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SAVING A BUCK OR TWO BUT STILL STAYING FIT

NEW YORK - Money, or the lack of it, changes everything, and that includes how people will be working out in 2010.

NEW YORK - Money, or the lack of it, changes everything, and that includes how people will be working out in 2010.

In these belt-tightening times, cost-conscious workouts at home and at the gym topped the list of fitness trends for this year in a survey, followed by shorter, more time-efficient regimens, such as boot camp and circuit training.

"People are looking for ways to accomplish as much as possible with as little time and money as necessary," said Cedric Bryant, chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, which conducted the online poll of fitness professionals.

"Last year 'budget-conscious' was on the list but this year the majority of the respondents put it as one of the top."

Other money-saving measures such as the shift from personal training sessions to small group training classes and in-home workouts using smaller, more portable equipment, also made the list.

"Personal trainers are seeing they've got to respond to market needs. Working with two to four clients at a time they can charge less but still get their hourly fee," Bryant said.

Boot-camp workouts and circuit training, both of which burn calories while building strength and endurance, will be among the most popular trends in 2010, as time-constrained consumers seek shorter, more intense regimens.

"We're living in a time-pressured society where people are working longer because of staff reductions or trying to pick up extra income," Bryant said.

One bright spot is the rise of "exergaming-type systems", such as Nintendo's Wii Sports, Wii Fit and the PC-based Dancetown.

Bryant says the fitness-based video games are turning up in health clubs and senior centres.

"Exergaming appears to be taking hold with older adults, a segment of the population that people don't associate with technology and gaming."

"Senior centres are offering it to a population that is sometimes under-served in exercise options."

Boomer-specific programmes will remain strong in 2010, as the oldest of the 78million-strong demographic reaches retirement age.

"We're still seeing their desire and expectation to have full and active lives," Bryant said. "Unlike previous generations, boomers expect to maintain a more active lifestyle.

"The obesity epidemic is causing a change in the type of client entering the fitness environment," he said. "It's more likely to be someone who has diabetes or hypertension. They're going to have special needs. More attention is being focused on providing programmes to help these individuals." - Reuters

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