Like social media, the fitness industry is a very trendy business. Managing health clubs for years I learned manage in three year cycles. Get on the bus of what’s hot then know when to get off. For the individual however, this is just the opposite way to think for long term wellness success. This way of thinking may work for social media and the fitness industry as a whole, but it works totally against the individual trying to get or stay fit. If you go from one trend to another as fast as twitter changes its trending list all you are going to get is a warn out piece of software of a body.Remember, it wasn’t the Hare who won all the races, the turtle continues to laugh.

Here are the top ten 2013 Fitness Trends:

1. Educated, certified, and experienced fitness professionals — Jobs for fitness workers are expected to rise much faster than the average.

2. Strength training — In the No. 2 spot for the second year in a row, strength training continues to be a strong trend. No longer restricted to bodybuilding, most people now incorporate some form of weight training to improve or maintain muscle strength.

3. Body-weight training — Body-weight exercises use minimal equipment and include push-ups, pull-ups, planks, and squats.

4. Children and obesity — Exercise programs aimed at the problem of childhood obesity are also a major fitness trend. Schools are increasingly partnering with commercial and community-based physical activity programs to prevent and treat rising childhood obesity rates.

5. Exercise and weight loss — Consistently in the top 20 fitness trends, researchers say most popular diet plans incorporate exercise to encourage weight loss.

6. Fitness programs for older adults — Fitness clubs are capitalizing on an aging baby boomer generation with age-appropriate exercise programs.

7. Personal training — As more personal trainers are becoming certified, they are becoming more accessible in a variety of settings, such as corporate wellness, community-based, and medical fitness programs.

8. Functional fitness — Researchers define functional fitness as using strength training to improve balance, coordination, force, power, and endurance to perform activities of daily living. Functional fitness programs are designed to reflect actual activities done as a function of daily living and is often used in fitness programs for older adults.

9. Core training — Using equipment like balance balls and wobble boards, core training stresses strength and conditioning of the stabilizing muscles of the mid-section. Researchers say exercising the core muscles in the hips, lower back, and abdomen improves overall stability for daily activities and sports performance.

10. Group personal training — A boon for budget-conscious clients, personal trainers now often provide services to small groups of two to four people at deep discounts.

What ever the trend is just make sure you have a long term goal and approach to it all. Consistency is key!