with Equinox
• ACSM, EXOS Announce Partnership to Enhance Fitness Industry 

Personal training has been a Top 10 Trend since the first published trends report in 2006. Personal training includes fitness testing and goal setting with the trainer working one-on-one with a client to prescribe workouts tailored to the individual's needs and goals. Personal training may take place in health clubs, in the home, at worksite fitness facilities or online. 

Brochure

• Investing in a Personal Trainer as available in the ACSM Resource Library 

Articles

• Vetting Your Next Personal Trainer by Peter Parasiliti, M.S., CSCS, EIM-II, published in ACSM's Health and Fitness Journal^®

• ACSM Certifications: Defining an Exercise Profession from Concept to Assessment by Magal and Neric, published in ACSM's Health and Fitness Journal^®
• To Specialize or Not to Specialize? That Is the Certification Question by Paul Gallo, Ed.D., FACSM, ACSM-EP, ACSM-CEP, ACSM-GEI, published in ACSM's Health and Fitness Journal^®
• Your Training Personality — What’s Behind the Clipboard? by Patrick, Freeman, published in ACSM's Health and Fitness Journal^®
• Scope of Practice by Anthony Abbott, Ed.D., FACSM, published in ACSM's Health and Fitness Journal^®. Reviews the scope of practice for personal trainers and other health fitness professionals. 

ACSM Certification

• Learn how to become an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer.
• Take the newly updated, online ACSM Certified Personal Trainer Prep Course to prepare for the exam
• Job Task Analysis of a Certified Personal Trainer. Covers the scope of practice and reviews key themes covered in the Certified Personal Trainer Exam. 
• Locate an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer using the ACSM ProFinder.
• Facebook group: ACSM Certified Personal Trainer Study Group
• Book: ACSM's Resources for the Personal Trainer, 6th Edition

Webinar

• The Journey to Becoming ACSM Certified with National Director of ACSM Certification Francis Neric, and three individuals preparing to take the ACSM exam. 

Video

• How to Pick the Right Personal Trainer
• Starting a Career at Equinox with Liz Minton, Equinox Senior Director of Personal Training Development