Inquired by Christiane Ziemer, Competition Director of the DFAV e.V.
Quo vadis group fitness? Aerobics, step and abdominal-leg butt - classics have been shaping the fitness scene for years. In addition, the industry is constantly on the move and developing new forms of courses and exercise. Again and again, trends can establish themselves, but many disappear just as quickly as they arrived. Operators and trainers are therefore constantly faced with the question of which formats must or could be included in the offering. F&G spoke with renowned expert Christiane Ziemer about her assessment of the development of group fitness.
F&G: What new trends for group fitness did you notice at FIBO 2014?
Christiane Ziemer: From my point of view, firstly, the action and party aspect was expanded. Good music is in the foreground here. Group fitness increasingly resembles the club feeling with animation for the mass of participants. Overall, one observes more ani mation and less instruction. Bokwa" comes to mind as an example.
Then, secondly, there are also training formats that always stay, or come back ─ like the good, old and new circuit training. Here, old school, new school, freestyle, outdoor count: back to nature, loosely based on the Trimm-Dich philosophy.
Third, I think of combination programs. In contrast to classic programs, such as step, several approaches are mixed like: Piloxing = boxing and Pilates. Zumba Sentao, ballet workout, etc. Often the programs are not "new" at all but have been on the market for years, but are only now being discovered.
F&G: Which of these trends do you think have the potential to establish themselves sustainably in the studios?
Christiane Ziemer: In the group fitness sector, it's "circuit training". It is infinitely versatile. Different performance groups with different fitness levels, ages or genders can train together or separately. Circuit training is even suitable for adults with kids or dance lovers. And most importantly, circuit training can be adapted to current trends at any time without much effort in the classroom.
F&G: In which areas has group fitness developed the most in recent years?
Christiane Ziemer: In terms of acceptance that calm as well as powerful and fast-paced conditioning programs
benefit from each other and can be linked together. For example, yoga together with aerobics is possible as a new teaching concept.
F&G: In your opinion, which target group is the most interesting for group fitness providers and why?
Christiane Ziemer: Mid-agers (approx. 30-50 years) and, to the dismay of many colleagues, teenagers, because there is a wide range of potential here that just needs to be exploited ... Children's programs are on the verge of making the "leap".
F&G: Have there been changes in the target groups in recent years?
Christiane Ziemer: The distribution of offers from sports studios, dance schools, etc. has opened up and spread out. Ballet schools offer yoga, for example, ballroom dance schools are extremely ambitious in terms of Zumba. Sports studios offer health courses or dance fitness. In short, everything is moving. A great deal has become possible thanks to the prevention courses offered by health insurance companies.
F&G: What offer or equipment can small studios without a lot of space provide for group fitness fans?
Christiane Ziemer: Mix classes are always good. Resistance bands in all variations are very suitable for this. Dumbbells or weights that can also be used for positioning, mats that are not only suitable for lying on, and wooden bars or swinging bars are also good.
Personally, I would always try to have at least some steps on site to stay open for all ages and posture or movement issues.
F&G: What group fitness classes should studios offer as "basic equipment"?
Christiane Ziemer: 1. spinal health: this can be implemented at any time and for all age groups, regardless of trends, group size and room size.
2. mixed classes of all kinds and circuit training.
3. "Posture classes": it's never too early or too late for this and it's fun ─ honest! Good posture brings inner poise. There is a noticeable trend towards "walking training and posture training", also caused by fashion and high heels.
F&G: Last question: What role does current sports fashion play in group fitness?
Christiane Ziemer: In is currently: squeaky colorful, summer mood! In short: fun and support for the feeling of movement are also in the foreground when it comes to fashion. In recent years, group fitness fashion has come closer to everyday fashion, for example in terms of colors and shapes. Some of the clothes from the training session are also worn on the street, in everyday life. Hip Hop and Zumba in particular have reinforced this.
F&G: Thank you very much for your assessment.
Source: F&G
Published on: 13 August 2014